Does Music Belong On The Golf Course?

“Music is a violation of our personal privacy” attested forward-thinking Judge Smails in an outburst against his rival Al Czervik’s laissez-faire attitude towards Bushwood Country Club’s etiquette policy in the 1980 docudrama “Caddyshack.”

Most of us right-minded golf lovers can see where the unbiased and even-headed judge was coming from in that situation. How is one supposed to concentrate on a testing 9-iron approach with Journey’s “Anyway you want it” suddenly blasting out at max volume 150 yards back up the fairway?

Tournament Atmosphere

Alright, alright – Yes, I’m taking the proverbial a little here. In the modern world, music is now relatively normal on the golf course. Music has become quite a feature in tournament golf – LIV has used it a fair bit and it’s definitely loud… I’m not sure it adds a great deal to the proceedings but hey. Other events feature DJs or music playing around certain feature greens and that does help create a party atmosphere. It can work.

Casual Golf

I listen to music a lot. I listen to music when I’m working, driving, in my garden, travelling, going to sleep, having a few drinks with pals, I sometimes listen on headphones and sometimes, when I won’t disturb anyone else, I listen to it with the volume right up. I must say, I don’t listen to it on the golf course.

I think not disturbing others is the key reason for that… I wouldn’t walk around the golf course persistently shouting, I wouldn’t set off fireworks or put a siren on my golf bag… I also wouldn’t play music that others can hear. If the course is empty or if it’s only you and your playing partners that can hear what you’re listening to, then turn on your speaker and fill your boots. But if the course is tightly packed, is it really fair to make groups around you listen to whatever is your flavour of the month on Spotify? If I’d paid hundreds for a green fee at a top course, I’d be pretty miffed if I had to listen to Ed Sheeran all the way round. To be honest, I’m pretty miffed if I have to listen to Ed Sheeran at all.

What if every group was attempting to blast out their own tunes? – There would be a cacophony of competing choruses… The youngsters in front cranking up Drake versus a group of older players in the group behind, pumping up The Clash…. Then, as there’s a pile-up on the 12th tee, a group of classical fans catch up, blaring out the Ride of the Valkyries. It would be an awful audio mess-up. Not very relaxing at all.

And that’s why most of us play golf isn’t it?... To relax. Music might well help you to relax on the golf course and if that’s the case, that’s great – use it… Wear headphones or listen to it in places where there’s nobody around… Just be considerate – That’s a rule for life in general, not just when it comes to music on the golf course.