Cell Phones at the US Open

[kholt]

I have never been to a PGA event and after getting our tickets the paperwork says, No Cell Phones. My concern is not having a phone when we leave and have to get a cab back to the hotel, etc. I don't like the idea of not having a phone to use when if we need it afterwards, but have no problem leaving it off and not using it while in the tournament. Does anyone know how strict they are?

[clubchamp]

I went last year at Congressional and they did have metal detectors set up that you had to walk through. I didn't bring my phone so I don't know what happens if you do have one on you by that I mean if they have a place you could check it. They had quite a few volunteers watching for people with cell phones, cameras, etc and if it gets taken don't expect to see it again. Now in terms of calling a cab at Congressional they had an area outside the main gate where taxis were waiting so you may not need a phone.

[Liam84]

I volunteered at Congressional last year, you couldn't take your phone/camera/or any other electronic device for that matter inside the gates ON TOURNAMENT DAYS, they were allowed though on practice days.

There were tents set up at each entrance where you were able to "check" your forbidden devices in a bag they provided and retrieve them upon your exit, I did exactly that on the first day and had absolutely no problem. The following days though, I just left everything in my car.

Nonetheless I saw some folks walking around with their phones during tournament days, don't know how they managed to get them in or if it was easy or not, never really tried myself.

[wolfsburg2]

i couldn't bring a cell phone with me to Bethpage a few years back. Left it in the car at the train station. true story. .

[GJBenn85]

Interesting.  At the Heritage, the tickets indicated no cell phones allowed on site.  But, there was not a single person checking for cell phones...possibly because the Heritage is a drunken party rather than golf tournament.

[GatorCallaway]

I wonder what life would be like if we didn't have cell phones.

[Harmonious]

Originally Posted by GatorCallaway

I wonder what life would be like if we didn't have cell phones.

As I recall, it was pretty darn nice.

[slodsm]

Originally Posted by GatorCallaway

I wonder what life would be like if we didn't have cell phones.

It would be like the 80's again with better clothes and hair.

[jimmizu]

The US Open is a USGA event, and they are very tough on cell phones. At Pebble it was exactly the same as Liam84 described. There were free public phones just inside the main gate for your use.

[Shorty]

Originally Posted by GatorCallaway

I wonder what life would be like if we didn't have cell phones.

It would be bloody fantastic for almost every situation except emergencies and for tradespeople.

You might actually see people talking to each other, paying attention to their teachers and actually interacting rather than staring vacuously at a tiny screen.

You wouldn't ever again hear the phrase "I'm on the train".

[utztech]

Originally Posted by clubchamp

I went last year at Congressional and they did have metal detectors set up that you had to walk through. I didn't bring my phone so I don't know what happens if you do have one on you by that I mean if they have a place you could check it. They had quite a few volunteers watching for people with cell phones, cameras, etc and if it gets taken don't expect to see it again. Now in terms of calling a cab at Congressional they had an area outside the main gate where taxis were waiting so you may not need a phone.

I seriously doubt that is true.  If they take it and allow you to stay, then you will be allowed to retrieve it at the end of the day.  If you do something really stupid they'll just kick you out with your phone.

I was at Pebble in 2010 and saw quite a few people with their phones.  I suspect they did what I have done at other tournaments, put the phone on silent, in their pocket, and walk in.  I have done this in the past, and if you are really paranoid but want to check the phone, do it in the porta-john.  At Pebble I saw people looking at their phones openly, but not near play or a Marshal.  They did it near concessions or the toilets.

If you only need it coming and going, then you can check it at the gate.

If the PGA and USGA want anyone under 30 to attend golf tournaments they are going to have to allow phones.  There will be a learning curve and adjustment for the fans and players.  A lot more people will be willing to attend a golf tournament all day on a Thursday if they can check there email.

[The Recreational Golfer]

Originally Posted by GatorCallaway

I wonder what life would be like if we didn't have cell phones.

Public spaces would be much quieter. More drivers would be paying attention to what they're doing. You had to spend more time with your own thoughts.

[golfprogress]

I'll be a marshal in the grandstands at Oly. Absolutely no phones Thu-Sun.         Unless you're a marshal.

[Motley01]

I remember the days before cell phones. We all survived just fine without them.

Everybody has their heads buried into their cell phones, everywhere, all the time. No human interaction.

With kids it's worse. But when you see an old lady like 90 years old texting, that is just out of control. LOL

[Infamous 273]

Here is the cellphone policy from the spectator guide I was e-mailed after I purchased my tickets to the 2011 PGA championship:

The USGA must have a different set of standards/rules for their attendees.

[turtleback]

Originally Posted by Shorty

It would be bloody fantastic for almost every situation except emergencies and for tradespeople.

You might actually see people talking to each other, paying attention to their teachers and actually interacting rather than staring vacuously at a tiny screen.

You wouldn't ever again hear the phrase "I'm on the train".

This.  I find that new commercial where John Malkovich is having a conversation with the AI in his iPhone just incredibly sad.

Originally Posted by Infamous 273

Here is the cellphone policy from the spectator guide I was e-mailed after I purchased my tickets to the 2011 PGA championship:

The USGA must have a different set of standards/rules for their attendees.

PGA Tour events, the PGA Championship, and the US Open are all run by different organizations so it makes sense that they might have different phone policies.  Same with the Masters, which is run by yet another group.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by Motley01

Everybody has their heads buried into their cell phones, everywhere, all the time. No human interaction.

I use my phone to interact with real people. I don't use it to not interact with the people around me.

Plus, on the course, you can pull up the PGA Tour app and check leaderboards, a player's position on the golf course, the weather forecast, etc.

Smart phones only limit human interaction if you let them.