Golf Rituals or Superstitions

[Josh Parker]

How many have certain things they do for each round? 

Maybe the same process, no matter what.

Things you take or don't take to the course?

I was thinking about this because I do a couple things every round and don't know exactly why.  Ha. 

I always put a tee in my hat to use.  Left front pocket always gets a golf ball, marker, divot tool and a tee.  Right pocket gets a golf ball and glove in back right pocket. Every single round. 

Anybody else have a weird habit?

[Northern Monkey]

I always put my left shoe on first and start my round with a ball that has number 3 on it. Not a clue why, it’s just become ingrained

[Erin B]

I try to get a selfie of the group every tournament round. I also get an adult beverage before the start no matter if it’s morning or afternoon. Don‘t know why, but I suffer from hyper anticipation. Don’t know if that’s a thing but that’s what I’m calling it.

[GolfSpy_APH]

1 hour ago, Josh Parker said:

How many have certain things they do for each round? 

Maybe the same process, no matter what.

Things you take or don't take to the course?

I was thinking about this because I do a couple things every round and don't know exactly why.  Ha. 

I always put a tee in my hat to use.  Left front pocket always gets a golf ball, marker, divot tool and a tee.  Right pocket gets a golf ball and glove in back right pocket. Every single round. 

Anybody else have a weird habit?

Not much here. I just try to be organized. Maybe the only habit is I always take my glove off inbetween shots.

[Wheelieb]

Most of the time in the summer I get to the course with flip flops on. Yes, I’m that guy who hates wearing shoes when I’m not playing golf. That’s neither here nor there to talk about. But what I do when I get to the course is put both socks on first. Then it’s left shoe then right shoe. Has to be that way or I have a terrible round. I don’t know why, but I’m saying it’s scientific enough for me. On course, I have to put everything in my right front pocket except my glove which goes into my right back pocket. I may be weird for this stuff, but it has to be this way. 

[Joe R]

I always mark my scorecard by segmenting every three holes so that I try to have a goal of no worse than 1 over for a three hole stretch. It helps me break down the round into meaningful chunks so if I shoot worse than that I can put that three-hole segment behind me and try to focus on the next three holes. I'm a 7.9 handicap so if I can do that for a round and shoot 78 +/- I feel like I've played well. Also, when I shoot even or under for three holes it is a real confident booster.

[Bruce newman]

At my age I try to just get up and get to the course on time..   First tee,  I say let’s go God!

[Preeway]

I always try to hit 40-50 shots as a warm up before a round. I’m getting older and need a few swings to get loose. Then I want to putt for 20-30 minutes and get a feel for the greens and get my head straight with my putter swing path. I then finish by getting a tee behind my ear and three balls in my push cart tray. All the same number and all new.  While waiting on the first tee I’ll double check all my irons are clean if I have enough time. During the round, like @GolfSpy_APH, I tend to take off my glove in between shots and it always goes in my back pocket. 

[Rob Person]

More habit than ritual I suppose,  but 2 balls and 3 tees in my right pocket.  (1 of each size), glove and divot tool in left pocket, magnetic ball marker on left side of hat. It's just a convenience thing. 

As for superstition,  I'm not swayed by anything particular. 

One golf friend always sets his ball on the ground at the tee box, sets his tee next to it, and has to always set the logo/number facing up and forward. He also always taps his putter softly 3 times behind the ball just before putting.  Not sure if it's OCD or superstition, either way it doesn't help him... 

[Dead Solid Bogey]

1 hour ago, Bruce newman said:

At my age I try to just get up and get to the course on time..   First tee,  I say let’s go God!

I will piggyback on this by adding as an Ancient Ager… If I

1) Wake up ( This is the big one that all the others work off on )

2) Know who I am

3) Know where I am going

4)Then…  On the first tee.. Get the first “ Trash Talking “ jab in on my playing partner(s) to start the round 

                     AUXILIARY 

5) When I cease doing number 1 .. I hope to be gracious in returning my golf game to hell from whence it came. 

[cnosil]

I can't think of anything specific.   I feel like I just kind of go with the flow.   

 

[EMacK1961]

I always make sure to have 3 balls in my right pocket during play. I carry my divot tool and a poker chip ball marker in my left pocket with my tees in my right pocket (one martini tall, one martini short). I warm up using the same 4-5 clubs in the same sequence. I have to arrive at least one hour before tee time to stretch and warm up. If I don't get the warm up in, I feel out of sorts on the course.

[netBogey]

Here are some of my favorite superstitions:

• If you pull a tee out of the ground on a par three and it's a full (non-broken tee) that's bad luck.
• Any atypical animal seen on the course is good luck. 
• Never let the ball touch the ground before you put it on the tee (if it falls off the tee or you drop it, use a different ball).
• If using a coin as a ball marker, use the same side up through the whole round.  
• One of my favorites is from the superintendent at UMD who used to say if you are nice to the course it'll be nice to you (i.e., fix ball marks, clean up trash, etc).  I do think it's a nice vibe.  

[Dweed]

I usually chew on a plastic tee. Extra golf ball in right pocket. Ball marker and mark repair tool in left pocket.

Edited April 1 by Dweed

[scbelowpar]

Always need to be at the course 45 minutes before tee time in order causally hit some balls to warm up and putt a little.  Also gives me time to relax and not feel rushed.

I always use the same tee if I hit a good tee shot.  If I hit a bad tee shot, the tee gets tossed for a new one.  Because we all know it's the tee's fault, not my swing.  LOL

I always tee the ball with the logo/brand facing front/back so when I strike the ball, I hit the logo/brand with the club face.

Right front pocket - a divot tool, tee's, ball marker

I won't play colored golf balls

Always wipe the club after every shot regardless if it is dirty or not. 

 

Man I have a lot of OCD issues.   

[Tom the Golf Nut]

Two plastic tees in front right pocket (tall and a shortie) and the ball I’m playing.

Front left pocket gathers any plastic tees I find on the course.

Right rear pocket holds my divot tool.

I mark my score card with the score but on the next line it gets either nothing, a + number or a - number depending on if it is over or under par. Easy adding at the end of my round 72 +or- the total of the second line.

Glove stays on the entire round unless it’s hot out. If hot, then in right rear pocket between shots.

If I’m not walking then I will keep an extra ball in my front left pocket.