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Attending my first event


TSauer

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Come 2018, the PGA Championship will be in St. Louis and guess who snagged a couple tickets? You guessed it, this guy. I am PUMPED! I picked up a Tuesday and Friday ticket.

 

For those of you who have attended events in the past, is there anything I should know about? Maybe lend a few tips on how to get the best experience out of my time? I'd love to snag a few autographs, is that wishful thinking?

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Best chance for autographs will be during the practice rounds.  The won't be signing during their play but most will stick around after and sign.  Honestly your best shot is to bring a kid with, they always sign for kids.

 

You'll get to see them up close much more often on the practice day when the crowds are thinner.  Use Tuesday to get the up close views, walk the course and try to pick the spots you want to watch from.

 

Come Friday you basically have 2 strategies.  Pick a group to try and follow or find a spot to post up and watch everyone come through.  Personally I prefer posting up at a spot.  You get to see a lot more people and you can try and keep inching closer as people come and go.  If you follow a popular group you may be stuck in the back trying to see the whole time.

 

Lastly wear comfortable shoes and don't wear golf shoes.  You're spectating, not playing.

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Autographs will be easy enough on Tuesday.

 

Try to use that day to scout out good viewing points. I've been to enough events that have be done about everything from sitting in one spot to following the last group all the way around in the final round of a major. That's tough, you need to be fast and smart for sure.

 

Generally now I try to follow a group for some holes to get on the course. Then watch some approach shots to a green, some play around a green and some tee shots from directly behind the action.

 

Also it's fun to spend a little time at the practice area.

 

You're in for a treat.

 

 

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That's awesome congrats. I am lucky being able to go to the Farmers every year. Its such a blast to go during the practice rounds when the players are more social.

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You're going to enjoy yourself. Personally I prefer practice rounds which you'll have on Tuesday. I also prefer to walk the course in rotation as opposed to bouncing around. Especially if you know the course or have seen it on TV many times. It'll make more sense to you.

Have a great time.

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After getting tickets to the US open at chambers bay, yes that one.. For myself, step-son. and Father in law.. we walked a little but we were lucky enough to get bleacher seats at 17th green that allowed us to watch Tee shots for 18. and approach shots to 1 ( these were a little ways away but still OK..) 

 

we were smart if you want to call it that, enough to hit the Souvenir tent on our way out as we left early as to beat the rush and saw almost everyone go past us.. 

 

It was amazing.. 

Dave-

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Congrats on snagging tickets for the last PGA being played in August! Here are my thoughts.

 

1) If you want chances for Autographs, everyone here is right, get them during the practice rounds. Also as a friendly reminder, some guys like to get going as soon as the course opens because they have other responsibilities during the week of the tournament, especially the bigger name players, so be aware of that. 

 

2) Friday is the day you want for on course viewing. I'd suggest a slight hybrid of the two tactics everyone else is discussing. Maybe follow a group you want to see for a few holes, then post up for a bit to see more golf. A best of both worlds scenario there. 

 

3) Since the PGA uses split tees, pay attention to the tee times. If you want a peaceful walk watching some good golf, maybe you might try to get on the opposite side of a big name group because less people will be following the other split.

 

4) Do not overlook the practice range. I can't explain how peaceful it is to go to the range and just watch guys warm up. Same with the putting green and this leads into

 

5) Bring a small notepad and pen. Maybe you might find something that you can take and apply to your routine or see something you'd like to try. A lot of people I play with say that the number 1 takeaway they've gotten from watching a pro tour event is that they way they prepare for a round has made them more focused on that part of their game and developing a consistent routine. We'll likely never get our games into the shape that these guys do, but if you could take one thing, it's their approach to preparation.

 

6) Be prepared. Keep track of the weather, heat index, potential storms, etc. Dress comfortably, but not sloppy. Get water, a lot of it, and I can't express enough the no golf shoes thing. Also, don't be one of those weird dudes who shows up like he's playing in the 1:15 group. Just... don't.

 

7) Lastly, have fun. It's a super cool experience to see professional golf in person, and I would guess even cooler to see a major championship with your own eyes. Go in with no expectations and open to anything and you'll be guaranteed to have an incredible time.

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I've been to a few tournaments, including volunteering at 4 US Opens.  Like the others have said, look for good vantage points.  I like to find a spot where I can see two different holes from a grandstand seat, if that's possible.I will also do a modified version of following a good group.  I'll try to find 3 or 4 groups in a row that I'm interested in, and skip ahead and let them all come past me.  If you get to a good viewing spot when your favorites are still a couple of holes back, you might get a really good spot.  Take your camera on Tuesday, photos are usually allowed during practice rounds.  And like others have said, have a great time! 

On thing I'll ask, please respect the marshalls.  Sometimes they have to close crosswalks and you're the first person that has to stop, or they need to stand in someone's way.  I don't know about the PGA, but at the US Opens we were all volunteers, and are just trying to do the job to make the experience better for the paying customers and the golfers.

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Reston, Virginia

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Thanks for all the pointers, fellas! I'm beyond excited, this is going to be the longest wait EVER.

Driver:            :cobra-small: Aerojet 9* | Hzrdus Black Gen 4
Fairway:         :ping-small: G410 3W 13* | Alta CB 65
Hybrid:           :titleist-small: TS2 18* | Tensei AV Blue 70 S
Hybrid:           :ping-small: iCrossover 20* | Kai'li White 80
Irons:              :taylormade-small: P790 5-PW | DG S300
Wedges:         :titleist-small: Vokey SM9 | 52, 56, 60 | DG S200
Putter:            :L.A.B.: Link.1 | Accra x LAB

--- LAB Golf Link.1 Review ---

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I've been to a few tournaments, including volunteering at 4 US Opens. Like the others have said, look for good vantage points. I like to find a spot where I can see two different holes from a grandstand seat, if that's possible.I will also do a modified version of following a good group. I'll try to find 3 or 4 groups in a row that I'm interested in, and skip ahead and let them all come past me. If you get to a good viewing spot when your favorites are still a couple of holes back, you might get a really good spot. Take your camera on Tuesday, photos are usually allowed during practice rounds. And like others have said, have a great time!

On thing I'll ask, please respect the marshalls. Sometimes they have to close crosswalks and you're the first person that has to stop, or they need to stand in someone's way. I don't know about the PGA, but at the US Opens we were all volunteers, and are just trying to do the job to make the experience better for the paying customers and the golfers.

Same holds true for a PGA. I got to work one but not on course. I got to drive VIPs from the airport to the course and back. It was a blast and of course came with perks worth way more than being paid including free rounds at Black Wolf Run my favorite course period.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Taylor Made Stealth 2 10.5 Diamana S plus 60  Aldila  R flex   - 42.25 inches 

SMT 4 wood bassara R flex, four wood head, 3 wood shaft

Ping G410 7, 9 wood  Alta 65 R flex

Srixon ZX5 MK II  5-GW - UST recoil Dart 65 R flex

India 52,56 (60 pending)  UST recoil 75's R flex  

Evon roll ER 5 32 inches

It's our offseason so auditioning candidates - looking for that right mix of low spin long, more spin around the greens - TBD   

 

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Same holds true for a PGA. I got to work one but not on course. I got to drive VIPs from the airport to the course and back. It was a blast and of course came with perks worth way more than being paid including free rounds at Black Wolf Run my favorite course period. [

We never got free golf, but we were given the (mandatory) opportunity to buy our uniforms at a reasonable price.  And we got entry to the tournament for all 7 days, whether we were working or not.  Its always been a great time, and an honor to be allowed to help in our little way.

:titleist-small: Irons Titleist T200, AMT Red stiff

:callaway-small:Rogue SubZero, GD YS-Six X

:mizuno-small: T22 54 and 58 wedges

:mizuno-small: 7-wood

:Sub70: 5-wood

 B60 G5i putter

Right handed

Reston, Virginia

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If you want souvenirs take money, and lots of it. Everything is expensive on the course, water, drinks, food. Be prepared for that.

There will likely be feature groups on Fridays round, that have mobs of people filling them. If you are by yourself or with a buddy it may be fun to follow a lesser group through the course early, then post up at 16,17, 18 or somewhere. There are morning groups and afternoon groups on Friday, so you may choose to walk it twice with 2 seperate groups. There will be a ton of people so be ready for that.

 

Get your autographs on Tuesday, you may or may not get the "big" names, having a child really helps, some guys just don't take as much time as others. THere will also be "those guys" who will push, pull, drag and run over anyone to get some autographs for their eBay stuff, you'll know who they are, you can't miss them. They are arrogant jerks, and don't care if it's a little kid or not they will get their autographs, don't let that get to you, it will ruin your day.

 

Most of all have fun, it's really fun to see live, you will gain a new perspective on how good these guys are, and how far they "actually" hit the ball. Watch them on the range for a while, it really is amazing to watch. Good luck and have fun with it. It's a blast.

Lefties are always in their Right Mind

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