An eagle is not the rarest of golfing birds but it’s certainly a very welcome sight on the golf course for any player. Here we consider what an eagle means in golf and where the turn of phrase originated.
What Does Eagle Mean In Golfing?
Considering the average golfer has a handicap between 16 to 20, this study tells us the average golfer will only score 0.3 birdies per round on average.
Based on this data and my personal experience playing with golfers at various skill levels, I think it's safe to guess that the average golfer is less likely to get an eagle in a given year than they are to get one. In fact, many golfers who lack distance have the best chance of scoring an eagle by getting a hole-in-one.
With that said, hitting the ball far and playing from closer tees gives you a lot more legitimate chances at eagles. A 12-handicap friend of mine consistently drives 300 yards. Compared to many golfers at his skill level, he has a better ability to reach the green on par 5s in 2 strokes, leaving him more chances for eagle putt opportunities. If he were to play from the white tees, he'd probably have at least one eagle putt opportunity per round.
Check out more golf scoring terms here.