Practice Music

[skinny99]

I-Pod or Not?

Do you practice listening to an I-pod/mp3 player? If so do you hit balls listening to it? Chip and putt? What do you listen to and is it different depending on what you are doing(putting or hitting driver)? Also is it different than the normal music you listen to?
Just curios,I listen to slower music when I chip and putt, and faster more aggresive music when hitting full shots and Driver.
Todd

[Skaffa77]

I tried it for the first time a few months ago (when there wasn't snow on the ground) and actually liked it. Helped me to take my time as I was enjoying the music and not rush through hitting the balls.

 

The only bad thing is I realized that I also appreciate the sound of the wind, birds, the sound of the ball at impact....

[stoo600B]

Social Distortion to Faith No More to Enya to Beethoven to Tchaikovsky. A rather obscure mixture but it just depends on the mood of the day.

 

Definitely something smooth and flowing while on the putting green though.

[hattrick3518]

i tried it out on the range it didnt like it much, the headphones just kinda got in my way, i tried tucking it into my shirt and i just didnt like it. i love the sound of a pured iron or a ripped driver so i didnt like it on the driving range. i did like it putting/ chipping though, definitely helped me focus

[beachgrovejunior]

I listen to my ipod when i practice, when im playing alone and sometimes with some buds i just put an earbud in one ear, i listen to music constantly so why not when practicing

[idiotbox]

I use my iPod every time I practice. It is also great to drown out ambient noise. I listen to classical music to keep me relaxed and tension free. Works for me. It helps to occupy half my brain so the other half can concentrate on what I am trying to do.

[drjable]

For me it is heaven to put on the Ipod, listen to some dead and take a few beers to the putting green. Makes putting practice much more enjoyable for longer periods of time. :)

[blindwolf]

i also listen to my ipod when i'm practicing, as listening to music helps me with tempo. i did discover that running the ear bud wire down the back of my shirt made the wire less cumbersome.

[bheck23]

Normally I do I cant live without my ipod so why wouldn't I use it while practice.

[chrishay]

Just to play devil's advocate, have any of you ever considered that practicing with your ipod means that you're not practicing under the same conditions that you'll be playing under?

 

Not trying to start anything, just curious if the "practice the way you play" theory holds any credence today?

[Matt10]

Just to play devil's advocate, have any of you ever considered that practicing with your ipod means that you're not practicing under the same conditions that you'll be playing under?

 

Not trying to start anything, just curious if the "practice the way you play" theory holds any credence today?

 

I think it is dependant on who can transfer their practice game to their course game - in this case the mental side.

 

I know whenever I play I whistle in between shots (except on the green, that's in my head). It makes me feel like I'm out for a walk in the park and can just let go and get out of the way. My best score ever, a 68 on a par 70 course, was when I whistled every Jack Johnson song on his CD Brushfire Fairytales. I had heard the CD enough and brought it to the range to the point it was engraved in my memory. I knew every track and instead of worrying about swing thoughts, I tried to test myself on which song in my head would 'play' next.

[beachgrovejunior]

There is no such thing as practice as you play IMO, you get the same lie time after time, if you hit it offline its not affecting your score, and there are also not 30 people talking and hitting a golf ball at the same time as you on the golf course.

[ChrisM84]

Always have the ipod. Keeps me calm and in my own world.

 

I don't have it cranked though, just loud enough to be able to hear impact.

[JakeBarnes]

Driving range and coltrane. A great combination.

[Ridgecrest18]

If it's not a tournament, on the course, driving range, around the practice area and on the practice green........ my ipod is on :)

[Baycal92510]

Always have the ipod. Keeps me calm and in my own world.

 

I don't have it cranked though, just loud enough to be able to hear impact.

 

 

is that the secret? I got a new mp3 and couldn't wait to try it on the range. But to my dissapointment I hated it. I love the sound my mizuno's make when I stripe one and I only could hit a couple before taking them off. I will try again with the sound lower.

[jeremyblre21]

I was reading "every shot must have a purpose" or a "game within the game" and the author describes to the theory not to practice with the ipod as it will distract you to play non focused golf and when you need to focus you can't perform.

 

I guess I can see this point but I'm curious to know if any tour players practice with ipods when not at tournaments. I personally have tried it and enjoyed my practice sessions more. I noticed immediately I spent more time on the range or greens. But was this time quality time? I can't be sure. I haven't used an ipod when practicing since the summer and could go either way. I think if you have trouble focusing the ipod may be a great way to distract you but it creates a mindless golf game much like when you hit 1,000 7 irons in a row. Many of us perform better with a mindless/ clear head but will this help you when you get on the course? I doubt it, unless you plan to play all your rounds secluded from those around you.

[hbear]

Always have the ipod. Keeps me calm and in my own world.

 

I don't have it cranked though, just loud enough to be able to hear impact.

 

Same here, get to listen to some tunes AND get sound based feedback on my ball contact.

 

Added bonus, that when you have your earbuds in (even when you don't have music playing) people tend to leave you alone.

Although sometimes it's good to be social and have fun with the members at the range....most of the time I'm at the range to get some good, productive practice in. And chatting up a storm just doesn't fit with that.

 

I was reading "every shot must have a purpose" or a "game within the game" and the author describes to the theory not to practice with the ipod as it will distract you to play non focused golf and when you need to focus you can't perform.

 

I guess I can see this point but I'm curious to know if any tour players practice with ipods when not at tournaments. I personally have tried it and enjoyed my practice sessions more. I noticed immediately I spent more time on the range or greens. But was this time quality time? I can't be sure. I haven't used an ipod when practicing since the summer and could go either way. I think if you have trouble focusing the ipod may be a great way to distract you but it creates a mindless golf game much like when you hit 1,000 7 irons in a row. Many of us perform better with a mindless/ clear head but will this help you when you get on the course? I doubt it, unless you plan to play all your rounds secluded from those around you.

 

I understand the point of the authors (I have those books as well) HOWEVER for myself I find the ipod helps me better determine when I'm losing focus.

E.g. When I begin to focus more and more on the songs themselves....I know I'm losing focus.

When I'm focused well on my practice the music is just background noise. When the music begins to take center stage...time to move to something different in my practice routine.

[jeremyblre21]

good point(s).

 

 

Most of us practice and play with friends when possible. I would imagine most of us talk to them during range sessions. I can't imagine a ipod can be any more distracting than a good bunch of buds.

[Golfme]

I try to. But being a worker at the club, and having a good swing, people cant help but tap me on the shoulder to give me free golf balls cause i put them to better use. Also, sometimes my coaches drop by to give me a tip or 2.(by coaches I mean the head pros, Hector Zapata is my swing coach, the other ones ive made good friends with and they just want to help me)

[glc3344]

I saw steve lowery at a tournament last year with his ipod on when he was going through his preround warmup of putting and hitting balls. I thought that was cool, but i till havent tried it. To me it seems like the cord will always be in the way?

[Matt10]

I saw steve lowery at a tournament last year with his ipod on when he was going through his preround warmup of putting and hitting balls. I thought that was cool, but i till havent tried it. To me it seems like the cord will always be in the way?

 

In my opinion, this is a pregame/preround routine that is common with athletes of all sports. For example in a football locker room there is usually no noise whatsoever, probably players getting taped up, but the rest of the guys are listening to their music - getting in the "zone".

 

I did this throughout my soccer career and found that it does indeed get you in the zone. What I find different though is that in football or basketball, this pregame focus is required because there really isn't any other time to do so during the game. It's not like golf where you can be walking towards your ball in a tourney and then develop a preshot routine - that gets you in that zone; no - instead you have to be thinking quickly in the other sports.

[luxman]

Just curious, but have any of you that have practiced with an iPod ever played a round of golf with one?

[The Ultimate Spin]

tried it...not for me

 

i ended up bumping and grinding with my driver......

[beachgrovejunior]

tried it...not for me

 

i ended up bumping and grinding with my driver......

I lold

 

And to the Steve Lowery post, I agree, I listen to my ipod before tournament rounds to get pumped up, kinda came from hockey where we had the speakers so loud you couldn't hear the guy beside you, by the time i get on the first tee I am pretty pumped up.

[mr_golfhead]

This is going to sound semi-strange, but I've gotten my hands on some music that Yoga instructors use for focus purposes. I use that on the putting green and before tournament rounds. That's the best way for me to focus. As far as to hitting longer clubs, I'll keep the buds in, but tuned really low, because that click is a great sound.

 

Another argument I've heard though, is that you lose your sense of feel over the golf ball when you're listening to music. I've personally never experienced that, but I'm wondering if anyone has felt that way.