What Is an Albatross in Golf? The Rare Shot Explained
An albatross in golf is scoring three under par on a single hole-rare, impressive, and often legendary. Learn how it’s done, why it’s so uncommon, and the stories behind the most famous shots.
Albatross Golf: What It Means and Why It Matters in the Game
When you hear the word albatross, a golf score of three under par on a single hole. Also known as a double eagle, it’s one of the rarest achievements in golf—rarer than a hole-in-one on a par-4. This isn’t just a fancy term for good play. It’s a moment that stops a round, makes spectators gasp, and gets talked about for years. Most amateur golfers will never see one in person, let alone make one.
It usually happens on a par-5 hole, where a player hits the ball onto the green in two shots and sinks the putt. That’s two shots to finish what most players take five to complete. It’s not luck—it’s precision, power, and nerve all at once. Even pros don’t do it often. The PGA Tour records show fewer than 100 albatrosses in the last 30 years. Compare that to over 20,000 holes-in-one in the same time. You’re more likely to win the lottery than card an albatross.
It’s not just about the score. An albatross changes how people see you on the course. It’s the kind of thing that gets mentioned in club newsletters, shared on social media, and remembered by your playing partners long after the round is over. It’s also tied to other golf concepts like golf handicaps, a system that levels the playing field between players of different skill levels—because if you ever shoot an albatross, your handicap will drop faster than you can say "eagle".
And while it’s mostly seen on par-5s, there have been a few wild cases where players pulled it off on a par-4—hitting the green with their tee shot and sinking the putt. Those are the stuff of legends. One famous example? Gene Sarazen’s albatross at the 1935 Masters, which tied him for the lead and helped him win the tournament. That shot didn’t just change his career—it changed how people talked about golf.
So when you see a post about an albatross in the list below, don’t just skim it. These aren’t just stories about scores. They’re about moments that define the game—when skill meets timing, when pressure turns to triumph, and when the impossible becomes real. Whether it’s a pro’s historic shot or an amateur’s once-in-a-lifetime moment, each one carries the weight of what makes golf so compelling. You’ll find real accounts, breakdowns of how it’s done, and even tips on how to even get close to making one yourself.
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