Tips/Tricks attending PGA event

[JudgeSmails]

Wasn't sure best place to post this, 19th hole will do I guess.

 

Friend and I will be attending our first ever PGA event in September (BMW Championship in Carmel/Indy).

Since we've never been before, looking for some Tips/Tricks for all aspects, to avoid any 'newbie' mistakes.

If any of you have experience at that particular event or course, that would be great as well.

 

Thanks in advance.

[hckymeyer]

I've only been to 3 or 4 and it was all the same event for a few years in a row.  It really depends on what you want out of it.  The first year we walked around and tried to take in as much as possible.  Great way to see the course and experience an event, but not a great way to see a lot of golf.

 

One year we found a nice hill/mound between 2 greens and a tee box with a view of another fairway.  There was also a beverage stand in close proximity so it was a great place to sit on the hill and watch a bunch of groups come through.

 

Couple final tips ...

 

- stay hydrated, it's a long day outside so remember to drink (and also drink some water) and put on the sun screen

- Wherever you end up find out where the bathrooms are and how to get to them.  Don't wait to last minute to take a leak and end up having to wait for a group to tee off before you can cross a fairway or tee box

- Make sure to post up on a tee box where guys hit driver for a least a couple groups.  It's pretty impressive to see how fast they actually swing in person.

- Last make sure you know where balls are coming from.  We all know "These guys are good" but you'll still get some flyers into the gallery and nothing ruins your day faster than catching a 300yd drive in the back of the head

[MmmmmmBuddy]

• Don't wear Golf shoes. (unless you are playing in the event)
• Be aware of groups on holes besides the one that you are watching. These dudes are playing for significant coin.
• Do have a great time.
• I find that having a pairings sheet to be invaluable.  It allows me a chance to pick a spot on the course and post up there before the hoards following certain groups show up. (I used this trick at Firestone on 16 about 45 min before Tiger showed up. Stood right up against the ropes when there was nobody watching, and was still there when Tiger walked 3 feet from me.  He's a Big Dude)
• My favorite spot to watch shots is from landing areas. You can hear Caddy/Player discussions. Very cool.
• Get there early and spend time on the range/short game area. These guys are REALLY REALLY good.  And you can see shot after shot on the range.
• Have fun. (did I say that already?)

[JudgeSmails]

We are going on the Saturday....I imagine we will mix it up, between staking out some areas and follow groups that have players we particularly like.   I definitely want to stake out a tee box where most are hitting driver for a while, would love to see how they launch the ball

[DaveP043]

 

• Don't wear Golf shoes. (unless you are playing in the event)
• Be aware of groups on holes besides the one that you are watching. These dudes are playing for significant coin.
• Do have a great time.
• I find that having a pairings sheet to be invaluable.  It allows me a chance to pick a spot on the course and post up there before the hoards following certain groups show up. (I used this trick at Firestone on 16 about 45 min before Tiger showed up. Stood right up against the ropes when there was nobody watching, and was still there when Tiger walked 3 feet from me.  He's a Big Dude)
• My favorite spot to watch shots is from landing areas. You can hear Caddy/Player discussions. Very cool.
• Get there early and spend time on the range/short game area. These guys are REALLY REALLY good.  And you can see shot after shot on the range.
• Have fun. (did I say that already?)

 

I particularly like the BOLD bits in this response.  Its not easy to follow a popular group, but you can see them close-up if you stake a place while they're still 3 or 4 holes away.  This works even better if there are 3 or 4 good groups in a row.  Even better still if you can find a grandstand that overlooks a couple of greens, or a green and the following tee.

Its amazing to watch the guys warm up, but at the events I've been to you can't get very close to the players on the range, so you don't get the full effect.  If you can get a spot right on the ropes, right behind a tee, you can really see their swings and the ball flight.  

[jlew2144]

Everyone pretty much nailed it all with their reaponses. Few that I can add:

 

Find some shade and make use of it. We would spend some time out on the tee box watching them tee off but then we'd locate some shade to relax and get out of the sun. If you plan on staying all day being out in the blazing sun can seriously drain you.

 

If there is one group or one person you really want to see...try to get a couple holes ahead so you can see them do what you want ie putt, tee off or approach.

 

Don't be that guy that yells "get in the hole" on a 500yd par 5 from the tee box. Better yet don't be that guy that yells at all.

 

Don't make fun of Rickie when Bubba's around

 

Make it a point at least once to watch DJ tee off.

 

Most of all take it all in!

[BigtazzGolf]

Agree with all these.

I'd also go to the event website and find a do's and don'ts, where to park and such.

I know at our event here in Memphis, there is a few groups that gather at our hole and sit with us but outside the ropes.

I asked them why they set up each year in that spot.

They said the shade from the sun, close to us (Shotlink guys) cause we are always in the know lol

Plus camping with us they see all of the pro's go by.

Wear comfy shoes and keep water and sun screen with ya. Possible rain, get a cheap poncho you can keep in your pocket. Umbrellas are a pain to carry around.

Get their early and watch them warm up on the range and greens. For some reason I get a kick watching this lol

Have fun!

 

Tazz

 

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[revkev]

besides some of the advice here it's fun to carry a yardage book. I also like to check out some different perspectives including some time directly behind a tee shot. Sometimes the best way to watch the short game is on a remote part of the course. I prefer going to a Thursday or Friday round because it's not as crowded.

 

Unlike Mmmmmbuddy I wear my spineless golf shoes. I had a very bad experience wearing sneakers at Whistling Straits the first time the PGA was played there.

[MattM11]

Don't be the guy to wear flip flops...you are walking all day.

Drink water any find a shady spot.

Have fun!

Every one else nailed it.

[PlaidJacket]

Congrats on attending your first tournament. They're fun. I've only been to a few - on game day that is. I used to really enjoy the Colonial because it had that old school feel to it. The course is rather compact so it was easy to walk around. There are lot's of shady oak areas where they had all the BBQ grills fired up along with plenty of cold drinks and pretty girls. Now days it's all corporate tents it seems that are expensive. MmmmBuddy and Hcky's advise sounds solid.

Enjoy yourself.

[fozcycle]

Something to consider........you may want to spend some time near the practice range or putting green.....

[Peterpc2828]

I've been to a few good tournaments, To be honest it's great to be there on the weekend, specially if you have never been, it's a must do, but for me it's better to watch on TV on the weekends, my choice is either Tuesday or wednesday, players are completely different before the tournament starts, you can actually walk with a lot of them and carry on a conversation, easily get pictures or autographs if that's your thing and the crowds are minimal at best.

There are plenty of good tips from everyone, enjoy it and give a Tuesday or Wednesday a try next time.

 

 

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[PlaidJacket]

I agree...

I'm strictly a practice round guy now days too Peter.

[MmmmmmBuddy]

besides some of the advice here it's fun to carry a yardage book. I also like to check out some different perspectives including some time directly behind a tee shot. Sometimes the best way to watch the short game is on a remote part of the course. I prefer going to a Thursday or Friday round because it's not as crowded.

 

Unlike Mmmmmbuddy I wear my spineless golf shoes. I had a very bad experience wearing sneakers at Whistling Straits the first time the PGA was played there.

 

I suppose that if you do not own a pair of decent walking shoes, or something that is good for 5-10 miles, then spikeless golf shoes are acceptable...  I prefer a pair of running shoes.  Its what you will see EVERY caddie wearing..  

[Maverickping]

Try to get out to the practice, range area. Fantastic watching them. I enjoy this more than seeing them play.

[JudgeSmails]

thanks for all the great suggestions guys......surprised to see so many saying to hit the practice range, didn't really think of that....maybe we'll hit that first thing in the morning

[DaveP043]

thanks for all the great suggestions guys......surprised to see so many saying to hit the practice range, didn't really think of that....maybe we'll hit that first thing in the morning

If you can get a good view of the short game practice area, that's really cool too.  I volunteered a couple of years ago at Congressional for the (then) AT&T, and worked on the practice areas.  Most of our job was sorting the balls into little bags so each player could hit his preferred ball.  But we also went out and picked up the bags, set out name plates for each player, just keeping things neat, and walking up and down the line and seeing the guys close up was astounding.  The paying customers were behind a fence, maybe 20 yards behind the players, so they didn't get the full effect, but its still a pretty cool thing to see.

At the short game area, we'd have to be on the greens picking up balls while the guys were practicing.  It felt perfectly safe, balls landing all around, and never had one land close.  A couple of the caddies would pick up their player's balls, using a wedge, one tip up, a second tip right into the bag, one after another.   

[MmmmmmBuddy]

We used to have a Nationwide event like 5 min up the road from our shop, and we would go watch the guys practice on tues and wed, and it is astonishing how accurate and long they are. We saw Jason Day in 2007, when he was just a pup, and he was impressive then...  

[BigtazzGolf]

thanks for all the great suggestions guys......surprised to see so many saying to hit the practice range, didn't really think of that....maybe we'll hit that first thing in the morning

If interested, ask a volunteer if you can volunteer next year. They are always looking for new volunteers.

I'd recommend being on the Shotlink team, but I'm biased

 

Tazz

 

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