Preparing to Attend My 1st PGA Event

[Boyder]

Got my tickets for the PGA at Whistling Straits in the mail this weekend. Going to attend Tuesday (practice day) and Friday (Tournament day) for sure - may also be in line for a ticket on one of the weekend days (corporate perk). Any advice on footwear? I'm told golf shoes can be a good idea on terrain like that found at the Straits (hills, etc).
I'm really excited to see this event up close and personal!

[danieldrieberg]

Yo Boyder,

Congrats on the tickets. My son and I went to the US Senior Open at Whistling Straits. A very nice venue for spectators!!!!! We wore comfortable golf shoes. There are many hill tops ridges etc to watch from just off the walking trail. However with the tall fescue and slopes the cleats were very much appreciated.

Being the practice round the routine will be different than our experience--Championship Sunday. Yours may be better not fighting the crowds. We followed the course rather than a player. Got there at apprx 9:30 and went from hole one, to hole 2 etc. Watching groups come through. A great way to get the feel for the course and offered up a variety of experiences. We then sat in the grand stands to watch approaches to the 18th green. The 18th has a deep ravine which forces a shorter drive prior to the ravine. Then its a long iron to the green below. I believe its a par 5???? Depending on how well the driver distance and direction was executed the green could be had in two. But a risky shot with prevailing winds.

The drinks and food were not cheap. 90* degree temps put cups of ice more important than the actual beverage.

There is a point in the course ---I believe around the turn in which the pros are hitting from an elevated tee. The spectator path is 100 yards beyond the tee and directly BELOW the ball flight. No problem with being hit so no restrictions of being there as the golfers hit. The sound of the ball whizzing by when the big hitters connect is awesome---Jim Thorpe, Tom Watson, etc.

I believe you can take camera's etc to the practice rounds. For the Tourney these electronics were forbidden.

The walk the golfers take from green to tee forces the spectators and golfers to commingle. Kind of neat.

Another lasting memory---The blue porta potties located on course near the main food tent were quite NASTY. The heat made primordial fumes not experienced on Earth since the dinosaur dung piles were present. Wow---get the job do--no loitering!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Boyder]

Great advice! Thanx!!!

[Shripe]

I also just got two tickets to the Wednesday practice round for attending a Play Golf America event, and am contemplating going as well. Cameras are allowed during the practice rounds, as far as I've read. The PGA Championship site has a Spectator Guide that would be useful.

[PooN]

I'll be there on Sunday. I've always worn my spikes for the GMO (RIP) just out of convenience, so I'm sure to wear them at WS. I'm bringing my binocs to this event as well.

danieldrieberg... now you have me salivating at the sound of this area where you stand under the ball flight between tee box and fairway... CAN"T WAIT!

[Shripe]

I'll be there on Sunday. I've always worn my spikes for the GMO (RIP) just out of convenience, so I'm sure to wear them at WS.

The GMO/USBC is still the only tournament I've ever attended. The first time I went, I had won tickets through a local grocery chain (I think it was the year Tiger got his start). Then I got tickets from a neighbor who couldn't go. I didn't attend the practice events, mainly Saturday or Sunday, if I remember correctly. I camped out on the 18th most of the day but got there too early and really didn't feel like staying until play finished. :( Ah, how naive I was lol