Rory not at Wentworth but JohnyDee will be

[JohnnyDee]

Rory not at Wentworth but I will be

Just got tickets for Wentworth for this Thursday. It will be my first time going to watch a Pro Golf event and really looking forward to it.

Anyone got advice on how to get the best viewing experience? I.E. best holes to camp out on or should we pick a group and follow...

 

[IanM]

I like the stand or Hill back of 2nd at the start of the day...and obviously the stand on 18th green is great too

 

[Region3]

I went to my first live event at the grove last year, and I got the most out of watching them on the range and short game area.

 

[El Diablo]

Worth a visit to the range and watch a bit on the putting green - my teenager watched Westwood miss the same putt of 6ft at least 10 times and realised his problems a while a go !

No stand behind 2, the last 3 years - but hill is good to sit on and watch.

We quite like the loop 7 to 10 as it comes back round (no stand by 7th green last year but previously was, grassy bank you can sit on) as you can pick up groups and come back round or go out with them through the back 9. Scoreboard there if no phone app etc.

The last par 3 on the back 9 plays a long way uphill, has a stand at the back, plenty of places to view, beer, food etc (plenty of other places for that though)

You get so much more feel of how the pro's compress the golf ball with the strike sound in a way that your good club amateurs just don't achieve and the majority are just so cool and collected despite the errors.

Well worth a visit and plenty of places to settle down if you get tired walking - not sure when I will go down this year.

Practice day was very disappointing last year, seems most of them know the course backwards so don't bother much though maybe new greens will get them out - was however great fun following Jamie Lovemark as he is a massive hitter and quite chatty.

He could not work out how to play the first par 5 due to where he got the 3 wood and driver to on the downhill and had a most amusing discussion with the caddy and the small audience. Don't think the yanks really "get" our golf courses and the conditions we play in.

Enjoy it !

 

[larmen]

We went last year (Friday) and went out with an early group. On interesting holes we settled a bit and let groups pass through, then followed 1st Westwood for a while, then Willet. On the short loop (7 - 9?) there was a bit we could get to so we picked up Westwood again. Then we just did what we did at the beginning and let groups pass through when we had a good spot. Par 3 are obvious, we wanted to see a whole in one. So we walked the whole course and saw about 14 to 16 groups over the day.

One thing to consider is that they are all amazing players. So if you can get close and experience a guy you don't know, he is still awesome in golf. With the stars you might not get that close because they are 'all' following him.

 

[Hosel Fade]

Depending on how they rope it off behind 10 green around 8/11 tee and 7 green is a good spot, I tend to just follow two groups around the whole course

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Mix it up. Do a bit of everything. If you follow a group look for a character rather than a big name. Definitely recommend finding a big par 5 and stand directly behind the tee at some point. Watching them fully unleash the big dog is quite something, Wiesberger was the beast when I saw a tournament 😎

 

[BertieKerter1]

I am also confused about that.

 

[PNWokingham]

Like Johnny - never been to a pro event! That Changes tomorrow as going to the pro-am. Looking forward to it

 

[Golfmmad]

Re: Rory not at Wentworth but I will be

Just got tickets for Wentworth for this Thursday. It will be my first time going to watch a Pro Golf event and really looking forward to it.

Anyone got advice on how to get the best viewing experience? I.E. best holes to camp out on or should we pick a group and follow...

Went every year for about 10 years, but stopped going from last year as it's getting very expensive.

I think everybody finds their own way - some of my tips:

Take your comfy golf shoes - you do a lot of walking!

If you can find a space, standing behind the first tee is well worth it.
Then walk down side of fairway to about driving distance, and prepare to be amazed at how they can get their 2nd shot on the green.
Walk round to back of 2nd green and see their balls drop on the green!

Then over to the back of 3rd tee box and see how they strike the tee shot. I remember watching Henrik Stenson and seeing his clubhead speed as he drove the ball off the tee. Awesome is the word!

Again I always wanted to see the line of their 2nd shot from the fairway, hang back a bit as the crowds rush to get round the green.

Then walk a few more holes until you find a coffee vendor, prepare also to be aghast at their inflated prices selling to the captive market.
And of course, take plenty of money!

Enjoy. :swing:
:thup:

 

[JohnnyDee]

Thanks for the suggestions folks. We have a plan and we're equipped with our Augusta style Patrons' chairs and heading off early doors to a vantage point tomorrow. Expect the odd live update or two.👍

 

[JohnnyDee]

Re: Rory not at Wentworth but I will be

Thanks for all the advice folks.

Went yesterday and loved it. I was really impressed with the organisation and how close you can get to the action.

We took a couple of camping chairs and got to the 14th green around 10.30 and watched all the morning marquee groups play the hole. Fabulous viewing point!!

Went over to 12th around the 300 yard tee shot landing area and saw approach shots to the green.

As it was so flaming hot we decided to have a seat green-side and watch them all come to us, so we parked the chairs at the 11th green and again watched the afternoon marquee groups come through rather than schlep about after particular groups in the boiling heat.


Only downside was the queue from Bracknell to the Park & Ride at Ascot which took a good 45 minutes and...

IT WAS TOO HOT:mmm:

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Re: Rory not at Wentworth but I will be

I went on the BBC sport website to find out what happened yesterday, nothing on the main page. The only golf news was about a tournament in the US that McDowell is doing okay in. Not impressive.

Pleased to hear the day went well Johnny. Was it a bit warm for you ?

 

[BomberSRL]

Re: Rory not at Wentworth but I will be

-5 FOR THE DAY FROM Kieffer, including 4 under for 3 holes! Stenson struggling for Birdie opps.

 

[Hosel Fade]

Re: Rory not at Wentworth but I will be

-5 FOR THE DAY FROM Kieffer, including 4 under for 3 holes! Stenson struggling for Birdie opps.

Hopefully he throws in a quad because I cannot be bothered watching him take 2 minutes on every shot over the weekend

 

[JohnnyDee]

Re: Rory not at Wentworth but I will be

Pleased to hear the day went well Johnny. Was it a bit warm for you ?

Yes it was great, ta.

Mind you our UK weather's bonkers. Start of last week we were complaining that it was freezing when we teed off and six days later it's mid-80s.

 

[backwoodsman]

Re: Rory not at Wentworth but I will be

I'm going on Sunday (inc entry to the BMW pavilion by the 18th green ). Will probably find a spot and watch a few groups pass then perhaps follow a pairing or two before repairing to the pavilion. I've got my own ideas about some obvious big names, but any recommendations as to who else l should watch? (provided they make the cut ...)