First Pro tournament...

[Dale]

Yey!

http://www.zen87038.zen.co.uk/DSC02503.JPG

Me and the Fiancé are going....

I can't wait - hope to get a hat signed maybe, possibly!!!

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by Dale

Yey!

http://www.zen87038.zen.co.uk/DSC02503.JPG

Me and the Fiancé are going....

I can't wait - hope to get a hat signed maybe, possibly!!!

Some advice!

1. Carry a small backpack with your essentials in it, like water, camera, rainsuit, towel, whisky, etc.

2. Don't follow the crowds. Everybody wants to see that one particular golfer, and nobody ends up seeing much. Eveyone in the field is worth your attention, and you can see so much more when you follow the less popular players. If you plan it right, you can park at a green three holes before the big-name players get there and see them play through.

3. Decide now whether you want a prime viewing spot on the 18th green on Sunday. If so, realize that huge crowds of people race there as soon as the gates open in order to secure such a spot. If you want it, then you'll have to grab it immediately, which means sitting there for five hours waiting for the first group to arrive, and over ten hours waiting for the final group. it is worth it? Well, it is pretty cool to be up close for the final drama, and by Sunday you've probably had your fill of walking with the crowds anyway. Bring a book and relax.

4. I'm not an autograph hound, personally, so I can't help you with strategies there. Maybe others will add some of there own advice.

Have fun. There's nothing like it. And trust me, you will say this more than once:

"These guys are good"!

[Dale]

Thanks very much for that

I'm not one to autograph hunt, but if the opportunity arrises then I will take it. I would like to add to the few I've got on my office wall at home

Should be a good day out!

[Bravo]

Also...consider walking the course backward...I've been to all three majors on this side of the pond and several regular tour events.

Walking backward gives you a lot of advantages most notably the ability to get right on the ropes to see players you really want to see. Huge crowds will follow stars from hole to hole in a big mob...and as these players vacate the hole and go to the next, the hole becomes empty until the next gallery comes in. This gives you your chance to check your book and see who is next. If it is somebody you really want to see - you can pick your spot....by the tee, alongside the fairway or greenside.

Additionally, there may be several groups approaching that have someone of interest, so you can stake out a great spot and keep it as the galleries march onward following the players.

Management of your walking will be guided by your tee time listing and once you learn how to do it - you can see a great variety of players on quite a few different holes up close. After you do this for several hours, then you can pick a favourite grandstand and take a rest and watch several groups come to you.

I've been six feet away right on the ropes from almost every big name out there using this technique. There is nothing like seeing them execute a shot from close-in...

[cabinessence]

I'd suggest finding a 'lesser' player whose game or swing you like and following him for three or four holes. You'll probably have an opportunity to see him hit a bad shot or two and how (if) he recovers.

[JEFF4i]

Awesome! Have fun!