An eagle in golf means completing a hole two strokes under par (-2). For example, scoring 3 on a par-5 or 2 on a par-4 is an eagle. On a par-3, an eagle would mean making the hole in just one shot, which is better known as a hole-in-one or ace.

But what exactly does "two strokes under par" mean, and how does a golfer actually make an eagle?

Below, we will break down how eagle scoring works, look at a few simple examples, and compare an eagle with other common golf scores such as birdie, bogey, and albatross.

Before we begin, let’s understand some basics first

Golf courses are made up of a series of holes, with a standard round usually consisting of 18. Each hole is given a number called par. Par represents the number of strokes a scratch golfer would generally be expected to take to complete the hole under normal playing conditions.

For example, a 135-yard hole might be a par 3, a 380-yard hole might be a par 4, and a 500-yard hole might be a par 5.

Distance plays an important role in determining par, but it is not the only factor. The way the hole is designed, elevation changes, hazards, and other playing conditions can also affect its par.

Once you understand par, golf scores such as birdie, eagle, and bogey become much easier to understand.

What Is An "Eagle" in Golf Scoring? 

The reason to explain par first is simple. You cannot understand what an eagle in golf scoring is without knowing what it is being measured against. Now that you know par is the expected number of strokes for a hole, the definition of an eagle becomes easy to follow.

An eagle happens when you finish a hole two strokes under par. That is the entire definition. Here is what it looks like in practice:

• On a par-4 hole, finishing in just 2 strokes is an eagle.

• On a par-5 hole, finishing in just 3 strokes is an eagle.

As for par 3, though technically possible, scoring two strokes under would mean finishing in just 1 shot. For example, on a 135-yard par-3 hole, you would need to hit the ball from the tee directly into the hole. This is more commonly known as a hole-in-one or an ace. 

Eagle vs Birdie vs Albatross vs Bogey (Brief Overview)

Similar to eagle, there are other golf scoring terms like birdie in golf and bogey in golf. Once you understand these terms, you will be able to read any golf scorecard with confidence and actually understand what other golfers or commentators mean. 

The easiest way to remember the difference is to compare every score with par. A birdie is one stroke under par, an eagle is two under, and an albatross is three under. A bogey goes in the opposite direction and means finishing one stroke over par. 

How Hard Is It to Score an Eagle? 

Yes, an eagle is difficult to score, especially for amateur and beginner golfers. Many recreational players can go numerous rounds without making one because an eagle usually requires several very good shots on the same hole.

A common eagle opportunity comes on a par-5. A golfer may hit a strong drive, reach the green with the second shot, and then hole the first putt. That gives them a score of 3 on a par-5, which is two strokes under par.

If the eagle putt misses, the golfer may still have a good chance of making birdie, but an eagle is no longer guaranteed.

Eagles can also happen on par-4 holes when a golfer holes their second shot, while an eagle on a par-3 is a hole-in-one.

As a beginner, making an eagle should not be an immediate expectation. Improving your accuracy, distance control, course management, and putting will naturally give you more opportunities as your game develops.

How to Give Yourself a Better Chance of Making an Eagle 

If you are a beginner, chasing an eagle on every suitable hole is not the best approach. Building a consistent swing, improving your accuracy, and learning how to manage the course should come first.

As those parts of your game improve, you can start putting yourself in better positions to create eagle opportunities. Here are three areas that can help.

1. Sharpen Your Long Game 

Distance can create eagle opportunities, especially on par-5 holes, but accuracy matters just as much.

A strong tee shot can leave you close enough to attempt reaching the green with your second shot. From there, a controlled long iron, hybrid, or fairway wood can give you a realistic eagle putt.

That is why improving your long game should not be only about hitting the ball farther. The goal is to combine distance with enough accuracy to leave yourself in a good position for the next shot.

2. Play Par 5 Holes With a Plan 

Par-5 holes usually provide the most realistic eagle opportunities because longer hitters may be able to reach the green in two shots.

A typical eagle attempt starts with a strong, well-positioned drive. If the distance, lie, and hazards make it sensible, the second shot can then be played toward the green. Reaching the green in two gives you a putt for eagle.

However, trying to reach every par-5 green in two is not always the smartest choice. If the shot requires carrying a major hazard or playing from a poor lie, laying up may protect your overall score.

Golfer's tip: Don't attack every par-5 in two. Distance only creates an eagle opportunity if your lie, hazards, and landing area make the second shot sensible.

Good course management is about knowing when an eagle opportunity is realistic and when it is better to play safely.

3. Stay Patient and Consistent 

Eagles are difficult to make, so trying to force one can easily lead to unnecessary mistakes.

For example, an overly aggressive approach shot might bring bunkers, water, or out-of-bounds areas into play when a safer shot would leave you with a much better overall score.

Focus instead on making good decisions and executing one shot at a time. As your distance, accuracy, and putting improve, you will naturally create more opportunities to make an eagle without having to chase one on every hole.

FAQs

Can you get an eagle on a par 3?

Yes. An eagle means scoring two strokes under par, so on a par-3 hole, an eagle would be a score of 1. In other words, you would need to hit the ball from the tee directly into the hole.

This is much more commonly called a hole-in-one or an ace, rather than simply an eagle.

Can you get an eagle on a par 4?

Yes. To make an eagle on a par-4 hole, you need to complete the hole in just 2 strokes.

For example, you might hit your tee shot into the fairway and then hole your second shot from the fairway. Another possibility is driving the green on a short par 4 and making the first putt.

Either way, a score of 2 on a par 4 is an eagle.

What is better than an eagle in golf?

An albatross is better than an eagle because it means finishing a hole three strokes under par (-3), compared with two strokes under par (-2) for an eagle.

For example, scoring 2 on a par-5 hole is an albatross. It is much rarer than an eagle.

Is an eagle the same as a hole-in-one?

Not exactly.

An eagle describes your score in relation to par, while a hole-in-one describes completing a hole with a single shot.

For example, a hole-in-one on a par-3 is also an eagle because 1 is two strokes under par. However, a hole-in-one on a par-4 would actually count as an albatross because it is three strokes under par.

What is a double eagle in golf?

A double eagle is another name for an albatross, which means scoring three strokes under par (-3) on a single hole.

The most common example is scoring 2 on a par-5. It is one of the rarest scores in golf and is considerably harder to achieve than an eagle.

Time to Put This Into Practice 

An eagle in golf simply means completing a hole two strokes under par. That could be a 3 on a par-5, a 2 on a par-4, or a hole-in-one on a par-3.

For most golfers, eagles are difficult to make, so there is no reason to force them. Focus on improving your distance, accuracy, course management, and putting, and eagle opportunities will become more realistic as your game improves.

And if you are still learning golf scoring, understanding how eagles compare with birdies, pars, bogeys, and albatrosses will make reading a scorecard much easier.