By JOHN JAMES MARSHALL/Designated Writers

In one of the early scenes from the movie Caddyshack (which I’ve seen more than 100 times … waaaaay more), Rodney Dangerfield is walking down the fairway with his caddy, rips off a panel of his golf bag and says “So what? So let’s dance!” and immediately a Journey song begins blaring throughout the golf course. (Or you can just watch this video.)

I remember thinking all those years ago that it was perfect illustration of a crime against the golf gods and how that would never happen in real golf life.

Except that now it is happening.

If you haven’t been on a golf course lately, there’s a lot more noise than there used to be. More so than just undoing the Velcro on your golf glove when your opponent is putting for that four-foot birdie.

More and more, you hear music all over the golf course and it’s become a big debate in the sport. Traditionalists hate it; everybody else says lighten up and enjoy it.

Some golf carts are now being equipped with surround sound speakers that are Bluetooth enabled. Some courses are wiring their par-3 courses to play music. It’s all about making golf more attractive (read: fun) for a more diverse clientele.

Here’s the problem (and yes, I’m a traditionalist) — it’s fine if you want to have it in your group. But I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard it from the next hole over. I didn’t pay far too much for a green fee to listen to music; and specifically, your music (which I have very little chance of liking in the first place).

I’ve played a number of places that have music piped in on the driving range. Doesn’t bother me a bit; actually, I kinda like it. Otherwise, it’s too much of a distraction in a sport that already has plenty (sand traps, out of bounds, etc.)

“Do we get complaints (about music) on the course? Sure, if guys aren’t being respectful,” Alan Kristmanson, general manager of Whistler Golf Course in Canada, told GolfAdvisor.com. “It’s got to stay within your foursome. That’s like any type of golf etiquette. It’s got to be about being respectful to the course and the people around you. That time is yours. Do what you want, but it has to be within the etiquette of the game.”

That boundary seems to be getting stretched more every day.