Why Is It Called a Birdie in Golf?
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The term “birdie” in golf is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 1900s. The most commonly accepted story traces it to the Atlantic City Country Club in New Jersey, where golfers reportedly used the word “bird” as slang for something excellent or outstanding.
A golfer who made a hole one stroke under par was said to have made a “bird,” which eventually became “birdie.” The term caught on and became the standard golf expression we use today.
So, simply put, a birdie in golf means finishing a hole one stroke under par. For example, scoring 3 on a par-4 hole is a birdie.