If you’ve played enough rounds of disc golf, you’ve probably noticed something strange.
No, not the guy in jean shorts who brings three dogs to every league night. I mean the fact that disc golfers—rational, college-educated adults with jobs and mortgages—suddenly turn into medieval peasants who think the outcome of their throw depends on which piece of plastic they pull from their bag.
I know this because… I’m one of them.
The Cult of the Lucky Disc
Everyone has that “lucky” disc. You know the one. The one that’s been dyed, dinged, and scuffed so many times it now looks like it survived a house fire. But retire it? Never. That warped piece of plastic has “magical” powers.
Ask any disc golfer and they’ll swear on their putter: “I always birdie with this disc. Always.” Of course, they don’t mention the other 27 throws where they yeeted it straight into the woods. Selective memory? Maybe. Superstition? Definitely.
I’ll admit—I have a beat-to-death midrange that I treat like the Holy Grail. If I forget it at home, my whole round feels cursed, like the disc gods have forsaken me.
Rituals: The Weird Stuff We All Do
Watch a card of players tee off and you’ll start to notice the rituals.
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The guy who always taps the rim of his disc three times on his thigh before every throw.
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The woman who insists on re-tying her shoelaces before every drive, even if they’re already perfect.
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That dude who spins his disc 47 times in his hand like he’s summoning a Beyblade.
We pretend it’s about “focus” or “consistency,” but let’s be honest—half of it is just sports voodoo. And if we don’t do the ritual? Well, clearly that’s why we shanked into the creek. Definitely not because we have terrible form.
Pre-Shot Habits: Somewhere Between Science and Witchcraft
Disc golfers love their pre-shot routines, and most of them toe the line between athletic discipline and straight-up witchcraft.
Some people visualize the flight path. Some breathe deep, meditate, and center themselves like a monk about to unlock enlightenment. Others mutter phrases under their breath like they’re hexing the basket. (I’ve been guilty of whispering “don’t hit that tree, don’t hit that tree” like a desperate mantra… only to immediately hit that tree.)
Then there’s the “disc whisperers”—players who literally talk to their disc before throwing. They’ll stroke the rim and say things like: “Alright, baby, you’ve got this.” I’d roast them harder, but I’ve done it myself… and yes, it worked once, which only made me believe in it more.
Why We Love Superstitions
Here’s the thing: disc golf is chaos. The wind shifts, the terrain betrays you, and one errant tree branch will ruin your life. Superstitions give us the illusion of control. Lucky discs and goofy rituals aren’t logical, but they trick our brains into confidence—and confidence does affect performance.
Plus, it’s fun. Having a “sacred disc” or a quirky routine makes the game feel bigger than just tossing frisbees at baskets. It’s a community of weird little rituals we all secretly take way too seriously.
And let’s face it: we’re suburban adults chasing plastic through the woods. A little magical thinking just makes the whole thing more entertaining.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, whether you’re rubbing dirt on your hands, talking to your driver like it’s your spirit animal, or clinging to a beat-up putter that “never misses,” disc golf superstitions are part of what makes the game so lovable.
Just remember—if you throw your “lucky” disc in the water, it doesn’t mean you’ve lost your powers. It just means you should’ve brought a retriever.
Got a superstition of your own? Or maybe a disc that only flies straight on Tuesdays? Drop it in the comments—and then check out our Funny Disc Golf Shirts that’ll make you look just as legendary as your pre-shot rituals.
