Golfers We Like : Dave Matthews Band

Golf Digest, August, 2002 by Alan P. Pittman

When they're not playing sold-out venues, recording an album or fulfilling the obligations that accompany rock-star status, members of the Dave Matthews Band like to escape the grind of life on the road by hitting the links.

"Our days off [between concerts] started looking like a good time to go play golf," says lead singer Dave Matthews. "It's a great way for us to get away from everything."

Quiet moments are few and far between for the five-member group from Charlottesville, Va., which has been touring for 10 straight years and has become one of rock's highest-grossing bands. The group is in the middle of a 68-show tour of the United States and Canada to help promote the release of its new album, "Busted Stuff." Although the title has nothing to do with errant golf shots, bassist Stefan Lessard admits "I occasionally hit houses." Adds Matthews: "I suck at golf, too."

A lack of success on the golf course, however, hasn't dampened their enthusiasm for the game. Lessard even sees similarities between playing golf and jamming on stage. "Whether you're inside your game or inside your music, there's a point where you just get it," he says. "It clicks, and you don't have to work so hard at it."