What is a birdie in golf?
Each hole has a by: the number of moves a very good player needs to make to finish it (3, 4, or 5). The birdie is a score of one stroke under par.
- A par-3 hole played in two strokes: birdie.
- A par-4 hole played in 3 strokes: birdie.
- A par 5 played in 4 strokes: birdie.
People say “make a birdie,” “make a birdie on the 12th,” or, when facing a putt that could result in a birdie, “putt for a birdie.”.
Birdie, eagle, bogey: Where does the birdie fit in?
| Score on the hole | Last Name | Example on a par-4 hole |
|---|---|---|
| 3 strokes under par | Albatross | 1 shot |
| 2 strokes under par | Eagle | 2 shots |
| 1 stroke under par | Birdie | 3 shots |
| The par | By | 4 strokes |
| 1 stroke over par | Bogey | 5 shots |
| 2 strokes over par | Double bogey | 6 shots |
A birdie is the first score “under par.” It’s the most common of the good scores: a professional makes several per round, a skilled amateur makes a few per game, and a beginner’s first birdie remains a memorable experience.
Where does the word “birdie” come from?
The term originated in the United States, at the Atlantic City Country Club, in 1899, according to the account cited by the United States Golf Association (USGA). During a round, Ab Smith placed his ball very close to the hole and exclaimed that it was “a bird of a shot”: in American slang of the time, “bird” was used to describe something excellent. Since the player had finished one stroke under par, the expression stuck for that score.
The vocabulary related to birds then expanded: the'eagle (the eagle) for two strokes under par, then the'albatross for three.
How many points is a birdie worth in Stableford?
In Stableford, the most popular scoring system among amateurs, points are counted instead of strokes. A net birdie, that is, after taking into account the hits returned by your index finger, results in 3 points, compared to 2 for the net par and 1 for the net bogey.
A player who receives a stroke on a hole therefore makes a net birdie by playing par: on a par-4 hole, 4 gross strokes minus 1 received stroke equals 3 net strokes, which is a net birdie.
How can I make more birdies?
- Identify favorable holes: The play-able par-5s and short par-4s offer the most opportunities. That's where you need to position yourself to go on the attack.
- Getting Off to a Good Start: A drive on the hole—even if it's a little shorter—makes the second shot to the green easier.
- Practice shots under 110 yards: A wedge shot that lands three meters from the flag offers a real chance at a birdie.
- Attack the flag only when it makes sense: A flag placed behind a bunker is often positioned toward the center of the green. Aiming too close can quickly turn a potential birdie into a bogey.
- Putting at the Right Speed: A birdie putt that's too short never goes in, but a putt that's too hard can leave you with a tricky comeback putt.
Video Lessons for Making More Birdies
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Frequently Asked Questions: Birdie in Golf
What is a birdie in golf?
This is the score for one stroke under par on a hole: for example, 3 strokes on a par-4 or 4 strokes on a par-5.
How many points is a birdie worth in Stableford?
A net birdie is worth 3 points in Stableford, compared to 2 points for a net par. A gross birdie can be worth more if you receive a stroke on that hole.
Why do we say “birdie” in golf?
The word comes from late 19th-century American slang, where “bird” meant “excellent.” It is said to have originated in 1899 at the Atlantic City Country Club, after a shot was described as a “bird of a shot.”.
What's the difference between a birdie and an eagle?
A birdie is a shot under par; an eagle is two shots under par. On a par-5 hole, a birdie is achieved in 4 strokes and an eagle in 3.