On-course superstitions

[slodsm]

I always play a junk ball off the first tee period. I have to know exact yardage. If my ball is sitting directly beside the marker stake I'll still walk out with my iphone to get the yardage from that.

I start every round with spotless clubs, I can't put them away with out cleaning them thoroughly every night because I think maybe it makes them happy.

Last but not least, if I'm having trouble with irons, I take off my adipure shoes and put on a pair of climacool running shoes. I won't swing as hard in them because I'll slip so it makes me slow down and my ball striking almost always improves after that.

[uttexas]

Ball marker, divot repair, maybe a tee or two all in front left pocket.

[Sirius76]

Not necessarily a superstition but definitely a hard core routine/ritual...

1 extra ball, divot repair tool and 3 tees all go in the front right pocket. Summer months ball marker goes on bill of my cap. Winter/cooler months when I'm wearing a skull cap, ball marker goes in the pocket with the other goodies.

I always buy a logo ball and ball marker at every course I play for the first time. My ball marker for the day will vary but its typically a ball marker from a past course I've played well at.

Oh. And every ball gets marked with a "DN" in a red sharpie to the right of the number on the ball.

Wow! And to think I never considered myself superstitious?!?!?

(then what the heck am I! )

[LuciusWooding]

I never tee off in the center of the tee markers, I always pick a side. I also go a yard or two farther back from the markers. For one thing, I don't want one of the damn things in my swing or stance, and it usually allows me to get a better lie and stance since everyone's divots are in the center. I don't care if it's virgin grass or anything, but it makes me feel like I'm doing something unconventional. Bubba does this sort of thing except he always hits shaped shots, same sort of thing I guess.

I also try to hit every water carry as low as possible, partially because it's a comfortable and consistent shot and partially because I like to think I might get a lucky ricochet off the surface one day. Plus, as we all know, if you aim into the water you won't hit it.

[jetsknicks1]

Originally Posted by Golfingdad

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.

I don't wear a glove so that's not an issue for me, though I see how it can be a pain if you have one on.

If I'm hitting my driver well, I'll use the same tee for as long as it lasts.

I'll also hit the same golf ball, no matter how bad it's scuffed.

If I have a couple "blow up" holes back to back, I have to draw a line on the scorecard after the second bad hole. Mentally trying to start over

[lumpuckeroo]

I really don't think I have any superstitions, I have a few habits, but they have changed through the years.  It's not like I have to have a certain color of tees or a specific number on my ball or anything like that.  I do have some habits, when I walk I usually don't have a second ball in my pocket like I do when I ride in a cart.  I would say the closest thing I have to a superstition is my golf bag is always packed and ready to play!

[NuclearMike]

Sorry, no superstitions.  I have a coin that I like to use to mark my ball but if I don't have it for some reason anything else will do.  I'll use any color tee, don't usually use broken ones, and play with clean clubs solely because I like the improved spin on my shorter irons with clean grooves, not for any other reason.  I'll often tee off with a new ball on water holes but if I happen to grab one that has seen a little use, so be it.

[David Hebert]

Hello,

My superstitions are: praying that the golf gods are already satisifed and there is no need for them to consume any more water balls for the day! I also try to ward them off with cigar smoke, one for the 1st nine and 1 for the second.

David

http://www.prostoregolf.com

[geauxforbroke]

I guess my biggest superstition is playing only odd numbered balls. Even numbers are bad luck. Also, when I warm up on the putting green, my first putt is always about 18 inches and I have to make it. If I miss my first putt of the day, I know it's going to be a bad one.

[David in FL]

I guess my biggest superstition is playing only odd numbered balls. Even numbers are bad luck. Also, when I warm up on the putting green, my first putt is always about 18 inches and I have to make it. If I miss my first putt of the day, I know it's going to be a bad one.

What do you do with the even numbered balls that you get? I could probably arrange to take some off your hands......as long as they're high numbered ProV 1's, that is. ;-)

[geauxforbroke]

Originally Posted by David in FL

What do you do with the even numbered balls that you get? I could probably arrange to take some off your hands......as long as they're high numbered ProV 1's, that is.

While no one is looking in the golf store, I switch out the evens from one dozen for the odds in another. If you buy a dozen and they're all even, you should complain to the store and try to get a discount.

[mdl]

I don't really have any superstitions.  I have mental game problems, but have never taken up superstitions to try to solve them!

I am also OCD about what I'm carrying and where though.  Silenced phone goes in left pocket cause I use it to keep score (yes I know it's probably illegal now, no I don't use it for anything other than keeping score and texting the wife back if she texts during the round, and no I don't care!).  Combo repair-tool/ball-mark clip on thing clips on my right pocket, repair tool inside the pocket, clip outside.  Used to clip it to my hat brim but every one I've ever done that with ended up snapping cause a hat brim is actually too thick for it.  Last tee used in the right pocket (if I didn't break it).  Ball goes in right pocket between green and tee.

Nothing else goes in the pockets!  I'm carrying a bag with 5-6 pockets anyway right!

[Putridgasbag]

Do not know if I am nuts but I do organize my bag and pockets the same for every round, though I do it mainly because I don't like searching for stuff during a round.

Clubs go in the bag in the same place they came out, I like being able to glance at the bag and see that all clubs are accounted for. Left one behind many years years ago and didn't like it and would like to not have a repeat of that and the bonus is it makes pulling a club quick when the decision is made. Balls and current glove share a pocket with a bag with tees, ball markers and ball mark repair tools. I always have spare markers and repair tools. Wallet, keys and other daily life pocket crap has it's own pocket. Phone (ringer off) has it's own pocket as I use it for yardages. Rain gear, cold weather gear, all have a place when needed.

Right pocket has one ball, tees, ball mark repair tool, two ball markers with one being a casino chip style and the other a small metal one that attaches to the repair tool. One ball only carrying two gives the ball in play the wrong message. Start the round with a handful of tees and keep broken ones for the par 3s and short 4's where driver is not required. Repair tool is currently is one I found a couple of years ago with a bear on it. Seemed to be made for me as my nickname since grade school is...well....Bear. The big marker gets used for long putts that aren't near anybody's line. I hate having trouble seeing my marker when I am taking a look at a long putt and conversely I hate when someone uses a small dark marker as I have a hell of a time seeing them. Small marker is one of the little magnetic type and has the Canucks logo on front and blank on the back, perfect when close to hole and near peoples line. Always mark the ball in the same way and if required to move the marker I flip it over so the logo doesn't show.

Left pocket gets the glove when putting and chipping, do not like it in back pocket for some reason. Back right is scorecard and pencil.

Most of what I do has evolved over the years and is usually to make the game go smoother and quicker for me.

[Pablo68]

No red tees ever!

I use a 500 Lire coin I got while in Italy from 1988 or 1990. It's unlikely that I'll get it confused out there on the green with someone else's.

Still using a Scotty Cameron Divot repair tool that's several years old.

No other 'superstitions' although there are certain things I don't do. Never putt with my glove on; never drink anything with my gloved hand should the condensation get the glove wet.

Avoid parking my pull cart where it will put a shadow on my ball.

[Reg5000]

I wouldn't call mine superstitions but habbits I guess.  I do use broken tees only on par 3s.  Also if lets say a ball were to hit the road and get a brown scuff I gotta get a new ball.  If lets say I hit a wedge shot and the ball dug deep into the groves and took off some of the outer covering I get a new ball.  I look for any indents or the slightest mishaps on a ball and get a new one because I'm afraid it will mess with my putting.  I also can NOT golf with sweaters on so I always either take it off before I hit or roll up my sleaves. ( its the long sleaves that bother me obviously.)