Why Do We Shake Hands Before The Last Hole?

[ViolaBouquet]

After spending 3+ hours with the same four people it is a nice gesture as not to say "we are done" but instead "let's make this last one count."

 

[tampora]

There are a lot of different reasons people on the same card may celebrate with each other on the 18th tee box. Some may commend others for: a competitive round of a sporting event well-played, a memorable and fun outdoor experience, appreciation the hours of suffering is coming to a close, or the welcoming of another person (or three) into our growing circle of friends.

I like to think of the 18th tee box as that "oh sh*t" moment where you realize the brief escape to DG funtown is going to end. We have one last chance to savor the trip; the challenge. From choosing your drive's flightpath, to where you want to land for the approach, to making that putt. With the 18th teebox, we're reminded this game we enjoy is going to end. We cheer the moment, in the moment.

 

[cjman]

I play tournies almost every weekend and have began shaking after the round has been completed,
Thanks to the OP.

 

[sisyphus]

I play tournies almost every weekend and have began shaking after the round has been completed,
Thanks to the OP.

Might ask a doctor about that...adrenaline letdown?

Now in my fourth year of tourney play, I have always thought recognizing the fun round I just had with my cardmates felt right before the final tee. Good sportsmanship and a reminder for those of us who haven't kept everybody's score in our heads (and don't really want to...) that, no matter how it turns out, we appreciate playing together that round. Made some good friends in the sport by focusing on having fun, and the penultimate hole handshake/ fist bump/ whatever, feels like it cements the new friendships.

 

[BrotherDave]

How else will our penis-slathered hands come into contact before lunch?

 

[sillybizz]

How else will our penis-slathered hands come into contact before lunch?

:clap: opcorn:

 

[captain jack]

Because, hopefully, you weren't all a bunch of douches.
Maybe I made a few nice shots.
I helped you all look for discs, even in the blackberries.
I never complained about your dog(s), even when they walked directly in front of my shot.
I shared my scooby snacks with y'all.

 

[Emoney]

I tried this at the 18th hole teebox after a round of ball golf and everyone looked at me like I was stupid. Idk why we do it on disc golf, it's just the way it's done dammit

 

[TAFL]

It's a mystery to me. I never witnessed it nor heard of it, even when I went to tournaments in the Way Back.

 

[Brodysseus]

I do fist bumps/high fives before the last hole and tell everyone it was fun to play with them/nice to meet them/etc. I then do high fives/fist bumps after they putt out and tell them good round. Just because it's what I do.

 

[goosefraba1]

I typically shake hands before the round... And tell everybody good luck. Unless, one of my friends are playing... In which case I tell them I'm going to kick their ass.

But ya same with the last hole... Then I give every body a handshake or fist bump.

 

[timj5304]

I have asked many people and get the same answers. If people don't wanna shake hands, that is fine by me. It's probably not someone I am too fond of it they can't get over a miss putt or bad drives. I always felt awkward shaking hands before the round was over. I also so not like the hand slap or fist bump, I'm someone whom was in sports like wrestling where you shake hands a lot so I am comfortable with that vs and indirect type thing.

 

[Brokensaint]

Because prior to the final hole ANYTHING can happen to ANYONE on the card. It could be douchebaggery to watch someone screw up the last hole and cost themselves the match or some such and then "Nice game, man! High five!"

 

[grotto]

I do fist bumps/high fives before the last hole and tell everyone it was fun to play with them/nice to meet them/etc. I then do high fives/fist bumps after they putt out and tell them good round. Just because it's what I do.

I hate fist bumps and high fives, just shakes hands and be polite! Enough all this contorted finger tickling, chest bumps and all the other ridicules antics.

Yeah, I'm old and grumpy.

 

[hook_nuts]

Why we shake hands nowadays is an easy answer. Humans are largely followers and we've been conditioned to shake hands before the last hole. The better question is why was it started. Good sportsmanship is a safe assumption, but before the last hole doesn't make sense to me either. It was probably a select few people whom started the tradition for multiple reasons.

It would make more sense to me to shake hands after the round. During the round players should be allowed to focus on their game as much as possible since disc golf is (you vs. the other players) vs. the course. It shows more sportsmanship to shake hands after all is said and done regardless of outcome anyway.

 

[cjman]

Because prior to the final hole ANYTHING can happen to ANYONE on the card. It could be douchebaggery to watch someone screw up the last hole and cost themselves the match or some such and then "Nice game, man! High five!"

You could say something else instead of "nice game". I comment on how great it was to play with someone again, or thank them for making the trip out, compliment an improvement I saw in their game, and if they shot well, highlight a great shot and good play.

Shaking before the round is over brings the sport down. Let's all stick around and add up scores like we actually care and take pride in our effort.

 

[worldwide]

I'll throw my guess out there. Doesn't work with a shotgun start but so people don't stick around the final basket shaking hands or whatever if others are behind them?

if the round is a shotgun start, then once you get to your last hole there should be nobody else playing to that basket until the next round starts

 

[Smigles]

We shake hands before the round. before the last hole
And after the round. But i always thought that its a swiss thing. Nowhere else that i have played have i seen this. (germany england finland japan).

 

[hummer1025]

I've been playing disc golf and other flying disc sports since the early 1970s and it's always been customary to shake hands (and later, increasingly, give high fives, or now, fist bumps) before the last hole, as well as the beginning of the round. I don't know the origin of this custom, but there must be some antiquity (even though our sport is still relatively young). I think it's a simple expression of camaraderie and sportsmanship, one aimed at binding our friendships despite the trials and tribulations that we all just experienced during our round.

We never really questioned why we did this and I see no compelling reason why we should stop this practice now. It's just another unique and interesting aspect of disc golf culture. As someone with two degrees in anthropology, I've been fascinated by disc golf culture (and more broadly, Frisbee culture) for decades. I hope that such customs, even ones that some find peculiar, remain a vital part of our incredible sport.

 

[Van1]

If someone wants to, that is fine I guess. I wait till after the round. Sorry if that offends anyone.