He didn't want to disconnect the radio, but I'm 100% sure that's the problem. Yes, it had an RNS system with navigation, but I don't know the exact model. These are two brothers who have almost identical Golfs. Today, I tried to reprogram something in the car's onboard computer system on the Golf with the aftermarket radio, but it was impossible.
Then we went to the other golf course, and it worked there, although I'm not a fan of the American-style outdoor lighting. Well, it's just a matter of taste, I guess.
I told the person with the non-original radio that he needs to get a VW CAN adapter as soon as possible (it costs about the same as the Chinese radio

), or disconnect the corresponding diagnostic cables from the radio (there might already be 12V+ connected incorrectly to the diagnostic cable

), so that nothing else breaks.