What is a birdie?
Every hole on a golf course has a par: the number of strokes a skilled golfer is expected to need. If you complete the hole in one stroke fewer than par, you have made a birdie.
Examples
- Par 3 in 2 strokes: birdie
- Par 4 in 3 strokes: birdie
- Par 5 in 4 strokes: birdie
Where does the name come from?
The term originated in the United States in the late 19th century, when "bird" was American slang for something excellent. Other bird names followed for even better scores, such as the eagle (two under par) and the albatross (three under par).
Birdie and Stableford
In a Stableford competition, a birdie earns 3 points. With handicap strokes, your net score counts: a net birdie is also worth 3 points. For comparison: a net par earns 2 points and a net bogey 1 point.
