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    Golf Digest's Top 100 In Music

    October 01, 2014
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    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.