Playing Music While Golfing

[aramirez24]

I (27) usually don't, but I have before. Doesn't bother me all that much, but I do like to ask the people I'm playing with if they mind before I put it on. My dad (47) plays it EVERY time we play at a volume louder than I think it should be. Usually have to remind him a few times to turn it down. Few weeks ago our cart had a speaker AND the other guys had a speaker in theirs. Both carts would turn it down at the tee box though so it was fine. Agree with most that as long as you're courteous of other people its' generally fine. 

[nvr3putt]

Somewhere along the path of human evolution, common sense/courtesy has proven to be recessive trait.

[Lord Viking]

I can't stand it..

I go to the course to play golf and escape the noise

Enjoy nature people

Golf is not a party

[sheppy335]

Music is great and a level to bother no one, i do it all the time. 

[J_Tizzle]

I want to be able to talk to my cartner without having to focus on what they're saying or actively speaking over the music, but if we're just sitting chilling a little background music is never bad.  It's a fine line, I do NOT want to hear it outside of the cart, and i want to hear it in the cart if we're sitting there not talking, thats it.  

[Munich77]

So not a fan.  Call me old and old fashioned.   Golf for me is where I unwind.  I am not there to listen to 90s rap 

[xkilgorextroutx]

Curious how many of the posters saying they hate the noise and love the peace and quiet are also ones who scream bloody murder and drop F bombs like mad when they miss a 3' putt. Because I hear that crap a LOT on various public & semi-private courses and to me, that's far more egregious than someone daring to listen to *gasp* music in their cart.

[ZAP]

I have a small speaker and use it about 20% of my casual rounds.   I usually keep the volume low so I do not disturb anyone else.  Most of the time I just enjoy the quiet solitude of the course.

 

Loud speakers are for scrambles and other silly events where people do more drinking than playing golf.

[cristphoto]

What's the problem with wearing earbuds?  Win-win for everyone.   

[Augster]

How is this still in the golf style/accessory part of the forum?

 

Please check the other 100 threads currently going on in the “Rules and Etiquette” part of the forum where music threads inevitably get dumped, then locked. 

[Fairway14]

A well struck shot is the music of a golf course.

[zachillusions]

If I'm playing solo then I usually wear airpods or sometimes have a JBL clip with music that can really only be heard by me.

 

I get people wanting to be with nature and whatnot, I think its fine if its not disruptive to other players.

 

Seems pretty gatekeepy to be anti music on the golf course imo. Just another thing that turns people off about golf. So long as its not excessively loud or disruptive, it should be allowed. 

[Shakester]

I honestly used to hate music on the course.  This was 5 years ago.  Now, I don’t mind it and have a JBL Clip speaker on my bag. I don’t use it every time I play.  When I do play music, it’s usually when I’m playing in a group with my buddies , who all have speakers on their bags.   I’d rather listen to music than hearing a guy from another hole yell “LET’S GO!” during my swing.  You’d be surprised how often that has happened to me.  
 

Some golf courses are starting to have golf carts with built in Bluetooth speakers.   Presidio golf course is one I’ve played that has them. 

[TooMuchAwesome]

Some easy listening at a respectable volume if okay with your cart partner should always be acceptable.

 

Call me old fashioned - but it's only when I see a foursome blasting loud music two fairways over, driving way too close to a green, holding up groups because they are tiktoking a video while running each other over with a cart that I feel differently about mixing tunes and golf. 

[RSinSG]

11 hours ago, TooMuchAwesome said:

Some easy listening at a respectable volume if okay with your cart partner should always be acceptable.

 

Call me old fashioned - but it's only when I see a foursome blasting loud music two fairways over, driving way too close to a green, holding up groups because they are tiktoking a video while running each other over with a cart that I feel differently about mixing tunes and golf. 

If all the music players actually had the volume set so low only those in their group could hear it we wouldn’t have any of these threads. 

[cristphoto]

On 7/29/2021 at 8:45 PM, xkilgorextroutx said:

Curious how many of the posters saying they hate the noise and love the peace and quiet are also ones who scream bloody murder and drop F bombs like mad when they miss a 3' putt. Because I hear that crap a LOT on various public & semi-private courses and to me, that's far more egregious than someone daring to listen to *gasp* music in their cart.

 

True - obscene outbursts are wrong, however they only last a few seconds versus 4 hours of continuous music.  Plus some of the music I hear people play has some pretty rough language.  

[xkilgorextroutx]

1 hour ago, cristphoto said:

 

True - obscene outbursts are wrong, however they only last a few seconds versus 4 hours of continuous music.  Plus some of the music I hear people play has some pretty rough language.  

 

My point was that they're all potentially distracting at one level or another. You can't complain about someone playing a style of music you don't like and how it's distracting when you're blowing up on every other hole and loudly yelling or cursing. 

[FormerBigDaddy]

38 y/o here and lover of all genres of music. I really like music when playing in certain situations. I find that sometimes it really calms me and relaxes me when I’m not playing well. I enjoy it most when walking alone as I don’t have to worry about what anyone else in my group thinks of what I’m playing. I’m a member at a club (which allows music with common sense rules regarding it) and most of the time pace of play is great but even as a single it can “feel” slow and having music really helps fill the void when standing around. I play in 2 different groups as well, one being an older crowd and the other being a younger crowd. I would never play my music with the senior style group but my younger group likes it. Long story short I only do it when I’m alone or in company I know well also like it. I also have an Apple Watch and can easily turn down the volume even while walking or near someone else or another group. Very convenient!  I think the main thing is being respectful of others, having common sense, and accepting that music isn’t alway appropriate. We all want golf as a business to thrive so I’m good with however people enjoy it as long as it doesn’t affect my experience. 

[St Jimmy]

I like the music so long as it's not louder than 10-15 yard away from the speaker.  

How many guys are playing in the deep woods?  Is there really that many nature sounds on the muni next to the highway?  

[jordan2240]

Played in an outing yesterday where several groups were playing music.  I found that, regardless of whether or not it was music I liked, I did not find it appealing in the golf environment.  I guess I just like the sounds of the environment in certain situations.  In one case, guys on a green adjacent to the tee we were on had it so loud we couldn't even talk to our playing partners until we were off the tee.  I asked my group if they liked music on the course, and all said no (three of us in our 60s and one in his 40s).  I think it's a pretty selfish trend really, especially since there is no reason you can't keep your music to yourself.

Edited August 1, 2021 by jordan2240

[deep18]

I’m fine with it especially when I’m playing in a scramble or if I’m alone/with friends. I’d never have music going when playing with people I didn’t know. 

[Mr. Grumpy]

I think that it's because music on the course is somewhat of a recent phenomenon. Many players aren't just used to it. Now, count me as one who does not want to get used to it, but I am also someone to stop other conversations when someone else is hitting. 

I tried to practice on the range with airpods, but I could not focus, hear the shot, or hit the shot. That experiment ended quickly. 😆

[Shilgy]

On 7/31/2021 at 6:59 AM, RSinSG said:

If all the music players actually had the volume set so low only those in their group could hear it we wouldn’t have any of these threads. 

[Shilgy]

Just a quick note for some of the recent responders……if asked at your local club when playing an event make sure you just say you enjoy listening to music as that is allowed.  What is NOT allowed is the listening to help block distractions and help with calming you and your tempo.

wouldn’t want you to get DQ’d after all.  
 

Oh, and perhaps ask your playing companions if your music is being played as quietly as claimed in this thread. As another post noted if everyone really played music at as low a volume as all seem to claim these threads would not exist.

[miamistomp]

On 7/30/2021 at 12:09 AM, zachillusions said:

If I'm playing solo then I usually wear airpods or sometimes have a JBL clip with music that can really only be heard by me.

 

I get people wanting to be with nature and whatnot, I think its fine if its not disruptive to other players.

 

Seems pretty gatekeepy to be anti music on the golf course imo. Just another thing that turns people off about golf. So long as its not excessively loud or disruptive, it should be allowed. 

 You go to a restaurant, a ball game or a movie and play your own music ?

   The issue is volume that intrudes on others and the fact that many people can't be quiet for a minute and need to be " entertained "

 

The thing that turns most people off about golf is that it is expensive and they think it is easy so are surprised that they suck

 

I guess the big thing is just respecting the space of others

[nsxguy]

On 7/23/2021 at 2:41 PM, GHIN n Juice said:

Played in a member/guest at a high end club here last weekend and 75% of the groups had a speaker in their cart, including the old farts.  Everyone in the top flight, including half a dozen + hcps, had one too.  Of all the doctors and lawyers and businessmen I played with, or spoke to, there were ZERO complaints about music.  
 

Times are changing gents.  Deal with it.

 

If nobody objects, knock yourself out. Please.

 

But your member/guest notwithstanding, the Rules, assuming one cares to play by them, allow players to play UNdistracted by other players.

 

Do it once and you'll be asked to stop by an official. Do it again and you may expect to be DQ'd.

 

Don't care to play by the Rules ? Bully for you.

 

The Rule ain't changing. Deal with it.

[nsxguy]

28 minutes ago, Shilgy said:

Just a quick note for some of the recent responders……if asked at your local club when playing an event make sure you just say you enjoy listening to music as that is allowed.  What is NOT allowed is the listening to help block distractions and help with calming you and your tempo.

wouldn’t want you to get DQ’d after all.  
 

Oh, and perhaps ask your playing companions if your music is being played as quietly as claimed in this thread. As another post noted if everyone really played music at as low a volume as all seem to claim these threads would not exist.

 

2.5 years ago the Ruling bodies had their chance,,,,,,, and IMO, blew it.

 

Instead of simply banning music on the course they hemmed and hawed and, not wanting to "offend"(?) ANYbody, left an "out" for anybody playing it - out loud OR with ear buds.

 

"It's not helping me at all (with my tempo and such), it just keeps me calm". Which, as in "keeping one calm", OF COURSE helps their game.

 

The ruling bodies had their chance and they blew it.

 

 

 

And the thread it self is kinda funny. The poll is running 3-2 FOR music yet, my general impression is the posts are running 4-1 AGAINST music on the course.

 

Have to wonder why that is.

[xkilgorextroutx]

Y'all out here acting like Rodney Dangerfield is strolling up next to you blasting Journey at top volume.

 

Can't have a conversation because the music on the previous green is too loud? Please.

 

"What can we do to make the game appeal to new and younger players?"
 

*Bluetooth speaker enters the chat*

 

"NO NO NO we didn't mean THAT!!!! Our precious sensibilities!!!!" 

[jordan2240]

47 minutes ago, xkilgorextroutx said:

Can't have a conversation because the music on the previous green is too loud? Please.

Absolutely was too loud for us to comfortably talk to each other.  Sure, we could have yelled had we needed to speak, but unless there is an ambulance coming down the fairway, that should never be necessary.  Who's 'precious sensibilities' take precedence - the ones who don't want the overall environment to change, or the ones who do?  Again, there is absolutely no reason you can't listen to your music through ear buds, so why not simply do that? 

[GHIN n Juice]

1 hour ago, nsxguy said:

 

The Rule ain't changing. Deal with it.

Huh?…The rules of golf change all the time, lol.  Lighten up Judge Smails.