Ross61
Challenge Tour Pro
Ive played today, on my own, with music playing to my Bluetooth hearing aids and played really well.
would this be ok in a comp?
would this be ok in a comp?
Playing while listening to music
- Thread starter Ross61
- Start date
Swango1980
Well-known member
Does the music help with the tempo of your swing? Help you relax? Are the lyrics all about the technique in how you can hit a draw or a fade?
jim8flog
Journeyman Pro
If you do it to avoid being distracted by your playing partners or to cut out other distracting noises it would be against the rules.
You should also bear in mind that very few earphones actually stop the sound from being 'broadcast' and this would be a distraction to other players.
You should also bear in mind that very few earphones actually stop the sound from being 'broadcast' and this would be a distraction to other players.
Swango1980
Well-known member
Following on from that, the USGA had this in the FAQs:
Q.May I play music?
A.Yes. However, you may not do so if the purpose is to eliminate distractions or help you with your swing. You should also show consideration to others (see Rule 4.3a(4) and Rule 1.2).
Also, if you were listening to music, you might have to accept you might miss a shout of Fore, and get a golf ball in the face. Small chance I know, but maybe not worth the risk. If you play golf a lot, all those small chances can add up to quite a high chance over time.
Q.May I play music?
A.Yes. However, you may not do so if the purpose is to eliminate distractions or help you with your swing. You should also show consideration to others (see Rule 4.3a(4) and Rule 1.2).
Also, if you were listening to music, you might have to accept you might miss a shout of Fore, and get a golf ball in the face. Small chance I know, but maybe not worth the risk. If you play golf a lot, all those small chances can add up to quite a high chance over time.
Colin L
Tour Winner
It depends on your purpose. If it's just to listen to background music, that's ok but if it's to block out distracting sounds, then it's not. It's also not allowed if it's to help you with your rhythm.
Rule 4.3a(4) refers.
Rule 4.3a(4) refers.
Colin L
Tour Winner
If music had distracted me from all the daft dozy things I did on the course yesterday, it would have been helpful. I even managed to find my original ball, hack it out of the rough on to the fairway near my provisional and then play my provisional. Not quite in "the zone" , not by a country mile.
Ross61
Challenge Tour Pro
My reason would be for general calming and concentration. The music would be background level, although as I said these are hearing aids. My hearing is very poor and even with them I still do not hear ”fore” being shouted, and rely on other to relay the shout for me. I can’t hear bells that a rung on holes with blind tee shots either.
I understand that it could possibly be heard by others nearby as I have had people close by say they can hear the wind noise from my aids on a very windy day, which is much louder in my ears than any music I would play.
mikejohnchapman
Challenge Tour Pro
Surely an etiquette issue rather than a rules infringement. If I was drawn to play with someone and they used headphones whilst playing my opinion of them would not be great. Golf is meant to be a social game that we don't play to earn a living.
Neilds
Assistant Pro
As you say it is for general calming and concentration then I would say this firmly sits in the 'elimination of distractions' section and is therefore not allowed.
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
Interesting…can’t listen to music that might keep me calm but nothing stopping me using anti-anxiety or anti-depression medication?
Ross61
Challenge Tour Pro
Being as my hearing is so poor, removing or turning off my aids would stop most distractions and I don’t believe “failing to wear hearing aids” would be a rule breaker.
Ross61
Challenge Tour Pro
My opinion of many drawn opponents are not great when they incessantly talk no matter whether someone is trying to take a shot or not.
IanM
Journeyman Pro
- Joined
- May 18, 2009
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- Monmouthshire, UK via Guildford!
I'd think it a bit weird if someone walked round in a comp with earphones in. (or even if it wasn't a comp)
What next, watch Netflix on your phone mid round?
In the words of my dear old mum, "Two wrongs don't make a right!"
What next, watch Netflix on your phone mid round?
In the words of my dear old mum, "Two wrongs don't make a right!"
D-S
Well-known member
In the US it is common for players to play music from their carts on bluetooth speakers. They find it surprising that this is not an issue over here (loudness and choice of music is a source of much irritation).
Swango1980
Well-known member
Yes, but playing golf over there is a bit like Rodney Dangerfield in Caddyshack. No etiquette, lots of beer and made up scores
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
I often do if I am by myself with nobody in front and nobody behind, and a goodly distance from any other players on other holes. And even then the volume is set so that I can only really hear it as far as I will be from my trolley when I go to play my shot.
In any other circumstances it is absolutely not something I would even consider doing.
In any other circumstances it is absolutely not something I would even consider doing.
gopher99
Active member
I put my airpods in when I am on my own in the evening playing a quick nine after work, I listen to either music or talk sport.
Mel Smooth
Hacker
I can't even imagine what sort of music you listen to if Talksport is an option as an alternative
gopher99
Active member
I can't even imagine what sort of music you listen to if Talksport is an option as an alternative
I don’t really have a specific taste in music, I will listen to pretty much anything depending on the mood.?. Charge of the light brigade up the first hole, and if I have a crap round suicide is painless coming up the last.
Smiffy
Grand Slam Winner
Yeah, but you don't go out on the course with a bottle of Stella on each ear do you...
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