Last Updated on July 29, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
Golfers are known for doing anything to shoot lower scores. Sometimes this can mean getting a little superstitious or, as some would say, ridiculous. However, if you have been playing golf long enough, chances are you have convinced yourself that some of these concepts are good ideas. Here are 5 weird golf superstitions and why they actually work.
Pulling Up on the Sleeve of the Shirt Before Hitting a Shot
Lots of players pull the sleeves on their lead arm before they take a swing. It’s part of a pre-shot routine, but many feel that if they don’t do it, they will hit a bad shot.
There are a few reasons why this move is actually a good idea. Pulling at the sleeve helps to ensure the arm and shoulder are free from the shirt and will not be restricted in any way.
In addition, if this is part of your pre-shot routine and you do it the same way each time, it could help you get into the right mindset to execute your shot.
Taking the Glove Off for Putting
Are you one of those golfers who must take their gloves off for certain greenside shots?
What would happen if you took it off?
I’m one of these players. I never hit short chips or putts with a glove on. The problem is that I don’t have the same feel when I have the glove on.
However, if I really hit 100 shots with the glove on and off, I’m not sure if there would be too much of a difference. For now, I’m not going to take it off anytime soon.
Using Only Certain Types of Tees
Here is one of the more unique golf superstitions that many players don’t even know they have! Some golfers are particular about the color and type of golf tees they use. They believe certain tees are lucky, which improves their performance on the course.
This isn’t true.
The only time I’ve seen a tee truly impact a player’s performance is in relation to its height.
If something is too short or too long, it can impact your shot. If it’s just a blue tee vs a wood tee, you aren’t going to see any type of impact on your game.
However, I do know that when I play with thinner golf tees instead of thicker, heavier wood ones, I think there will be less restriction on impact.
Tell me I’m wrong, but I won’t be changing my strategy anytime soon!
Marking The Golf Ball A Certain Way
Whether it’s a specific ball marker or just the three orange dots you need on top of the T in Titleist, golfers are particular about how they mark their golf balls and use them on the course.
The good thing about being particular about how your golf ball is marked is that you will always know which one is yours.
The reality is that you probably don’t need to worry so much about how it’s marked; it’s more important to distinguish it from other golf balls in your group.
Avoiding High-Number Golf Balls
If you are playing with a high number of golf balls, it almost certainly means you are going to shoot a high score, right?
Wrong!
I’ve played against so many competitors through the years that I will only play with a number one on their ball. The only thing I can say about this concept is that you may convince yourself that the lower numbers put you on the top of the leaderboard.
If that works and gives you mental confidence, go with it. If not, stop worrying so much about superstitions like this.
It’s worth doing anything you can to shoot low scores. These golf superstitions are very common in the game. However, as Ben Hogan once said, the real secret to golf is in the dirt. I’m with Ben on that one!
