Ever been a speckie?

[billyg]

Wondering what it's like to visit a tournament and do the whole spectator thing.

Majors, minors, qualifiers- anyone got the t-shirt?

Sounds an interesting day out but haven't got a clue about how to do it, what it costs, parking and the like. Weve got Celtic Manor coming up in the not too distant future and there must be loads of others to tag along to.

Ordered my Paul McKenna ' How not to shout '"wooooo- you da maayn", "indah hoel" or "be dah one" at critical moments in a southern Baptist evangelical stylee' DVD.

What else do I need to know?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I went years ago to Wentworth for one of the European tour events. My best advice is get there early and head straight for the practice ground. Watching these guys hit balls is awesome. You get a real feel for the timing of the shots. It is minimal effort (unlike my drunken octopus swing of late) for major effect.

Also try and see them working on their chipping and putting to get a feel for the way they play the little shots around the green and how much time they take on their putting fundamentals.

Having done that you need to see some live action. You have two main choices. You can pick a spot and watch everyone play through. My recommendation would be to find somewhere near the green on a par 3 so you can see the shot come in and watch the putting/chipping.

The second choice is to pick a grup and walk round with them. Be aware the bigger the names the bigger the gallery. You get to see a greater variety of shots (drives, 2nd shots etc) but you won't be in a position to see every shot.

Finally if it is a big tour event make sure you find time to visit the tented village. They normally have a fine array of merchandise. Some manufacturers often run competitions with good golf gear as prizes.

Not sure on cost. I think you can probably get a ticket to the course and the practice ground for about £15-20 on foot but expect to pay £10+ to park the car (and long queues to get out)

 

[madandra]

The DO'S;

Take plenty of cash

Wear comfortable shoes i.e. Running shoes or trainers.

Pack for all weather.

Take sunglasses

Take a wee pair of binoculars to ID the wee person on the tee or green.




The DON'TS;

Wear chino shorts and a bum bag (known in Scotland as a foreign sporran)

Dress like your favourite golfer as you will look like a William Hunt

Follow Tiger as you will see bugger all.

Follow Darren Clarke as you will be very lonely on the Saturday and Sunday.

 

[John_Findlay]

Hey BillyG,

Done the Open several times, the Dunhill Links, the Scottish Open and the Seniors Open. All great.

My advice;-

1. Wear trainers, they're the comfiest. You'll walk 2 rounds
2. Small rucksack for bottles of water, waterproofs, suncream etc
3. No mobile phone. Do it the old way. Arrange to meet mates later.
4. No "indahole". In Scotland you would be targeted, stalked and left in a bunker in your own blood at the end of the day. Hopefully in Wales, too.
5. Follow a group for 4-6 holes, have a break in a stand then do the same again. You'll get a good flavour for the players and see the whole course.
6. Don't go near the Champagne Tent. You'll never get out.
7. You can actually get away with photos as long as you're a long way away from the players and are discreet.
8. Watch some players at the range. Great chance for photo close-ups.
9. Lie on a bank in the sun and soak it all in.
10. Hang around the player's lounge and you might even get some autographs.

Enjoy. Should be a good day out.

Parking usually well catered for and well organised.

Spectator costs;- the Dunhill Links was free, the Scottish Open £24 per day, the Open £50 per day

 

[GB72]

I went to the British Masters at the Belfry last year and considering it was the final day, had great views and access. Followed Monty and Jimenez for a while then switched between them, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter (after all who could miss the chance to see the second best golfer in the world).

Had a great day and even Mrs GB72 enjoyed herself. All of the advice given on food, clothing etc is sound. Parking was not an issue, plenty and well signposted.

Difficult not to be tempted into spending money on more golf gear but there are bargains to be had. Also were various demos and a full Custom Fit set up.

 

[viscount17]

Besides The Open, what are the tournaments to see?

 

[medwayjon]

I will be going to watch the European Open at the London Club in Kent this year. Should be able to see some of the top guys from the european tour plus a lot of others as this event is regarded as a warm-up for the open (on totally different courses - how?) in some quarters.

 

[John_Findlay]

Viscount,

Scottish Open at Loch Lomond if you fancy a long trip. Spectacular course and a good field.

Or the Dunhill Links. Take your choice of 3 of the best courses in the country, it's free and you get to see celebs, too.

 

[Atticus_Finch]

Been to The Open, Scottish open and the Dunhill. All great events with a different atmosphere at each one.
Dunhill is free and easy to see plenty of play. You really can get right up close.
The Scottish Open is without doubt the most glorious place to watch golf (possibly in the world). Great spectator course as well. Plenty of vantage points.
The Open has an atmos of it's own though. It's a huge event and can be extremely busy if you want to see the big players. If it's the golf you're primarly going for, then I would recommend the practise days when it's not so busy. If you want to see Tiger, then set your alarm for 5.30am and get to the course for 6.00. I took my young lad at this time on the Monday and Tuesday mornings last year and it was basically just the two of us plus about another half dozen following him round.
Never, ever shout anything. A quiet "good shot" may get a reply if they happen to pass by you, but they'll never reply to a moron shouting "Youdaman!"

 

[clubchamp07]

Yes, We went to the Scottish Open a few years ago and we really enjoyed it. Even Mrs Clubchamp enjoyed it which was a surprise to me. She took a fancy to a Mr Edfors, so maybe she will stay at home next time. We had our 9 year old with us and he was amazed at the size of some of the guy's. He said that they all look so small on TV. We got close to Monty on the 7th fairway and he gave someone, one of his famous stares. Thankfully it wasn't aimed at me.
Would love to go to the Open Championship but the growd's of people would put me off. We found at the back of the 8th green(par3) was a great place to stand. The food in the tents was very expencive, so bring a picnic.

We as golfers only think we can hit a ball far and hard until we stand close to these guy's. Different Class

 

[Ronnoc1980]

I went to the last Rayder Cup at the K Club and all i can say is OMG how good it was.I had been lucky enough to win a 5 day pass 2 practice days and then the 3 main days.My only mistake was not to have taken a camera on the 1st 2 days as you were not able to take any in on the main days.

Now the security of the event was very very high we had to go through airport style detectors and mob phones were a big no no they would not let you in even if they were in flight mode they did have lockers but 1 the que was massive and 2 there were only about 500 of them so best left at home.

All i will say if you want to watch the golf stay and watch it at home on sky as its a mass fight to get in the good positions and you will miss lots by waiting ahead in the best spots.But i would not of missed it for the world the best bit seeing Casey hole it in one and i was there!!!

oh and on the fri night when leaving a yank offered me and my mate £1500 each for our sat and sun tickets God i am glad i dint go and take him up and blow it all on the black stuff in Dublin.

For the memories a must do to watch all the event ie the golf well maybe not.

 

[viscount17]

I presume that there must be outfits who will run coach packages for The Open. I may only be able to do one day so I would probably go for the Friday and it's a long drive there and back after, hopefully, a long day's sunshine.

Any ideas guys?

 

[GB72]

Coincidently just been reading the Mail today and they have a package for the open. 2 Nights in a hotel with breakfast and dinner, admission on Saturday and Sunday and transfers to and from the course. Cost from £289.00 per person.

Not a bad price I thought. If were not for current financial constraints I would have been tempted.

 

[Ronnoc1980]

I went to the last Rayder Cup at the K Club and all i can say is OMG how good it was.I had been lucky enough to win a 5 day pass 2 practice days and then the 3 main days.My only mistake was not to have taken a camera on the 1st 2 days as you were not able to take any in on the main days.

Now the security of the event was very very high we had to go through airport style detectors and mob phones were a big no no they would not let you in even if they were in flight mode they did have lockers but 1 the que was massive and 2 there were only about 500 of them so best left at home.

All i will say if you want to watch the golf stay and watch it at home on sky as its a mass fight to get in the good positions and you will miss lots by waiting ahead in the best spots.But i would not of missed it for the world the best bit seeing Casey hole it in one and i was there!!!

oh and on the fri night when leaving a yank offered me and my mate £1500 each for our sat and sun tickets God i am glad i dint go and take him up and blow it all on the black stuff in Dublin.

For the memories a must do to watch all the event ie the golf well maybe not.

Yes it should of read Ryder Cup!!!

 

[Leftie]

Had a complimentary ticket last year for the Senior Masters at The London Club. What a great day out. Far more relaxed than a major but still highly competetive. If I had had to pay it would have been all of £5 with free parking.

Followed Sam Torrence for a few holes - he still hits a mean ball. Tony jacklin was there making his first appearances on the Seniors tour.

Other names - Rivero, Rocca, Darcy, Brand jnr, Pinero, Bembridge, Horton, to name but a few.

What really impressed was watching Sir Bob Charles. There's a man who can still shoot near his age. 72 in March!

If you get a chance to see a Seniors, take it.

 

[theeaglehunter]

Im hoping to go to the British Masters this year as I have been told seeing the pros clsoe up is an unbeatable experience. The final day of play coincides with my birthday so I might go then.

 

[BunkerMentality123]

I took the family Bunker to Wentworth to see the BMW Championship (cost £50 for me and Mrs B, and wee B was free!!) What a great day, parking was free as I had a BMW at the time. Got there early to watch players warming up, stood and watched Stenson and Rose smashing drivers, and also watched loads chipping and putting. Great chance to video and photo players in action.

Followed Ernie round for a while, also Luke Donald and Lee Westwood, then Carera and Rose.

What amazed me was how effortless it all seems and just how far these guys hit the ball, even saw Olazabal chip out from behind a tree with club reversed and he got it about 10 foot from the pin. Great skills!!!!

At the end a real treat for Bunker Junior was when Luke Donald and Lee Westwood gave him their balls as they walked off the 18th and took time for a chat.

Also got loads of autographs about 15 in all and for me I was tatally star struck when Ernie stopped for a chat, apparently I looked like a 5 yr old kid (he has been my golfing hero for yrs tho).

All in all I couldn't recommend it enough!!!

 

[hopeful]

Okay, so they're not the Open but do go to see a Europro event if one comes your way. Even these, the budding young tour players can do awesome things with the ball. Well compared to my feeble efforts, anyway. It should cost you nothing at all, you'll be giving some encouragement to aspiring players trying damn hard to carve out a career and who knows, you may be a good enough talent scout to pick out a future world-class player!

 

[Bossman96]

I an my brothers are going to the Open this year. A word of warning to others to not be taken in as I was.
Booked the tickets online at britishopengolf.co.uk. Sounds like the official webite doesn't it? Well it's not. It's actually the Open golf hospitality website. Charged me handling charge, credit card charge, £10 postage etc etc, in all £60 over the face value for 3 tickets. Can purchase them from the R & A website at face value plus £1 postage. How foolish do I feel.

 

[John_Findlay]

Surprised you were taken in, Bossman. No-one in their right mind connected with the R & A would call it "British" Open Golf. It's the Open because it was the first.