The Masters, the most prestigious tournament of golf’s big four tournaments (the Masters, the PGA Championship, U.S. Open and the British Open), took place April 9-12, marking the unofficial start of the 2026 major golf season. Following suit, Colgate’s golfing population has once again emerged from their winter hibernation, drenched in Dri-FIT khakis and colorful collared shirts, ready to reclaim the hallowed greens once more. In solidarity, this week, I bring you a playlist of anthems made for the fairway (best experienced through a portable speaker).
1. “Georgia on My Mind” — Ray Charles (1960)
Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters Tournament since its inception in 1934, has Georgia on everyone’s mind. ESPN’s live coverage drops a new cover of this state anthem each year (Noah Kahan in 2025; Leon Bridges in 2022). None, though, are up to par with Ray Charles’ classic, bluesy rendition.
2. “Peg” — Steely Dan (1977)
My conception of golf music is inseparable from dad music, or “yacht rock,” if you will, and nobody steers the yacht quite like Steely Dan. “Peg” off their jazz rock masterpiece “Aja” is, to me, golfing bliss. If you don’t like jazz, I guarantee this will convert you.
3. “Fairway” — Tony Kinsey (1977)
From the KPM 1000 series — an extensive (and legendary) library of music composed with film and television in mind — “Fairway” is part of Tony Kinsey’s collection “The Lighter Side / The Life of Leisure,” a simple, uplifting jazz piece that feels like a beautiful day on the course.
4. “Green Is the Colour” — Pink Floyd (1969)
“Green Is the Colour” of golf: an adjective, noun (the mowed area surrounding each hole) and official shade, Pantone 342C, otherwise known as “Masters Green.” This may just be one of the loveliest songs Pink Floyd has ever recorded — gentle and acoustic, nothing like what you might expect from the characteristically psychedelic rock band, but entirely befitting a calming game.
5. “Tequila Sunrise” — Eagles (1973)
When I imagine my most idyllic day on a golf course, “Tequila Sunrise” appears in every sense of the word: a sweet tropical cocktail in hand, a 2024 limited edition colorway of the Vice Pro golf ball teed up and Eagles’ smoothest country rock track playing.
6. “Can’t Find My Way Home – Live from Madison Square Garden” — Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood (2009)
Sometimes a golf ball just can’t find its way home to the hole. In such instances, one might turn to Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood’s peaceful blues rock for guidance. Others, like Happy Gilmore, a fictional golfer from the eponymous 1996 golf comedy, may turn to yelling at the misbehaving golf ball: “Why didn’t you just go home? That’s your home. Are you too good for your home? Answer me!” Either way, both are sure to put a smile on your face.
7. “My Iron Lung” — Radiohead (1995)
Written in response to the suffocating success of “Creep,” Radiohead’s most famous single, “My Iron Lung” captures the band’s feeling of being trapped by the very thing keeping them going. Any novice golfer may relate to this sentiment when staring down a bag full of irons — you have to use them, but which one?
8. “Scotty Doesn’t Know” — Lustra (2006)
Probably the most epic, pop-punk account of infidelity of all time, “Scotty Doesn’t Know” happens to share a name with pro golfer Scottie Scheffler, two-time Masters champion (2022 and 2024) known for his unique golf swing dubbed the “Scottie Shuffle” — as electric as the legend himself.
9. “Taxes” — Geese (2025)
As Will Rogers once said, “Income tax has made more liars out of the American people than golf has.” Brooklyn-based indie-rock band Geese seem to share the sentiment: “If you want me to pay my taxes / You’d better come over with a crucifix / You’re gonna have to nail me down.”
10. “Roy’s Tune” — Fontaines D.C. (2019)
What better way to honor the 2026 Masters champion Rory McIlroy than with a serenade from his fellow Irish lads, Fontaines D.C.? My only complaint about this post-punk revival tune (with an alt-rock twist) is that it isn’t called “Rory’s Tune.”
11. “x2” — Lil Uzi Vert (2023)
In Rory McIlroy’s own post-victory words, “Winning a Masters makes it easier to win a second one.” As such, he gets “x2” mentions, for Lil Uzi Vert’s most hype track off “Pink Tape” feels only fitting alongside one of golf’s most hype consecutive Masters wins.
12. “Rosary” — Don Toliver, Travis Scott (2026)
I’ve replayed this new Don Toliver track just as many times as Justin Rose has competed in the Masters without winning: a lot (21 times). With 16 top-25 finishes and three runner-ups (2015, 2017 and 2025), Rose might just need a “Rosary” to get a green jacket on his shoulders before his career goes kaput.
13. “Tuesday’s Gone” — Lynyrd Skynyrd (1973)
While “Caddyshack” may be regarded as the most classic golf movie of all time, “Happy Gilmore” is surely the funniest. “Tuesday’s Gone,” a rather run-of-the-mill rock track on its own, soundtracks the film’s opening and closing, making for an inseparable pairing. As one YouTube commenter puts it, “when I hear this song I instantly hear Happy Gilmore.”
