If a bird in the hand is better than one in the bush, then a birdie on the dance floor is more likely than an albatross on the fairway, or is it? When we hit a golf ball close, we give ourselves a shot a birdie. ‘Talk birdie in golf meaning to me’ (a rip off of Poison’s ‘Talk dirty to me’) is what we might say or we might not, but the legend of the birdie is real and one that can make or break your day on the round. If you’re a golfing fan, the ultimate achievement is a birdie, but what does that mean? What is a birdie in golf? And how do you get a shot at a birdie? These are all crucial questions that need an answer, but first, let’s dive right into the golf birdie meaning.

 

A Birdie – The Meaning

The definition of shot a birdie in golf terms has nothing to do with Aves but refers to a sum total of one stroke under par. So you hit the ball, and it goes in the hole or cup, in under the estimated distance. For example, if a hole is a par three and the player hits the ball into the hole in 2 strokes, then they have achieved a birdie in golf meaning. 

Par 5: scoring 4 is a birdie

Par 4: scoring 3 is a birdie

Par 3: scoring 2 is a birdie….to be clear, a ‘par’ is the number of strokes needed to complete a hole in a golf course.

 

In meterage, a par is the following:

Par 3: holes = 240 meters (260 yards) 

Par 4: holes = 220–450 meters (240–490 yards) 

Par 5: holes = 410–650 meters (450–710 yards) and so on…

The term comes from the early 20th-century (1903) American slang ‘bird,’ meaning anything excellent. The Atlantic City Country Club (Northfield, NJ) claims the first use of the word ‘birdie,’ as mentioned on the USGA website. So now you know what it means, let’s see if we can help you to get a shot at a birdie.

Photo by Robert Ruggiero on Unsplash

 

Increasing your chances of a birdie in golf

Let’s not beat around the bush; getting a birdie golf is not easy; if it were, everyone would do it, and this blog would be a pointless exercise. Just like an albatross, it’s a rare thing that often happens because of luck, not judgment. However, simple pointers can improve your chances of a hole-in-one under par.

Here are our six top tips to help you level up and bag more birdies

1. Practice your short game – including your putt, chip, and pitching. Consistently hitting the ball close to the cup will give you more opportunities for a birdie shot.
2. Master your distance control. Knowing the distance you can hit with each club will help you choose the most suitable iron, making hitting the ball easier to get a hole-in-one.
3. Always play to your strengths. If you are a good driver, position yourself in a way that allows you to take advantage of your skill.
4. Be positive and confident, and believe in the process. Believe in yourself and your abilities, and trust your swing. Learning golf is a process; the more time and effort you put in, the better your chances of a round of successful birdies.
5. Set yourself up properly. Set yourself up properly by hitting long, straight, on-target shots – remember to put your glasses on!
6. Put aside negative thoughts. If you tell yourself you can, the chances are you will – offload negative vibes; think birdie, not bunker.

Use the right equipment. Make sure you are using the right clubs for your skill level and swing. A properly fitted set of clubs or a beginner’s set can make a big difference in your game.

Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash

 

What to do if your lack of birdies is getting you down

If you’re not getting at least one golf birdie meaning per round, then you might be in a golf slump. Now and then, you can find yourself suffering from golf slumpage. When you’re just not playing your best (having an off day is not unusual), and you just can’t see it out. 

The good news is this happens to famous golfers, too – click here to read more. Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, and Max Homa had rough spells when hitting birdies was the least of their problems. 

According to the NY Times, Homa, just 28, was on the verge of glory when his aspirations floundered, disappearing down the fairway like a rogue ball in a wormburner. During the 2016-17 season, Homa survived just two cuts in 17 starts; as his failures mounted, Homa took to practicing at the far end of the range during tournament weeks, away from the fans and away from player-caddie high-traffic areas.

Now Homa is making his fourth Masters appearance. Last April, he cut Augusta National for the first time, finishing a respectable T48. Homa has four top-six global finishes, including a win in San Diego in January and a runner-up in LA last February.

So, birdie or no, your best game, or lack of it, is always a combination of factors; it’s usually not one thing that can disturb your momentum. Here are some tips to get back on top…

Photo by MK. on Unsplash

 

• Take a long, hard look at your game. Stop repeating bad habits or terrible techniques.

Ask a friend or professional golf coach where you’re going wrong. Alternatively, film yourself and do some critical analysis. Then, consciously stop repeating your old habits.

• Play more golf for leisure; don’t take your game so seriously.

Not being too serious is okay for a short period, and it’s almost a way to reset your game. Like most things in life, if you enjoy it, you will get better over time. Alternatively, play on a more straightforward course, go back to basics, and enjoy your time on the round.

• Go shortie; short games will help your long game.

If you’re having trouble scoring well, spend your energy improving your short game. Having a fantastic short game can hide poor ball-striking skills and, in turn, make good rounds, great ones. 

• If at first, you don’t succeed, Tee, Tee, and Tee again. You have to keep practicing.

We know we said don’t practice, just play, but you must still put the leg work in. Because practice makes perfectly crafted golf skills.

If all the above isn’t helping your golf birdie meaning, the only thing left to do is have a day off. Take some time off and watch the best golf movies about golf instead. Here are our top golfing films of all time.