Do you check in on your job references before you give them out?

Found this really interesting "life pro tip" that suggested people have a friend call their supposedly good references before giving that reference to a potential employer. Here's more:

I've hired around 60 people a year for the last 4 years, and you would not believe how many bad references I get. Obviously if someone gives a bad reference, you are pretty much disqualified for the job. So before you even consider putting them on your resume, have a friend call and ask for a reference to find out what past employers really think about you.

Source

All I can say is those people are doing it all wrong. I stay in close contact with 3-5 people who are my references. If a friend called to "check" for me they would later ask me who "that employer was"! I even tell my references who might call ahead of time.

Another point: I think it's bad form for that hiring person to say someone is "disqualified" if they get one bad reference. It's not a good sign if someone gives a reference and then that person bad-mouths the candidate, but I hope the interviewer is pressing the reference with direct questions like, "Why do you think she would give you as a reference? You don't seem positive about her." Or ask the candidate, "He gave you a negative reference. Any idea why?" I've hired people too, and while I like a sharp, well-qualified candidate who does not throw a boomerang like a bad reference, I wouldn't necessary say he/she is "disqualified" on that alone.