Birdie
In golf, completing a hole in one stroke fewer than its par.
Definition
A birdie is a golf score of one under par on a single hole, meaning the player finishes the hole using one stroke fewer than the standard expected. For example, taking three strokes on a par-4 hole is a birdie.
Birdies are a common goal for skilled players because they lower the overall score, which in golf is better. The term is also used in disc golf, where completing a hole one throw under par is likewise called a birdie.
Where you’ll hear “birdie”
Sports that use this term:
Golf
A precision target sport played across an outdoor course, blending skill, strategy and a long walk in the open air.
Disc Golf
A relaxed, low-cost target sport where players throw flying discs toward chain baskets across an outdoor course.
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Player roles
- Utility playerA dependable, versatile player who can competently fill several different positions as the team needs, rather than specialising in just one.
- Ball-winnerA ball-winner is the player tasked with regaining possession through pressing, tackling and interceptions — a team's tireless defensive workhorse.
- PlaymakerThe playmaker is a team's creative hub — the player who orchestrates attacks, controls the tempo and distributes the ball so teammates can score.
- Target playerA target player is a focal attacker who receives, holds up and links play for others, often physically strong and good in the air or with the hands.
Practice & sessions
- Conditioning sessionA session built around physical conditioning — developing the fitness qualities a sport draws on, rather than its skills or tactics.
- Tactical sessionA session built around tactics — how you use space, position and patterns of play, rather than the mechanics of a shot.
- Technical sessionA session built around technique — grooving and refining the mechanics of how a movement or shot is executed.
- Open-play sessionA turn-up-and-play session of informal, often social games — less structured than practice, focused on playing rather than drilling.
- Mobility sessionA session built around moving well through a range of motion — gentle, controlled work to help the body move freely.
Adaptive sports
Scoring systems
Tactics
- Negative splitA pacing tactic where an athlete covers the second half of a race faster than the first.
- Pick and rollA two-player basketball action where one player screens for the ball-handler, then rolls to the basket.
- Zone defenceA defensive system where each player guards an area of the court rather than a specific opponent.
Positions
- Point guardThe point guard is basketball’s primary ball-handler and playmaker, running the offence and setting up teammates to score.
- SetterThe setter is volleyball’s playmaker, taking the team’s second contact and delivering accurate sets for hitters to attack.
- StrikerA striker is the main attacking player in football, positioned furthest forward with the primary job of scoring goals.
- Fly-halfThe fly-half is rugby’s chief decision-maker and tactical kicker, directing the backline and controlling how the team attacks.
- CenterThe center is usually the tallest player on a basketball team, playing near the basket to score inside, rebound, and protect the rim.
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- Tier A — evergreen educational
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- Content updated
- 2026-08-04
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