Music in the cart?

[pat foreman]

I know that playing music while playing golf is against USGA rules, does the world am waive that restriction? I know with all the new little speakers and bluetooth technology a lot of us play music while playing. Doesnt bother me and doesnt most, I know you should ask your group if anyone os offended but my question is, is it legal in the tourney?

[Jay Seifert]

As you put it, it is not “legal” in a tournament and since the WA conforms to rules, it’s not permitted.

We had issues with players trying to conduct business on their cells phones a few years back and it was pointed out in no uncertain terms that frequent talking on a phone is DEFINITELY a “distraction” and players can be penalized for disrupting play. This is a COMPETITIVE event so plan on enjoying it as such. Few have any issues of leaving a cell in the cart on mute and checking it riding from hole to hole or texting to let you wife know when she needs to pick you up from the course.

[Bob Newman]

Very well stated Jay. Unfortunately, it has been my experience, at least one person in the 4 days will leave his phone on “ring”. Also, the WA can not waive a rule of golf, rev rule 33-8b, but some of the local pros believe you can.

[Jay Seifert]

Another reason that music and headsets are banned from competitive play is because they could be considered a “training device”. Many pro’s teach by using a metronome to help a player with their timing like a dance step. 1 back, 2 top, 3 descend, 4 strike type of thing. Ticks in a rhythmic fashion can assist a player with the right rhythm but listening to that tone while playing would be a violation of the rules so no headsets folks!

[Glenn Foster]

All,
This has become more & more common since pace of play forces us to occupy our minds on the course, but why did it become something that players now cannot play without, or assume isn’t a problem if you are asked to join someone on the starters request? I’m amazed some of my buddies now feel they can’t play without music on. I have been asked by contestants in our foursomes at MB if they could play music & I say I would rather not, and I feel bad that I don’t want the racket. Doesn’t matter the genre either. I hate if it throws them off their game since they are used to it after all summer…,just my opinion, and thanks for the thread fellows.

[Bob Newman]

Gary, you should never feel bad about following the rules. and it is a distraction, just like phone ringing in your backswing, a club being dropped into a bag, etc I a fortunate enough to play with people that try to be conscious of what the others and sadly a lot of people playing in the WA are not aware of what works at home is not correct. JMO

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