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 with the trademark missed-putt knee bend
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
The glove seems to have found its home in the back pocket... but why?
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 often talks to his golf ball
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
This stance radiates power... the hole doesn't stand a chance!
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 with his lucky poker chip ball marker
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 gets creative after his injury to read a putt at The Masters
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
An umbrella can be a great tool for extra swing practice
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 with his funky practice swing
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.
