Camera Phones at the Open

[iacas]

I think they'll be gone. Gone gone gone.

[rmgators]

From the British Open? I would certainly hope so.

[iacas]

From the British Open? I would certainly hope so.

"Will the R&A; ban cameras/phones at the 2007 Open Championship?"

So yes, that's what I mean.

[rmgators]

"Will the R&A; ban cameras/phones at the 2007 Open Championship?"

Go easy on the n00b...didn't see the poll

[iacas]

Yeah, one of my main beefs with vBulletin is that when someone votes in a poll and adds a comment, it'll often scroll you past the poll and to the comments. I've even missed out on polls because I got active in the comments and never saw the poll.

[allin]

I don't think Tiger will make it so. It was obviously a problem, the critcism from the players various tours and the media will be the motivation. As far as I know on most camera phones can turn off the audible click. Are the ones sold in Europe different?

[iacas]

I don't think Tiger will make it so. It was obviously a problem, the critcism from the players various tours and the media will be the motivation. As far as I know on most camera phones can turn off the audible click. Are the ones sold in Europe different?

I think you're underestimating the power Tiger has behind the scenes.

[ttee9]

I don't think Tiger will make it so. It was obviously a problem, the critcism from the players various tours and the media will be the motivation. As far as I know on most camera phones can turn off the audible click. Are the ones sold in Europe different?

.... Turn them off..?

There's no reason to let them in ... I've been to the NEC (now the Bridgestone Invitational) and Augusta 3 times and the policy is - "no phones" period ....... as it should be. I can't believe they even tolerated it.

[NCGolfer]

I think you're underestimating the power Tiger has behind the scenes.

I'm surprised Stevie didn't grab a bunch of them and chuck them into the Irish Sea.

[ragontona]

I'm surprised Stevie didn't grab a bunch of them and chuck them into the Irish Sea.

After first bashing them over the head with it and yelling, "Can you hear me NOW, mate???"

[NCGolfer]

Technically a camera phone is a camera and should be banned anyways. Yes they should will be banned, however the problem is it will be difficult to enforce. Could you imagine security confiscating all cell phones as you enter to venue, what are the chances you will get your phone back and not someone elses.

They ought to have some sort of "coat check" system. If they find it on you, they give you a number. When you leave, just stop at the security area and give them the number back to them to re-claim your phone.

Doesn't seem to difficult if some thought is put into it. Something similar ought to work.

[chingali]

Mobile phones should be banned but because it would be very difficult to administer they won't be. People should just show some manners and switch their phones off before setting foot on a golf course, and they should also respect the players wishes and not take photos with either camera phones or normal cameras.

The thing that annoys me the most about watching golf on tv is the number of morons who just can't contain themselves and shout "in da hole" or "you da man". Anyone who shouts anything as a spectator at a golf tournament let alone either of the above nonsensical statements should be ejected from the course and if they happen to "bump" their heads during the ejection process then even better. Luckily here in Australia it is not so prevalent, but we still do get the odd gonad shouting things from the gallery. Monkey see monkey do I suppose.

[jamesduncan]

Technically a camera phone is a camera and should be banned anyways. Yes they should will be banned, however the problem is it will be difficult to enforce. Could you imagine security confiscating all cell phones as you enter to venue, what are the chances you will get your phone back and not someone elses.

?

they do it at the US Open, all PGA tour stops (sorry i only have the Barcleys to compare, so forgive me if im wrong here) so I dont see why The Open would be any harder. Plus if youre caught using a cell phone at a PGA Event youre esorted out. State Police were quite..uh "vigilant" at enforcing securty at the 2002 open and 2006 Opens here in NY State, so personally i dont see how any of this could be a probelm. For myself, the hassle factor alone (of knowing id have to go pick it up at the end of the day) is enough to make me leave it at home in the first place. Seeing Tiger and Sergio on TV having to deal with the issue several times was pretty enlightening as to just how bad the problem was there. Those guys are used to playing with tonnes or distractions so to see the 2 of them reacting gives use an idea of just what a hassle they were dealing with.

[thehillgolfer]

or they could just say if we catch you bringing in a cell phone we throw it out. that would get rid of much of the hassle and probably deter most people from trying to bring one in as well.

[iacas]

?

I was about to say the same thing. I'm glad someone beat me to it.

A coat check system isn't even necessary. If you bring your phone onto the course and are caught using it, you're kicked out and your ticket(s) confiscated. Simple enough. Inform people of this prior to coming (on their tickets, on the website, etc.) and few people will bother to bring cell phones to begin with. It works here in the U.S. No reason it can't work there.

[Froaderick]

The whole thing is really sad that people dont have common sense to set their phones on vibrate. After all, why do they think they hold up those big yellow QUIET signs??? I understand that the new wave of cell phones you cant turn the sound off for the camera, but thats all the more reason to use your head.

[GoingfortheGreen]

When I attended the PGA Chanpionship at Baltusrol, they clearly said 'No phones'. I left mine at home, but those that did not had to check them at security and collect when leaving.

That being said, the security guys aren't the TSA, so it's easy to sneak cameras, phones, etc. into the event. In fact one of my friends snuck in a camera, and I have a picture with him at the 17th tee.

[georgep]

They're banned at The Memorial, too, and I suspect all PGA sites, though I've seen plenty of them on the course. Seriously, if you can't make it through the day without a phone (and you're not a doctor) maybe you're too busy to be at a golf tournament ... What the heck did we all do before cell phones? Leave them in the car or check them at the gate.

I suspect the R&A; will ban paint balls next year, as well as cell phones.