Attending the Final Round of PGA Championship - Some Questions

[nbukrey]

I am going to the final round of the pga championship next Sunday and have a few questions. This will be my first time at such an event.
In looking through the PGA "Spectator guide" found here it states A. no cameras and also B. no cell phones or blackberries, ect. I'm sorry but are they really that picky? If i try to bring my blackberry and my slim pocket camera are they going to freak?

Also anyone have any experience with Hazeltine? I have heard that 16 is a fun place to watch the players. I am looking for tips or hints on WHERE to be not who to see.

Looking forward to it but don't want to be rubbed the wrong way by them not allowing me to bring in a cell phone and camera.

Thanks!

[tjy355]

Let me try to clarify the policy for you.

NO CELL PHONES OR CAMERAS.

Hope this helps...

[cmvash]

I didn't have any issues when I brought my phone and camera to the Saint Jude Classic, which was my first event. Don't worry, they aren't going to pat you down or the likes.

These guys have cameras follow them around all the time and are used to the photo ops. Have you ever seen the clips where Tiger attempts a putt for the win? It looks like a lightning storm, so obviously folks are toting cameras. As long as you aren't trying to snap pics as they tee off or putt, you should be okay. I was discrete whenever I took photos, usually snapping them as they were walking down the course and never when they were by their ball.

As for the phone, again just use common sense. Obviously you don't want to start talking/texting at a tee box or putting green. If I needed to make a phone call, I did it a good distance away from any of the golfers.

If anything, I'd say people shuffling around the putting greens is one of the biggest distractions.

So don't sweat it, just use common sense and enjoy yourself.

[Phil McGleno]

Let me repeat what someone above said:

NO CELL PHONES OR CAMERAS

I didn't have any issues when I brought my phone and camera to the Saint Jude Classic, which was my first event. Don't worry, they aren't going to pat you down or the likes.

At a major, security is higher. And just because you were slime and happened to get away with it doesn't mean you should recommend everyone else try to be slime.

It looks like a lightning storm, so obviously folks are toting cameras.

Uhm, yeah,

credentialed press you moron.

If I needed to make a phone call, I did it a good distance away from any of the golfers.

If you

needed to make a call you needed to not go to the tournament.

So don't sweat it, just be a complete asshat like me and fully engage your sense of entitlement and selfishness.

There, I fixed that last part for you.

[DavidFehertysBike]

If youre in the situation where tiger blasts a tee shot way right into the gallery (which is probable) and you are close to were his ball lands, be sure to pour your beer on him. Shoot him a rye nod of the head and a wink as well. He'll understand.

[nbukrey]

Ok then.. I guess that clears it up. I understand rules are rules but its too bad that stupid people that dont use common sense ruin it for people that love the game.

Thanks...

[cmvash]

So all the press is in the fan stands snapping photos? And not in better photo taking positions around the players? Are you ••••ing serious? Man the idiocy on the internet amazes me. Hell they SAW me take my camera in and said nothing.

So how is the press, you know the guys shuffling around non-stop which the players complain about, less distracting and thus in the right, than a person attending being much more discrete and respectful when taking photos? I've never seen a fan stand 10 feet from a player staring them down with a gigantic camera, constantly moving, but hey the guy with the small pocket camera outside the ropes standing/sitting still is going to really get in the way, huh?

Right, no one should take their cell phone, just in case an emergency happens or something comes up? What are you, stuck in the dark ages? Do you even have one or know what one is? This is 2009(yay! you know, the information age!), even the players carry their phones. Jesus, quit being an idiot.

Talking on a phone, in a concession area, no where near players, where it's already loud from people chatting, is distracting in what way? Explain that one to me, champ.


Boy, these really are some selfish photo's I took, huh? O noes I snapped photos of Snoopy One and a photo of the final group approaching the 18th green! How selfish and distracting of me.





Nbukrey,

Seriously, just go have fun. If they didn't have these rules, then it's rather obvious that people would feel inclined to talk or take photos whenever they wanted, regardless of how untactful or distracting it may be, because it wouldn't be against the rules.

[Phil McGleno]

Man the idiocy on the internet amazes me. Hell they SAW me take my camera in and said nothing.

Eric? Eric Cartman? Is that you?

I do what I want. But hey, you don't think the rules apply to you, and that makes you a jerk, plain and simple.

[big o fan]

Please don't be one of the guys that wears his golf shoes to watch the tournament. If you feel you must wear them then go ahead and put a glove in your back pocket. One is about as useful as the other when watching a tournament.

You will want to hit the souvenir tent early in the day, too. Have fun.

[nbukrey]

Ok?! -- haha some interesting comments here. I was watching the tournament yesterday (sunday - the bridgestone) and found it funny that several people were wearing cutoff shirts and wife beaters... come one people... Golf is more classy than that...

[alf174]

If security sees you with a camera or telephone, they'll confiscate it and give you a receipt that you can use to get it back when you leave the grounds.

[nbukrey]

Thanks... I'm over it now.. Just want to go and have a fun time and see these people. Hopefully we have good weather.

[soup]

Please don't be one of the guys that wears his golf shoes to watch the tournament.

Poor advice. I would recommend wearing soft-spike golf shoes if you're attending a tournament as a spectator. It makes navigating the hills and terrain much easier. Also, it only takes a little bit of rain to make grass really slick. Golf shoes are a must.

[iacas]

Poor advice. I would recommend wearing soft-spike golf shoes if you're attending a tournament as a spectator. It makes navigating the hills and terrain much easier. Also, it only takes a little bit of rain to make grass really slick.

If that were the case caddies would wear golf spikes too. They tend to wear New Balance shoes. Comfort plays a part too - but you can walk a lot chasing players around a golf course, too.

Just wear sneakers that have a good grip. DO NOT wear things like flip-flops or sandals.

[tsbrewers]

Well, since I just got back from strolling around at the PGA, I will add that they ARE using metal detectors and ARE patting you down. Today is the only day they allow camera's I believe, but NO phones. You can check them in at the gate, or leave them in the car. If they catch you with a phone, they will take it, and not give it back. Trust me, this is very clear as you enter. They even have people on the megaphones telling you this as you walk up to the gate.

Brew

[nbukrey]

Good to know! Thanks.. Any suggestions on where some good viewing areas are? I am not very familar with the course.
Will it be fairly easy to get by the practice green and driving range?

[flanagan]

Well, since I just got back from strolling around at the PGA, I will add that they ARE using metal detectors and ARE patting you down. Today is the only day they allow camera's I believe, but NO phones. You can check them in at the gate, or leave them in the car. If they catch you with a phone, they will take it, and not give it back. Trust me, this is very clear as you enter. They even have people on the megaphones telling you this as you walk up to the gate.

WRONG. Cameras are allowed at ALL practice rounds, as they are anywhere else. We got a lot of good shots of Tiger and others today. He seemed to have a back issue for awhile on the practice range after his round, but was hitting when last I saw him, so assuming he worked it out.

Take your cameras, take pictures if you are going on Wednesday. Pratice green, not so bad. The bleachers stayed pretty full on the driving range, mostly in anticipation of Tiger and the range, like other places, filled up in a hurry with people when he approached. Except from the bleachers, it's not all that easy to watch once it gets three to four deep with people, also, once you are over there, you can get stuck. We waited over 20 full minutes just to cross the path to get back out to the course from the range, because it was blocked off for players headed for the range and/or the first tee, and it was a place where players were besieged for autographs. Plan accordingly. Range was interesting and we lucked out on our seats in the stands, frankly, watching guys work on putting not so interesting to me. By the way, I agree with anyone who suggests you not wear golf shoes. There was dew on the ground early in the morning, but not an issue as the day wore on. Lots of walking on hard paths or relatively hard ground, running shoes were the ticket.

[nbukrey]

Thanks! Looking forward to it. Looks like the weather is going to be good!