Ryder Cup - to attend as a fan??

[Phil Leotardo]

Hi guys,

Greetings from Ireland! I am hoping to get some honest opinions if you don't mind.

I am seriously considering taking a package through a travel agent and traveling to the US for this year's Ryder Cup.

One thing that slightly puts me off is the fact that at the event, you really miss 90% of the action in comparison to what you can view on tv.

Also, there is less golfers than a regular tournament so you would imagine the crowds would be crazy at each match. Is it easy to follow matches or should you stay in one spot all day?

In one way I am really keen to go as I think the atmosphere will be electric. However, it is alot of money to spend and then possibly be frustrated with constantly straining to see the action and know what is going on.

Would appreciate people's thoughts on this...especially if you have attended a Ryder Cup in the past??

[Wisguy]

I think your biggest problem will be having spent all that money to travel to the US only to see the Euros get spanked like naughty schoolboys.... Of course, having said that, I have just jinxed the American side and the Euros will have retained the cup by mid-morning on Sunday.

I've been to two professional majors but have never been to the Ryder Cup, so if I'm wrong about what to expect at Medinah, someone please correct me.  However, I would think that if you got to the course early enough before the gates open (maybe 45-60 minutes?) to camp out on the 5th green, you'd probably be able to get a good seat either in the stands or nearby with a close view and you'd have a good vantage point to watch every match that day, unless a match was started on the 10th hole and was a rout.  Even if you aren't "right-there" close, I think you'd still be pretty happy with how much closer you'd likely be to the contestants than you would be at almost any other sort of professional sporting event, absent premium front rows tickets.

[ThominOH]

Honestly, if it was me.. I'd stay home and watch it HD on TV.. This way you won't miss any action, whereas if you were there live, you would surely miss shots here and there.. I'd save the money.. :)