Sound off: Is music on the golf course harmonious?

There’s a new debate on the golf course, and it’s not about equipment or the new rules or how to tackle the pace-of-play issue.

It’s about something many of us love when we’re not partaking of our great game.

It’s about music.

Music on the golf course.

Especially when it’s loud music on the golf course.

I don’t recall seeing this until the last few years, but now I see it all the time. In virtually every round, I come across somebody who can’t stand four hours of peace and quiet. They feel the need to have music booming from their cart as they play.

I didn’t think much of it, really, except that I didn’t much care for it even though I love music. There’s a time and a place for everything, I thought, and this isn’t the place for it. While I’d rather not have to deal with it, it’s not a major problem for me as long as I’m not in that foursome.

But then two different people mentioned it to me recently, including one who said, “I’m sick of it! You should write about that!”

OK, then! I’m writing about it! But this is one of those times where I’d like to hear from golfers.

How do you feel about music on the golf course?

Is it truly annoying?

Or do you find that it adds to the experience?

Heck, are you one of those people who play music out there?

This scenario popped into my head:

You’re playing in front of a group that has the music playing. You’re teeing off, and the music lovers pull up behind you in their cart, only a few feet away.

Do you ask them to turn it off?

Or, more likely, do you hit the shot despite the distraction and hope you can stay a decent distance ahead of them the rest of the day?

It got me thinking about the situations I’d prefer to avoid on the golf course.

I’d rather not play with a smoker. It stinks. It’s not fun. I never would play with a smoker regularly. No chance.

I’d rather not play with one of those people who feel the need to describe in detail what they were thinking on every shot and putt. If you ever find yourself doing that, brace yourself for this news: We all have our challenges out there. You want to talk about it here and there, no problem. Constantly, no thanks.

And I absolutely refuse to play with a hothead. That is to be avoided. If I got paired with one, I might even try to find a way to break away into a different group.

OK, those are some negative scenarios. Now, more importantly, here are the types of people I truly enjoy being around for four hours:

First, they’re funny. They’re always ready with a quip or a one-liner. They don’t let a bad hole ruin their day. No matter what happens, they make your day better.

Second, they know the rules of etiquette. They stay out of your line of sight. They don’t move when you’re hitting or putting. They make sure their shadow isn’t a problem for you on the green. They never, ever would walk through your line.

Third, they can talk about a lot of things besides golf. I’ve learned so many great lessons on the golf course, and many of them didn’t involve golf. They were about life.

Finally, they’re ready to play when it’s their turn, and they’re acutely aware of the pace of play. They strike a nice balance between rushing too much and lagging behind. They don’t take 10 practice swings or size up a putt from every possible angle. They’re confident and decisive.

Maybe there’s some food for thought for you in those preferences and dislikes. And maybe you, too, have a strong opinion about music on the golf course. Evidently, there’s a lot to talk about on that score. It’s not music to everyone’s ears.

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