Marshalling the open

[Sats]

I'm marshalling the open at RSG this year and wondered if anyone else has done it in the past. I've watched the briefing and read the handbook but is there anything else useful that I should know/avoid that the R&A don't tell you?

 

[PJ87]

I'm marshalling the open at RSG this year and wondered if anyone else has done it in the past. I've watched the briefing and read the handbook but is there anything else useful that I should know/avoid that the R&A don't tell you?

Avoid standing in byrsons landing zone

 

[Billysboots]

Throw anyone who yells “Mashed potato” in the Channel.

 

[davidy233]

I'm marshalling the open at RSG this year and wondered if anyone else has done it in the past. I've watched the briefing and read the handbook but is there anything else useful that I should know/avoid that the R&A don't tell you?

I've done it - long time ago but I did the 1995 open at St Andrews and the Scottish Open at Carnoustie - if you are wandering around outside your shift then watch out for people trying to nick your quiet please board from your backpack.

Are you doing it through your club? If so you will probably get assigned a hole or holes and that's where you are most of the time. I volunteered directly to the R&A and got loads of variety - best bits were ball spotting in the rough on the Road Hole and being sent out to get random punters off the fairways during the play off which meant we got a pretty close up view of the action.

 

[Sats]

I've done it - long time ago but I did the 1995 open at St Andrews and the Scottish Open at Carnoustie - if you are wandering around outside your shift then watch out for people trying to nick your quiet please board from your backpack.

Are you doing it through your club? If so you will probably get assigned a hole or holes and that's where you are most of the time. I volunteered directly to the R&A and got loads of variety - best bits were ball spotting in the rough on the Road Hole and being sent out to get random punters off the fairways during the play off which meant we got a pretty close up view of the action.

Doing it via my club we’ve got hole 12

 

[Wildrover]

I did it a few times when I was in the RN. Highlights were being given the 18th in 07 & 08. I walked down the 18th fairway both years right behind Padraig Harrington. You'll have a blast. Just grin & bare it when asked daft questions by the public over & over again. Take your own sandwiches etc and use the vouchers they give you to buy some decent souvenirs, if they still let you do that.

 

[Sats]

I did it a few times when I was in the RN. Highlights were being given the 18th in 07 & 08. I walked down the 18th fairway both years right behind Padraig Harrington. You'll have a blast. Just grin & bare it when asked daft questions by the public over & over again. Take your own sandwiches etc and use the vouchers they give you to buy some decent souvenirs, if they still let you do that.

Very used to the publics stupid questions in my day job It says in the marshals manual that the vouchers are for food only and not in the store, never mind, I was going to get a few souvenirs regardless. On the plus note found out that Hugo Boss are sponsoring the uniforms!!!!

 

[davidy233]

Very used to the publics stupid questions in my day job It says in the marshals manual that the vouchers are for food only and not in the store, never mind, I was going to get a few souvenirs regardless. On the plus note found out that Hugo Boss are sponsoring the uniforms!!!!

I've still got my jacket from 1995, just had a look in the stuff that never gets worn wardrobe, St Andrews Links collection brand - Royal Blue.

Got a maroon Hugo Boss baseball cap as part of the media goodie bag when I photographed Carnoustie in 2018. By the way the marshalls' uniforms at that Open annoyed photographers - bright red jackets and standing right behind the player to clutter up the background in lots of shots.

 

[KenL]

I did it at Muirfield in 2013. What an amazing time I had. Plenty time when off duty to watch golf.
Are you doing it with your club? We got a different role each day. Crossings, ball spotting, stand, round green, the tee.
Being on the tee is the best job. Watching the best in the world tee off and seeing in their bag is so cool.
You also get to see who is a great guy ( Miguel) or not so nice (Rose).
Would love to do it again.

 

[matt71]

done seniors and ladies open at royal Lytham and have a couple of tips.

Make sure your hole senior Marshal rotates you all around the hole, it can get very dull and tiring if stood in same place all the time.

Have a look in shop and ask if you can put some gear to one side ( to use your vouchers with) as you will find most stuff will have gone if you leave it until last day.

Take your own grub but you may not need water as they supply this for you.

Enjoy the experience, as mentioned done it twice now and it is great especially if you are on the tee box with them paddles

 

[howbow88]

Do these kind of events still rely on voluntary (unpaid) labour? Other than effectively getting a free ticket to the event, are there any other incentives?

When I was a teenager, I used to work on the turnstiles at Palace. You had to get there 2 hours before kick-off, started actually 'working' at 1330, finished at about 1505, then took an empty seat at 1510 for free. I also got paid £25 too. One of the best jobs i ever had

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Do these kind of events still rely on voluntary (unpaid) labour? Other than effectively getting a free ticket to the event, are there any other incentives?

When I was a teenager, I used to work on the turnstiles at Palace. You had to get there 2 hours before kick-off, started actually 'working' at 1330, finished at about 1505, then took an empty seat at 1510 for free. I also got paid £25 too. One of the best jobs i ever had

Free gear, you get up close and personal, possibly getting as good a view as possible, at times inside the ropes. Not surprised you don't need to pay people to do that job.

 

[sunshine]

On the plus note found out that Hugo Boss are sponsoring the uniforms!!!!

I really like Hugo Boss clothing, but they don't have a great history with making uniforms (unless you are a fan of the all black SS look).

 

[sunshine]

Doing it via my club we’ve got hole 12

I'm sure you'll have great fun - enjoy!

How did you get the gig? There must have been loads at your club who wanted to do it!

Are the volunteers sourced from local clubs to the venue?

 

[Sats]

I'm sure you'll have great fun - enjoy!

How did you get the gig? There must have been loads at your club who wanted to do it!

Are the volunteers sourced from local clubs to the venue?

We got a general email asking for volunteers, my friend and I put in for it and got selected. I believe most Opens extend this opportunity to local clubs near the venue - but don't quote me on that.

 

[Sats]

I really like Hugo Boss clothing, but they don't have a great history with making uniforms (unless you are a fan of the all black SS look).

I like Hugo Boss, but not the price.

 

[spongebob59]

We got a general email asking for volunteers, my friend and I put in for it and got selected. I believe most Opens extend this opportunity to local clubs near the venue - but don't quote me on that.

I believe Canterbury have got the 4th and Walmer the 12th.
A few characters got there waterproofs last time and then pissed off, so they've put someone in charge this time.

 

[howbow88]

I believe Canterbury have got the 4th and Walmer the 12th.
A few characters got there waterproofs last time and then pissed off, so they've put someone in charge this time.

That is a lot of effort to just get some free waterproofs

 

[Sats]

I believe Canterbury have got the 4th and Walmer the 12th.
A few characters got there waterproofs last time and then pissed off, so they've put someone in charge this time.

There's nothing to suggest you couldn't just grab the gear and not turn up, but that's a despicable thing to do! We may be sharing the 12th with Walmer then - still have yet to play Walmer and Kingsdown - People I know that have played it either love it or hate it.

 

[spongebob59]

There's nothing to suggest you couldn't just grab the gear and not turn up, but that's a despicable thing to do! We may be sharing the 12th with Walmer then - still have yet to play Walmer and Kingsdown - People I know that have played it either love it or hate it.

friend of mine just left Canters to join there, mainly as it'll be open all year.
Ive not played it in a while, thought it was ok, nothing special.