Every golfer dreams of that magical shot – a lone strike that covers over 500 yards before rolling smoothly into the cup for the rarest score in golf: a condor.

A condor occurs when a player holes out a par 5 hole in a single shot, a nearly impossible feat requiring immense power and precision capped with an ample dose of luck.

To understand exactly how rare and special it is to document this four under par score on one swing, let’s dive into what defines a condor.

How it differs from other low golf scores, notable instances, and the perfect conditions necessary to even have a chance at this most elusive of golf accomplishments.

What is a Condor in Golf

A condor is an extremely rare score in the game of golf. Specifically, a condor occurs when a player is able to hole their ball in just one stroke on a par 5 hole.

Par 5 holes are typically the longest holes on a golf course, so scoring 4 under par on a single par 5 requires an incredibly skillful and lucky shot. A condor is more rare than other low scores like an albatross or double eagle.

It is even rarer than a hole-in-one on a shorter par 3 hole. Scoring a condor is an impressive feat that only a handful of golfers have ever achieved.

How a Condor Differs from Other Rare Golf Scores

Scoring a condor requires the player to hole out from the tee box in a single stroke. This differs from other rare low scores on par 5 holes in the following ways:

Compared to an Albatross

An albatross, also known as a double eagle, occurs when a player holes the ball in 3 strokes on a par 5 hole. This is 3 under par. While difficult, albatrosses happen more frequently than condors.

Getting an albatross requires excellent shots with woods or long irons to reach the green in regulation, followed by holing a long putt or chip shot. A condor needs maximum distance off the tee and a lucky bounce straight into the hole.

Compared to a Double Eagle

A double eagle is another way to describe an albatross, when a player scores 3 under par on a par 5 hole. This is the same definition as an albatross.

While a remarkable feat of golf in itself, a double eagle is more common than a condor since it does not require holing out from the initial tee shot.

Compared to a Hole-In-One on Par 3 Holes

Scoring a hole-in-one requires a player to hole out from the tee shot on a par 3 hole. Par 3 holes have shorter yardages than par 5 holes.

So while rare and noteworthy, a hole-in-one generally requires less distance than a condor. Skill is still involved, but luck plays a major role in holing out any tee shot.

A condor showcases tremendous luck from an extended yardage.

Notable Condors in Golf History

There have only been a few verified condors in competitive golf history. Some noteworthy ones include:

The First Recognized Condor

In 2001, a 16-year-old amateur golfer named Ashley Grier scored the first fully recognized condor. She was playing a tournament on the Dogwood Course at Quail Valley Golf Club in Houston, Texas.

On the 524 yard par 5 hole, Grier holed her drive from the tee box for a condor. This feat was achieved with an incredible smash off the tee that carried over 260 yards.

Other Condors by Tour Professionals

Since Grier’s famous and pioneering condor, there have been a couple other verified ones in professional tournaments:

• In 2004, Micah Rudosky scored a condor during a Gateway Tour event in Arizona
• Most recently, professional Gaby Lopez holed a condor in 2018 during the LPGA Tour’s Tournament of Champions

There may have been additional unverified ones, but condors remain spectacularly scarce even for the world’s best golfers.

The Unofficial or Controversial Condors

Some other condors have occurred but faced controversy over the technical requirements:

• In 2000, John Kilby in Texas and Bob Mitera in California both drove into the hole. Their condor claims were disputed since the holes played shorter than typical par 5 yardages.
• Richard Pavlasek also scored a condor in 2000, but there were issues verifying this with proper witnesses and documentation.

So while other amateur golfers have possibly holed an incredible condor tee shot, Grier’s, Rudosky’s, and Lopez’s condors stand as the only fully undisputed condors in competitive golf.

What it Takes to Score a Condor

For a golfer to achieve the prestigious condor, several elements need to align perfectly:

Perfect Execution Getting Maximum Distance Off the Tee

Holing out in one shot on a long par 5 requires nearly maximum distance from the golfer’s drive. They need to make perfect contact to launch the ball between 260 and 450+ yards to reach the back sides of long green.

Achieving this distance off the tee necessitates solidswing technique and an optimized launch angle. Using balls and equipment designed for maximum distance can also aid in a long drive.

For most non-professional players, this would have to be one of the best strikes of their lives.

Fortunate Bounce and Roll Towards the Hole

In addition to pure long distance, achieving a condor requires a lot of luck. The driver shot must carry over hazards and rough to hit an area of shorter grass near the green.

Then the ball needs to take a few fortuitous hops and rolls to end up near the hole. More good luck results in the ball tracking into the cup rather than lips out.

Wind direction and speed should also cooperate rather than alter the ball’s course. Skill is always part of golf, but even the game’s elite professionals need all the shots to go right for a single swing condor.

Hole Sits at Bottom of a Steep Downhill Slope on Course

Most condors occur when the par 5 hole has an elevated tee box that allows gravity to aid the ball’s roll. Hitting a drive from a tee significantly above the green complements the distance from an optimized launch.

This extra velocity from a downhill shot encourages the additional yards necessary to make it to the putting surface. The green itself may also have a slope that helps feed a long shot towards the hole for an easier make.

Topography assisting with speed and line makes a big difference in holing out any tee attempt.

Achieving this incredible four under par score on one swing demonstrates the perfect confluence of maximum length off the stick, helpful bounces and terrain, and outstanding fortune.

It is not surprising that condors almost never transpire considering the requirements. But it remains a dream shot for golfers around the world.

Conclusion

Scoring a condor in golf is an exceptionally rare feat that requires immense skill and even more luck. But it captures the imagination of all players who dream of holing out a par 5 in a single swing.

While the odds are infinitely small, a golfer with the perfect combination of drive distance, terrain, bounce, and fortune may just capture this most elusive score.

Any player who achieves this golf grail will enjoy their new place in history alongside the few who have ever carded a mythical condor.