The Open 2021 - Visiting

[road2ruin]

I'm almost certain there is an old thread somewhere with all the info I need however despite searching I cannot find it!!

I am off to the Open in a few week's time, first time I have visited the course and whilst I know it is a bit of a nightmare in terms of travelling to/from the locatl area I was hoping to get some tips/pointers from anyone who has been there?

TIA

 

[spongebob59]

What do you want to know ?

 

[road2ruin]

What do you want to know ?

I guess the main one is to do with transport, what is the easiest way to get to/from the course? Assume they do some sort of park and ride to limit the amount of traffic going to the course?

 

[spongebob59]

Sandwich is the nearest train station, and they ran buses from there last time, but TBH it is quicker walking.
they did have parking in the fields near by but getting in and out is a nightmare as it's narrow lanes.
I'll have a look at the website and get back to you, but it may be worth parking at a bother station and then getting the train in and walking to the course.
I was lucky as my wife works at a nearby firm so I parked there and walked.

 

[road2ruin]

Sandwich is the nearest train station, and they ran buses from there last time, but TBH it is quicker walking.
they did have parking in the fields near by but getting in and out is a nightmare as it's narrow lanes.
I'll have a look at the website and get back to you, but it may be worth parking at a bother station and then getting the train in and walking to the course.
I was lucky as my wife works at a nearby firm so I parked there and walked.

That's great, thanks for the info

 

[spongebob59]

https://www.theopen.com/getting-there#:~:text=The 149th Open will be,to Sunday 18 July 2021.

 

[SammmeBee]

I'm almost certain there is an old thread somewhere with all the info I need however despite searching I cannot find it!!

I am off to the Open in a few week's time, first time I have visited the course and whilst I know it is a bit of a nightmare in terms of travelling to/from the locatl area I was hoping to get some tips/pointers from anyone who has been there?

TIA

Not even sure they have told anyone, officially, with a ticket that they can actually go yet!

 

[chrisd]

Not even sure they have told anyone, officially, with a ticket that they can actually go yet!

I havn't heard anything yet

 

[road2ruin]

Not even sure they have told anyone, officially, with a ticket that they can actually go yet!

Ah okay, I haven’t organised this jaunt, one of the guys got an email but maybe it wasn’t the confirmation and I’ve jumped the gun.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

I havn't heard anything yet

Me neither.
Was disappointed that they’ve cancelled the official camping at the Open this year.

 

[pendodave]

I went to the last one at Sandwich. They ran open special trains from St Pancreas then, not sure they'll be doing that again. Even without the specials, train is probably the best way. Make sure that you book seats if possible as I've no idea what they are doing on Southern atm, but some long distance operators are insisting on seat reservations because...
The walk to the course is well signposted and takes 20-25 minutes iirc.

 

[Canary_Yellow]

I went to the last one at Sandwich. They ran open special trains from St Pancreas then, not sure they'll be doing that again. Even without the specials, train is probably the best way. Make sure that you book seats if possible as I've no idea what they are doing on Southern atm, but some long distance operators are insisting on seat reservations because...
The walk to the course is well signposted and takes 20-25 minutes iirc.

It's not Southern, it's Southeastern. Ordinarily you cannot reserve seats, I don't know if that will change for the Open. You would think they will have to lay on extra trains though because Sandwich isn't not on the mainline so doesn't have a good service normally.

 

[spongebob59]

The platform at sandwich is short so the longer trains can't disembark, there was talk of putting in temporary stop at the course but I don't think it will happen.

 

[Swingalot]

They've banned spectators at the Open qualifying which is 29th June at Princes. Seems odd to completely ban, but maybe the R&A don't want to do anything to put the Open with spectators at risk??

Had the pleasure of playing RSG with the stands and rough all up recently. Wow, it's a different golf course with jungle all around the short stuff!!!

 

[HeftyHacker]

They've banned spectators at the Open qualifying which is 29th June at Princes. Seems odd to completely ban, but maybe the R&A don't want to do anything to put the Open with spectators at risk??

Had the pleasure of playing RSG with the stands and rough all up recently. Wow, it's a different golf course with jungle all around the short stuff!!!

Crikey, I bet that was amazing. How did you play?

 

[Buckbeak]

Anxiously keep checking my emails to see if Ive received anything from The Open regarding my ticket. Fingers crossed!

 

[Biggleswade Blue]

Anxiously keep checking my emails to see if Ive received anything from The Open regarding my ticket. Fingers crossed!

I'm not expecting to hear anything until much nearer the time.

 

[Buckbeak]

I'm not expecting to hear anything until much nearer the time.

Yeah I agree. Especially not until after the Government announce whether the restrictions will be lifted. This will be my first Open - desperate to go really.

 

[Swingalot]

Crikey, I bet that was amazing. How did you play?

Amazing experience. Played well enough and was lucky with a small wind. Been lucky to play some decent tracks, but never taken as many photos on a course before. Had to use mats on some of the fairways, but not an issue. The whole place is buzzing with construction and people.

 

[chrisd]

They've banned spectators at the Open qualifying which is 29th June at Princes. Seems odd to completely ban, but maybe the R&A don't want to do anything to put the Open with spectators at risk??

Had the pleasure of playing RSG with the stands and rough all up recently. Wow, it's a different golf course with jungle all around the short stuff!!!

You didn't happen to find any of my lost balls did you, should be plenty, especially after the forum Kent links meets ?