What is an Eagle in golf? How did the name come about and what's the difference between net & gross eagle.
What is an Eagle in golf?
An Eagle is much harder to come by but impressive if achieved.
One better than a birdie, an eagle is when you score two strokes less than the declared par of the hole. So if you're playing a par-5 hole and complete the hole having only hit 3 shots, that's an eagle.
If playing a par-3 and you complete the hole in one shot. That's also an eagle however is more popularly known as a 'Hole in One'.
Where does the word 'eagle' come from?
The term came about from the golfer Ab Smith who originally dubbed the one under par score a birdie. This same group referred to two under as an 'eagle'.
See where the word Birdie came from to understand the meaning behind both words.
What is the difference between Net & Gross?
Net Eagle
A net eagle is when you shoot two under the par of the hole with the aid of your handicap strokes.
So lets say you're an 18 handicap and you're paying a par 5 hole and you manage to get a birdie on this hole. As your handicap takes a shot off per hole this birdie has an extra shot taken off leaving you with a net eagle.
Gross Eagle
A gross eagle is the opposite of a net eagle. Gross is the score you get before any handicap strokes are deducted.
So if you're playing a par 5, you will need to finish the hole in 3 shots to get a gross eagle.
See other popular articles on golf terminology
