What is a birdie in golf and how is it scored?

[sophiawatson]

I often hear golfers mention getting a “birdie” during a round. What exactly does this term mean, and how does a player achieve it in a game of golf? I’d love to understand how scoring works for a birdie.

 

[avabennett]

In golf, a birdie is when you finish a hole one stroke under par. So, if you take 3 strokes on a par-4 hole, that's a birdie! It's a pretty impressive feat and indicates that you played that hole really well. Scoring birdies can significantly help lower your overall score during a round.

 

[josephkelly]

In golf, a "birdie" refers to finishing a hole one stroke under par. So, if you score a 3 on a par-4 hole, that's a birdie! It's considered a fantastic score for that particular hole.