Wow – pretty refreshing to hear from all the folks who are concerned about politeness and etiquette on the course. I really want to be able to hear everything on the course like wind, birds, club striking the ball so I can enjoy my 4-5 hour investment of time, money and energy. I am always horrified by those who think nothing of blaring their noise into other peoples space.

I purchased the UE Megaboom 3 and I love it. I was the first of my golf group to buy it and two months later 6 more people have purchased it. It’s 360 degree sound, battery life, and durability is amazing. It’s rugged, waterproof it floats on water and you can drop it from the golf cart and it’s like nothing happened. I don’t play a round of golf without it.

I’m 66 years old and been playing for about 35 years and I enjoy the relative peace and quiet during the round. I mute my phone and wish others would do the same. I have to say I have never heard music on the course. I like the serene feeling of a”Good walk spoiled”

Great article here, I use the Solar Bluetooth Speaker/Power Bank, ZeroLemon SolarSound found on amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071KW889R/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_DcU.BbBAF2MPC It’s a great speaker that charges in the sun also!

Thanks, your review is really helpful! Much appreciated.
And sorry, but I can’t help myself…”…standout of the pact” should read “standout of the pack”.

Seriously? What the…

If you want to listen to music while you play golf, then feel free stick a set of wireless earbuds into your ear holes and dance your way down the course if you want to. Just don’t pollute the air for everyone else on the course, please.

Seems like the “pro”s are on here mostly discussing the article, while alot of the “anti”s are getting really upset about the mere thought of hearing music on a golf course- or even seeing a speaker- with more than a few threatening violence and one mention of a handgun. Seriously- if my tinitus makes silence unbearable at times and a little light music distracts my brain just enough, I think a simple shh or quiet down sign should be all you need- if you can even hear it. That would be respectful.

Guys – you can at least mention Decision 14-3/16 in this round up.
Tunes between shots are fine, but prolonged listening or during your swing eg. song at a good tempo is a breach of the rule.

Will you add non-conforming drivers to future most wanted tests? Or best leather wedges? Obviously those are extreme examples but to gloss over a potential rule breach of the rules is a bit cavalier.

I generally have no issues if someone wants to play some music on the course. But it needs to be kept at a low level, so its basically only audible at or near the cart, or ones bag IMO.

Now, during a legit competitive round, I don’t want to have it in my group or any groups near me, because it is actually a violation of the rules, and it can be distracting. I was recently in a competitive event, with a member who was not playing in that event, (just paired up) he played music… I let it go, but wasn’t thrilled about it. I also did not play to my normal handicap that round…not the music’s fault. He did keep it very low however.

OMG! Encouraging music on the golf course no less. I hate it.

One of the joys of golf is getting away from the music that inundates us every time we go out in public.

It’s not music I hate, as I have an extensive collection, go to concerts, and enjoy it thoroughly. But there is a time and place for everything.

And your music may not be my music. It reminds me of the song “FM” by Steely Dan–“Somebody else’s favorite song.”

You guys need to test the UE wonderboom. Excellent speaker for it’s size.! Best purchase I have made in a long time! They can be found under $70 as well. Went to buy a jbl clip and walked out with the wonderboom. No comparison! Plus it is waterproof and floats!

Bose Revolve+. Great speaker. I play 50 plus rounds a year and always ask the foursome I am with if they are ok with tunes. If not it stays off. Otherwise having some great music to be play by is very enjoyable. For the people who can hear music all over the course, I not sure what type of goat track where you are playing but the courses I play, no matter how busy I rarely can tell that there is anyone out there. And if we happen to catch another group it always gets turned down out of respect for the other players. Tunes are here to stay. Rock on baby.

I a 56 year old single digit hdcapper and have been playing golf for more than 40 years. I’ve been listening to music on the course for the past five years or so. I have a UE Boom which lools a lot like the UE in this review except maybe a tad smaller. It’s has excellent sound quality with very good battery life at 12 hours. After 4 or 5 hours it will still have 80% battery life left. It fits in a cupholder of a catt or Sun Mountain speedcart… or I can use the carbiner to clip it to my bag when I carry.

Fortunately, I haven’t run into any of these “get off my lawners”, so no one has ever asked me to turn the volume down or off. How about reviewing best music apps next, Harry. I’ll nominate Slacker – 18 holes without repeating a song.

Thank you for a really nice test.
It’s got some comments and some pros and cons. I wish you would do something like that when you test clubs

First we are loosing so many public golfers as it is, now you want music out on the course to chase away three foursomes for everyone with music blaring out of their carts. In my area 70% of the golfers are over 60 during the weekday rounds…90% of them enjoy golf and do not come out to hear Taylor Swift or worse Rap music blaring all over the golf course…want to see a few more public courses closed for lack of play…bring on the speakers…..just as private coolers are not allowed music devices should not be allowed…

REALLY…. I guess I’m an old fuddy duddy does not belong on the golf course. Put down your speakers your phone and enjoy the game and the course unless of course your the guy that yells out YOU DA MAN at every pga tour stop. I just missed that birdie putt because some yo yo just cranked up “Who let the dogs out”

I’m in a foursome that enjoys having some light rock on, and if we go a few holes without it someone will speak up and ask for the tunes. Its on at a respectful volume and if we pull up to another group we ask them if it bothers them. We’re all 50+ years old.
I get people wanting quiet, especially if you’re walking a nice remote course. I don’t get the anger of those that call for smashing or shooting speakers because they don’t care for it themselves. Respect goes both ways and if you don’t care for it then ask them to turn it off, don’t get violent. If we want to grow the game we should be flexible about people enjoying it differently than we choose to. Its like the cigars and drinking comment – if one enjoys a beverage and smoke on the course and doesn’t infringe on others, its all good. Some of my best days on the golf course have included good friends, good music, a good cigar, and a good beer. What’s wrong with that?

I have a few friends who, for some reason, can’t do anything without music or a tv blaring in the background. I mean, literally, I think they would have an anxiety attack if they had to spend 10 minutes in total silence. I know a few golfers with the same disease . . . just don’t understand it. A round of golf is one of the few times we get to put the regular daily noise of the world on hold for a few hours and really enjoy the serenity of nature while playing a game we love. Why spoil that?

Thanks for the giants. My old Radio Shack speaker has given me 6 good years of service. It is dying and won’t last a full round. Need to find a new one

I have a JBL portable bluetooth speaker not designated a golf speaker and a velcro strap that I strap to the cart window pole and the sound is wicked awesome. It only cost me $16

Great Article! A couple of my buddies were down at Streamsong and we were listening to music and having a good time. No issues!

I Love listening to music, quite loud at times for hours on end actually, but not a fan on the course….I mean seriously, how am I gonna hear the birds, and screeches of joy, as well as the obscenities, if tunes block them out? 😉
How about “Forrrrrrre” WT!
I’ve heard tunes a few times…I’m all set.

Thanks

The number 1, best choice speaker should have been NONE. Maybe I’m just an old grumpy guy but no f-ing way do I want to hear some moron playing music on the golf course. I do however suggest golfers do choose the smallest speakers available. They will be much less painful when shoved where the sun don’t shine.

I really enjoy listening to college football or music “sometimes”, but it is never loud enough to hear close to the green if others are playing. Many interactive golf carts already come with music and video so you old guys need to prepare yourselves as the times they are a changing! I am 52 and walk/ride 50/50. I bet most of you carry a cell phone on the course.

I don’t understand all the anger of an article. If you’re not a fan of a speaker review, don’t read!

I appreciate the review and love the site

I am shocked. At first I thought that the title of this article was a teaser. I am very happy I have never encountered a ‘golfer’ feeling the need to disrupt the mostly quiet environment on a golfcourse. I would surely refuse to play with somebody with such behaviour.

Absolutely not a fan of music on the course. I’ve played in a group, or even on a hole next to a group with music going. In the middle of my swing, I can hear a song change – then it changes my focus for a split second. If you’re thinking about it, then it’s bothering you – even if your thought is ‘that doesn’t bother me’.
Takes me back to my thoughts on inconsiderate, loud music in a car ‘did it ever occur to you that if I wanted to hear that song, I’d play it myself’?!?

I’d echo the sentiment that ‘most’ of the golfers with music are usually on the lower end of the skill meter.

I agree with the many other comments. People playing music on the golf course disrupts others. R&A should bring back the long putter and ban speakers!

I’ve noticed an uptick in guys playing with music going on at my own club. I was actually in a tournament a few months ago, and the two guys we got paired with played music. They arrived on the first tee, with the music going, and politely asked if the music bothered anybody. Of course at that point you feel like you might offend them by being truthful, and right on the first tee to boot!

So i said i’d be OK with it, and as the round wore on, it bothered me more and more. And I KNOW there were times during their own swings where the beat suddenly changed to some commercial and it screwed up their own shots. Heck, they would talk to each other and have to raise their voices just to hear each other over the music. It wasn’t booming or anything, but that’s just the way sound works. And don’t get me wrong here, these were some genuinely nice guys that were otherwise very friendly to be around.

I’m 47, and i don’t consider myself some old fogie, but maybe i am. Put me in the camp of folks that DO NOT LIKE MUSIC WHILE THEY’RE PLAYING GOLF.

This is definitely a tough topic to find a lot of support with.. obviously..

Me personally I’ve grown to enjoy some light background music on the course on occasion. Now let me preface that course etiquette and playing partners preferences hold 1st priority ALWAYS. Music is not a necessity by any means. The same goes for music preferences. To echo other comments, I would never bring music to a tournament (NOTE: charity events and tournaments are 2 different things). Playing by myself when course conditions allow, or with good buddies under leisurely circumstances only. That’s about it.

One of the most discussed topics today is “growing the game”. To us old schoolers, time on the course alone in silence with nothing but our own golf thoughts and nature is a welcomed moment. We know how to occupy 4+ hours with nothing but “thoughts of playing”. To a newby or potentially interested newcomer, music on the course might add to the appeal of the game.. or at least help with the relaxation piece that can still take years to master. With the growing age of technology, and the new age of youngster that will eventually be introduced to the game, what will allow the game to continue to gain appeal with the younger audience? Music may be one of those things. BTW, It’s inevitable that younger kids will be golfing. We can’t exclude the next generation or else the sport will become extinct.

I carry a speaker that was not on the list but I feel would have been a great candidate. It’s the ION Clipster Active. It’s small enough to fit in a cup holder, has a built in carabiner that clips nicely to a bag strap and is quite discrete when not inuse, and even comes with an piece that allows it to be attached to a golf cart beam or OS handle, AND sounds great considering its stature.

For all of those who think that this was the worst review ever posted on MGS, consider the direction that golf my need to go in order to stay relevant as a sport. I’m just saying that being opened to the idea that it can happen isn’t such a bad thing. 100 years ago, music in a car was probably a ridiculous thought too 🙂

How about the best wireless earbuds? Why in the world are we legitimizing imposing ones music on others when there is a way to listen to music without disturbing others? I’ve already been bothered 2 or 3 times by someone playing DJ on the course and this speaker movement hasn’t even gained traction yet–MyGolfSpy is now officially complicit in helping it along.

Must we be always plugged in? Yeah, times are changing but always for the best. It’s going to get into a pissing match to see who’s speakers are loudest. Every golf course should ban speakers, it’s getting out of hand. Golfers always have the option to wear ear pods or headsets, that way you’re not bothering anybody. Call me a dinosaur but I enjoy the sounds of birds, water, wind, and even the mowers.

I bet you also said that about cell phones. Now everyone in your group has one and uses them during a round.

This technology is going to continue to grow and will become more prevalent on the golf course

I think music on the course has a time and place. Like having the radio on in your car. If I’m playing by myself, or casual game with the wife or a buddy, I like a little low volume tune to spark up the mood. If you can hear a cart on the next hole, or being a group away, its too loud and not considerate. Thanks for the review.

If you can’t hit with a stick it’s not golf equipment! Please remember why you exist, If you want to be a music source go to XM radio, and leave us in peace and quiet the way it’s always been.

Worst article you’ve ever had on your site. Hopefully courses will start banning speakers\music on the course.

Thanks for the timely review. I have been looking at upgrading my BT speaker and almost bought into the ampcaddy hype. Will check out the UE and Bose

How much do I have to donate to cancel all future testing of speakers and similar equipment that don’t belong on the golf course?

The speakers on a phone is more than enough volume for a golf course. I’m there to enjoy golf not hear someone else’s music.

Being a musician myself, I don,t se the relation with golf
i play with clubs and balls in the nature …,,,

Enjoyed the article. After quite a bit of research this spring, I bought the JBL Charge 3 for it’s quality sound, battery life, and it’s waterproof design. It fits into the ClubCar space behind the golfball holders which enhances the sound a bit (like a large speaker cabinet). Our course has quite a bit of distance between greens and tee boxes so nobody else can hear it and use it mainly during casual couples rounds/scrambles and for cruising around the subdivision.

Check out the Ultimate Ears (UE) Roll. The strap on the back makes it easy to hook to the golf cart’s windshield/roof support or the grab handle on your golf bag, you won’t leave it behind. Great for walking or riding. Water-resistant with huge volume controls. $99! It’s lasted 3+ tough years and has seen plenty of rain. Lasts 2 rounds on a single charge.

An interesting metric to measure on these is if a 7-iron or sand wedge does more damage to each one.

Because if I see (or hear) any of these on the course, that will be the unavoidable result.

Why would you ever think that other people on the golf course would want to hear YOUR music? Use headphones or turn it off. I hope a lot of golf courses ban these devices.

The one I’ve been using has not been tested, but I love it. It’s the Braven 405. It’s relatively inexpensive to buy, anywhere from $30-$80 depending on color and sales. I’m no audiophile so I can’t vouch that it’s the best quality sound, but it’s good enough (and gets loud enough) for my novice ears. But the BEST part about it is the battery will last forever. They advertise 24 hours and I’d say it gets pretty darn close to that, depending on listening volume. I use it around the house and on the course and charge it every week or so.

I’ve been using the Bose for 5 years and it is great!!

My sound chucks have two cylinder speakers, rather than the one pictured, great sound, they’ll play for 7+ hours, drop-able with the rubber coating shell. and they can be looped on the bag or golf cart with ease.

I have been involved in music all my life. Music is my first love with golf running second. Music takes the backseat on the golf course. Turn that sh t off!! Respect other players and most of all the game. All I’m asking for is a little RESPECT!! Go get em Aretha….

Sorry. Not on the golf course. That is a place for golf not grooves. Well, you know what I mean.

I have a Fugoo Sport. Works really well, great sound. It has everything MGS has said a good BT speaker should have, except the carabiner. However, the design of the Fugoo allows a carabiner to be attached to one of the cross bars at the ends of the shell.

Wow! Very surprised to not see the JBL Charge-3 up there. Waterproof and charges your phone with it’s amazing battery. Sound quality as well as able to connect multiple speakers. We usually have one in each kart. The range is awesome and supports us swinging clubs on opposite sides of the fairways lol! But I may take a look at the MegaBlast now. Thanks GolfSpy

This is a good review but I don’t plan on using a bluetooth speaker for golf until I see them in use on the PGA tour.