Fairways & Airwaves: How music legends are finding their creative groove on the green

Khaleej Times

10 hours ago

When George Strait rolled up to the Corpus Christi Country Club earlier this week, the only music in the air was the soft thwack of his driver making contact with a Titleist. There were no guitar strings, no arena lights; just palm trees swaying, a sea breeze on the fairways, and the quiet concentration of a man who's spent decades mastering rhythm in more ways than one.
Strait, dressed in a blue collared shirt, navy shorts, camo cap, and reflective shades, teed off at 10 a.m. as a guest of a club member, surprising everyone lucky enough to share the course that day. The moment was very George: humble, laid-back and effortlessly cool as his 1983 hit 'Amarillo By Morning'
But Strait isn't an anomaly; he's part of a growing band of musicians who find peace, focus, and creative recharge on the golf course.
Golf: The Music Industry's Favourite Interlude
More and more musicians, from rock legends to hip-hop moguls, are discovering that golf isn't just a game; it's a counterbalance to the chaos of the music world. It has tempo, timing, and mental discipline - everything that music requires, without the amps.
Vince Gill, another country icon and former lead singer of the band Pure Prairie League, boasts a handicap as low as +1 and often plays with pros and fellow musicians alike.
Alice Cooper, the shock rock king himself, plays nearly every day and has often credited golf with saving his life from addiction.
A rebellious, high-energy singer who thrilled teens with mega-hits like 'School's Out, 'Poison' and 'No More Mr. Nice Guy' played in the 2013 Hero Dubai Desert Classic Challenge Match at the Jebel Ali Golf Resort in This special nine-hole exhibition also featured professional golfers such as Mark O'Meara, Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson, and Rafael Cabrera-Bello.
Justin Timberlake, a former member of the '90s boy band NSYNC, has taken his golf obsession to the next level and owns a golf course in Memphis.
Kenny G, the smooth jazz saxophone legend who scored a breakthrough hit in 1986 with 'Songbird' a beautiful, melodic saxophone ballad, is considered one of the best golfers in the music world. He's the only scratch handicap musician-golfer.
Adam Levine of Maroon 5 is often seen on courses between tours, while in the world of hip-hop, golf is gaining ground. Snoop Dogg enjoys the social side of the sport, while DJ Khaled has made golf part of his brand, posting 'Let's go golf!' videos with the same gusto he brings to his records.
From Studio Booths to Sand Traps
Mike Mills, the multi-instrumentalist of iconic American alternative rock band R.E.M., who scored a major hit in 1991 with the multi-Grammy nominated 'Losing My Religion' described golf as a "terrific release" that helps him clear his head, noting that he sings better on days he plays.
In this context, George Strait's Corpus Christi appearance is just the latest example of golf's crossover appeal, as it remains a quiet passion for many artists and sportsmen.