Dubai-based tour pro Joel Stalter ‘mixing' golf with DJ grooves

Khaleej Times

4 days ago

For many athletes, life on tour is about the next shot, the next round, and the next stop on the global circuit. But for French golfer Joel Stalter, life on tour is increasingly about the next beat.
Now based in Dubai and plying his trade on the Asian Tour, the 32-year-old is balancing birdies with basslines and introducing himself as a part-time DJ under the alias 'DJINO.'
Stalter's affinity for Dubai runs deep. The city isn't just a training base it's where his creative identity found space to grow. A recipient of a UAE Golden Visa, he's immersed himself not only in the city's golfing landscape but also its emerging music scene.
'Music has always been a big part of my life,' Stalter says. 'I studied percussion and solfège as a kid, and I've pretty much always had headphones on, whether I was practising or travelling.'
But it wasn't until a friend—an experienced DJ and producer with a deep love for his craft—introduced him to the art of vinyl and the culture behind it that his interest took a more serious turn.
'His passion was contagious,' Stalter says. 'He lives and breathes house music and the way he approached it left a lasting impression on me. I got hooked.'
From Tee Times to Turntables
What started as a solitary ritual—collecting records during downtime on tour—slowly evolved into something more.
'Eventually I began mixing, not with any big plans, but just to share the music that moves me,' Stalter explains. 'It became a bridge between two passions—golf and music—that now coexist and inspire each other.'
That bridge has led him to Tap Line, a speakeasy bar tucked inside DIFC's Rowley's, where Stalter has begun performing live DJ sets during off weeks from tour competition.
'The vibe there really resonates with me—it's urban, laid-back, and different from the usual DIFC crowd. But what makes it special is the staff- they're warm, genuine people who are passionate about what they do. It's a creatively inspiring space.'
The Creative Edge
On the course, Stalter continues to build momentum. He's made three starts in 2025, with a best finish of tied 40th at the International Series – Macau. He recalls the event not for a trophy or top-ten, but for a personal breakthrough.
'I birdied the last two holes in Macau to make the cut on the number,' he says. 'It might not seem huge from the outside, but for me, it was a turning point. It reflected the inner work I've done.'
A big part of that inner work has been mental.
'I've always been committed to fitness - that's essential in this sport. But recently, I've put more focus on the mental side. I've been working closely with my sports psychologist over the past year, and she encouraged me to lean into my creative side. I didn't realize it right away, but the music - it helped me reconnect with myself.'
Golf, Music, and Mental Flow
To Stalter, the connection between music and golf is more than a metaphor.
'Just like golf, mixing is about rhythm, intuition, and being present. It's a different kind of performance, but the core is the same,' he says.
'What began as a hobby is now a part of my routine. Music has become a form of self expression - one that taps into the creative energy that is also needed when I compete. It's given me a space to become more in tune with who I am, both on and off the golf course.
'Nurturing one ends up fueling the other.'
Looking Ahead
Currently ranked 101st on the 2025 International Series Asian Tour Order of Merit, Stalter is enjoying a steady stretch of consistency. With no missed cuts since last August, he has embraced the Asian Tour's lighter schedule to explore life beyond scorecards.
'There's a window now for personal growth,' he says. 'While golf remains my profession and first love, music has become a complementary force — a space to reset and access a different part of myself.'
With one foot on the fairway and the other on the dancefloor, Joel Stalter represents a new kind of athlete: one who understands that peak performance often comes not just from practice, but from passion.
As a proud Dubai resident, he's someone the city can rally behind—both for what he brings to the game, and what he spins after dark.