Albatross
An albatross is three strokes under par on a hole.
The albatross is the rarest regular result in golf. On a par 5 you need two strokes, on a par 4 only one. In the American language area the result is mostly called “double eagle”. In Europe the albatross has prevailed, fitting the row birdie, eagle, albatross. The bird with the largest wingspan stands for the largest exceptional result. An albatross is considerably rarer than a hole in one on a par 3.
In practice there are two variants. Firstly the holed second stroke on a par 5, mostly with wood or long iron from over 200 metres. Secondly the drive that lands on a short par 4 directly in the hole. Both demand length, exact line and a friendly bounce on the green. Example: par 5 over 460 metres, drive 250 metres, fairway wood from 210 metres rolls from the fringe into the hole. Many golfers never see something like that, neither at themselves nor at fellow players.
For completeness: four under par is called condor, practically conceivable only on a very short par 5 with a dogleg shortcut. These results have no practical meaning for your game. For your result count bogeys and pars considerably more than exceptional strokes. If an albatross succeeds to you, have it confirmed by your fellow players on the scorecard. Afterwards a look into the FAQ helps if you want to read up on rules about the scoring.
FAQ
What is rarer: albatross or hole in one?
The albatross is considerably rarer. Many golfers experience an ace on a par 3 at some point themselves or at fellow players, while two strokes on a par 5 or a holed drive on a par 4 can take years until one sees them once. On the professional tour albatrosses occur only a few times per year.
Does an albatross also count at a tournament that counts towards the handicap?
Yes, it is a completely normal result of three strokes under par and is scored like every other score. Have it confirmed by your fellow players on the scorecard, as with every exceptional result. There is no special treatment — the scorecard knows only strokes.
Should I deliberately play for the albatross on a par 5?
No. The second stroke to the green from over 200 metres is for most players a pure risk experiment that ends in the water or bunker more often than on the green. For your result the solid strategy counts: lay up safely, pitch or wedge close, putt. The exceptional result comes by itself or never.