Has anyone ever been to a major

[yahoossnake]

i live only about a hour away and i see tickets for sunday are 150 so ithink im going to take my son kids get in free :) .

Has anyone ever been to a major if so is it worth the money or do you have to fight to be able to see all day?

[Kingfisher]

The tournament days are a nightmare, and in my opinion not worth the $$$ entrance fee.

If you're taking kids and you want to have a relaxed day watching the world's best and maybe snag an autograph / photograph or two, go on the practice days.

[yahoossnake]

would love to be able to go up there on a practice day but hve a little thing called work lol. woud cost me more then the cost to get in if i take a day off

[soup]

You have to pick your spots. It's not a great spectator sport. I've been to 3 US Opens (two at Bethpage, one at Shinnecock). You definitely have to have a bit of plan - for instance, if you want to get decent views of Tiger, you need to stay 3 or 4 holes ahead of where he is and you can usually get a great spot near a green or a tee box - I prefer the greens.

You can certainly plant yourself at holes for several groups.

If you go and don't have much of plan I think it could be a long day of standing 10 deep on some holes and seeing little golf.

I've always had a great time.

[kris]

I'm assuming you're talking about the PGA championship. I attended all 7 days (3 practice rounds, 4 tournament rounds) of the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. (did not go to the playoff b/c it was just way too crowded, much better view at home).

If you are only going to go on one day, you need to make that one day count. You've got to go in there with a plan. Either go really early and plant yourself in the bleachers at a hole you like and watch everyone come through or you can follow a group around. If you choose to follow a group, be prepared to fight for a good position along the ropes. And if the group you're following includes Tiger or Phil, good luck. it's almost impossible to follow them and get a decent view of anything besides 8 rows of people's heads in front of you. And I'm sure your son would have trouble seeing much.

In my opinion, staying put at a hole is the best option. You get to see everyone and if you choose 18 you will have a massive scoreboard so you can keep track of everyone. I did this on sunday at the Open. I arrived VERY early, like 2 hours before the first group came through, and staked out a spot in the bleachers. It is fun to see all the players finish up (and it was especially fun to see Tiger finish up :)) but it's just plain cool to be a part of a major championship anyways. (+ you might end up on tv haha).

anyways, if you decide to go have fun and make sure you have a game plan.

[Motley01]

I went to the 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst! It was the most memorable days of my life!

I was near the 18th green when Payne Stewart rolled in that putt. I'm a Phil fan, I was really hoping he would win it, but then after what happened to Payne, it was the golf gods speaking.

Exciting and tragic all in one day...

[Chas]

I'm assuming you're talking about the PGA championship. I attended all 7 days (3 practice rounds, 4 tournament rounds) of the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. (did not go to the playoff b/c it was just way too crowded, much better view at home).

Nice. I really regret not going to at least one of the rounds at the U.S. Open last year, not even a practice round. My bad. I'm local and go to the Buick every year - silly not to make the Open as well. I'll go next time for darn tootin' .....

I agree with your sit-tight strategy, though I did the opposite at the Buick last year and still enjoyed myself. But it was less efficient somehow, too much schlepping and too much golf not seen. My favorite spot on the South: between the 11th fairway and the 13th green.

[kris]

Nice. I really regret not going to at least one of the rounds at the U.S. Open last year, not even a practice round. My bad. I'm local and go to the Buick every year - silly not to make the Open as well. I'll go next time for darn tootin' .....

Well it's not even close to as crowded at the Buick as it was at the U.S. Open, so following a group is a lot easier. I do a little of both, follow an early group to the 7th hole usually and sit tight for the everybody else. I really like 7 for some reason. I usually don't make it out to 11-13 area.

[enduro]

If you can go on the first day it's much better. There's more golf going on and not as many people. I mean, it's still crowded but not like on the weekend.

I went to the Whistling Straits PGA and that place is really uncomfortable to stand around on all day. Hills everywhere. But that's also the advantage. You can snag pretty good views from a lot of places.

Also, hang out in the drop zones off the tee. You're a step ahead and people tend to bunch up around the tees and the greens. You can see the shots come in and land and get a great view of the approach. If you can, try and find a spot between the drop zone and the green so you can nail the entire hole. That's the key to watching golf live I think.

So, if you want to follow Tiger get ahead of people and get in the drop zones before he tees. I'm tall so I have an advantage.

Also, pay attention to the leader board. Try and start following someone who starts out hot. It's fun to watch a guy shoot a lot of birdies. Although that can be rare at a major.

[RC]

Yes... At one of them, a long time ago in 1968, I watched the King warming up. As he was leaving the practice area, I marched up and said, "Mr. Palmer, would you autograph my tournament pass?" He was smiling and gracious, and said sure he would -- and he did it.

A guy with me could not speak up (he was in awe and just stuttering -- he actually could speak, but in the moment he was speechless) so I said, and could you sign this one too. He did. It took about 5 minutes before my buddy could speak clearly... that was how popular Arnold Palmer was at the height of his play. It was a different era.

[enduro]

Yes... At one of them, a long time ago in 1968, I watched the King warming up. As he was leaving the practice area, I marched up and said, "Mr. Palmer, would you autograph my tournament pass?" He was smiling and gracious, and said sure he would -- and he did it.

I wasn't alive back then but I've read he was the most popular guy on tour for a long time. Arenie's Army! My dad always talks about how much he was adored. And for good reason, he's very personable. I see interviews with him and he just seems like the kind of guy you'd love to play 19 with.

That's pretty awesome you met him and he signed for you.

[iWALK18]

I went to the Saturday US Open Round at Winged foot, and it was freeking awesome. I followed Ernie for a few holes, Saw Duval skull a bunker shot 50 yards over the green, saw Phil hit driver (24 hours before he shouldn't have), watched Cabrera try to drive a par 4 green, and just had an all around great time seeing all the guys I've spent so many hours watching on TV (except Tiger... he missed the cut).

I really wanted to go to Bethpage this year but the weather just made it way too much of a risk for me. If you can swing it I would definitely say you should go.

[David in FL]

A couple of practice rounds for the Masters. Great time and not too crowded. Well worth it. Easy to interact with the players and see the course......then we went home and watched the actual tournament on tv. Worked great.

[ddehr026]

a masters, us open at bethpage, and pga champ. at oak hill....masters was by far the best to be at.

[Chas]

If you can go on the first day it's much better. There's more golf going on and not as many people. I mean, it's still crowded but not like on the weekend.

hmmm, that makes a lot of sense. I used to do that at the U.S. Open Tennis tournament (Flushing Meadows) every year in September. I'd go a couple of days in the early rounds when it was less crowded and you could get closer to the players sometimes, then watch the last couple rounds on the box. But it means taking the time off of work, not so good. Roll on retirement ....

[deronsizemore]

Not yet but I will in 2014 when the PGA Championship is at Valhalla.

[mfreeman73]

I went to the U.S. Open at Bethpage since it was down the street and it was my first major. In fact, it was my first golf tournament of any kind. It's a fun experience, but it does have some pros and cons. By about noon it gets very crowded and was hard to follow hardly anyone. And if it's someone popular, then you've got to do some crafty planning to even be able to see them.

On the playoff day that Monday, I went early in the morning and planted myself at the 18th hole bleachers and didn't move. I actually enjoyed this more since I got to see all the golfers come in and finish and I got to sit down and enjoy it.

Going to a major is a treat, but if you're wanting the best seat in the house, it's hard to beat the one in your living room.

[mhodar13]

Ya I've never even been to any event. I live about 30-45 minutes from Akron, so I hope one day me and my dad can go to the Bridgestone Invitational. Tickets are 130 for all 5 days this year. Hopefully at least once I'll see the world's best do their thing. Now that would be amzing to see at least for me.