What is a Birdie in Golf
For beginning golfers, understanding the language of golf can be confusing and frustrating.
Golf terms such as birdie, eagle, and par are essential when writing a score down for a single hole.
But until you know their definition, you might scratch your head when your playing partners throw those other golf terms out.
Many players know that a birdie is a positive thing for the scorecard, but how many strokes are you saving during your round by carding one?
In this article, we’ll provide you with a quick primer on all the important golf terms you need to know. We’ll also offer a few tips on increasing your chances of scoring more birdies during your next few visits to the golf clubs in your area.
What is considered a birdie in golf?
When a golfer makes one stroke under par on a hole, it is considered a birdie. A birdie is a positive result for the scorecard as it lowers a golfer’s score and reduces their overall number of strokes.
Since golf is about finishing with the fewest strokes possible, birdies provide a huge advantage for players who want to lower their average number per round.
Is a birdie better than a bogey?
Yes, a birdie is two strokes better than a bogey.
For example, on a par 4 hole, a birdie represents a score of 3, while a bogey is a 5.
The two-shot difference is a crucial number of strokes for golfers looking to maintain a clean scorecard and reduce their overall final score.
When looking at the difference between a birdie and such scores as a double bogey, triple bogey, or even a quadruple bogey, the single stroke under par provides room for error if you later fill your scorecards with any of those negative scores we listed above.
How is a birdie scored on a scorecard?
Most players place a circle around their birdie score to make it easier to see how many strokes above or below par they are during their rounds.
Any score over par is typically accompanied by a square or multiple squares around the number to signify a bogey or worse.
Any score of even par on a hole is left alone, so when a golfer scans the scorecard, they know their score stayed level after that hole.
Once the round ends, you can quickly tally your total score by looking at the circles and squares on the scorecard. Four circles and three squares mean you went one under par on your round.
What strategies can golfers use to increase their chances of making birdies?
One of the best ways to increase your chances of making a birdie is to extend your length off the tee box. Since the goal is to get the golf ball into the hole in fewer shots, generating more distance forces your second shot to be closer to the pin.
Amateur golfers will find much better forgiveness and accuracy with their wedges compared to a mid-iron, so if they shorten the golf course by hitting a booming tee shot, their birdie opportunity will increase dramatically.
Another strategy to score more birdies when playing golf courses is finding a layout with shorter overall yardage.
Golf courses offer different levels of length and difficulty, so finding a course that’s relatively easier than the average course can boost your chances of carding a birdie on a given hole.
How common are birdies in professional golf compared to amateur play?
Birdies among professional players are very common compared to the frequency of amateur birdies.
While expert golfers on the PGA Tour might post several birdies per round on an average golf course due to the sophistication of their golf game, an amateur will be lucky to card one birdie during their day on the links primarily due to their shorter overall length and lack of consistency.
When looking at the top golfers, Scottie Scheffler averages almost five birdies per round on the PGA Tour, a remarkable figure that most amateurs could only dream of accomplishing.
What is the origin of the term “birdie” in golf?
The term “birdie” originated around 1900 at the Atlantic City Country Club. According to golf historians, a golfer on the course was said to hit “a bird of a shot.” At that time, “bird” was slang for excellence in America.
The foursome agreed that a one-under-par score on a hole should be known by the word “birdie.”
To this day, the Atlantic City Country Club carries a plaque in their pro shop commemorating the course as the birthplace of the birdie.
What is an eagle in golf?
Some golfers get a birdie and an eagle confused, so let’s take a moment to clarify the difference.
A birdie is one under par on a hole, while an eagle is two strokes under par. In comparison, the score of eagle is double compensation when compared to a birdie.
The extremely rare double eagle is two strokes under par on a hole. A hole-in-one on a par 3 would technically go down as a double eagle because it is two strokes under the par score of 3.
Occasionally, golfers may post a hole-in-one on a short par 4 by holing out their first shot, which would be considered a double eagle or, in keeping with the bird theme, an “albatross.”
Must read: What is an Eagle in Golf?