I've Watched Golf For A Long Time... And These Are The 8 Weirdest Things Golfers Do

Golf Monthly editor Neil Tappin takes a look at the eight weirdest things golfers do and tries his best to explain why...

8 Weirdest Things Golfers Do
We list the 8 weirdest things that golfers do... how many do you recognise?
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Let's be honest, we've all been on the course and witnessed some things that are quite frankly a little bit weird. You might even have a few golfing quirks yourself, but don't worry, this is a safe space.

In this video and article, I outline eight of the weirdest things I have seen on a golf course – which may leave any non-golfers reading this scratching their heads in confusion. Fear not, as we explore the logic (or lack of) behind the madness and aim to provide a little clarity...

8) The Body Lean/Knee Bend

Viktor Hovland Knee Bend

Viktor Hovland with the trademark missed-putt knee bend

(Image credit: Getty Images)

We have all hit a shot or two (or five) and leaned over this way and that to try and bring the ball back into play. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts to manipulate the ball flight remotely, the results are often less than desirable. Another variation of this, perhaps more widely spotted on the green, is the old knee bend as your putt slides agonisingly past the hole! 

Despite the often unwavering outcome, it doesn't stop us from sticking to our guns and trying them from time to time. Maybe one day, after all, even the professionals are susceptible to these actions!

7) Glove In The Back Pocket

Justin Thomas Golf Glove

The glove seems to have found its home in the back pocket... but why?

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The process of removing a golf glove and putting it in your back pocket when putting, most probably emanates from the tour but to those people who don't play golf, it may seem very strange indeed. Sometimes you have to fake it until you make it, and the golf glove in the back pocket certainly creates an aura of class.

6) Get Up/Sit Down

Jordan Spieth Talking To Golf Ball

Jordan Spieth often talks to his golf ball

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Talking to the golf ball is a very common practice on the golf course, with players like Jordan Spieth and Tyrrell Hatton often providing their own commentary on every shot. Does it work? Well sometimes the ball behaves itself, and that is enough evidence for most golfers to keep doing it.

5) The Golfer's Stance

Rory McIlroy Waiting To Putt

This stance radiates power... the hole doesn't stand a chance!

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Your playing partner has a 45ft putt, while you stuck it to within six and are calmly waiting for your time to shine. It seems every time a golfer has to wait to play, this familiar stance is produced. This is also a particular favourite of Rory McIlroy, as you can see above, so keep an eye out for it next time you are on the course.

4) Golfing Superstitions

Alvaro Quiros Lucky Ball Marker

Alvaro Quiros with his lucky poker chip ball marker

(Image credit: Getty Images)

As a collective, golfers are a superstitious bunch. Whether it be using a lucky ball marker, sticking to a pre-shot routine or stopping for that essential bacon bap at the halfway house. Nobody really knows where these superstitions come from, or where they started, but ask any player and I am sure they can tell you a couple.

3) Plumb Bobbing

Brooks Koepka Reads Putt

Brooks Koepka gets creative after his injury to read a putt at The Masters

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Plumb bobbing is a method of determining the line of your putt, and those that do use the technique swear by it. It can be particularly useful on the straight-ish putts that could break either way. The plum-bobbing technique is said to give a little bit more assurance and knowledge of what the putt might do.

In fact, many golfers line up their putts in weird and wonderful ways, with Brooks Koepka adopting this (above) creative technique to read his putt on his way back from injury at The Masters.

2) Golf Swing Practice

Golf Swing Umbrella

An umbrella can be a great tool for extra swing practice

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Golfers will use any inanimate object that we can get our hands on to practise the golf swing. Umbrellas, broomsticks, shovels, just about anything can be used to have a little waggle to check grip and other facets of the swing.

1) Odd Practice Swings

Alex Noren Practice Swing

Alex Noren with his funky practice swing

(Image credit: Getty Images)

When you think about the practice swing, you might have thought the best thing to do would be to create a direct replica of the swing you would be looking to make over the ball.

That isn't strictly true however, as many golfers are actually trying to groove certain movements and that can lead to some funky looking practice swings. 

Alex Noren is a great example of this, as his practice swing looks a little bit, let's say... different. For the non-golfer it looks weird, but actually it makes a lot of sense if you are trying to get the club in a certain position in the swing, and creating the feeling you are looking for.

Sam Tremlett
E-commerce Editor

A golfer for most of his life, Sam is Golf Monthly's E-commerce Editor.

Working with golf gear and equipment over the last six years, Sam has quickly built outstanding knowledge and expertise on golf products ranging from drivers, to balls, to shoes. 

He combines this knowledge with a passion for helping golfers get the best gear for them, and as such Sam manages a team of writers that look to deliver the most accurate and informative reviews and buying advice. This takes the form of buying guides, reviews, supporting gear content as well as creating deal content.

This is so the reader can find exactly what they are looking for, at a good price.


Sam now spends most of his time testing and looking after golf gear content for the website, whilst he is also responsible for all content related to golf apparel. 

Additionally Sam oversees Golf Monthly voucher/coupon content which seeks to find you the best offers and promotions from well-known brands like Callaway, TaylorMade and many more.


Unfortunately, Sam is not a member of any club at the moment but regularly gets out on the golf course to keep up the facade of having a single-figure handicap. 


Sam's What's In The Bag: 

Driver: Cobra LTDxLS (9 degrees) 

Fairway Wood: Ping G430 Max (15 degrees), Nike Covert Tour 2.0 (19 degrees) 

Irons (4-PW): Titleist AP2 

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 54˚, 58˚ 

Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 

Ball: Srixon Z-Star Diamond

Shoes: G/FORE Gallivanter/Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour 3/Cuater The Ringer
(For off the course he goes for Nike Jordan 1 Low G shoes as well)