On-course superstitions

[k-troop]

Does anyone have these?

I never really thought about it until about 4 years ago.  I once heard Ernie Els say that every ball only has one birdie in it.  Anytime I birdie a hole, I always think about this.  Sometimes, I'll make 2 or 3 birdies with a ball, and then miss an easy opportunity.  Well, that ball is gone--I've used up all of the birdies.  (Actually, cursed balls are the only superstition that really creeps into my head when I play.  I'll frequently change balls when things aren't going well, sometimes put 3 different balls in play over a 4 hole stretch until I find one that wants to play.)

I also use a Sacajawea dollar as a ball mark.  I've been using the same one since 2001; I got it out of a stamp machine when I mailed something on the way to the course one day.  I shot lights out that day using that ball mark, and it's been in my bag since.  I've actually dropped it on the course 3 times, and each time I was able to recover it!!

Nearly every Tour pro has superstitions; most revolve around ball marks, how they mark their ball, or what number they play.  How about y'all?  Anyone willing to admit they're nuts?

[Harmonious]

If the wheels start to fall off, then it clearly is the ball's fault, and it needs to go into "time out" back in the bag for the rest of the day to get its attitude adjusted.

[LuciusWooding]

Every time I hit a green in regulation, I make sure not to get a birdie. It must be intentional, right?

[David in FL]

I also use a Sacajawea dollar as a ball mark.  I've been using the same one since 2001;

Me too. Probably over 10 years now too. Hate to admit it but I even go a step further. Before I head out for the course, I polish it bright with brasso. Every stinkin' time...... My one other superstition is that I won't hit off a white tee. I'll even go so far as to pick up any white tees I see on the tee box and throw them away. Why? I got nuthin'....... :-\

[chilepepper]

Tees. When I hose a drive I throw that tee away

[dak4n6]

I never hit a new ball off the first tee, but it's not due to superstition. It is a proven scientific fact that new balls have unstable positrons when used off the first tee which cause wildly erratic ball flight.

[jetsknicks1]

Repair tool & tees go in the right pocket, ball mark in the left. No exceptions.

[mvmac]

I use to get superstitious with certain meals when it came to competition.  Like if I had a certain food for dinner the night before a tournament or breakfast the morning of and played well then there was a good chance I'd try to eat the same kinds of meals.  If I played bad then obviously I would change what I had eaten.  Another thing, and I still do it, is keep my ball marker in the same pocket if I'm putting well.  If I make a few bad strokes in a row, I'll switch pockets.  Silly lol

[Datsyuk]

I have to use a broken tee on par 3's even if I have a couple shorties in my pocket.

[Ernest Jones]

Originally Posted by Datsyuk

I have to use a broken tee on par 3's even if I have a couple shorties in my pocket.

Ha, me too! I'll also carry that broken tee around all day.

[dbuck]

Me too on the broken tees!

[k-troop]

Originally Posted by David in FL

My one other superstition is that I won't hit off a white tee. I'll even go so far as to pick up any white tees I see on the tee box and throw them away.

Why? I got nuthin'.......

I've read that some tour pros share this superstition--something about white tees being too similar to OB stakes.

Originally Posted by jetsknicks1

Repair tool & tees go in the right pocket, ball mark in the left. No exceptions.

I do the same, but it's more OCD than superstition.  I never keep anything in my left pocket, because trying to pull something out of your pocket with a glove on is just madness.  I can't clutter my pockets, either:  2 tees, 1 pitchfork, 1 ball mark, and the ball that I'm playing with--no spares (because that would be admitting the possibility that I could have to re-tee).

Originally Posted by mvmac

Another thing, and I still do it, is keep my ball marker in the same pocket if I'm putting well.  If I make a few bad strokes in a row, I'll switch pockets.  Silly lol

Mine is always in the right, and it just doesn't feel right in the left pocket.

Originally Posted by Datsyuk

I have to use a broken tee on par 3's even if I have a couple shorties in my pocket.

I think I read that Jack Nicklaus had the same superstition.  He would always look for a broken tee on a par 3.

[jamo]

I don't think I have any completely irrational tendencies. I use broken tees because there's no reason to waste a good tee on a par three when I'm guaranTEEd to break it. I keep my golf balls, tees, ball marker, and divot took in my right pocket and my glove in my left pocket because I don't want to reach into my pocket with a glove on. I don't switch balls or tees after a bad shot, I don't use any specific ball marker, and I don't plan out my pre-round meals. I use whatever number golf ball I have, and I mark it the same way every time for consistency. Even my pre-shot and ball-marking routines are fungible. I do re-lace my shoes outside over inside, but only because if I can get into a groove I can re-lace them faster.

[David in FL]

I've read that some tour pros share this superstition--something about white tees being too similar to OB stakes.

Really? So I'm not an absolute nut job?! You just made my whole day! :-D

[Wisguy]

I've been using a 1943 steel penny as a ball mark (sticks to my magnetic hat brim ball mark holder) and since I started using it, my putting and chipping have been noticeably better. ........................................ Of course, the fact that at about the same time, I started weekly practicing my short game for 75 minutes during my kid's First Tee lessons might have a bit more to do with it.... ............................................. Speaking of ball markers, I don't understand using something larger than a penny, not something as big as a dollar coin. And certainly not as big as the freakin' fist-sized Franklin Mint-like collector's antique coins some of the pros claim to use as ball markers. Something that sits up a full 3-4mm off the green is going to knock off course any ball that strikes it - might as well not use a marker in the first place. What is the rule on someone using a ridiculously large and thick ball marker - can you require that player to use something smaller that won't send your ball off at a 45* angle if you hit it? I don't suppose there's any relief from such an interference with a putt, is there? Although I'm sure it's mortifyingly uncool, those super thin plastic markers with the spike on the bottom make the most sense to me since they don't interfere with a ball rolling over them. I'd use them, but for the fact that the magnetic hat ball marker is so much more convenient than having to dig in my pocket through a couple of balls, tees, ball mark repair tool, pencil, etc.... to find a ball marker. ....................... I always look for broken tees on par-3s too - it almost seems wasteful not to recycle an old half tee or risk cutting a perfectly good new one in half. This has bothered a couple of people with whom I've played over the years and not because I'm wasting time hunting for a tee instead of keeping pace of play (which I don't - I'll pull a new one out of my pocket if I don't spot a broken one in a few seconds). I've had two people literally try to force new tees on me on shorter holes, they were so bothered by me using old broken ones. I guess that, in and of itself, must be a form of superstition.

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by jetsknicks1

Repair tool & tees go in the right pocket, ball mark in the left. No exceptions.

Me too, but like others have also said, not a superstition.  It's a pain in the ass to try and retrieve anything from a pocket with a glove on, so tees go in the right pocket.  And I hate fumbling through the tees trying to find a stupid coin, so they go in the left pocket.  Not a superstition, but just for fun and to be quirky, I have a couple of 5 Rupee coins from India that I use as markers, as well as a kick-ass TST limited edition that rotates in as well.

No real superstitions though.

[Datsyuk]

Originally Posted by Wisguy

I've been using a 1943 steel penny as a ball mark (sticks to my magnetic hat brim ball mark holder) and since I started using it, my putting and chipping have been noticeably better. ........................................ Of course, the fact that at about the same time, I started weekly practicing my short game for 75 minutes during my kid's First Tee lessons might have a bit more to do with it.... ............................................. Speaking of ball markers, I don't understand using something larger than a penny, not something as big as a dollar coin. And certainly not as big as the freakin' fist-sized Franklin Mint-like collector's antique coins some of the pros claim to use as ball markers. Something that sits up a full 3-4mm off the green is going to knock off course any ball that strikes it - might as well not use a marker in the first place. What is the rule on someone using a ridiculously large and thick ball marker - can you require that player to use something smaller that won't send your ball off at a 45* angle if you hit it? I don't suppose there's any relief from such an interference with a putt, is there? Although I'm sure it's mortifyingly uncool, those super thin plastic markers with the spike on the bottom make the most sense to me since they don't interfere with a ball rolling over them. I'd use them, but for the fact that the magnetic hat ball marker is so much more convenient than having to dig in my pocket through a couple of balls, tees, ball mark repair tool, pencil, etc.... to find a ball marker. ....................... I always look for broken tees on par-3s too - it almost seems wasteful not to recycle an old half tee or risk cutting a perfectly good new one in half. This has bothered a couple of people with whom I've played over the years and not because I'm wasting time hunting for a tee instead of keeping pace of play (which I don't - I'll pull a new one out of my pocket if I don't spot a broken one in a few seconds). I've had two people literally try to force new tees on me on shorter holes, they were so bothered by me using old broken ones. I guess that, in and of itself, must be a form of superstition.

I like a larger heavy coin so I can find it in my pocket quickly. I also keep a couple dimes in with my tees in case I'm marking roughly on someone's line of putt,. If I'm marking more or less directly on their line I ask them which way they want it moved. If I'm not on their line they can suffer. Just like I have to do when paired with people sporting ugly clothing or ridiculous golf swings. I just look away as often as possible.

[backspasm]

Originally Posted by k-troop

I do the same, but it's more OCD than superstition.  I never keep anything in my left pocket, because trying to pull something out of your pocket with a glove on is just madness.  I can't clutter my pockets, either:  2 tees, 1 pitchfork, 1 ball mark, and the ball that I'm playing with--no spares (because that would be admitting the possibility that I could have to re-tee).

I am also OCD on the glove in the left and everything else in the right. I have my divot tool, my ball marker, 5 tees (always), and 1 ball in my right pocket.