All of a sudden...I am going to the OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP on SUNDAY

[billysandy]

So me and my playing partner were playing a practice round on a warm Saturday evening (10th July) and we joked about how great it would be to go to the OPEN. By the 18th hole, we had been talking about whether it would be possible to get there. We live 420miles away from the home of golf, about an hour from London. I am 17 and he is 18, so he passed his driving test a few months ago. We've both finished school now, and we both don't have much going on at the moment, so it seemed appropriate that we act fast.
Neither of us have ever been to a golf event before, so St Andrews seems like a good start!
Considering the journey by car is so long (UK doesn't have long motorways like US - ave speed is low due to windy roads up in Scotland), he has a relative we can stay with on Saturday night.
After a late night phone call trying to cover all the bases of our trip, we invited another friend along to save on petrol money. We have decided to play a round of golf at our half way stop, so on Saturday afternoon. We are all pretty committed to golf, so we would also get a kick out of watching players practice. With this in mind, i think we will have to leave his relative about 3am, because we are going to be 5hrs from St Andrews.
To wrap up, this is turning into a golf trip, which is pretty crazy. We might even stay in a hotel in Scotland on Sunday night, and play some golf up there on Monday.

Anyone with experience in tour events would be helpful.

I would like to know if there is anything essential that i should bring to make the SUNDAY more enjoyable. I was thinking a video camera, and binoculars, but i don't know what items are prohibited for use at golf events. I will bring a camera of course, and upload some sweet photos if I can manage to get some good ones.

Another question i have was how do you get to the front of the spectators to get a better view? Is it just a case of slipping your way through?

What time would we be able to actually 'get in' and watch at the practice ground ect.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

[billysandy]

If anyone has been to an event at St Andrews, I could also do with some advice about the best place to be based around to miss out on as little as possible.

[mcfc_nick]

ill see you there, going Saturday and Sunday, gonna be AMAZING! where you playing at on Saturday half way?

[billysandy]

ill see you there, going Saturday and Sunday, gonna be AMAZING! where you playing at on Saturday half way?

My friends relative is in Harrogate just above Leeds, so we will play somewhere around there. That round will just be the 'wet our appetites' for the round we will hopefully play on Monday. On Monday, we are desperate to play a course in Scotland, so a hotel up there on Sunday night would save us driving all the way back down on Sunday to Harrogate.

The way it has come together so quickly has added to the excitement of the whole thing!

[mcfc_nick]

My friends relative is in Harrogate just above Leeds, so we will play somewhere around there. That round will just be the 'wet our appetites' for the round we will hopefully play on Monday. On Monday, we are desperate to play a course in Scotland, so a hotel up there on Sunday night would save us driving all the way back down on Sunday to Harrogate.

hope you have an awesome time matey

[Tiger Spuds]

Video Camera?you must be joking.Check out the Open website at www.opengolf.com for the rules and regulations.You won't be allowed bring in a phone, let alone a camera of any kind.It's good that you're getting to attend your first golf event, but it's starting thursday so you'd want to get a bit more organised before you go.I'd be surprised if you find accomodation within 50 miles of St.Andrews on Sunday night.But good luck with your adventure, you'll definitely enjoy it.

[mjtoal]

The drive from Bucks up will be fine. If you were going direct, I would go M6, M74, but if you are heading to Harrogate, that is not really an option. Some nice golf in Yorkshire. I hear Knaresborough is good. Accom will be a problem if you have nothing booked. Be prepared to sleep in the car!

If you are going to make the trip, make it worthwhile. Get to the course early, see the players on the range, then pick a group, follow it for while, then stop at a decent vantage point to watch a couple more groups to come through, then pick up another group and follow them for a while, and repeat that for a while. Take a break for a wander around the tented village and grab a burger and a beer (only for the 18 year old, of course), then head back to the golf.

TOC is good for places where you can see one green and the next tee without moving. 16th green/17th tee will be popular, as wil 17th green/18th tee.

[billysandy]

Video Camera?you must be joking.Check out the Open website at

Ok will only use a camera on the practice range then - i think that is allowed. I am only leaving on Sat morning, so i have some time for organising. We are just looking for somewhere to play links golf and it has got to the point where we would be ok with playing further south.

[James_Black]

Ok will only use a camera on the practice range then - i think that is allowed. I am only leaving on Sat morning, so i have some time for organising. We are just looking for somewhere to play links golf and it has got to the point where we would be ok with playing further south.

your not allowed to bring camera's to the competition, full stop.

You could try smuggle one in though lol. Rules will be pretty strict.

[billysandy]

your not allowed to bring camera's to the competition, full stop.

Just went on the website and it does look like you are right :( Dissappionted, but i assume many spectators will get in with cameras anyway. It's a little annoying that i can't take any physical memories from it by way of vid or pics but that's just golf i guess. I will most likely bring a small one, and put it in my sock or whatever, but i doubt there will be a chance to use it anyway with everyone around. Are the roads going to be slow on Sunday morning as we get closer to ST Andrews? probably a stupid question.I dont think we can avoid it to be honest, but i would like to be there early! The people i would like to see most on Sunday are Tiger, Phil, McIlroy, Watson, and rickie Fowler!

[James_Black]

Just went on the website and it does look like you are right :( Dissappionted, but i assume many spectators will get in with cameras anyway. It's a little annoying that i can't take any physical memories from it by way of vid or pics but that's just golf i guess. I will most likely bring a small one, and put it in my sock or whatever, but i doubt there will be a chance to use it anyway with everyone around. Are the roads going to be slow on Sunday morning as we get closer to ST Andrews? probably a stupid question.I dont think we can avoid it to be honest, but i would like to be there early! The people i would like to see most on Sunday are Tiger, Phil, McIlroy, Watson, and rickie Fowler!

get there really early.

I went to a pro-am last week, I left at 5.45am and got there 6.30am. If I left it any longer it'd take 2 hours to get in. Don't bother watching tiger, it isn't worth it.... I followed him for 3 holes and then gave up.

[Tiger Spuds]

Don't bother watching tiger, it isn't worth it.... I followed him for 3 holes and then gave up.

Oh I wouldn't say that.He's not playing that well at the moment but every now and again he produced a shot that you know only a handful of players there could hit.That made him worth following, to me at least.

[billysandy]

Oh I wouldn't say that.He's not playing that well at the moment but every now and again he produced a shot that you know only a handful of players there could hit.That made him worth following, to me at least.

I wouldn't miss out on watching him. He is the world number 1 for now after all, and you never know if something momentus will happen! I will want to be there, so I can say i was there when he his 'that putt' or 'that shot'. If he is in contention, i will be there the whole way.

[MSDOGS1976]

You better jump ahead a few holes and wait for him to come through. It's tough following him from hole to hole and seeing much. At least it is here in the states.

[holeinon3]

If you're a Tiger fan, you gotta see him hit at least one shot! But like the others have said go to a hole before he gets there otherwise it gets real crazy. Remember, there are other great golfers to see too! (Heck all this Tiger talk, and we're not even guaranteed he'll make the cut haha)

[rudygu]

That sounds like an awesome trip...have fun man! I envy you.

[plugged]

I'm jealous. I want to attend all the majors at least once in my life. I haven't attended any yet.

Definitely follow the rules. You wouldn't want to ruin what will be a great memory by getting kicked out on your arse.

[mcfc_nick]

about to set off now, gonna be amazing!!