You won’t believe what some golfers do before hitting the course! From strange superstitions to downright gross habits, these pre-game rituals are far from ordinary. These 9 pre-game rituals sound completely insane, but golfers swear they’re the difference between breaking 80 and shooting 95.
1. The Parking Spot Paranoia
Some golfers believe their parking spot directly impacts their round, so they’ll circle the clubhouse parking lot like vultures until they find their “lucky” space. One guy in my course has parked in the same spot for three years running and throws a tantrum if someone else takes it. He’s convinced that parking in spot #17 is why he made his first hole-in-one.
The ritual gets even weirder when they factor in the direction their car is facing. Some players insist their car must face the 18th green for good luck, while others believe facing the sunrise ensures a good front nine. They’ll spend 20 minutes repositioning their vehicle for optimal golf karma.
The most extreme parking ritualists arrive at the course an hour early just to secure their preferred spot. They treat the parking lot like sacred ground and have been known to leave passive-aggressive notes on cars that “steal” their usual space.
2. The Breakfast Superstition Madness
Golf breakfast rituals make Olympic athletes look casual about their nutrition. These players have convinced themselves that eating the same meal before every round is the secret to consistent scoring. One player I know has eaten two scrambled eggs, wheat toast, and orange juice before every round for seven years straight.
The timing matters as much as the food itself. Some golfers must finish eating exactly 90 minutes before their tee time, while others need to eat their last bite as they’re walking to the first tee. They’ll set multiple alarms to ensure their eating schedule aligns with their tee time.
The restaurant choice becomes part of the ritual as well. These players will drive 30 minutes out of their way to eat at their “lucky” diner, even if there’s a perfectly good restaurant at the clubhouse. They’ve formed emotional attachments to specific booths, waitresses, and even coffee mugs.
3. The Equipment Arrangement Ceremony
Golf bags become sacred altars that must be organised with military precision. These players have specific positions for every club, ball, and tee. They’ll spend 15 minutes arranging their bag before every round, ensuring each item is positioned exactly right for maximum golf success.
The ritual includes counting everything multiple times. They’ll count their golf balls, tees, and even ball markers to ensure they have the correct quantities. Some players carry exactly 14 of everything to match their club count, believing this numerical symmetry will improve their game.
The most obsessive equipment ritualists have diagrams showing where each item belongs in their bag. They’ll reorganise their entire bag if something gets displaced during the round, treating their equipment like a complex puzzle that must be solved correctly.
4. The Gross Grip Preparation
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This is where things get truly disgusting. Some golfers have developed grip preparation rituals that would make a health inspector faint. They’ll spit on their hands, rub them together, and then grip their clubs to create what they call “natural tackiness.” The saliva supposedly helps them maintain a better grip throughout the round.
The ritual gets worse when they factor in specific spit timing. Some players spit on their hands before every shot, while others only do it on the tee box. They’ve convinced themselves that their saliva has magical grip-enhancing properties that surpass any commercial grip enhancer.
One player takes this to the extreme by spitting on his golf glove before putting it on. He claims this creates a “custom fit” that improves his connection to the club. His playing partners have stopped shaking hands with him, but his scoring has improved since he started this revolting routine.
5. The Stretching Theatre Performance
Pre-round stretching becomes a full theatrical production for superstitious golfers. They perform the same sequence of stretches in the same order before every round, treating their routine like a sacred dance. Some players have 20-minute stretching routines that involve specific breathing patterns and mental visualisations.
The stretching location matters as much as the stretches themselves. These players must perform their routine on the same patch of grass next to the putting green, facing the same direction every time. They’ll wait for other golfers to move if someone is occupying their preferred stretching spot.
6. The Putting Green Obsession
The putting green becomes a laboratory for these ritual-obsessed golfers. They don’t just practice putting—they perform elaborate ceremonies involving specific drills, ball positions, and target selections. Some players must make exactly 10 putts from 3 feet before they feel ready to play.
The ritual includes using the same putting routine for every practice stroke. They’ll line up their putts the same way, take the same number of practice swings, and follow the same post-putt routine regardless of whether they make or miss. This practice session can take 45 minutes and looks more like meditation than golf preparation.
7. The Clothing Superstition Complex
Golf attire becomes a complex psychological puzzle for superstitious players. They have specific outfits for different courses, weather conditions, and even playing partners. One golfer I know owns 12 identical polo shirts because he shot his best round wearing that exact style and colour.
The ritual extends to the order in which they put on their clothing. Some players must put on their left sock before their right, button their shirt from bottom to top, and tie their shoes in a specific pattern. They believe disrupting this sequence will jinx their entire round.
The most extreme clothing ritualists have backup outfits in their car in case they spill something on their lucky shirt. They’ll change clothes in the parking lot rather than risk playing in an unlucky outfit.
8. The Driving Range Sequence
The driving range becomes a choreographed performance with specific clubs, targets, and swing counts. These players must hit exactly 7 balls with each club, starting with their pitching wedge and working up to their driver. They’ll restart their entire routine if they lose count or hit a club out of sequence.
The ritual includes specific target selection and ball positioning. They’ll aim for the same distance markers in the same order, treating the range like a standardised test with predetermined answers. Some players even bring their range balls to ensure consistency.
The most obsessive range ritualists time their practice sessions to end exactly 10 minutes before their tee time. They’ll rush through their routine or slow it down to hit this precise timing, believing that finishing too early or too late will affect their performance.
9. The Mental Preparation Madness
Pre-round mental preparation becomes a complex psychological ritual involving visualisation, positive self-talk, and sometimes even meditation. These players have specific phrases they repeat, mental images they visualise, and even songs they hum to get into the right mindset.
The ritual includes reviewing their planned strategy for each hole, visualising successful shots, and mentally rehearsing their pre-shot routine. Some players spend 30 minutes in their car before each round, running through their mental checklist and preparing for every possible scenario.
The most elaborate mental preparation includes writing down their goals for the round, reading inspirational quotes, and even calling specific people for good luck. They treat their mental game like a complex machine that must be properly warmed up before operation.
The Method Behind the Madness
These bizarre rituals work because they create consistency, reduce anxiety, and provide a sense of control in an unpredictable game. While the specific actions might seem crazy, the psychological benefits are real enough to keep golfers coming back for more.
