What Is An Ostrich In Golf? The Crazy, Rare Score

Ever found yourself perplexed by the term ‘ostrich’ while navigating the lush greens of a golf course? Trust me, you’re in good company—it threw me for a loop when I first encountered it.

But fear not! After delving into the colorful lexicon of golf, I’ve unearthed that this elusive term indeed corresponds to an actual score—a remarkably rare one at that. In today’s post, we’ll decode this enigmatic word and saunter through the delightfully eccentric vocabulary of golf scoring.

So grab your clubs and your curiosity; we’re about to take a swing at uncovering what ‘ostrich’ really means in the world of tees, fairways, and greens—and just maybe give you something to brag about during your next game!

At A Glance:

• An ostrich in golf means you score five shots under par, which is extremely rare and often seen as just a fun idea because most courses only go up to par 5.
• The name “ostrich” fits into the bird theme of golf scoring like birdie or eagle, with bigger birds representing better scores.
• Scoring an ostrich is tougher than getting a hole-in-one or an albatross, making it more of a legend than a common event in the sport.

What is an Ostrich in Golf?

So, we’ve set the stage; let’s dive into what an ostrich is in golf. Imagine you’re standing on a massive par 6 hole and you hit the ball from the tee straight into the cup. That’s an ostrich! It means you’ve just taken five less shots than expected to sink your ball.

Think about it like getting a hole-in-one on this huge par-6 hole – though most courses don’t even have holes that long.

It’s super rare but pretty cool to say, “I scored an ostrich!” This term shows up when someone does something almost magical on the course. You won’t find many chances to score one because golf courses usually max out at par 5s.

But still, knowing about an ostrich keeps things fun and reminds us that every shot counts – aiming for those big achievements makes playing all the more exciting!

Why is it Called an Ostrich?

In golf, we have some pretty cool names for scores. An ostrich is one of them. It’s a name for something super rare – when someone finishes a hole five strokes under par. Think about it, hitting the ball way less than you’re supposed to is tough.

So they needed a big bird name and “ostrich” was it! Ostriches are huge birds that don’t fly – just like this score; it’s huge and you hardly ever see it happen.

People often ask how these names came up. Well, in golf, birds are kind of a theme. You’ve got your birdies and eagles flying around on the course – which means you’re doing great by playing under par! The bigger the bird in the name, the better you did on the hole.

That’s why when someone rocks their game with an awesome five-under-par, we call that incredible feat an ostrich because there are not many birds bigger than that!

How Does an Ostrich Compare to Other Golf Scoring Terms?

In the curious world of golf, where birdies and eagles are celebrated feats, the ostrich stands as a mythical score that surpasses them all—read on to unravel how this rare bird compares to its avian counterparts.

Birdie:

I’ve always enjoyed the moment when I score a birdie. It’s like a pat on the back, telling me I played one stroke under par for that hole. So, if par is what we’re all aiming for—like our golfing goal—a birdie means I did better than expected.

It comes from an old American slang “bird,” which folks used to say meant something really good.

Scoring a birdie can feel just as sweet whether you’re new to golf or have been playing for years. It gives your scorecard and your confidence a nice little boost—and let’s be honest, it makes you want to do a happy dance right there on the green!

Eagle:

So, we just talked about scoring a birdie. Now, let’s step it up to an eagle. This is where things get exciting on the golf course. An eagle means you played super well and got your ball into the hole with two fewer hits than par for that hole.

It’s like leveling up in a video game, but in golf.

Getting an eagle feels amazing because it doesn’t happen very often. For example, if you’re playing on a par-5 hole and you sink your ball in just three strokes – bam! That’s an eagle for you right there.

Eagles show that not only do you have skill, but also strategy and maybe even a little bit of luck on your side with those long shots or perfect putts.

Albatross:

Let’s talk about the albatross in golf. This isn’t about a big bird; it’s something way cooler on the course. Hitting an albatross means you just scored three shots under par on a single hole.

That’s like hitting the jackpot because it almost never happens! It’s also called a double eagle, and either way, you say it, scoring one is a huge deal.

Imagine this: You’re out there swinging your club, aiming for that far-off green. You hit with all you’ve got and—bam—the ball sails through the air straight to where you want it to go.

Not just close but in the hole after only three strokes on a par-six or maybe even less! That kind of skill and luck combined makes for an unforgettable moment that other golfers might not see in their entire time playing the game.

Comparing the Rarity: Hole-in-One, Albatross, and Ostrich:

I’ve seen some amazing things on the golf course. Scoring a hole-in-one, an albatross, or an ostrich—those are moments that can make any golfer’s day unforgettable.

Scoring Term	Definition	Under Par	Occurrence Frequency
Birdie	1 stroke under par	-1	Common
Eagle	2 strokes under par	-2	Less common
Albatross	3 strokes under par	-3	Rare
Hole-in-One	1 stroke to the hole	-1	Very rare
Ostrich	5 strokes under par	-5	Extremely rare

• A hole-in-one is when your ball goes from the tee into the hole with just one hit. It’s a dream shot for many golfers.
• Golfers call it an albatross when you score three under par on a single hole. This means on a par – 5, you’d sink your ball in just two shots.
• An ostrich is even more special. It’s five under par, but it’s so rare most players will never see it happen.

• For a hole-in-one, you need to hit that perfect shot straight to the pin. The odds are quite slim; aces come by chance as much as skill.
• Albatrosses are a mix of great skill and good luck too. You have to drive long and then follow up with an incredible second shot.
• Ostrich achievements are more of a myth than reality. To get five under par, everything has to line up—distance, wind, swing, and often, just plain fate.

• Holes-in-one mostly happen on shorter holes—a lucky swing can do it.
• With albatrosses, you’re often battling longer distances and tricky approaches.
• Ostriches? They’re nearly impossible—you might hear about them but seeing one is another story.

• Aces light up any golfer’s face because they’re so unique. Every pro dreams of making that one perfect swing.
• Albatross stories spread around clubs like folklore—amazing feats that few can claim.
• But ostrich tales? They’re like finding treasure chests on the fairway—a quirky part of golf lore we chuckle about over the 19th-hole drink.

Achievement	Rarity Level	Description
Hole-in-One	Very Rare	Achieving a hole-in-one is a highly uncommon feat, requiring exceptional precision and luck. It occurs when the ball goes into the hole with just one hit from the tee.
Albatross	Rare	Scoring an albatross means being three strokes under par on a single hole. It’s a remarkable achievement that highlights a combination of skill and favorable circumstances.
Ostrich	Extremely Rare	The ostrich is a mythical score in golf, representing five strokes under par on a single hole. This achievement is so rare that it’s more of a legend than a reality, requiring an extraordinary alignment of factors.

The Rarity of Scoring an Ostrich in Golf:

Hitting an ostrich in golf is like finding a treasure chest on the course–it hardly ever happens. Imagine taking your club and, with just a few swings, you score way below what’s expected on a hole.

That’s an ostrich for you; it means you played so well that your ball went into the hole in five less tries than par says it should. It’s such a wild feat that most folks will never see it happen.

In golf circles, stories of scoring an ostrich are more myth than reality. Sure, we dream about sinking shots under par like birdies or eagles but taking five fewer strokes? That’s next level.

This kind of score can set a player apart from even the pros who spend their lives chasing after every stroke they can shave off their game.

To bag an ostrich is to hop into uncharted territory where scores like double bogeys and triple bogeys don’t even come close to describing what went down out there on the green.

The Controversy Surrounding the Term “Ostrich”:

Some golfers don’t think “ostrich” is a real term. They say it’s too rare to even happen. Yet, Tom Doak, a famous course critic, used the word in his reviews. This got people talking about “ostrich” and whether it should be part of golf talk.

Others argue that courses aren’t made for such scores. You won’t find par six or par-7 holes easily. So scoring five under par seems impossible! Still, the idea of an ostrich excites players and fans who love dreaming about amazing moments on the green.

Other Rare Golf Scoring Terms:

Golf has its own language, full of terms that might sound strange at first. You’ve heard of birdies and eagles, but the world of golf scoring doesn’t end there.

• Condor: This is golf’s rarest bird. A condor means you’re four under par on a single hole. Imagine swinging your club and the ball goes in the hole on a par 5 with just one shot. That’s a condor.
• Albatross: Also known as a double-eagle, this term pops up when you score three under par on a hole. Say you’re playing a par 5 and get the ball in the hole in two shots; that’s an albatross.
• Hole-in-One: This one is famous even outside golf circles. Hit the ball from the tee all the way into the hole on your first try and you’ve got yourself a hole-in-one.
• Eagle: Two strokes under par will earn you an eagle. On a par 4, getting your ball to sink into the cup in just two swings would mean you’ve made an eagle.
• Birdie: Golfers love this one; it means one stroke under par. For instance, if you’re playing a par 3 hole and you take only two shots to finish, that’s called making a birdie.
• Ace: Generally another term for a hole-in-one, ‘ace’ sounds cool and quick—just like the shot itself!
• Bogey: One over par isn’t what players aim for, but it happens. Finish a hole using one more stroke than ‘par for the course,’ and it’s called a bogey.
• Double Bogey: As you might guess, this is two over par. It’s not something to brag about but happens quite often during play.

Final Thought:

So, hearing about an ostrich in golf is super cool, but don’t expect to see one while you’re playing. Striking that ball five strokes under par is like catching a shooting star – rare and amazing! It makes the game exciting and gives us something crazy to aim for.

Even if we never land an ostrich, it’s fun just knowing it’s part of the game we love. Keep swinging and who knows – maybe you’ll make golf history!

Wondering whether a hole-in-one or an albatross is more rare? Find out by clicking here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What exactly is an ostrich in golf?

Well, an ostrich in golf is super rare – it means a player hits the ball into the hole three strokes under par on a single hole. It’s tougher than getting an eagle or even a double-albatross!

Does hitting an ostrich happen often?

Nope, it doesn’t! Hitting an ostrich is like finding treasure; it’s so uncommon most players never see one. Even scoring a birdie feels easier.

Can all golf clubs help me make an ostrich?

Technically, yes… but some clubs are better for certain shots. Like how the Scotty Cameron putter is famous for its precision on the greens – that could help you get closer to an ostrich if you’re putting from far out.

Are there other cool names for scores in golf?

Sure thing! Golf has lots of fun names like birdie, eagle, and albatross… Plus ones not so fun like bogey and double bogey when you’re over par. And don’t forget about “hole in one” – that’s always exciting!