So today I posted a 78 on my home course that is par 72 7,001 yds with a slope of 138. I have been playing 13 months with a scope surgery on my knee in march of this year. I have found that I play alone alot because Im still not able to hang with the mini tour guys that train at my course and I am new to Florida. I started wearing my iPod on the range and practice green last month. Today was the first time I have worn them through my entire round. I found it calmed me down after poor shots and helped me collect my thoughts and stay in "the zone".

What do you guys think? Anyone else play with tunes? Just curious. . . new to golf not quite yet sure what is taboo or not. . .


Also are there any rules on the PGA tour that prevent players from wearing headphone if they desired?

I have tried wearing headphones once or twice while practicing my putting stroke, but never on the course.

Personally, I think wearing headphones takes away from your feel, because sound is a large part of feel.

I use them sometimes while practicing, but I only like doing it when it's more of a warm up or putting. If I'm working on something specific in my full swing for some reason I just can't do it. I've tried listening to my iPod while playing a couple times when I'm by myself, but my earbuds get pulled out when I take me bag on and off.

I don't have a problem with people practicing with them or playing by themselves with it.

No electronic devices allowed on tour. My earbuds fall out a lot so I won't bother. I think it looks kind of cheesy.

I figured...

I tried to play one time with my ipod, and it got put in the bag after my approach shot on the 1st hole. I have no problem with anyone else doing it if they see fit, but it just didnt work for me. I dont like them on the range either, but again, if someone else wants them on, it doesnt bother me at all. I like to enjoy the sounds of nature when on the course, plus, I'd like to be able to hear someone shout "fore" for a wayward shot coming my way.

Slightly off topic, but you should play with those mini-tour guys and not alone. I understand not wanting too if they are betting, but playing with better players can only help you.

Oh I completely agree, I play with one or two of them when they are solo, but their usual group everyday plays for too much $$ for me to just throw away to guys who are scratch golfers while im a 10hdcp. Their theory is if you play for $$$ everyday its not as tough on the weekends.

You would think that high $$ skins would help with "pressure" and all that but I really think stroke play is the better way to go. Everyone pitch in, then pay low front, back, overall or something. Adds pressure for every single shot, just like tournament rounds.

I am pretty sure Richard "Disco Dick" Zokol wone the 1992 Greater Milwaukee Open (Now the U.S. Bank Championship of Milwaukee) wearing headphones while playing.

Didn't vijay also wear the Oakley sunglasses with the built in mp3 player as well? Don't think he wore it while he played but listened while waiting etc.

could care less if someone is wearing them while playing. i mean, i don't care what they do as long as it doesn't interfere w/ my game or others on the course.

as for wearing them myself i've tried it for a round of 9. it hurt me more than helped. i agree that it throws off the feel/sound during the swing. it also messes w/ my tempo a bit given the song. i really get into the music (being a musician doesn't help) and over all i guess i get more distracted into the music. less nervous over shots but less focused as well.

that said, if it works for you and it's legal why not? just keep it low enough so you can hear your partners and the occasional "fore!"

The real bad thing is you would never hear the other group yelling "FORE" as the ball speeds towards your skull.

I believe there was a device marketed fairly recently which put out tempo tones that were supposed to help you improve the tempo of your swing. I think Vijay Singh used it in practice for a while, but I haven't heard any more about it in a while now.

By the way, I'm not sure that this is true, but I believe the Rules permit you to listen to music/sounds while playing as long as it isn't music which is specifically designed to help you swing, such as the device I mentioned above. Anybody know for sure?

Apart from pacemakers on the Champions Tour.

Are you sure about that? I know that in this year's US Open, Ian Poulter took a picture of his ball (covered in mud) on the 10th hole using his cell. phone and then tweeted it after his round. Didn't seem to be a problem.

Edit: here's the link to the ruling on the USGA website:

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/news/rulings/2...5626401250.html