Albatross
An albatross is a score of three strokes under par on a hole. The same score is also called a double eagle.12
Two strokes on a par 5 make an albatross. One stroke on a par 4 also qualifies, making that result both an albatross and a hole-in-one. The term describes a hole score relative to par.12
Albatross continues the bird names used for scores below par. The USGA's 2026 terminology history places its growing use in the 1920s, while acknowledging that the exact derivation is undocumented. That is a retrospective account, rather than a proven date of invention.3
A documented American example came in the final round of the 1935 Masters. Gene Sarazen holed a 235-yard shot with a 4-wood at Augusta National's par-5 15th. His two on the hole brought him level with Craig Wood.4
The tournament still had to be decided. Sarazen and Wood finished tied, then played an additional 36 holes. Sarazen won that playoff by five strokes, 144 to 149. The scoring feat and the later victory are separate parts of the story.4
At a glance
- Championship example
- Gene Sarazen, 1935 Masters, final round, 15th hole4
Sources
- PGA of AmericaGolf Dictionary, Glossary and Golf Terms
- USGAFAQ - Golf History Questions
- USGAWord Play: How Golf Terminology Has Evolved Over the Years
- Masters Tournament; hosted by PGA TOUR2019 Masters Media Guide: 1935 Masters Tournament, printed page 400