Golf Digest's Top 100 In Music

Compiling our Top 100 in Music, we wanted to include guitarists, bassists, pianists, saxophonists, drummers and vocalists across genres from jazz to country to heavy metal. We looked for golfers who would be fun to play with, most of them with little patience for the less-than-well-mannered in their industry who tend to dominate the tabloid headlines—but, yes, we included a few of them, too.

Although some are new to the game or struggle to find time to play, most pursue it avidly, often as an antidote to the noisy way they spend so many nights. "I prefer dead silence on the course," says Sevendust drummer Morgan Rose. Others voice a common refrain: "I play to get away from music." Touring gives musicians the opportunity to play some of the world's best courses, and a chance to get out of the spotlight. Not too many fans or paparazzi, we're told, are looking for a heavy-metal rocker on a fairway.

"Golf starts out as a great escape, then some people become really serious about it," says talent manager Steve Rennie, a member at Bel-Air Country Club, who has played with many on our list. Music mogul Irving Azoff, who manages groups from the Eagles to No Doubt and, through Azoff MSG Entertainment, owns prime performance venues, says so many musicians play that he has installed a TrackMan at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., to keep them entertained.

Handicaps are from August and were determined from the USGA's Golf Handicap and Information Network, state associations, the musicians, publicists, friends and playing partners / Handicaps without decimal points are unofficial estimates.

1. VINCE GILL

Handicap: plus-0.3

Country legend has been a scratch player since high school and practices more than he competes at the Golf Club of Tennessee. "Take any of the top 25 on this list, and any of us can beat the other," says Gill, laughing at the news he's our No. 1. "Now everyone's gonna be gunnin' for me. I'm toast!"

2. COLT FORD

Handicap: 0

Country singer played briefly on the then-Nationwide Tour as Jason Farris Brown.

3. WILL PUGH

Handicap: 0.8

Lead singer/business mind behind pop-punk band Cartel has moved to Nashville.

4. ADRIAN YOUNG

Handicap: 1.8

No Doubt drummer plays seriously—and in a lot of celebrity events.

5. KENNY G

Handicap: 2

Jazz saxophonist hasn't been posting scores but was a 2-handicap at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

T-6. GRIFFIN HOUSE

Handicap: 3

Tennessee-based singer played Winged Foot in June between gigs.

T-6. KIP MOORE

Handicap: 3

Country singer and former Valdosta State golfer was a scratch player before touring.

8. CHARLES KELLEY

Handicap: 3.2

Lady Antebellum singer/songwriter's awards include six Grammys.

9. JAKE OWEN

Handicap: 3.4

Award-winning country singer was derailed from a pro-golf career by injury.

10. TOM E. POLITZER

Handicap: 3.5

Tower of Power legend's sax and clubs were stolen last year.

11. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

Handicap: 4.2

Consistently breaking 80 when home in California at Lakeside Golf Club in Burbank.

12. STEVE AZAR

Handicap: 4.9

Index for this Mississippi singer is on the way back down after recent rounds.

T-13. ALICE COOPER

Handicap: 5.5

Hall of Fame rocker is almost as well known for his golf addiction.

T-13. DAN TYMINSKI

Handicap: 5.5

Along with Alison Krauss and Union Station, he toured with Willie Nelson. Also recorded with Avicii.

15. CLAY WALKER

__Handicap:__5.8

Singer best known for "She Won't be Lonely Long" plays at the Golf Club of Tennessee.

T-16. JARED CHAMPION

Handicap: 6

Drummer for Kentucky alternative rock band Cage the Elephant played his first 18-hole round four years ago.

T-16. JOE DON ROONEY

Handicap: 6

Rascal Flatts guitarist/vocalist has good golf rep with fellow musicians.

18. JOSH KELLEY

Handicap: 6.5

Country singer married to actress Katherine Heigl; his brother Charles is No. 8.

19. DARIUS RUCKER

Handicap: 6.7

Best golfer in Hootie & the Blowfish has also made it big as a solo artist.

20. HUEY LEWIS

Handicap: 7

Left his Montana home to spend the summer touring with The News.

21. DRED SCOTT

Handicap: 7.2

Jazz pianist plays golf at Dyker Beach in Brooklyn, piano at Del Posto and Smalls Jazz Club in Manhattan.

22. DAVE (PHOENIX) FARRELL

Handicap: 7.4

Bassist for Grammy-winning Linkin Park, whose latest is "The Hunting Party."

23. JOEY CALDERAZZO

Handicap: 7.9

Wake Forest, N.C.,-based pianist plays solo and with Branford Marsalis, No. 40.

24. FRANK BEARD

Handicap: 8

Clean-shaven ZZ Top drummer plays frequently near his Texas home.

25. ALAN WHITE

Handicap: 8.2

Legendary Yes drummer, 65, is still touring with the eponymous band.

26. TICO TORRES

Handicap: 8.4

Bon Jovi drummer, ranked among greatest of all time, plays at La Gorce in Florida.

27. SCOTT PHILLIPS

Handicap: 8.6

Creed/Alter Bridge/Projected co-founder/drummer plays in Florida.

T-28. SETH BOLT

Handicap: 9

NeedtoBreathe bassist/vocalist lists love of golf on Web page.

T-28. SAM MCTRUSTY

Handicap: 9

Frontman for Scotland's Twin Atlantic, alternative rockers on Ryder Cup concert bill.

30. ROBBY KRIEGER

Handicap: 9.1

Doors guitarist co-hosts a California tournament to benefit St. Jude's.

T-31. MAC DAVIS

Handicap: 9.6

Plays a lot at Bel-Air Country Club and last year performed with Avicii.

T-31. GEORGE STRAIT

Handicap: 9.6

Legend has more time for golf after retiring from touring.

T-33. JOHN MICHAEL MONTGOMERY

Handicap: 10

Country singer's baritone still draws fans.

T-33. BEAR RINEHART

Handicap: 10

With Seth Bolt and Bo Rinehart, supports health initiative through NeedtoBreathe tournament.

T-33. MORGAN ROSE

Handicap: 10

Sevendust drummer spent summer after high school playing 36 daily.

T-36. DUSTIN BUSHNELL

Handicap: 11

Dirty Heads guitarist/vocalist has been playing golf for six years.

T-36. DARRYL JENIFER

Handicap: 11

Bassist for punk's Bad Brains plays at Marine Park Golf Course in Brooklyn.

T-36. CHRIS KILMORE

Handicap: 11

Incubus turntableist/keyboardist hit a mower's windshield at St. Andrews.

T-36. ROBIN ZANDER

Handicap: 11

Cheap Trick singer/guitarist plays near home in Safety Harbor, Fla.

40. BRANFORD MARSALIS

Handicap: 11.7

Saxophonist/band leader is super avid in Durham, N.C.

T-41. FAT MIKE BURKETT

Handicap: 12

NOFX co-founder has a putting green at vacation home.

T-41. BO RINEHART

Handicap: 12

NeedtoBreathe vocalist/guitarist's "Little BoTweets" include golf as the topic.

T-41. SMOKEY ROBINSON

Handicap: 12

Handicap: Legend continues to tour, which has cut into his golf in recent months.

T-41. WESLEY SCHULTZ

Handicap: 12

Guitarist/vocalist for The Lumineers, whose "Ho Hey" reached No. 1 in 2012.

45. M. SHADOWS (MATT SANDERS)

Handicap: 12.1

Avenged Sevenfold frontman loves golf's traditions, "even the stuffy ones."

46. TOBY KEITH

Handicap: 12.2

At his course, the country star is raising millions for pediatric cancer patients.

47. ANNE MURRAY

Handicap: 12.4

"Snowbird" singer plays her golf in Toronto and Nova Scotia.

48. MARK BRYAN

Handicap: 12.5

Hootie's lead guitarist plays at Bulls Bay Golf Club near his South Carolina home.

T-49. DREW COPELAND

Handicap: 13

Sister Hazel guitarist loves playing with his 8-year-old son, Briggs.

T-49. TAYLOR HICKS

Handicap: 13

Former "American Idol" winner is glad to be home at Shoal Creek after Vegas stint.

T-49. MAT KEARNEY

Handicap: 13

Rock/Pop singer and Ben Crane pal wrote Golf Boys 2.Oh.

T-49. TIM LOPEZ

Handicap: 13

Plain White T's singer is working on not rushing his downswing.

T-49. BEN RECTOR

Handicap: 13

Adult alternative contemporary singer made his seventh-grade team.

T-49. THOMAS RHETT

Handicap: 13

Country singer's dream foursome includes Bubba, Snedeker and Fowler.

T-49. ERIK (SMELLY) SANDIN

Handicap: 13

Drummer has recorded 20 albums with NOFX.

56. RICKY PHILLIPS

Handicap: 13.2

Guitar gifted by this Styx guitarist to Arnold Palmer hangs at Bay Hill.

57. BUZZ (KING BUZZO) OSBORNE

Handicap: 13.6

Melvins' guitarist/vocalist plays with non-musicians at Encino muny.

58. ED ROLAND

Handicap: 14.0

Collective Soul lead singer, also with Sweet Tea Project, plays in Georgia.

59. KIX BROOKS

Handicap: 14.7

Longtime partner of Ronnie Dunn is now solo and a radio host.

T-60. TRACE ADKINS

Handicap: 15

Country star also known for winning "Celebrity Apprentice" in 2013.

T-60. RAY BENSON

Handicap: 15.0

In 44th year with Asleep at the Wheel.

T-60. JUSTIN BIEBER

Handicap: 15

Not quite the avid golfer today that he was at an Ontario, Canada, muny as a kid.

T-60. DON FELDER

Handicap: 15

Former Eagles guitarist is a regular at Malibu Golf Club and plays the Alfred Dunhill Links.

T-60. GLENN FREY

Handicap: 15

Bel-Air member and Eagles singer calls himself Elvis while playing golf.

T-60. RANDY HOUSER

Handicap: 15

Singer known for "How Country Feels" took up the game two years ago.

T-60. ADAM LEVINE

Handicap: 15

Maroon 5 frontman and judge on "The Voice" benefited from Hank Haney's tutelage.

T-60. BOB SEGER

Handicap: 15

Rock and Roll and Songwriters Hall of Famer is still performing.

T-60. HARRY STYLES

Handicap: 15

One Direction singer draws tabloid coverage at home in the United Kingdom when he plays.

T-60. DEAN WEEN (MICKEY MELCHIONDO)

Handicap: 15

Pennsylvania guitarist and fisherman loves Florida golf.

T-60. LAJON WITHERSPOON

Handicap: 15

Lead vocalist for metal band Sevendust, which went acoustic in 2014.

T-71. JOHNNY MATHIS

Handicap: 15.6

Iconic crooner belongs to Mountaingate, Sherwood and Riviera.

T-71. ROGER WATERS

Handicap: 15.6

Pink Floyd icon plays at "the" courses near his home in Southampton, N.Y.

T-73. JOE DIFFIE

Handicap: 16

Country singer is back in the spotlight after being named in Jason Aldean song.

T-73. MARC ROBERGE

Handicap: 16

Vocalist/guitarist for O.A.R. went to Jack Nicklaus' alma mater with No. T-76, Culos.

75. STEPHEN STILLS

Handicap: 16.7

Unlike Crosby, Nash or Young, singer/songwriter is a Bel-Air Country Club member.

T-76. CHRIS CULOS

Handicap: 17

O.A.R. drummer says his band has opted for healthy habits.

T-76. NATHAN FOLLOWILL

Handicap: 17

Kings of Leon drummer is a lefty who recharges with tweets about golf.

T-78. JERRY CANTRELL

Handicap: 18 Alice in Chains sin

ger/guitarist has been spotted practicing backstage.

T-78. ERIC CHURCH

Handicap: 18

Country singer/songwriter now touring to promote album "The Outsiders."

T-78. GRAHAM PALMER

Handicap: 18

Bassist for the ska-punk Mad Caddies, who released first album since 2007 in May.

T-78. CHUCK ROBERTSON

Handicap: 18

Mad Caddies' co-founder says the band's name derived from its success as an opening act for other bands.

T-78. KID ROCK

Handicap: 18

Got only 16 strokes with pal John Daly at AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am; observers say he needs a lot more.

T-78. WILL HOGE

Handicap: 18

Country singer says he typically shoots between 88 and 92.

T-78. NATE RUESS

Handicap: 18

Lead singer for Grammy-winning band fun. is playing a lot at Bayonne Golf Club.

T-85. CHESTER BENNINGTON

Handicap: 19

Linkin Park vocalist has brought a videographer to his lessons.

T-85. MIKE MILLS

Handicap: 19

R.E.M. co-founder/bassist can be found in galleries at golf's majors.

T-87. NIALL HORAN

Handicap: 20

One Direction star playing golf again after January knee surgery.

T-87. KELLEY JAMES

Handicap: 20

Freestyle vocalist/guitarist will perform 130 shows worldwide in 2014.

T-87. JOE LOVANO

Handicap: 20

DownBeat Magazine's tenor saxophonist of 2013 plays at West Point (N.Y.) Golf Course.

T-87. PAT MONAHAN

Handicap: 20

Train's lead singer travels with clubs, was an 11-handicap when he played more.

T-87. WILLIE NELSON

Handicap: 20

At his Texas course, "par is whatever Willie shoots," says the pro.

92. RYAN KEBERLE

Handicap: 23

Brooklyn-based trombonist has backed Beyoncé, among others.

T-93. MICK FLEETWOOD

Handicap: 24

Maui-based legend plays in pro-ams and has been spotted at Bel-Air Country Club.

T-93. ROBIN THICKE

Handicap: 24

Best-known for 2013 hit "Blurred Lines," he keeps quiet about his golf.

95. JAMES ADAM SHELLEY

Handicap: 25

American Authors guitarist grew up playing golf with his granddad.

96. FRED DURST

Handicap: 26.9

One of rock's bad boys is best known for Limp Bizkit vocals.

T-97. CHARLES (CHIP) ESTEN

Handicap: 28

Singer/songwriter stars on ABC's "Nashville."

T-97. ERIC HUTCHINSON

Handicap: 28

Singer/songwriter's tour included a stop at WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

99. TIM COHEN

Handicap: 30

Rock band The Fresh & Onlys' singer/songwriter is also a visual artist.

100. AVICII (TIM BERGLING)

Handicap: 36

Swedish Electronic-Dance-Music DJ is new to the game.