A good common denominator between music and golf would have to be tempo. Obviously, most songs have a tempo and it is up to the musician to master the whole timing thing. Same thing in golf; the game has its own rhythm and the players focus on their tempo and timing. Could that be the reason why some rockers are excellent golfers?
Now please understand, the term “rocker” can be misconstrued. I mean, a few years back, Golf Digest did a ranking of the top 100 musicians who golf and came up with Kenny G. as number 1 (0.6 handicap). Mr. G. might not personify the rock star ideology with his mighty sax but he’s in the ball park, sort of.
If we want to talk about a rock star that golfs, I got one for you: Alice Cooper. This guy hits the course just as hard as he used to hit the bottle – at least six days a week. He’s been quoted as saying golf saved his life from alcohol addiction. Moreso, how he replaced one addiction with another, referring to his love for golf. If you’re wondering…he’s a 2 handicap.
I never really thought rock stars and golf could co-exist. I figured courses would shy away from the whole rock star lifestyle. You know, the boozing, cursing, tight leather pants and breaking stuff…wait a minute, that sounds like a normal outing for me.
Hit’em long…yell FORE!!! Rock on!
One of the first lessons I ever took had me think of a song to hum in my head as I swung to help with tempo. What worked for me? “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” (CCR version of course). Try it sometime, it works.