Rules

Rule 14-3

Wearing Headphones or Earplugs During Stipulated Round

Q.  May I wear headphones or earplugs while playing in the state amateur?

A.  The Rules of Golf do not prohibit a player from using headphones, earplugs, etc during a stipulated round provided they do not communicate information on the conditions (such as weather) which are relevant to his play or otherwise assist the player in his play. For example, it is permissible to listen to music through headphones, earplugs, etc, except when the music was originally recorded for the purpose of assisting the player with making a stroke, in which case the player would be in breach of Rule 14-3a. It is permissible to listen to classical music or 'Top 40' music but not music that was created for the specific purpose of helping a player in making a stroke. If a player uses headphones, earplugs, etc during a stipulated round in breach of Rule 14-3, he should be disqualified (Decision 14-3/16). Finally, a prudent player would avoid the appearance of any possible breach of the Rules. The decision on whether a breach has occurred needs to be made by a rules official or other member of a Committee on a case by case basis, taking all of the circumstances into consideration.
Below you can view videos related to this Rule.
Video
Club inadvertently hits his ball twice
On this chip shot, T.C. Chen's club inadvertently, but clearly hits his ball twice during the final round of the 1985 U.S. Open.
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Video
Ball be struck at with the head of the club
Rule 14-1 requires that the ball be struck at with the head of the club.
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