Attending Live Tournaments - Amazing

[wannabe]

I've had the pleasure to attend a couple of PGA tour events.

The experience was amazing.

I know of no other professional sporting event where one can get so close to the competitors with such little between you and the players, and such minimal security.

I distinctly remember two situations vividly.

Padraig Harrington's ball landed 10 yards from me, and I was trapped against a pavilion to stay just out of his line of sight. He walked within a hair's breadth past me, and his ball flight went right over my head. Awesome.

Phil Mickelson was walking from green to the next tee, with no one else with him, and stopped to give a little girl one of his golf balls, right there on a Sunday. Brilliant.

Not to mention Pro-Ams and practice rounds.

It's both very cool and a huge responsibility being a golf fan at a tournament, because there's so much leeway granted to the fans. Great stuff, and I hope it's always this way.

[ChiChiIsMe]

It's both very cool and a huge responsibility being a golf fan at a tournament, because there's so much leeway granted to the fans. Great stuff, and I hope it's always this way.

I hope you yelled

"You Da Man!" or "Get in the HOLE"

[wannabe]

funny, I actually do the reverse. I'm overly careful to not talk or scream too much, because I love the tranquility of the game, even at a tournament.

Also, of course, being a golfer, I know how intensely these guys are concentrating and working, and I know how I behave and expect folks to behave during shots, so disrespect is out of the question. I'd also, frankly, be afraid I'd shout at an inappropriate time and get myself booted.

In fact, something that's surprising to me is the relative quiet that there is at a golf tournament compared to other sports. All the "thwack"-ing you hear on t.v. golf broadcasts is gone, all the commentary is gone, and now I know why the commentators are whispering. Generally, then environment lends itself to just that.

All that said, I'm not overly bothered by the enthusiasm of others, either.

[Dub]

funny, I actually do the reverse. I'm overly careful to not talk or scream too much, because

You nailed it. It is a surreal experience. I love it dearly.

[Bourbon and Coke]

When I'm an eccentric billionaire, you're going to see the XFL-themed spinoff the XGA, bringing a college football-like environment to an otherwise tranquil game.

We go to the Masters and Tour Championship every year (and the US whenever it's at Pinehurst), and while I enjoy watched Thursday or Friday rounds, I can't imagine how much more fun it would be if all the drunks we screaming fiery invective like at the beloved Cocktail Party.

[chipper2]

I agree with what has been said, but would like to add taking your children or grandchildren to a PGA is a learning experience for them. I took my grandson when he was 12 and he has not forgotten that day.

[cigarnut81]

Golf tournaments live or playing in one is my favorite thing in the world.

[svchiefs19]

When I'm an eccentric billionaire, you're going to see the XFL-themed spinoff the XGA, bringing a college football-like environment to an otherwise tranquil game.

that would be sick!!!! im in!!!!!

[goblue107501]

I have only been to Nationwide tournaments and it has always been very neat. The play is great, most of the guys just can't make putts. The great thing about the smaller tours is the security, or lack there of. I can remember many times picking a group to follow for a few holes and being the only person there. The players will just come right up and talk to you while they wait or on the way to the next hole. Camilo came through a few years ago and I followed him every day. Most of the time there would only be two or three people following his group. No way that would happen now. Most spectators will only follow the couple of lead groups, especially on the weekend. I am fortunate in that my company donates to the local cause and I usually get to play in a pro-am. That is the person I will follow for the tournament.

The best story is when I got to caddie for 12 holes on a Friday. My friend and I were watching a par three under a shade tree when a group came to the green. One of the guys caddies almost passed out as he came to sit with us in the shade. We asked if he was okay and he said he felt really sick. I told him I would take his place if it was okay with the player (they were brothers). The player got off the green and came up to where we were and agreed to let me caddie. He just asked me if I played. I told him I play and I know what to do. So I grabbed the caddie bib and the bag and went to the next tee. Unfortunately, he missed the cut by two or I probably would have go to do it over the weekend. He didn't pay me or anything but he gave me a dozen balls. They were the Callaway HX Tour balls (with the black lettering and the old stamp) before they were released to the public. They came in just a plain white box. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.

[wannabe]

that's a great story. How'd you know how to caddy? Did you just lug the bag around and clean clubs, or something more?

[Quinn07]

I have been to a couple of PGA events when they have been here in Canada. I went to the last Presidents cup when it was in Montreal and I went to the Canadian open when it was at the Hamilton Country Club. Both events were amazing and the atmosphere was even better...HOWEVER last summer the LPGA came to my home town, Ottawa, for one of their majors. I went to the Friday round and watched them all tee off and then managed to follow some of them around. I must say that was hands down a better experience than both of the PGA events. I was able to get close at the PGA events, but the LPGA was just different and the players just seemed to be having more fun. If all of their events are like the one I saw, I would highly recommend going if you have the opportunity.

[Fourputt]

I was a volunteer hole marshal at The International at Castle Pines for the last 4 years of it's existence, and it's even a neater experience to be inside the ropes with the players. I even got to talk to David Feherty as he was headed back to the CBS production headquarters after one round, and I've spoken with several of the pros. Some of them are quite chatty, even during a tournament round when standing on the tee waiting for the fairway to clear. During the practice rounds they can be a kick, because they usually play with other friends and almost always have some sort of money game going.

[goblue107501]

that's a great story. How'd you know how to caddy? Did you just lug the bag around and clean clubs, or something more?

It really isn't that hard. Carry the bag, clean the clubs, stand in the proper position, and if your guy is 'out' on the green, you pull the flag. Fortunatly, one of the players withdrew before they got to where I was so there was only one other player to worry about. I would find the yardage markers for him, but I didn't offer any advice unless he asked me, which was only a couple of times. The one thing he mentioned after the my first hole was to watch the 'through' line on the green. So when pulling a flag, always do it from the a side where no putts will roll past the hole. For these guys, that is just as important as not walking in the actual line.

[Azwildcat]

The Puerto Rico open is in a few weeks, $20 for a days admission...Mediate will be there so i'm deciding whether or not to go.

[kafka01]

What i dislike about live tournaments are the crowds - since i actually want to follow the play of a group from tee to green on all holes, not just on one. So if you watch your local (in my case) European Tour event it can be hard to "have a front row seat" compared to watching it on TV.

What i was thinking about is going to tournaments abroad like the European Desert Swing, or the French or Spanish Open - when i watch them on TV the first 3 rounds barely have any followers even if the field contains a lot of big names - so that would guarentee me a "front row seat" to the action.

[shakogolfer78]

I love the experience of a PGA Tour event I have gone as much as possible being from Minnesota, and I even got to go to the US Women's Open at Interlachen for my birthday last year. A few years back I went to the 3M and walked with Arnie and got him to sign my hat! I love going to these events. Here are my favorite events that I have attended:
1. 2007 Masters the three practice rounds best vacation of my life will be the top of my list forever thanks to my cousin who married into a family where the grandpa is a member at Augusta!
2. 2002 PGA Hazeltine first time to this course and its only ten minutes from my house. It was special to me because it was my first event when I was young.
3. 2004 PGA Whisthling Straits loved the course and the view of the lake only a short drive from Minnesota.
4. 2008 US Women's Open two words Natalie Gulbis
5. 2005 3M saw the KING!
6. 2009 PGA at Hazeltine already got the tickets ready to go!

[rjfan91]

I always want to see who the genius is yelling this. I don't know why they yell this off the tee at a par 5. Every time.... Is it excitement of the moment? Are they autistic? I'm geniunely curious.

On topic, I've always wanted to attend an event. I hear a guy on the radio talk about how he takes a week off every year to attend an event and how much he enjoys it. When I consider actually doing it, I end up using the week to go play somewhere.

I hope you yelled

[FortAsel]

the best part is on practice day's you can go and pick up some prectice balls. Oh, and of course, whatch the best guys play