Question:
Hey Jayhawk. I just went to my first tournament last year. The Buick at Torrey Pines. Wow. I concentrated on watching the golfers swing. How they hit, what they did. What they didn’t do. I went to the course on Tuesday. Which was practice day. Lots of chances to talk to the pro’s, though, you have to feel them out. Some feel like talking, others are clearly getting ready for a tournament and have better things to do that talk to spectators. Generally, a quiet, nice shot after a shot will help you to feel out the situation. If in doubt, just follow, and look interested. Perhaps raise your hand slightly and see if they respond. And remember, their people just like you. I found it strange to watch their swings. effortless most of them. a 1/2 swing would fly 110 yards easy from a wedge. Amazing. So – it reaffirmed for me that it’s not how big the swing is, but how you channel the energy of that swing. Anyway – as you walk around on Tuesday, get a feel for where the action will be. A tight par 3? Or a dog leg at a par 4? The lake near the green on that 600 yard par 5? Anyway – you get the picture. Enjoy and leave the cameras and phone at home! Please! Kevin
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – going to my first tournament in tampa and need some advice on how to watch it. how do you watch a golf tournament?? Behind teebox,then move with players or pick spot and watch several groups?what do you like to see? drives, approach,putts?? thanx
Response:
I’m going to San Antonio next week & am hoping it won’t be too hot and/or won’t rain!! I’ve been to many tournaments & find the best thing to do is find a prime spot behind a green & stay there! Be sure you are close to the cold beer & warm, soft pretzel vendors. SO good! You will eventually see everyone–their approach shots & putts. As the last group comes by, go to the 18th green. If you are looking for autographs, this is the place to get them. They are through & most are willing to give them & most are very nice. If you only want to see their drives, park on a tee but you only get to see that one shot. Beside a green you get to see more. Just enjoy!!!
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hey Jayhawk. I just went to my first tournament last year. The Buick at Torrey Pines. Wow. I concentrated on watching the golfers swing. How they hit, what they did. What they didn’t do. I went to the course on Tuesday. Which was practice day. Lots of chances to talk to the pro’s, though, you have to feel them out. Some feel like talking, others are clearly getting ready for a tournament and have better things to do that talk to spectators. Generally, a quiet, nice shot after a shot will help you to feel out the situation. If in doubt, just follow, and look interested. Perhaps raise your hand slightly and see if they respond. And remember, their people just like you. I found it strange to watch their swings. effortless most of them. a 1/2 swing would fly 110 yards easy from a wedge. Amazing. So – it reaffirmed for me that it’s not how big the swing is, but how you channel the energy of that swing. Anyway – as you walk around on Tuesday, get a feel for where the action will be. A tight par 3? Or a dog leg at a par 4? The lake near the green on that 600 yard par 5? Anyway – you get the picture. Enjoy and leave the cameras and phone at home! Please! Kevin going to my first tournament in tampa and need some advice on how to watch it. how do you watch a golf tournament?? Behind teebox,then move with players or pick spot and watch several groups?what do you like to see? drives, approach,putts?? thanx
thanks for the advice..hadnt thought about the camera or phone…
Response:
<snip Anyway – you get the picture. Enjoy and leave the cameras and phone at home! Please!
<snip #2 thanks for the advice..hadnt thought about the camera or phone…
At least at The International, you bring a camera or phone and are caught with either during the tournament, the marshals will take ‘em and you can pick ‘em up someplace later … may be after the tournament or the next morning … not sure. Bottom line, as Kevin said, leave ‘em home. Cameras are allowed, at The International, for the practice rounds. Bob
Response:
I usually like to find a spot near the tee shot landing area, preferably under a tree on those hot days. I’ll sit there for a while then move on to a par 3 and sit near the green. Possibly see an ace. Otherwise, find a shady spot near a green and watch the approach shots and putting. Tom
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – going to my first tournament in tampa and need some advice on how to watch it. how do you watch a golf tournament?? Behind teebox,then move with players or pick spot and watch several groups?what do you like to see? drives, approach,putts?? thanx
Response:
going to my first tournament in tampa and need some advice on how to watch it. how do you watch a golf tournament?? Behind teebox,then move with players or pick spot and watch several groups?what do you like to see? drives, approach,putts??
Yes, yes, and yes. I can’t settle on a single method. I tend to follow a group for about 7 holes. Then camp at a single spot for a while which allows several greens and tees to be "monitored". Finally picking a short par 3 and camp for a bit at the green and watch them play the whole hole. The last 2 methods are good if ones interest is seeing alot of different swings up close and personal. Some folks advise spending some time at the driving range or the practice green.
Response:
I’ve tried just about everything, and found most of it enjoyable. If you want to see the course, not just players, I suggest getting there early, start at 1 Tee with a group, follow a few holes, stay put when you get somewhere you can see well, pick up another group for a few holes, and so on. When you get to 18, decide on a new strategy, or just sit still. You can see most if not all of the field, as well as get a look at how a course is set up. (Not sure how this works for Rounds 1 and 2, with groups off 1 and 10 mornings and afternoon.) If you want to see how the pro’s handle a round of golf, pick someone to follow around shot to shot, but be prepared to work at it. It’s much harder to keep up when you’re not the caddy. This approach is best with a less popular player. The crowds don’t get in the way and you can be close to a lot of shots, tee to green. Fun to see how a player holds it together after a bogey or three. (must be a lesson there) If you want to see everyone and don’t care to see every hole, "camp out" at a green, tee, or landing area (approach shots) and relax. Maybe find a spot where you can wander between a green and the next tee. If that next hole is a par three you can even see some of the action on that green. If you know the course (or someone who does), you can see a bit of everything without a lot of walking. The range and putting green are also good. A lot of golfers at once, and you get to see way more "shots" this way. They are usually more at ease here too, and you can see them as people, not just golfers. Most of all, just dress for the weather and be prepared for walking. It can be a long day. You’ll know what you like to see after a few hours. Just enjoy it! JH P.S. – If you’re single (or not) and want to meet someone, follow Fred Couples. He has the best looking crowds.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – going to my first tournament in tampa and need some advice on how to watch it. how do you watch a golf tournament?? Behind teebox,then move with players or pick spot and watch several groups?what do you like to see? drives, approach,putts?? thanx
Response:
going to my first tournament in tampa and need some advice on how to watch it. how do you watch a golf tournament?? Behind teebox,then move with players or pick spot and watch several groups?what do you like to see? drives, approach,putts?? thanx
Response:
I would suggest a pillow, and all the gin you can sneak in.
Response:
going to my first tournament in tampa and need some advice on how to watch it. how do you watch a golf tournament?? Behind teebox,then move with players or pick spot and watch several groups?what do you like to see? drives, approach,putts?? thanx
First, don’t expect to actually absorb the drama and interplay of the tournament. You need TV to do that. Second, don’t expect to be able to follow a popular player for an entire round and see every shot. Third, it’s a long day if you get there for the first tee time and stay until the last group holes out. Some advice: head to the range first, watch guys warming up. Then go to practice putting area. You’ll get tips here on how to improve your practice and warm up routine. Then, you can head out to the course. There’s usually a huge crowd around the first tee, so you won’t be able to see anything. I like to walk the course backwards, from 18 green to 1 tee. You can do this until you find a player you want to watch for a few holes, or an interesting spot to "camp out". Going back to front like this, over the course of a few hours, you can see the entire course and more of the field than if you went 1 to 18. Once you get all the way to 1 tee, head over to the free stands at 18 green and sit down and give your feet a rest. Here’s how you follow a top player (Tiger) to be able to see as much as possible. You may have to get up the course a few holes to find a relatively open tee box where you can get next to the ropes. Wait there for as long as it takes to watch him hit a tee shot. Then move up at least 2, maybe 3 holes to the next par 4 or 5, get about 290 off the tee and wait there until Tiger comes through to hit his second shot. This is a crap shoot because you have to hope he hits it close to where you are. Then, jump ahead a few more holes and try to find a spot at the green, preferably behind, or close to the flag, where you can watch his approach. Following this routine, you may actually see Tiger hit one or two drives, an approach and a couple of putts. Of course, if GLen Hnatiuk is your favourite player, you can probably watch his entire game, every shot. I’ve been to a few pro tournaments, and while it’s neat to see these guys (and women) hit balls, make shots and get a flavour of their abilities, you will have no idea who did what to get the lead or lose it, or how the actual tournament is progressing. — Doug Main "It’s never too late to have a happy childhood."