Watching my 1st live pro golf event - recommendations please?

[GolfingPastor]

Out of the blue my wife said “I wouldn’t mind going to watch a decent golf event live”.

I’ve now recovered from the shock and want to start looking at reasonably priced options- thinking about either the BMW Players Championship in September or maybe the Ladies Open in August...

Any other suggestions or advice if I do go for the above?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

If you got to the BMW at Wentworth, it does get quite tight at the weekends with a lot of fans trying to move about and it's not always easy to see too much unless you opt to get a grandstand seat or decide to watch from one place. I don't know what the crowds will be like at Woburn for the Ladies British Open but I can see similar issues. I tend to go on either a practice day or pro-am day where there are less crowds and you can get closer to the action. Either way, enjoy and try and see some of the players on the range. It's a revelation

 

[Imurg]

If you don't get to sit in one of the stands and you're going to follow groups round, make sure you wear the right footwear - you can knock up quite a few miles.

 

[Tongo]

If you go to the PGA then, as per Homer, weekends are busy. We have gone on a Saturday for the last couple of years and you can get some decent viewing spots though as the crowds tend to follow the big names. So if Rory is playing there'll be a massive following for his group for instance. My advice is to keep an eye on the draw sheet in the program and, if there is somewhere you want to go in particular, make sure you head there in plenty of time before a group with a big name in it. There are stands behind the 14th and 16th greens which are good vantage points and favourites of ours. The 2nd green is also a good spot but does get busy.

Generally although the crowds are large you get a big proportion of people that are either not really interested in watching the golf (i.e. are part of the event crowd interested in a day out with plenty of drink) or are only interested in the big names. Or both. So if you are savvy you can watch some quality golf away from the hordes. Its a fabulous day though and very interesting to see how the pros go about their business as you obviously see a lot that you wont see on TV.

I wrote a blog piece about the day me and my old man had at Wentworth last year if you're interested:

https://yahooovercowcorner.wordpress.com/2018/05/28/wentworth-wanderings/

 

[GolfingPastor]

If you go to the PGA then, as per Homer, weekends are busy. We have gone on a Saturday for the last couple of years and you can get some decent viewing spots though as the crowds tend to follow the big names. So if Rory is playing there'll be a massive following for his group for instance. My advice is to keep an eye on the draw sheet in the program and, if there is somewhere you want to go in particular, make sure you head there in plenty of time before a group with a big name in it. There are stands behind the 14th and 16th greens which are good vantage points and favourites of ours. The 2nd green is also a good spot but does get busy.

Generally although the crowds are large you get a big proportion of people that are either not really interested in watching the golf (i.e. are part of the event crowd interested in a day out with plenty of drink) or are only interested in the big names. Or both. So if you are savvy you can watch some quality golf away from the hordes. Its a fabulous day though and very interesting to see how the pros go about their business as you obviously see a lot that you wont see on TV.

I wrote a blog piece about the day me and my old man had at Wentworth last year if you're interested:

https://yahooovercowcorner.wordpress.com/2018/05/28/wentworth-wanderings/

Interesting read thank you 🙏

 

[VVega]

Ladies British Open or British Masters would be the best for an introduction. Good organisation, good play, crowds are very manageable.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

I would be looking at a ladies event. It will be more relative to an amateurs game distance wise, and will more than likely have less crowds.
That has been my findings anyway, and my wife and daughters definitely preferred watching women play.

 

[Grant85]

Out of the blue my wife said “I wouldn’t mind going to watch a decent golf event live”.

I’ve now recovered from the shock and want to start looking at reasonably priced options- thinking about either the BMW Players Championship in September or maybe the Ladies Open in August...

Any other suggestions or advice if I do go for the above?

If you are really keen to see the golf, then I'd recommend going on a Thursday or Friday. Get there as early as you can and pick a group to follow with 1 or 2 bigger names you want to see. It should be reasonably easy to follow a group round early, even with bigger names in it. I managed to follow groups on the Friday morning of the Open that included Westwood for a few holes, then Fleetwood for a few holes, then McIlroy for a few holes. This will be much more tricky in the afternoon and you will probably find the crowds swelling as you get onto the back 9.

Try and stay ahead of the play and see the balls landing. I feel that is a far better way of keeping up with the play and seeing the results of shots. Especially for the key shots around the green that will generally be from 100 to 140 yards and in, as well as the recovery play from a missed green and of course the putting. It's all very well seeing a guy hitting a drive from close up, but it doesn't really give you a sense of how he is going to score.

If you don't want to follow a group (or decide you've walked enough) then I would try and get into a stand (or get a vantage point) that is directly behind a green. A par 3 is good as you could potentially see players play the whole hole. But if you are directly behind the green, even at a par 4 - you should be able to see the tee shots landing and then get a good view of the approaches landing on the green. It is very difficult to pick up a ball in flight from side on, but much easier from right being down the line.

I don't have binoculars, but would say that these would be a reasonable addition to get the most out of the event.

 

[Deleted member 21258]

Wentworth and the Open are good days out but quite expensive if on the main days. Personally I like to go on a practise day as quieter but loads still going on btw.

You could also consider the Seniors Open with past top players and very cheap to get in, or the ladies Open or the British Masters. Not done any of them but the ladies and Senior open are on my list to do when next near me.

 

[Liverbirdie]

Out of the blue my wife said “I wouldn’t mind going to watch a decent golf event live”.

I’ve now recovered from the shock and want to start looking at reasonably priced options- thinking about either the BMW Players Championship in September or maybe the Ladies Open in August...

Any other suggestions or advice if I do go for the above?

Where do you live, down south?

If oop north or Midlands, the British masters is on at Hillside in a few weeks, and the Walker cup is at Royal Liverpool this year. If Scotland, the Solheim Cup would be one Id get along to if close.

 

[pendodave]

US open qualifying.

Normally around the same time as the PGA at Wentworth.
Normally at Walton heath (but heard it might not be this year)
Free of charge. Two great course. You get to walk the fairways with the players.
Imho, the best way to actually see and understand the pro game.

 

[Tongo]

US open qualifying.

Normally around the same time as the PGA at Wentworth.
Normally at Walton heath (but heard it might not be this year)
Free of charge. Two great course. You get to walk the fairways with the players.
Imho, the best way to actually see and understand the pro game.

Planning on going this year. Its on Monday June 3rd at WH.