Music on the Golf Course?

[E. H. Taylor]

Music helps me put it on cruise control and play my best golf. I don't seem to get into the Zone as often when not listening.

I am considerate and play music heard only 10 or so feet out of my cart even when playing with my normal groups. If I wanted it louder they wouldn't care, I know because we play often and I know them well enough. If I am with someone new in my cart I ask if they mind if I play music that spans several decades and genres without rap. Based on their age and answer, I gage volume level and use one of 3 playlists.

IF they specify that they're not into music I tell them I can quietly play an instrumental station on Pandora. Usually people are good with that, if they weren't I could go without, but respectfully compromising goes both ways. After that round I'd indirectly try to have them ride in the other cart for future rounds, because lack of music takes away from my round slightly.

IF they told me I couldn't play music quietly in my cart and they in theirs, I'd just commit to playing it ultra low and keeping distance so they couldn't hear it during a shot. 

Luckily I've never been asked not to play music. I think I'm respectful enough with it, and the membership is relaxed enough that it's not been and won't ever be a problem.

[BaldJohnMD]

On 5/23/2024 at 7:23 PM, tinfoil said:

Absolutely under no circumstances should music be played on the course.  It is rude and inconsiderate of others and otherwise obnoxious.

[BaldJohnMD]

The question boils down to this. 

Are you a Judge Smails or are you a Al Czervik and like everyone else who wants to have fun playing golf?

[RetiredBoomer]

13 minutes ago, BaldJohnMD said:

The question boils down to this. 

Are you a Judge Smails or are you a Al Czervik and like everyone else who wants to have fun playing golf?

I have fun acting like Judge Smails.

[ShimmyCocoBop]

If music is that important, why are you not using ear buds?

[chisag]

... For about half the folks responding, this thread should be re-titled: Why Doesn't Everyone Think Just Like Me?

... Every drive on the road? People with their heads buried in their phone, leaving spaces and still looking down as traffic leaves the stop light. People driving well over the speed limit. People driving well under the speed limit. People in gas guzzling trucks. People driving EV's. Folks driving brand new cars/trucks. People driving cars and trucks over 20 years old. Compact cars, pick up trucks, SUV's, coupes and luxury sedans as well as family sedans. Even some station wagons.  

... Yet all those radically different folks are supposed to have the same thoughts about music? 

[GolfSpy_BNG]

I play music in my cart on the course loud enough for myself and my BIL to hear it no more than 30’ away from the cart.  I do this as we both enjoy it and it helps drown out the guys that scream as loud as they can when they make it almost make a 10 footer.  

IMO that’s a greater problem than music on the course.  

To those that say absolutely no music, you wouldn’t even know I was listening to music if you were on the course and a different hole than me, so is that ok or does it still ruffle your feathers? lol

 

[Radiuhm]

To me that's fine. I honestly don't even mind if I can hear music from a hole or 2 over. As long as someone's not blaring it through a speaker at max volume it doesn't really bother me. However, I know some others like it dead quiet like the PGA tour lol. Different strokes for different folks.

[Golf2Much]

I've played a few rounds with people playing music.  In each case, they were very polite asking first if it was OK to play music and what category of music that I liked or wanted to hear.  I've also played with people who wear ear buds while they play.

Today, I played in a scramble with one in our group switched from ear buds to his speaker.  He had a classic rock play list, so it didn't bother me.   It was nice to have something to break up the down time waiting for the group in front of us on every hole.   

I'm lucky in that when it's my turn to hit, I can filter out any background distractions pretty well.  So, any music, car or other noises don't bother me as much as others.  Just like Kevin Costner as a baseball pitcher in For the Love of the Game I can turn off outside noises while I hit.  

[Matherly11]

I think music is fine on the course if you play it for you and your buddies I shouldn’t hear it loudly next to me. Like the other day I played we were on our scheduled tee time teeing off on time when this group rolled up blasting music with my group teeing off. I play with some older guys and they were furious. I just think people need to be more real to others around them when playing music.

[silver & black]

Lot's of ruffled feathers on this topic...lol. Personally, I don't give a f*** what you do or don't do on the golf course. Just play at a reasonable pace and keep it moving. Music is a non issue.... either way with me.

[agram57]

I don't really care for music on the golf course but, it's not a big deal if it's not too loud. The thing is that is completely subjective, it might not be too loud for me but it could be annoying to someone else, that said I'll take annoying music over slow play anytime.

[BestGuess]

Ever sense COVID and the attack of the younger, does not have a week day job, I get paired with music playing slicers and Mulligan using KIDS (anyone under 25) all the time during the week.  I love their reaction when they ask if the music bothers me, "Not if its Johnny Cash" . I love to play golf without music.

[alii1959]

I suppose that is another reason for my AirPods pro....I can activate noise cancelling and I can't really hear their music, talking, whooping, etc.  Leaves me to the game alone.  One of the reasons I love golf so much is because you don't need others to play.  You can concentrate, work hard, and improve no matter what stage you are at.  I crave the alone time....maybe because I was a HS teacher (prior to retirement) and live in a 3 generation household.

[Ed the FD]

It's all about respecting your fellow golfers. I play music when I'm on the course, but it's loud enough for me and my cart mate to listen to ONLY. If I can hear your music while I'm on the course you have it too loud. Be respectful. 

[Indyday42]

On 5/24/2024 at 12:56 PM, poprocksncoke said:

Love music and listen to it all the time.  On the golf course I don't typically listen to it but if someone wants to that's ok by me.  Just don't blare it so the people on the next hole can hear it.  Biggest problem I have with it is when your teeing off and the group behind you pulls up to the tee with music blasting, this happens way more than it should.

Yes, pulling up behind you on the tee with music blaring is the most common and irritating disrespect.

 

 

[Fore_left]

On 4/19/2024 at 7:09 AM, JEFF1 said:

Flip flop shoes and sweat pants, now music on the golf course, what else can happen to golf, speedos and bikinis. 75 years playing golf, this is an insult to the game.

Watch and learn from the masters.true golfers watching, not like other tournaments where the bystanders yell and cause problems. They are the on course music players and drunks that drive their carts where ever.

My last response, by.

You gotta calm down man. An insult to the game? Gtfo with that nonsense. Focus on your shot and learn to block out distractions, or join a private club with strict, boring rules that match the way you want to play. Public course? Tough cookie

[colombiafrank]

I'm a beginner and I find it hard to concentrate with music playing. But I guess when I get more experienced, I wouldn't mind much *as long as it is not too loud, otherwise I think is disrespectful.

[Hacker60521]

@schmen082 here’s another post regarding music in the course. 

[tehuti]

Generally I am not a fan. Though I am fine with it if the music is not loud. The guys that think it's okay to blast their tunes are annoying. 

[CM12]

In my opinion, the only times music is appropriate:

1. Golfing by yourself.
2. Charity scramble.

Other than that, if you really want music then I'd just bring some headphones.

[Wheelieb]

Music and attire are two things about golf people will always differ on. It's no use to debate either as you have "purist" who think it should never change. Then you have "non-conformist" who think it shouldn't be a big deal. I fall wherever those two aren't as I don't care. Probably the best way to be in my opinion.

[Erin B]

I ask before I play and even ask the genre of music people like. I enjoy music on the course.

[mwade4040]

I dont have a regular group that plays alot so I get joined up with groups as a single quite a bit.  I usually walk while playing so I will play music sometimes and its  rare that someone tell me it is annoying ( I keep the volume low) and asks to me to turn it off.  If that happens, I say thank you and ignore them.  Its a round of golf and no one I play with getting paid to play so Im out to enjoy myself...always respecting others but Im not going to have someone dictate to me what I can/cant do.  If they want to pay for my round, you can tell me what to do

[MBernGolfs]

When it's not a serious round with friends who are simply there to have fun, blast the music as loud as you respectfully can while avoiding being a distraction to other golfers on the course.

When it's a more serious round or playing by myself, no music is needed.  It's nice enough to be outdoors enjoying and focusing on my game.  Too many distractions leads to a frustrating round of golf.

[chisag]

56 minutes ago, MBernGolfs said:

When it's not a serious round with friends who are simply there to have fun, blast play the music as loud low as you respectfully can while avoiding being a distraction to other golfers on the course.

 

... Fixed it for you.   

[Nick_Chilelli]

I play a lot of solo golf where I’m walking, so I typically always listen to music. The only difference is that I’ll do it while wearing my AirPods. It helps me keep my mind clear while playing, and keeps me from getting distracted with random thoughts (ADD problems). When I play with my buddies, we always bring a speaker and usually put on the Dead, or some other jam band type music. Every now and then we’ll put on a rap playlist if we’re in the mood, but you can’t hear it if you’re more than 15 feet away from the carts. I never understood the general disdain for hearing music while playing, but you always have to be respectful of others, especially if you’re paired up with some new faces. In the end, I would much rather hear the faint, distant tunes of someone on another hole, than some jag off screaming at the top of his lungs because he topped his 5th consecutive tee shot while playing from a tee box he doesn’t belong on. 

[chisag]

44 minutes ago, Nick_Chilelli said:

I play a lot of solo golf where I’m walking, so I typically always listen to music. The only difference is that I’ll do it while wearing my AirPods. It helps me keep my mind clear while playing, and keeps me from getting distracted with random thoughts (ADD problems). When I play with my buddies, we always bring a speaker and usually put on the Dead, or some other jam band type music. Every now and then we’ll put on a rap playlist if we’re in the mood, but you can’t hear it if you’re more than 15 feet away from the carts. I never understood the general disdain for hearing music while playing, but you always have to be respectful of others, especially if you’re paired up with some new faces.

 

... When I was auditioning most every day, fighting traffic for 2-4 hours and dealing with the congestion in downtown Chicago I loved getting to the course and hearing nothin but the sounds of nature or just the quiet. It was a retreat from the noise of life in a big city. Now that I am semi retired and play 4-5 times a week in season I enjoy light tunes while playing, so I understand both sides. 

... But I don't understand ear phones on the course. It just seems inherently dangerous for a myriad of reasons and when playing with others it is much more rude than playing music loudly from a speaker. Golf is a social game and ear phones are anti social. I love playing with others both friends and strangers but I would much rather play alone than be paired up with someone wearing ear phones. 

[Nick_Chilelli]

14 hours ago, chisag said:

 

... When I was auditioning most every day, fighting traffic for 2-4 hours and dealing with the congestion in downtown Chicago I loved getting to the course and hearing nothin but the sounds of nature or just the quiet. It was a retreat from the noise of life in a big city. Now that I am semi retired and play 4-5 times a week in season I enjoy light tunes while playing, so I understand both sides. 

... But I don't understand ear phones on the course. It just seems inherently dangerous for a myriad of reasons and when playing with others it is much more rude than playing music loudly from a speaker. Golf is a social game and ear phones are anti social. I love playing with others both friends and strangers but I would much rather play alone than be paired up with someone wearing ear phones. 

I definitely disagree with the assertion that wearing an AirPod is more rude than blasting music. I have music in one ear, and am still able to listen and converse with my playing partners with no issue, while they don’t have to listen to whatever I have on. Considering that a lot of the guys I get paired up with when going out solo are retired and have a similar routine as yourself, I would’ve heard by now if it was an issue. And they definitely wouldn’t invite me to join them again if it was something that was incredibly rude or unwelcome.
 

I’m also not sure how dangerous it can be. Other than a stray ball hitting you (which can happen with or without a headphone in), what other possible dangers are there on a golf course that could possibly plague you? 
 

At the end of the day, this is obviously all subjective, and everyone is welcome to their own opinion. Golf can be a social game for sure, but it can also be the most anti-social sport in the world, especially at the competitive level. 

[Tensai]

I don't mind it, as I am usually having some music playing but not to the point of where everyone and their brothers (or sisters) can hear it as well.  Most of the time I am usually on the course as a single, so the only person for my rotten game is myself , but if I come up on a group that is playing in front of me or a bottle neck at any green, I will turn my music down as a courtsey for everyone around me so they can focus on their game.  If I am in a group, I will ask everyone in the group if they would mind if I have some music playing and IF (and only IF) everyone in the group agrees then I will put the music on and at an acceptable level.  If there is one person that says no for the music, then I do not turn it on at all for that round. Also, I ask the entrie group if there is a specific genre of music that everyone wants to listen to then I will cater to that.

To each their own on this, and I also take it with a grain of salt. I don't mind it, and there are times that a specific song that comes on that we all have a conversation about that specific song or group that is playing.  It makes the time go by and we all get to know everyone in the group a little more and what they like and don't like.

Hope this helps.