A score of three strokes under par on a single hole (also called a double eagle), most commonly achieved on a par 5 holed in 2 strokes or a par 4 holed in 1 stroke (a hole-in-one on a par 4).
How an Albatross Is Scored
An albatross requires completing a hole in 3 fewer strokes than par. On a par 5, this means hitting the green in 1 stroke (rare, given par 5 lengths) or making a 2 from the fairway on the second shot. On a par 4, an albatross is a hole-in-one — extremely rare but theoretically possible. The par 5 albatross from the fairway on the second shot is the most common form, but 'common' is relative — estimates suggest one occurs for every 1 million shots by amateur golfers.
Famous Albatrosses in Golf History
Several albatrosses have shaped golf history. Gene Sarazen's 'shot heard 'round the world' at the 1935 Masters — a 4-wood from 220 yards holed for an albatross on the par-5 15th — helped him tie Craig Wood and win in a playoff. Louis Oosthuizen's albatross on the par-5 2nd hole in the final round of the 2012 Masters created the same result. Jeff Maggert made an albatross on the 13th hole at Augusta. These shots are memorable precisely because of their extreme rarity.
Albatross vs. Eagle vs. Birdie: The Bird Sequence
Golf's scoring terms below par use a bird hierarchy. Birdie (-1): bird. Eagle (-2): a larger, more impressive bird. Albatross (-3): one of the largest flying birds. Condor (-4, four under par): the largest flying bird — theoretically possible on a very short par 5 with a hole-in-one, or on a par 6. The bird naming convention started in the United States in the 19th century, with 'birdie' emerging first, then 'eagle' as a superlative.
The Probability of an Albatross
Statistical estimates suggest amateur golfers achieve an albatross roughly once per 1 to 5 million shots. Tour professionals achieve them more frequently given their precision, but even on tour they're headline news when they occur. The probability on any specific par 5 attempt is affected by: distance to the green on the second shot (shorter = better chance), wind conditions, hole location, and club selection. The conditions must align perfectly for a realistic albatross attempt.
Key Takeaways
- An albatross is 3 under par on a single hole — most commonly on a par 5 in 2 shots
- Gene Sarazen's 1935 Masters albatross on hole 15 remains the most famous single shot in history
- The bird scoring sequence: birdie (-1), eagle (-2), albatross (-3), condor (-4)
- Probability: roughly 1 per million shots for amateurs — celebrate it if you ever make one
Train Smarter with GOATY AI
While albatrosses require exceptional shots, GOATY helps build the precision and power that turns par 5 approach shots from good to great — increasing your eagle and birdie opportunities.
Start Free AI Analysis →