Buyer’s Guide: Best Golf Speakers of 2023
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Depending on the golfer you may be accustomed to a certain type of play on the course. For some you prefer the pin-drop silence with some nature sounds sprinkled in, where others want their favorite tunes playing in the background as they take on a round. Nowadays you can. Gone are the days of pin-drop silence in golf. Pull up to any municipal course in the country, and you’ll find a verifiable jukebox of songs playing from golf speakers everywhere. Adding a little soundtrack to your round can be the perfect way to keep the energy high (or pick you up after a wayward shot or two).
With golf speaker options being as diverse as your playlist it can get tricky for which to choose. Here, we’ll break down the top Bluetooth speakers for golfing across all categories so you can find the perfect sound for how you play — on and off the course.
Top 11 golf speakers
- Staff favorite: JBL Flip 6
- Best on-and-off course: Rokform G-Rok wireless speaker
- Best value: Puma Pop Top Mini
- Best for cart riders: Bushnell Wingman
- Best with a golf cart mount: AmpCaddy V3 Pro Max
- Best for walkers: JBL Clip 3
- Best golf bag built-in speaker: MNML MV2 Golf Bag
- Best for serious golfers: Precision Pro Ace Smart Speaker
- Best for audiophiles: Sonos Roam
- Best for the casual golfer: Blue Tees Player
- Best waterproof speaker: Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
Best golf speakers compared
Speaker | Cost | Battery Life (Hours) | 100% Waterproof? |
---|---|---|---|
JBL Flip 6 | $129.95 | 12 | Yes |
Rokform G-Rok Wireless | $99.99 | 24 | Yes |
Puma PopTop Mini | $39.76 | 5 | Yes |
Bushnell Wingman | $149.99 | 10 | No |
AmpCaddy V3 Pro | $99.97 | 20 | Yes |
JBL Clip 3 | $49.95 | 10 | Yes |
MNML MV2 Golf Bag | $299 | 8 | Yes |
Precision Pro Ace Smart Speaker | $159.99 | 18 | No |
Sonos Roam | $199.99 | 10 | Yes |
Blue Tees Player Speaker | $129.99 | 12 | Yes |
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 | $82.00 | 13 | Yes |
Staff favorite: JBL Flip 6
JBL Flip 6
Benefits
- Exceptional bass and sound quality
- Fits in standard cup holders
- IB67 dustproof rating
Drawbacks
- No power adapter included (only USB cable)
- No built-in microphone
Rightfully earning its reputation as one of the most durable and highest-performing portable speaker companies, JBL continues this tradition with the Flip 6. It’s perfect as a golf cart speaker since it fits comfortably into a regular-sized cup holder and produces top-of-the-line sound and bass. Taking it to the next level, you can customize your sound settings via the JBL app: Turn up the bass for your social gatherings at the beach or tone it down when a nearby foursome gives you a knowing look.
The JBL Flip 6 is rated IB67, meaning it’s waterproof and dustproof, so there’s no need to worry about inclement weather surprises. It also offers incredible quality for a middle-of-the-road price compared to the competition. As a final bonus, it’s packaged in a recyclable paper-based box as part of JBL’s larger sustainability commitment.
Best on-and-off course: Rokform G-Rok wireless speaker
Rokform G-Rok wireless speaker
Benefits
- The best battery life of any speaker on our list
- Extremely durable
- Strong magnetic back
Drawbacks
- Bulky in size
The Rokform G-Rok wireless speaker might be the best overall speaker on our list. It plays with a powerful and clear sound that will liven up your golf cart ride. Built to last, the G-Rok feels more like a brick than a speaker. You don’t have to worry about any cheap plastic materials here should they fall to the ground.
This speaker is best used when magnetically attached to the railing of a golf cart or placed down on a table at home. It can strap onto your golf bag but be warned that it weighs slightly more than its counterparts. The few extra ounces may be worth it for the extra audio levels. You can’t go wrong with a Rokform wireless speaker for your next round or party.
Best value: Puma Pop Top Mini
Puma Pop Top Mini
Benefits
- Pocket-sized
- Built-in bottle opener and ball marker
- Easily attaches to a cart or bag
Drawbacks
- Short battery life (5 hours)
- Limited sound volume compared to the competition
Bringing Puma Golf’s love for the game into a portable Bluetooth speaker, the Puma Pop Top Mini offers the best value of any golf speaker on the market. At just $39.99, it provides all the functionality you’d need with a lanyard mechanism so it can easily latch onto your golf bag or backpack.
We also love the useful golf details Puma added to its speaker, including the golf ball marker and built-in bottle opener. The pocket-ready size means you can bring it to the park or beach for an instant audio upgrade. For those who want a cheap but functional speaker to stash in their golf bag, the Puma Pop Top Mini offers unparalleled value.
Best for cart riders: Bushnell Wingman
Bushnell Wingman
Benefits
- Pocket remote for GPS readings
- Ultra-strong BITE cart magnet
- Bushnell Golf app connectivity
Drawbacks
- Heavier compared to the competition
The Bushnell Wingman combines the best qualities of a golf cart speaker with the bonus of being a GPS-enabled rangefinder. Sprinkle in Bushnell’s ultra-strong BITE magnet technology to firmly attach to any golf cart, and you’ll see why the Wingman earned the best golf cart speaker honor.
Its best value-added feature is the Bushnell-enabled rangefinder function. All you have to do is open up the Bushnell golf app, and you can choose from more than 36,000 courses. Once the course is pulled up in the app, you can click the button on the quarter-sized pocket remote, and the speaker will give you yardages to the front, center, and back of any green. While you’ll need to rely on the app for more specifics, we’ll take this moment to gently remind you that hitting the center of the green will be enough of a challenge for most golfers.
Best with a golf cart mount: AmpCaddy V3 Pro
AmpCaddy V3 Pro
Benefits
- Best-in-its-class battery life (20 hours)
- Personalization options available
- Easy-to-install cart swivel mount
Drawbacks
- No clips for walkers
The AmpCaddy V3 Pro’s most outstanding feature is the easy-to-install cart mount. Compared to cupholder golf speaker models, it frees up more valuable beverage space in the cart. And compared to magnetic golf cart speakers, it offers more stability and directional pivoting for the best audio experience.
We also love the V3 Pro for its long-lasting battery life, clocking in at 20 hours. This makes it the ultimate throw-in-the-bag-and-forget-to-charge-it option. Plus, AmpCaddy allows you to add your own custom logos to the front of the speaker. With this personalization feature, you can spruce up your speaker with your favorite sports team or even add a company logo to use as a giveaway at your next charity tournament.
Best for walkers: JBL Clip 3
JBL Clip 3
Benefits
- Metal carabiner for secure, easy clipping
- Personalization options available
- Microphone functionality for speaker calls
Drawbacks
- Shorter Bluetooth connection range (10 meters)
- Only charges with micro USB
The JBL Clip 3 is a no-nonsense, easy-to-use Bluetooth golf speaker ideal for walking golfers. Simply latch the metal carabiner onto your bag and go — free of worry that it’ll mysteriously fall off due to heavy jostling or cheap attachments.
One of our favorite features of the JBL Clip 3 is its built-in microphone for speaker calls (perfect for those playing hooky from work). Just ask your playing partners for a bit of quiet, and nobody will be the wiser — but don’t quote us on that.
Best golf bag built-in speaker: MNML MV2 Golf Bag
ML MV2 Golf Bag
Benefits
- Includes a thermal pocket for up to 6 cans
- Camera phone pocket for easy filming
- Charging port for phones
Drawbacks
- 8-hour battery life
As featured in our Best Golf Bags of 2023 rundown, the MNML MV2 golf bag is back with its best-in-class built-in Bluetooth speaker. For those who also need a bag refresh, why not get the best of both worlds with MNML’s built-in speaker? The bag packs a host of well-designed features like a thermal drink pocket that holds up to six cans, a camera phone slot for easy swing videos, and a charging port for your phone.
Best for serious golfers: Precision Pro Ace Smart
Pro Ace Smart
Benefits
- Best GPS-tracking technology
- Strong magnet for cart attachment
- 18+ hours of battery life
Drawbacks
- Directional sound
- Not waterproof
The Precision Pro Ace Smart speaker offers the best GPS technology on the market due to its affiliation with the Precision Pro app. While it provides front, center, and back yardages with a push of a button on the pocket-sized remote, the more information golfers put into the app, the more functional the caddie technology becomes. Slope-adjusted distances and lay-up projections based on golfer data take this golf-speaker-meets-rangefinder to the next level.
The Ace Smart speaker boasts over 18 hours of battery life and attaches to any golf cart with an impressive magnet. The long-lasting battery life will benefit those who often forget to charge their speaker the night before a round.
Best for audiophiles: Sonos Roam
Sonos Roam
Benefits
- Syncs with existing Sonos technology
- Superior audio quality
- Smart assistant enabled (Wi-Fi only)
Drawbacks
- Pricier option compared to the competition
Audiophiles beyond the golf course will recognize Sonos’s dominating presence in the at-home speaker market. The Roam portable speaker is an excellent choice for a golf cart speaker while maintaining seamless integration with the Sonos at-home system.
We liked the Sonos Roam for its trusted name in personal sounds and its range of customizable audio options on the Sonos app. The Roam is perfect for occasional golfers who also want a portable speaker to use at home or wherever else they may roam.
Best for the casual golfer: Blue Tees Player
Blue Tees Player
Benefits
- Dual-pairing compatibility
- Power bank feature
- Built-in microphone
Drawbacks
- Bulkiest option on our list
- No carrying case included
A relative newcomer in the golf speaker market comes courtesy of Blue Tees. Blue Tees, known for its rangefinders, offers its first entry into the golf audio space with the Player speaker. We liked this speaker as one of the better “vibes” options, as it offers easy dual-pairing so you and your golf partners can link up to the same soundtrack.
Its 100-foot, 360-degree speaker range means you’ll always be within earshot of the mood music. And, the built-in microphone allows for those speakerphone moments when you need to ask your partner at home for an extra hour at the 19th hole.
Best waterproof speaker: Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
Benefits
- “Boost” feature for peak outdoor performance
- Floats on water
- Fun color options
Drawbacks
- Style might not be for everyone
- Fits awkwardly in a cup holder
As the “life of the pool party” for golf speakers, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 bursts with character. Will you ever really test the speaker’s ability to float on the actual course? Let’s hope not. Nonetheless, this speaker is versatile enough to withstand any weather on the course and in the pool for your post-round celebration (or relaxation).
One of our favorite audio features is the “Boost” button, which calibrates the bass to sound even better outdoors and in open areas. In a world where most speakers are varying shades of black, gray, and white, it’s nice to see a speaker with a bit of added color and personality.
Rock out on the course
There are a few factors to consider when choosing the right golf speaker. First, you’ll want to decide whether you’re a walker or a cart rider. For walkers, you’ll want to find lightweight speaker options that feature a sturdy bag clip, so you don’t have to worry about it falling to the ground and losing it to the golf gods forever. For cart riders, think about where you’d want to keep the speaker, whether in a cup holder or attached to the cart’s frame.
In addition, much like rangefinders or golf shoes, there are various features and price points among golf speakers. We’ve outlined some of our favorites in value and premium categories, so you can’t go wrong with any of the picks — they all meet our audio quality, durability, and functionality standards.
FAQ
What should I check before buying a speaker?
Before buying a golf speaker, the essential question to ask yourself is whether you need one designed for walking or cart riding. The variance in weight, features, and durability will determine which best fits your game.
How do you hook up speakers to a golf cart?
Most golf cart speakers either feature a strong magnet to attach to the cart’s metal frame or a simple-to-install clip. The third type of portable golf speaker is designed to fit in a cupholder on and off the course.
What makes a speaker high quality?
The signs of a high-quality golf speaker are durability, battery life, and sound quality. You’ll want to ensure that whichever golf speaker you choose can withstand any weather, hold a battery charge that’ll outlast even the most sluggish of rounds, and reach a volume that can cross a fairway or green from a cart parked nearby. Just watch the volume, or you’ll have to answer to grumpy foursomes on the next tee!
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Scott Fluhler
Golf.com Contributor
Scott Fluhler is a freelance golf writer and producer based out of San Diego, California with over 14 years experience in video and content production. He is the creator and voice of Bad Birdie’s weekly golf and culture newsletter, Breakfast Balls, and is a contributing writer/producer for the SCGA and FORE magazine.