Watch it live or on the box?

[Tiger]

A lot of people from the forum are at The Open and a fair smattering of the rest are following on the telly. Just wondered what the benefits of watching it live would be? You get to see a wide array of shots, with a better view, refreshments on tap, replays galore to the soundtrack of great commentary for free at home. Or pay to go and see it live. From what I've seen the crowds are much more gentile than those at football and cricket, and the action so much more difficult to take in compared to tennis.

Considering whether going to watch future championships live is a good investment. Interested in your opinions.

 

[Spinn77]

You get a much better perspective of who is doing what and so on, on the TV. BUT, everything often looks flat and you can't really see the difficulty very often. Also, up close its great to see just how good these guys are when hitting full shots, the cleanest of strike and the shot shaping.

For a big event - i'd rather watch on the box, and enjoy the whole show.

 

[birdieman]

It's worth going sometimes just to see what it's like and enjoy the atmos.
However tv lets you stay on top of what's happening.
I went to St Andrews 5 years ago on day 4 and whilst I enjoyed it I couldn't get near the tees later in the day and there aren't any high points to get a view of the action.
Personally feel I £60 is a lot to get in to the Open too.
£30 would seem plenty.

 

[RGDave]

It's worth going sometimes just to see what it's like and enjoy the atmos.

Yes. I've been a few times and it's worth it for the visit. Thankfully, I had extra access which is helpful.....(understatement).
It's very hard to get the full picture out and about on the course, even with the scoreboards. Come the last day, you won't get to see much if you follow the group.
It is however, fantastic to stand behind tees and by greens just to see how amazing the players really are.

 

[Bossman96]

I went to the Open at Birkdale in 2008 and found it an awesome experience. You get a true feeling of the skill and imagination of the top players. The only disappointment was the fact there was no Tiger due to his injury.

Well worth a visit in my opinion.

 

[Smiffy]

It's a bit like motor racing. Watch an F1 race on television and you don't really get a true idea of how fast the cars are going. Go to watch in real life, and it's amazing.
With golf, it's only when you go to watch a real tournament that you really get an idea how far these guys are hitting it.
But as with F1 you get to see so much more on TV.
So TV for me

 

[Imurg]

I've been to a few tournaments in my time and I have to say I would never go on the last day.
Towards the end there are too many people watching too few players and you can't get near anything unless you've secured a good vantage point.
I always go either day 1 or 2. You get to see the action and follow your faves around. Pro-Am or practice days can be even better as the Pros often play to the crowds more.

 

[Spartacus]

When the open was at Royal Liverpool in 06 I got the season ticket for the full week.

It was great to be up close with the pro's, even brushing arms with Jesper.

As to actually seeing the action, it was limited.

I haven't been to any other 'live' events preferring to watch on the box.

 

[the_g_man]

I've never been lucky enough to go and watch the open live, but i have watched the european grand prix at slayley hall. I agree that t.v gets you better angles and mix of different shots by the top players but nothing compares to live golf and you can really get a feel of how good these guys really are.

 

[chrisd]

I always go to Wentworth on the Wed Pro am/practice day its great to see the Pro's so close up and they are so much more relaxed (some even chat). I went to St Georges last time round and the atmosphere was undescribible and i think it compared very well to FA cup finals i've been lucky enough to see and also Wimbledon tennis.

At St Georges I watched until the the leaders went through the 8th and then we jumped in the car and got home to see them from the 12th - really the best of both worlds, roll on next year!!

Chris

 

[Imurg]

I'm going to try and go in 2014 when its back at Hoylake. HID's folks live just down the road so I can cadge a bed and some grub on the cheap.

 

[Fyldewhite]

Like most people above I'd say it's well worth the visit as the atmosphere is brilliant. You really understand how much better these guys are than even the scratch champ at your club never mind the rest of us hackers.

The drawback is that you certainly see well less than 10% of what you get to see on TV. Overall I'd probably prefer to be there when I get the chance but even if that's only every few years that's enough. If you get the chance to be a volunteer though grab it with both hands, a fantastic week, quite hard work at times but the best view in the house.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Definitely worth doing to see these guys actually hit a ball. Its impossible to understand just how much timing there is in these swing until you see them launch it. Personally though I'd rather go to a practice day where you have a better chance of seeing the action.

Its like most sporting events, there is nothing like the atmosphere which I guess is why you pay for the ticket but you don't necessarily get to see the event itself that well which is why sometimes watching on TV is the only way.

 

[Tiger]

Thanks for your comments guys. But I'm curious. Would I actually be better off going to a pro am or a golf live type event to see the pros in action and continue to enjoy the championships on the telly? And is it any different at the Ryder Cup?

 

[steveyjd81]

i went to hoylake in 06 and the atmosphere was great but u dont really see too much golf, i went on sunday and was far too busy to get any great views

 

[AuburnWarrior]

Watching it on the box - you can scratch your nuts with impunity - and not get ejected.........

 

[stevek1969]

Went on the saturday, the atmosphere is different class, just watching how these guys hit the ball is amazing ,stood on the 17th tee and watched these guys hitting draws over the the sheds to the fairway,superb.

The only thing that lets it down is the beer at £3.90 a pint and a burger and chips at £7.50,St Andrews is not the most spectator friendly as you can only walk on the outside of the course.