A condor is the rarest score in golf, achieved by making a hole-in-one on a par-5 hole. This incredible feat is so rare that only a handful of golfers in history have managed to achieve it.
Scoring a condor is a combination of perfect skill, the right conditions, and a bit of luck. In this article, we’ll explore what makes a condor so special, how it compares to other rare golf achievements, and take a closer look at the few golfers who have made golf history by hitting this amazing shot.
It’s a record that few will ever experience, and understanding its rarity makes it even more fascinating.
We’ll explore the incredible feat of how many condors in golf history, the golfers who have made history by scoring one, and even take a look at the golf history of Donald Trump, who may not have hit a condor, but has certainly made a mark in the golfing world.
What Is a Condor in Golf
Before we dive into how many condors have been scored, let’s first take a closer look at what a condor is and why it’s such an extraordinary achievement.
In golf, a condor refers to scoring 4-under par on a hole, which usually means making a hole-in-one on a par-5 hole. This feat is so rare that it’s almost mythical in the world of golf.
To put it into perspective, here’s a breakdown of common golf terms and scores:
- Hole-in-one: A hole-in-one happens when a golfer sinks the ball into the cup in just one stroke on a par-3 hole. It’s an incredible achievement, but it’s not as rare as a condor.
- Eagle: An eagle is when a golfer completes a hole in 2 strokes under par, typically on par-4 or par-5 holes. Eagles are exciting, but they’re much more achievable than a condor.
- Albatross: An albatross is a 3-under par score, usually on a par-5. Albatrosses are very rare and a huge accomplishment, but they’re still not as rare as condors.
- Condor: A condor is the ultimate rarity 4 strokes under par, which is typically achieved by hitting a hole-in-one on a long par-5 hole. It’s so rare that there have only been six recorded condors in history.
In short, the condor is the rarest recorded score in the game of golf, and achieving it is something that only a few golfers will experience in their careers, if at all.
How Many Condors Have Been Recorded in Golf History
You might be wondering, just how many condors have been scored in the history of golf? Well, the answer is surprisingly low: there have only been six confirmed condors in the history of professional golf.
That’s right only six golfers have ever managed to achieve this rare feat. These occurrences have been scattered across the globe, from the United States to the United Kingdom, and even Australia.
The Rarity of Condors in Golf
To understand just how rare a condor is, consider the following comparisons:
- Hole-in-one: Achieved approximately 1 in 12,500 attempts by average golfers.
- Eagle: Scored about 1 in 500 attempts on par-5 holes.
- Albatross: Occurs roughly 1 in 6 million attempts.
- Condor: The odds are so slim that they are almost beyond comprehension, with estimates around 1 in 100 million.
Famous Condor Moments in Golf History
1. Larry Bruce (1962)
The first recorded condor in golf history was made by Larry Bruce in 1962 at Hope Country Club in Arkansas. Bruce made a hole-in-one on the 480-yard par-5 5th hole.
The hole had a dogleg, which helped Bruce hit a perfect tee shot and then make a second shot that rolled into the hole. This rare feat made headlines and marked the beginning of a new chapter in golf history.
2. Dick Hogan (1973)
Another famous condor occurred in 1973 when Dick Hogan scored a condor at Piedmont Crescent Golf Club in North Carolina. Hogan made his hole-in-one on the 456-yard 8th hole, which was a par-5.
While Hogan’s condor wasn’t as widely reported as some others, it was still a remarkable achievement in its own right.
3. Mike Crean (2002)
One of the most memorable condors in recent history occurred in 2002 when Mike Crean scored a condor at Green Valley Ranch Golf Course in Denver. Crean made the longest hole-in-one ever recorded on the 517-yard 9th hole.
His shot landed on the green, and then the ball rolled into the cup. Crean’s condor was remarkable not only for the distance but also because of the excitement it generated in the golfing world.
4. Jack Bartlett (2007)
In 2007, Jack Bartlett, at just 16 years old, became the youngest player to score a condor. Bartlett made his condor at Wentworth Falls Country Club in Australia, on a 511-yard par-5 hole. His achievement was incredible, especially considering his young age.
Bartlett’s condor is one of the few examples of a condor being scored by a young amateur player, making it even more special.
5. Kevin Pon (2020)
The most recent condor to be recorded occurred in 2020 by Kevin Pon at Lake Chabot Golf Course in California. What makes Pon’s condor even more remarkable is that it was the first condor ever achieved on a par-6 hole.
The 649-yard 18th hole at Lake Chabot allowed Pon to hit an amazing tee shot that put him in perfect position for a second shot that he made into the hole. This historic achievement was a huge moment in golf and showed that condors can happen in the most unexpected places.
Why Are Condors So Rare in Golf
Condors are incredibly rare because of the combination of factors that must come together perfectly. Here are a few reasons why making a condor is so difficult:
Par-5 Holes: Most condors happen on par-5 holes, which are long holes requiring precision and power. It’s hard enough to get an eagle (2-under par) on a par-5, let alone a hole-in-one.
Distance: Par-5 holes are typically around 450-600 yards long. This means that hitting a hole-in-one requires not only skill but also perfect distance control.
Course Conditions: The conditions must be perfect for a condor to happen. Factors such as wind, the firmness of the fairways, and the speed of the greens all play a role in making a condor possible.
Luck: Even with the perfect conditions, a lot of luck is involved. The ball needs to land in just the right spot, roll perfectly, and drop into the hole.
The odds of getting a condor are so low that they are almost beyond comprehension. To give you an idea of how rare this is:
- Hole-in-one: Happens about 1 in 12,500 times for an average golfer.
- Eagle: Happens about 1 in 500 times for a golfer on a par-5 hole.
- Albatross: Happens about 1 in 6 million times for a golfer on a par-5 hole.
- Condor: The odds of making a condor are estimated at 1 in 100 million or even rarer.
How Many Golfers Have Scored A Condor
A condor is the rarest achievement in golf. It happens when a golfer makes a hole-in-one on a par-5 hole, which is extremely difficult.
Only six golfers in history have managed to score a condor, making it one of the rarest feats in the game.
How Rare Is A Condor In Golf
Achieving a condor requires the perfect combination of skill, distance, and luck. The odds of making a condor are estimated to be 1 in 100 million.
This makes it far rarer than a hole-in-one or even an albatross, which is 3 strokes under par.
Who Has Scored a Condor In Golf
Kevin Pon (2020) – First-ever condor on a par-6 hole at Lake Chabot Golf Course, California.
Larry Bruce (1962) – First recorded condor at Hope Country Club in Arkansas.
Dick Hogan (1973) – Scored a condor at Piedmont Crescent Golf Club in North Carolina.
Shaun Lynch (1995) – Hole-in-one on the 496-yard par-5 at Teign Valley in the UK.
Mike Crean (2002) – Longest hole-in-one on a 517-yard par-5 at Green Valley Ranch, Denver.
Jack Bartlett (2007) – Youngest golfer to score a condor at Wentworth Falls Country Club, Australia.
Donald Trump’s Golf Record and His Impact on the Game
Now that we’ve explored the rare achievement of a condor, let’s take a look at Donald Trump’s golf career. Trump is not only known for his career as a businessman and former U.S. president, but he is also an avid golfer and owner of several golf courses around the world.
Trump’s golf game is widely discussed, and while he has not yet scored a condor, he has had an impact on the sport in other ways.
Trump’s Golf Handicap and Achievements
- Handicap: Donald Trump claims to have a golf handicap of 2.8, which means he’s a very skilled golfer, ranking among the top 1% of amateur golfers.
- Course Ownership: Trump owns 17 golf courses in the U.S. and around the world, including famous courses like Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, and Trump Turnberry in Scotland.
- Golf Tournaments: While Trump has not won any PGA Tour events, he has played in numerous celebrity golf tournaments and Pro-Am events, where he has competed alongside professional golfers and celebrities. His presence in these tournaments has brought a lot of attention to the sport, especially among fans and the media.
Trump has helped raise the profile of golf through his ownership of golf courses and his involvement in the sport.
His courses have hosted major events like the U.S. Women’s Open and the PGA Championship, further cementing his influence in the golfing world.
Condors vs. Other Golf Records
Now that we know how rare a condor is, how does it compare to other famous golf achievements? Here’s a quick comparison:
- Hole-in-one: Hole-in-ones are very exciting but are much more common than condors. On average, professional golfers score a hole-in-one once every 3-5 years.
- Eagle: An eagle is a fantastic achievement, especially on a par-5 hole, and occurs more frequently than a condor. Most professional golfers will get at least a few eagles in their careers.
- Albatross: Scoring an albatross is a major accomplishment and is much rarer than an eagle but still not as impossible as a condor.
The condor, however, is truly unique and is considered the rarest possible golf score.
FAQs About Condors in Golf
Can a condor happen on a par-3 hole?
No, a condor cannot happen on a par-3 hole. A condor is defined as a 4-under par score, which typically happens when a golfer makes a hole-in-one on a par-5 hole.
Since a par-3 hole is already one stroke under par, it’s not possible to achieve a condor there. The rarest scores for par-3 holes are usually hole-in-ones, but for a condor to happen, it needs to be on a longer par-5 or sometimes a par-6 hole.
How difficult is it to get a condor?
Getting a condor is extremely difficult! To score a condor, a golfer must make a hole-in-one on a par-5 hole, which requires a combination of perfect skill, ideal conditions, and a lot of luck.
Par-5 holes are typically very long, often over 450 yards, so hitting a hole-in-one on such a long hole is incredibly rare. The odds of making a condor are estimated to be about 1 in 100 million!
Even the best golfers in the world have a very slim chance of achieving this feat. That’s why condors are so special and considered one of the rarest achievements in golf.
Who has the most condors in golf history?
No one has scored multiple condors. These events are so rare that even the best golfers will likely only score one in their entire careers.
How many people have actually hit a condor golf shot ever?
It’s super, super rare! Most people agree there have only been maybe 5 or 6 condor shots ever reported in all of golf history. It’s hard to know the exact number for sure because it happened so few times!
Is getting a condor the hardest shot ever in golf?
Yes, pretty much everyone agrees the condor is the rarest and maybe hardest single score to get on one hole in all of golf. It’s even rarer than getting a hole-in-one (on a shorter hole) or an albatross!
Did famous golfers like Tiger Woods ever make a condor?
Nope! No super famous pro golfers that you see on TV have ever made a condor during a big, official tournament game. It’s just that unlikely on those hard courses.
Can a condor happen on any golf course?
A condor can only happen on a par-5 or par-6 hole. It’s most likely to occur on a par-5 hole because those are common on golf courses. However, because it involves a hole-in-one on such a long hole, it’s still extremely rare.
What are the odds of scoring a condor?
The odds of scoring a condor are around 1 in 100 million. This makes it one of the rarest achievements in sports! Even the best golfers in the world have a very small chance of hitting a condor.
Conclusion: The Elusive Condor and Its Rarity
The condor is one of the rarest and most celebrated feats in the sport of golf. Achieving this extraordinary accomplishment requires exceptional skill, precision, and a bit of luck.
With only a handful of documented instances in the history of the sport, the condor remains a legendary achievement that is celebrated and remembered within the golfing community.
As advancements in technology and training continue to evolve, the potential for more frequent occurrences of condors exists, though the rarity of this feat ensures that it will always remain a coveted and extraordinary accomplishment in the sport of golf.
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Posts References:
The Condor – Golf A-Z. Rarest event in golf – Golf Today
California man achieves golf’s rarest shot ever: a ‘condor’ on a par 6