the Open - worth the ticket money?

[AliB]

Hi All
Have been to a few golf championships but not the Open. Also don't know Kent at all well so thought we might kill 2 birds and make a trip of it - few days B&B + Open on the first day.
Now thinking this might be the worst idea ever - place heaving - esp being close to London - and accommodation at premium rates. Would you stick to my original plan, or settle for tickets for a practice day - (pick up the vibe and the course layout, maybe see a few of the big names practising) then head home to watch on TV? Or just stay home all together?
Grateful for any opinions.

AliB

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Personally I prefer the practice days at most big events. You get a chance to get relatively close to the action and can watch on the range. Less crowds, you can usually take a camera (could at the BMW and RC anyway) and easier to get from hole to hole.

My advice would be to stay out of Sandwich and maybe inland a bit so you don't get caught up with holidaymakers and paying more than necessary for a B&B. If you made a week of it there a loads of forum members from the South East who'd give you a game but not for money off your handicap (Ali came 3rd in the first GM Forum meet that was held at my club beating about 20 other blokes)

 

[chrisd]

I live pretty close and will try and get to the practice days. The last time it was there I watched the leaders come through the 12th hole (I think) scootted back to the car, hammered it home and watched the last few holes on tv



Chris

 

[Fyldewhite]

If you have never been there on the Sunday of an Open Championship then I'd certainly say it's one to add to the "been there done that" list. Personally, having done that, if I were paying to go I'd certainly avoid the weekend. Practice days and rounds 1+2 mean you effectively get front row seats on any group you follow. At weekends it's much more hit and miss. On the Sat/Sun you certainly get to see all the action much better on the TV..... but without the atmosphere obviously..... get down your golf club for a few pints and it's not quite the same but infinitely better than your own sofa

 

[DCB]

Yep agree with Fyldewhite here, Thursday & Friday are the days to go. If you get there early you can have 12-14 hours of golf to watch. It's also a good time to have a look at how the players get ready by watching them on the range for a while.

Saturday & Sunday are much tighter and with fewer matches to watch things seem to get busier.

If you've never been, then it has to be done at some stage.

 

[chrisd]

Last time I could only go on the Sunday.

I got there at about 6.30 am and it was a fabulous day. The atmosphere was awesome and I got to see some of the players from the States that I hadn't seen before as well as Tom Watson and Greg Norman. The crowds were huge but I still saw loads and would recommend it to anyone. The viewing at St Georges is top class.


Chris

 

[teddybear]

been to carnoustie on last two opens for whole week,got to say practice days far superior, all the players at ease majority of them even make conversation while practising.watching them all playing greenside bunker shots was actually amazing and on the putting greens watching tiger putt one handed superb.also have some amazing pictures.once the competition starts the crowds also get larger you then tend to see less however would not miss it. hurry back to carnoustie.

 

[dangermouse]

having done thursday, friday and sunday at the Open, I would say the thursday is the best for watching due to lower crowds and fewer corporate days out. Followed tom watson for 10 holes with few other spectators.

However, the Sunday is something else atmosphere wise. Was at Royal Liverpool in 2006 when Tiger battered Garcia all over the place on the last day and it was brilliant. I've been to all sorts of renowned sporting events, and that was as good as anything else I've seen.

 

[NWJocko]

Been to all days a few times, and whilst the sat and sun are different, muirfield when els won was an amazing weekend. Sure it was the sat i followed tiger round in a storm when he shot 80 odd and hit some amazing shots in there aswell. Play off up the 18th was good too.

 

[viscount17]

practice days are friendlier, players will often stop and chat or pose for photos. plenty of photo ops all round the course.

the whole camera issue is pretty stupid as it's impossible to police. stewards seem to home in on anyone with anything approaching an slr but seems to ignore the 20 or 30 people alongside with everything else.

 

[StuartD]

Never been to a practice day before but many people do say it's the best time to go. Think the R&A have got a wee bit wise to this and the practice day prices have shot up a bit.

I have been on all four days many a time and for me the Thursday is the best for viewing golf.

I get there early morning pick a group and watch them through first nine and usually sit at next par three and watch a few groups go by. Then pick up another group and stay with them through to 18. Quick bite to eat (a few pints if i am not the driver) then repeat the process in the afternoon.

Gets the course layout in your head and can really tak in what you see on the TV better for the rest of the week

 

[AliB]

Cheers forummers and thanks for the advice. Yup, even Wed is £35. Thinking we may go for the Thursday, to see at least some of main event without too many crowds.

AliB