Opinion & Analysis
Music and golf: Hit Me With Your Best Shot!
Except for the par-3, 16th hole at the TPC Scottsdale where the pros play in a coliseum-like setting with 20,000 fans chanting, singing, cheering, and even booing, golf is mostly a game of respectful quiet.
No one talks when a guy in your group is standing about to hit his shot. On the tee, in the rough or fairway, or putting, there’s usually dead silence as we play any meaningful stroke. Oh, of course, in between shots people give each other the needle, but for hundreds of years, etiquette has demanded and custom has dictated quiet immediately before and during the strike.
This time-honored tradition is changing though. Slowly building like the chorus of “Hey Jude,” this trend is led by mostly younger golfers (more on that later) who increasingly are bringing music with them to the course.
“I guess ‘playing through’ has a new meaning,” one of my playing partners said recently during a round at Black Gold.
“Yeah, playing through your dumb-a** playlist,” teased his cart-riding companion. “Put some Marley on, man. Let me get into the groove.”
Played through easily portable wireless speakers, or at a smart phone’s full volume, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and iTunes now provide a digitally connected soundtrack for golf.
[quote_box_center]“I think it’s a millennial thing,” said Jimmy, a soccer coach from Pasadena, playing at Empire Lakes.[/quote_box_center]
And yet his choice of musical accompaniment was classic rock tracks from the 1960s and 70s. And even I must admit that there’s nothing in my previous golfing experience like standing on the first tee ready to hit my opening drive while Mick and the boys work through, “Start Me Up.”
And yes, I did hit a good drive: thanks Keith.
Mike from Mojave, an aerospace engineer who helps design civilian spacecraft – really, that’s what he said and why would I doubt him? This is Southern California, after all – Mike was listening to Avenger on Pandora.
[quote_box_center]“Sometimes I listen to salsa while golfing, sometimes to classic rock. But I think the last few holes have me in the mood for something a little heavier. AC/DC or Offspring sometimes,” he said as he gripped his driver with tattooed hands.[/quote_box_center]
And then he crushed it.
“There isn’t any song I wouldn’t want to hear while I’m playing,” said Kyle from Apple Valley. “It’s my playlist so there’s nothing on it I don’t like.”
“Well, you’ve got some twangy country on there…” said C.J., who obviously doesn’t appreciate how “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die“ relates to golf.
“Does anyone ever complain?” I asked Mike.
“I keep it low, or turn it off if I think it’ll bother someone,” he answered. “But I did have a guy one time who blamed the music when he hit a bad shot. I think he was just looking for an excuse because he’d parred the two holes before that with Zeppelin playing.”
“Give me something with a beat and a good bass line,” said Renn at Oak Quarry. “Or sometimes I listen to jazz, something without any words to distract me.”
“Music never distracts me,” said C.J. “But then again I went to clown school in Florida, so I’m used to a lot going on at the same time.” Honest, he said this while balancing a driver on his chin for about 12 seconds!
In Long Beach I played with Greg from Redondo. He never listens to music on the golf course, never heard of that. “What, are they doing that now?” He did allow that one time he played with a guy who listened to Rush Limbaugh on the front nine.
[quote_box_center]“I pushed every drive out to the right all day.”[/quote_box_center]
And if what you hear really does influence how you play, then wouldn’t listening to upbeat, positive songs help, maybe in some minimal subliminal way? Hopefully, while it still matters on the front nine.
“Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” maybe? Or Simon & Garfunkel’s swing advice, “Slow down, you move too fast.”
As a golfer on the back nine of the music-on-the-golf-course demographic, I accept it, even if I don’t join the chorus and sing along. Not for tournaments or serious golf, but for casual play. Maybe someday carts will have iPhone docks and built-in speakers that automatically lower volume when you approach a green? As long as the tunes are only loud enough to be heard within the group who like it, who cares, right? Let the music play.
I have just one request: when I’m standing over the ball, don’t put on Linda Ronstadt’s “You’re No Good.”
Opinion & Analysis
Brandel Chamblee PGA Championship Q&A: Rose’s huge McLaren risk, distracted LIV pros and why Aronimink suits the bombers
PGA Championship week is here, and Brandel Chamblee did not hold back in our latest discussion ahead of the season’s second major.
In our 2026 PGA Championship Q&A, golf’s leading analyst made the case that PIF pulling LIV’s funding has left its players competing in a state of confusion, called Justin Rose’s mid-season equipment switch a huge risk at 45, and explained why Aronimink will be a bombers’ delight this week.
Check out the full Q&A below.
Gianni: With the PIF confirming that they’re pulling funding from LIV at the end of the season, what impact do you expect that to have on the LIV players competing at the PGA Championship?
Brandel: I would imagine that they have all been thrown into a state of confusion, and will be distracted, not knowing where they are going to play next year and not knowing exactly their road back to either the DP World Tour or the PGA Tour. Or in Rahm’s case, being tied to a sinking ship for the next few years, likely playing for pennies on the dollar in events that no one cares about or watches.
I doubt this would put him in the best frame of mind to compete at his highest level. Keeping in mind, however, that majors are the only time that LIV disciples get to play in events that matter, so never disregard the motivation they have to prove to the world they are still relevant.
Gianni: Justin Rose switched to McLaren Golf equipment mid-season while playing some of the best golf of his career. What do you make of the change?
Brandel: I don’t really know what to make of Rose switching equipment. It seems a huge risk on his part, even though it is likely, in my opinion, that the clubs he’s playing are similar, if not the exact grinds, to what he was playing previously, with a McLaren stamp on them.
Having said that, at best, it is a distraction when he seemed to be as dialed in with his game as any 45-year-old could be and trending in the majors to perhaps do something that would definitely put him in the Hall of Fame. At worst, given the possibility that these clubs aren’t just duplicates of his old set stamped with McLaren on them, he’s made an equipment change that would take time, and 45-year-old athletes don’t have the time to do such things.
Gianni: Aronimink has only hosted a handful of professional events since it hosted the 1962 PGA Championship. What kind of test does it present, and does a course with less recent major championship history tend to level the playing field?
Brandel: Even though Aronimink has only hosted a handful of meaningful professional events, it has been fairly discerning in who can win there. When Keegan Bradley won the BMW Championship on the Donald Ross masterpiece in 2018, he was the 2nd best iron player on tour coming into that week. When Nick Watney won the AT&T at Aronimink in 2011, he was 2nd in strokes gained total coming into the week.
In 2020, Aronimink hosted the KPMG Championship, and Sei Young Kim won. On the LPGA that year, she was first in greens in regulation, putts per green in regulation, and scoring average on the way to being the LPGA player of the year. And then there is the 1962 PGA Championship won by Gary Player, who eventually became just one of a few players to win the career grand slam on the way to winning 9 majors. It is a formidable test, and if it’s not softened by rain, it will bring out the best in the upper echelons of the game.
Gianni: Is there a specific hole at Aronimink that you think will do the most to decide the winner?
Brandel: The hardest hole at Aronimink in each of the three tour events that have been played there since 2010 has been the long par-3 8th hole, with the par-4 10th being the second hardest, so most of the carnage will happen around the turn, but with the par-5 16th offering opportunities for bold plays and the tough closing holes at 17 and 18, the finish is likely to be frenetic.
Gianni: The PGA Championship has always sat in the shadow of the other majors. What does the ideal PGA Championship look like in your eyes, and what would it take for it to carve out its own identity?
Brandel: The PGA Championship, to whatever degree it suffers from the comparison to the other three majors, is still counted just as much when adding them up at the end of one’s career. Almost 1/3 of Nicklaus’ major wins were the five PGA Championships he won. Walter Hagen won 11 majors, five of which were PGA Championships.
Tiger Woods twice in his career won back-to-back PGA Championships, and those four majors count just as much as the other 11 he won. The PGA may not have the prestige of the other three, but it carries the same weight. Having said that, I preferred the identity that it had as the last major of the year.
Gianni: You nailed your Masters picks. Rory won, Scottie finished solo second, and Morikawa surged to a tie for seventh. Who are your top 3 picks for the PGA Championship and why?
Brandel: I am not a huge fan of majors played on golf courses that have been shorn of most of the trees, although I understand some of the agronomic reasons for doing so and of course the ease with which it allows members to play after errant drives. However, at the highest level, it all but eliminates any strategy off the tee and turns professional golf into an even bigger slugfest. That means that it will likely be a bomber’s delight this week, but fortunately, Scottie Scheffler is long enough to play that game and straight enough to play it better than anyone else.
The major championships give us very few surprises anymore, going back to the beginning of 2012, so the last 57 majors played, the average world rank of the winners has been better than 15th in the world. So look at the highest ranked and longest drivers who are on form coming into the PGA Championship who also have great short games as the surrounds at Aronimink are very challenging. That’s Scottie Scheffler by a mile and then McIlroy and Cameron Young with a far bigger nod towards DeChambeau than I gave him at the Masters.
In this episode of the Club Junkie Podcast, we dive into one of the most interesting flatstick releases of the year with a full review of the new TaylorMade SYSTM 2 putters. After spending time on the greens, I break down what makes this design stand out, where it performs, and why it has me completely torn between loving it and fighting it. If you are into feel, alignment, and consistency, this is one you will want to hear about.
We also take a look at some of the putters in play on the PGA Tour last week. From familiar favorites to a few surprising setups, there is always something to learn from what the best players in the world are rolling with under pressure.
To wrap things up, I walk through the process of building a set of JP Golf Prime irons paired with Baddazz Gold Series shafts. From component selection to performance goals, this is a deep dive into what goes into creating a unique custom set and why this combo has been so intriguing.
This year my 50th birthday. Gosh, where has the time gone?
As a teenager in rural Missouri, some of my junior high and high school years felt interminable. Graduation seemed light years away. But the older I get, the faster life seems to fly by.
I’m also increasingly aware of my mortality. My dad died recently. Earlier this year, a friend and fellow PGA of America professional and I were texting about our next catch-up. The next message I received was news of his unexpected passing at 48. Shortly after, a woman I dated in college succumbed to cancer at 51.
Certainly, one can share perspective at any age. Seniors help freshmen, veterans guide rookies. But reaching this milestone feels like as good a time as any to do one of those “what would I tell my younger self?” articles.
I’ve had a uniquely varied career in golf. I started as a 27-year-old, average-length-hitting, 14-handicap computer engineer and somehow managed to turn pro before running out of money, constantly bootstrapping my way forward. I’ve won qualifiers and set venue records in the World Long Drive Championships, finished fifth at the Speedgolf World Championships, coached all skill levels as a PGA of America professional, built industry-leading swing speed training programs for Swing Man Golf, helped advance the single-length iron market with Sterling Irons®, caddied on the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions, and played about 300 courses across 32 countries.
It’s been a ride, and I’ve gone both deep and wide.
So while I can consult and advise from a lot of angles, let me keep it to a few things I’d tell the average golfer who wants to improve.
1. Think About What You Want
Everyone has their own reason for picking up a golf club.
Oddly, as a professional athlete, I’m not internally driven by competition. That can be challenging, as the industry currently prioritizes and incentivizes competition over the love of the game.
For me, I love walking and being outdoors. Nature helps balance my energy. I prefer courses that are integrated into the natural beauty of their surroundings. I’m comfortable practicing alone. I’m a deep thinker, and I genuinely enjoy investigating the game, using data and intuition to unearth unique, often innovative insights. I’m fortunate to be strong and athletic, so I appreciate the chance to engage with my abilities. Traveling feels adventurous. I could go on.
You don’t have to overthink it like I do. For you, it might be as simple as hitting balls to escape work, hanging out with friends, and playing loosely with the rules and the score.
The point is to give yourself permission to play for your own reasons, and let that be enough.
But if improvement is your goal, thinking about your destination—and when you want to get there—is important, because it dictates the steps you need to take. When I set out to go from a 14-handicap to the PGA TOUR as quickly as possible, the steps I needed were very different from those of a working golfer trying to break 90 in six months. That’s also different from someone who just wants a few peaceful hours outside each week, away from work or family.
None of these goals are better than the others, but each requires a different plan that you can work backward from.
2. There Are Lots of Things That Can Work
One of the challenges of golf is that, although there are rules for playing, there aren’t clear, industry-wide standards for how to best play the game. There’s a lot of gray area.
You might hear a top coach or trainer insist that a certain move is the best way to swing or train. Then you dig a bit deeper and, much to your confusion and frustration, another respected coach or trainer says something completely different. I don’t think anyone is trying to confuse you—at least I hope not. It’s just where the industry is right now.
You have to be careful with advice from tournament pros, too. They might be great at scoring, but they’re also human and sometimes just as susceptible as amateurs to believing things that don’t really move the needle. Tour players might describe what they feel, but that’s not always what they’re actually doing when assessed with technology.
I recently ran a test on my YouTube channel (which connects to my GolfWRX article “How to use your hands in the golf swing for power and accuracy”), and, interestingly, two of the most commonly taught hand actions produced the worst results in the test.
Coaches can certainly help. If you find someone you connect with to help navigate, that’s great. But there are many ways to get the ball in the hole. In the current landscape, you may need to seek multiple opinions, think critically, and use your own intuition to discern what seems true and whose advice resonates with you.
I’d recommend seeking someone who is open-minded and always learning, because things constantly change. Absolutes like “correct” or “proper” should raise a red flag. AI can be useful, but it tends to confidently repeat popular advice, so proceed with caution.
3. Get Custom Fit
If you’re serious about becoming a better player, getting custom fit is hugely important. There’s no sense fighting your equipment if you don’t have to. Most better players get fit these days and, if they don’t, they’re usually skilled enough to work around clubs that aren’t ideal.
If you plan to play for a long time, it’s worth spending a little more upfront to get something that truly fits you and your game, rather than continually buying and discarding equipment.
Equipment rules haven’t really changed significantly since the early 2000s. To stay in business, manufacturers keep pushing those limits. If you pull a bunch of clubs and balls off the rack and test them, you’ll find differences. I’ve tested two new drivers and seen a 30-yard total distance gap. Usually, the issue isn’t bad equipment; it’s that the combination of components simply isn’t the best fit.
It’s like wearing a new pair of floppy clown shoes. Sure, they’re shoes—but you won’t sprint your best in them compared to track shoes that fit perfectly.
Be wary of what’s called custom fitting, too. Sometimes the term is used as a marketing strategy rather than an actual fitting. In some retail settings, fitters may be incentivized to steer you toward higher-priced components. That doesn’t automatically mean it’s not the best fit, but you should be aware of potential biases.
I learned a version of this lesson outside of golf. Years ago, I bought a tennis racquet at a big box store from a seemingly knowledgeable employee who thought it would suit me best. The racquet gave me tennis elbow, and I spent months recovering with rest and acupuncture. The next season, I invested more time and money to find what actually fit me, and I walked away with something amazing that I still play with years later.
So if you’re going to get fit, be smart about it.
Find someone you believe has deep knowledge—possibly with certifications, but not necessarily. Make sure there’s a wide inventory across many brands. Check recent reviews for the individual fitter if possible. Make sure you trust that the fitter has your best interests at heart. If they’re wearing a hat or shirt with a specific brand’s logo, proceed with caution. Unless you specifically want a certain brand or look, be wary of upsells, especially if two options perform nearly the same.
Also, while golf is called a sport of integrity, there’s a thread of manipulation in the industry. I once drafted an equipment article for an industry magazine, structured just like one of their previous popular stories, with matching word count and great photos. The assistant editor loved it; it was useful to readers and required little work on his part. But the editor-in-chief nixed the story. When I asked why, I was told it was because I wasn’t an advertiser. It turned out the article I’d modeled mine after was a paid ad cleverly disguised as editorial content.
I really dislike games, clickbait, and fear-based manipulation. I hope this changes, but golfers deserve to know it exists.
4. Distance and Strategy Matter
There’s a real relationship between how far you hit the ball and your scoring average, even at the PGA TOUR level.
I experienced this early in my pro career. I started as a power hitter, swinging in the high 120s and breaking 200 mph ball speed with a stock driver.
Back then, some instructors advised swinging at 80%, so I tried slowing down for more accuracy. That worked fine on shorter, tighter courses. But on longer setups, I was coming into greens with too much club, and par 5s stopped being
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Double Mocha Man
Mar 18, 2015 at 8:08 pm
Beethoven’s 7th Symphony, Third Movement, can put you in the mood for a string of birdies.
Jeremy
Mar 18, 2015 at 6:40 pm
Quiet, sounds of nature only should be the default, but there’s room for music in the game as well. From an etiquette standpoint, seems simple enough: on your own, do what you want, just keep it reasonably quiet so as not to disturb other groups. With your friends where everyone’s cool, same deal. With strangers, just don’t, or if it’s really you’re thing then ask if they’re okay with it.
Overall, just have fun and enjoy the day. Let others do the same. Be conscious of what you’re actually playing for. If it’s a massive putt to win a really big prize, by all means insist on rigid silence. But chances are you’re just doing it for the fun, the exercise, the peace of mind. There’s no reason to let being within earshot of a song you hate for 30 seconds ruin your day.
chunner
Mar 18, 2015 at 5:04 pm
Steely Dan on the course all the way! I’m 100% for music. Got paired up with a couple of old timers, asked them if the music was okay and they loved it. The super hot cart girl loved the Rolling Stones jam that was on. Music fuels the soul. People try to ‘play’ golf way to seriously…keep it loose and and swing!
chunner
Mar 18, 2015 at 5:08 pm
***I am an Acushnet employee, but am not an Acushnet spokesperson. This posting is my individual opinion only.
Philip
Mar 18, 2015 at 6:30 pm
Could dig that – as long as everyone is in agreement and if asked to turn it down by others, one respects that they are not alone on the course (usually).
Rich
Mar 18, 2015 at 3:31 pm
I can’t stand music on the course. And I’m 32. For those of you who love playing music, I ask you this:
If you went to fire up the bluetooth speaker, would you be cool with someone else in the foursome controlling the entire playlist?
I would love to hear my favorite songs all day every day. But it’s disrespectful to think that anyone else in the world wants to. And most people are too courteous to tell others to turn off their music on the course. Don’t make people tell you that they don’t want to hear your music.
Assume that if they aren’t playing it themselves, they’re either respectful of their playing partners, or don’t want to hear music on the course.
Double Mocha Man
Mar 18, 2015 at 8:06 pm
I’m fine with music on the course. Did it myself, alone, using earbuds, with “A Little Bit is Better than Nada” to keep me in the golf mood. “Tin Cup” reference. But it’s not very conducive to good golf camaraderie and banter when playing with friends. And please, don’t be the guy in the car with his music cranked up because he thinks everyone else will think he has great taste in music. He doesn’t. He’s just egotistical. And his playlist only works for him and his cookie-cutter friends.
Rich
Mar 19, 2015 at 10:56 am
Very much agreed with all of this. Ear buds shouldn’t even be an issue. Can’t imagine why anyone would have a problem with someone else using headphones when they play golf.
I’d much rather play with someone wearing ear buds than have them ask me if it’s ok if they play music on their bluetooth speaker.
Tupac
Mar 17, 2015 at 9:31 pm
If you need music on the golf course it’s not your sport. oh and your probably a hack!
Keith
Mar 18, 2015 at 10:11 am
That’s incredibly stupid…
rgb
Mar 18, 2015 at 12:05 pm
You misspelled ‘accurate’.
HTH.
Keith
Mar 18, 2015 at 12:48 pm
Thanks…but my plus index disagrees. Now if you’ll excuse me, gotta crank the jawbone up before I hit this tee shot.
Taylor
Mar 21, 2015 at 1:07 pm
Jawbone ftw…dropped 5 strokes when I put it in the bag
Brad
Mar 18, 2015 at 1:29 pm
Also, I believe it should be you’re…. not your. Spelling hack.
BAA
Mar 18, 2015 at 2:57 pm
Do you even english? “Your” is the correct usage.
“You’re” is an abbreviation for “you are”.
JJ
Mar 18, 2015 at 4:13 pm
@BAA…you might want to re-read the entire excerpt.
Brad is correct in his analysis of @Tupac’s word usage.
Damn, I love it when one is wrong when trying to correct another.
Philip
Mar 18, 2015 at 4:37 pm
Actually they are both correct – “your sport” is correct, “your probably” s/b “you’re probably” – as usual, depends on the context, as does music on a golf course or in the office.
Jeremy
Mar 18, 2015 at 6:32 pm
No it doesn’t. The context is “you are,” which should be “you’re.”
Philip
Mar 19, 2015 at 12:11 am
what doesn’t? The context I was relating to was which “your” was being referred to. The first was used correctly, the second wasn’t …
Jeremy
Mar 19, 2015 at 8:07 pm
Yup, I get it now. Hard to decipher punctuation when the reply only gets 4 words per line. Carry on!
BAA
Mar 18, 2015 at 10:48 pm
Yep, my bad. I was looking at the wrong “your”.
RG
Mar 21, 2015 at 5:27 am
This is why people hate golfers.
Jeff
Mar 21, 2015 at 2:56 pm
Your sport: correct usage. your proably a hack: should be you’re.
other paul
Mar 17, 2015 at 7:26 pm
I played a round with my bro and we listened to the music from the group ahead for the whole round. It wasn’t to loud, it just carries forever on our flat courses. You can be a 550 yard par 5 away and hear it clear as day around here. So I am not a fan so far.
Philip
Mar 18, 2015 at 11:42 am
That’s the only thing about it. The design of course courses would make it almost impossible to properly isolate the music from each group. So if one group is listening to hip hop and the other country, there is no way a battle of the louder music will not erupt eventually. We think we sometimes have problems on courses with tempers now and slow play – it could get way worse when someone gets so annoyed they take a wedge to another groups boom box …
Beacher50
Mar 17, 2015 at 7:10 pm
Why does everyone always have to be listening to music, I like music, but not in a golf setting. And I deplore it when people use it as a means (with ear buds) to prohibt talking with others. On the driving range, standing in line or whereever. Its just plain rude. They call the new generation the connected generation, to me they’re disconnected.
Keith
Mar 18, 2015 at 10:14 am
Maybe I don’t want you talking to me on the driving range while I’m in my practice routine. I could call your invasiveness rude.
Goes both ways…
talljohn777
Mar 18, 2015 at 12:59 pm
Golf is a social sport. Being anti-social is not really the point…
rer4136
Mar 18, 2015 at 1:57 pm
Being social means you get to do what you want?
Mark
Mar 18, 2015 at 8:41 pm
Golf is an individual sport. While competition may be social, practice is usually not really all that social.
I could count the number of times I’ve had a practice partner on the range or practice green on one hand. If I want to go through my routine with earphones on and music playing, I don’t want to be interrupted.
Shallowface
Mar 17, 2015 at 6:54 pm
I feel the same way about music on the golf course as I do hearing it blasting out of cars. Keep your lack of taste to yourself.
Most communities have “disturbing the peace” ordinances on the books, so if it gets too bad on the golf course I might have to see what the police can do about it.
.
Keith
Mar 18, 2015 at 12:58 pm
Wow…really? Already threatening to call the police, huh? That would be an interesting conversation to hear. “Those whippersnappers won’t turn down their Snoopy Dog while I’m trying to make this putt to win a dime off of Bob over here.”
My advice…turn down your hearing aids.
Brad
Mar 18, 2015 at 1:31 pm
Classic. LMAO
Brad
Mar 18, 2015 at 1:36 pm
HAHA…. Classic..
HackerDad31
Mar 19, 2015 at 1:26 pm
Phenomenal! And we wonder why no one is taking up the game. Because curmudgeons are threatening to call the f-ing police over music. This like Footloose, only lamer. That’s no small feat.
Philip
Mar 17, 2015 at 5:39 pm
I see two things that can go wrong with music. the first is that people are always competitive and I can see different groups eventually cranking the tunes, which is of course, totally dissing everyone else on the course. Also, what are the odds everyone in the group is in the mood for the same genre of music for that round.
The second thing is – how am I supposed to even make a swing – as a music lover and musician, there is no way I could maintain my natural rhythm without the rhythm of the music changing my walk, pace, swing – everything.
Now, can I play with music blasting at rock concert levels – oh yea baby – had no choice. The course I joined for the last three years is part of a ski mountain resort and during the summer they have downhill bike races, carnivals, concerts, conferences and lots of other festivities – and all you hear is crowds and blasting music (heavy rock, hip hop, rap – not classical of course) along with the DJ and race announcer, along with trying no to hit groups of people who think the golf course is a park to stroll in.
You’ll be surprised how much you can tune it all out to make that putt :o)
RoscoDog
Mar 17, 2015 at 5:25 pm
Bluetooth Headphones. I don’t want to hear your music and I don’t expect anyone to listen to mine. Or sometimes I use a bluetooth headset, that way I get music in one ear but I can still hear out of the other ear.
Sean
Mar 17, 2015 at 3:40 pm
I like music, but not on the golf course. The only sounds I want to hear are those provided by nature.
Keith
Mar 17, 2015 at 2:54 pm
I listen to the Dre/Snoop channel on Pandora and check my email and texts constantly. Different people have different ideas of what disconnecting or unplugging is. Mine is getting out of the office, but my job requires me to be accessible and responsive. I keep the music low and make sure it’s not turned up so as to be respectful. But if we want this game to grow, it’s needs to feel inviting to millennials, not like a stuffy coat and tie dinner.
Philip
Mar 18, 2015 at 1:48 pm
Just curious, do you listen through headphones? When the course is slow I try to chit chat, but my groups tend to play opposite corners of the fairways so I can enjoy the view and sounds for only so long before it just becomes boring waiting all the time, but maybe I’ll bring a tiny player with headphones so that I forget how long i am waiting. I can listen to mediation music I guess, because if I try something with more of a beat I’ll end up strutting down the fairways to the beat. Of course, I could always provide the entertainment and give a pulse to the group – lol
MJS2
Mar 17, 2015 at 2:48 pm
I do not think its a situation where we cant unplug. I do not belong to Facebook and rarely check my phone throughout the day, but I have been brining my portable speakers on the course for a year or so now. I think the idea of golf is to go out, test your limitations, and enjoy some time with your buddies or make new ones. I fail to see how music (which is incorporated in every other sport out there) deters from this.
I always ask the group if they mind or if they want to listen to something in particular (when not playing with my regular 4some). It is never loud, just faintly playing in the background, and I always keep my distance from the person hitting (unless its my cart mate). I find it takes off the edge, especially when you are waiting 5+ minutes on a saturday afternoon in-between each shot because the groups ahead of you are slow.
Ive yet to play with someone that this really bothers, however, if i do i will gladly turn it off and wait in silence.
rer4136
Mar 18, 2015 at 1:54 pm
If the music is not a bother to you then wear headphones. If noise is not a distraction then why does Tiger Woods (and former caddie Stevie) go gimp when a photographer clicks a camera during his swing. I promise you my focus isn’t even close to Tiger’s. I would guess that most of your playing partners hate the music but won’t say so.
MJS2
Mar 18, 2015 at 2:28 pm
Where in my above post does it state that noise is NOT a distraction, ill wait while you re-read…
…great.
If I wear headphones, then i surely can’t hear the multiple FOURS that are yelled during a Sat-Sun afternoon round and certainly put me and my groups safety in grave danger and nobody would want that. And unfortunately, you would have guessed wrong, it was my playing partners who first starting bringing music to the course.
If the birds chirping, frogs gulping, wind howling and tress rustling (all of which constitutes as noise) is that distracting to, maybe you should try a nice song faintly playing in the background one day, it may help you drown those sounds out and focus.
HIT ‘EM STRAIGHT!
Joe
Mar 17, 2015 at 2:41 pm
Im in favor of a quiet peaceful round except for the boys jawing one another. Fully agree its a time to unplug from everything. How annoying is it when one of your crew has to check their phone every few minutes etc.
rer4136
Mar 17, 2015 at 2:19 pm
Seems like more of a situation where we can’t unplug from some sort of media or the other. I kind of think that the idea of golf is to detach from the constant stream of media. Does all the media have to intrude into every part of our existence. It’s a noisy world already and I guess it is going to get worse. The problem I have with this is, as a paying customer at a golf course why should I have someone else impose their music on me? There are wireless headphones that sync with your phone, so wear those and listen to your hearts content. Better yet relax!