In golf, what is the term for a hole completed in one stroke?

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In golf, a hole completed in one stroke is called an ace. The more formal term is a hole-in-one: the ball must be played from the teeing area and finish in the hole with that first stroke.

Aces occur most often on par-three holes, where the green is designed to be reachable from the tee. They are still rare because success depends on accuracy, distance control, green contours and luck. A hole-in-one on a longer par-four is sometimes called an ace as well, while a hole completed four strokes under par is known as a condor.

Several terms in the answer choices are commonly confused with an ace. An eagle is two under par on a hole, and an albatross—also called a double eagle—is three under par. Neither term specifically means completing the hole in one stroke. A ball that reaches the cup after a penalty stroke or after a replayed shot does not qualify as a hole-in-one under the usual definition.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Aug. 2026

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