With the PGA Championship underway, and even if you are not lucky enough to be making the trip, it’s time to brush up on our tournament spectator etiquette. As anyone who has been lucky enough to attend a professional golf tournament knows, there are a certain set of rules and guidelines — both spoken and unspoken — that dictate how spectators should act when they are in the gallery. Here are some of the basic rules for watching a golf tournament.
1. Keep Quiet
Of course you want to support your favorite golfer, but if you are constantly talking, cheering, or making loud noises while they are about to make a shot, you are probably having the opposite effect. Golf is a gentleman’s game, so even if you might think that it is a good idea to distract your player’s opponents, you are more likely to be rewarded with swift removal from the premises.
2. Stand Still
In a similar vein, it is also important to make sure that you are standing still as well as keeping quiet. Even slight movements that you may deem innocuous, such as taking a picture, playing on your phone, laughing or coughing can be incredibly distracting for a golfer in the zone.
3. Don’t Try to Speak to the Players
One of the most exciting things about watching a golf tournament is your proximity to the players. This can make it tempting to try and take advantage by striking up a short conversation or asking for an autograph. This is not acceptable, and can be incredibly distracting to the golfers. Of course, you can shout your encouragement after a shot has been made, but do not try to address them directly, and especially avoid trying to give them advice — unless you are Jack Nicklaus (if you are: hi Jack, I’m a big fan!) it is unlikely that you know more than they do.
4. Don’t Touch a Player’s Ball
This might go without saying, especially as you are usually behind a rope, but if you happen to witness a player’s ball moving outside of the designated area, do not touch it. Remember, this isn’t baseball. After all, if someone had forgotten this rule, this shot would not have been possible.
5. Wear the Uniform
A lot of clubs and tournaments have specific rules and strict dress codes. Make sure that you check with the specific rules for the tournament in question before you go. It is not much fun to be turned away from the chance to watch the world’s elite golfers. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t look awesome doing it.
6. Never Touch Another Man’s (or Woman’s) Chair!
Masters attendees will know that there is a strict unspoken rule that means that a person may leave a folding chair to hold their place. If a chair is in your way, do not move it; NEVER move it. Or move it at your peril. If you do, the Guardians of Golf will descend from the sky and pelt you with golf balls until you pass out … OK, maybe I just got a little bit carried away, but still, it is worth knowing that this is a tradition that is held in high esteem among golf spectators in most tournaments these days, and you would be wise to adhere to it.
Phil Oscarson is an avid golfer and golf analyst who writes for BleacherReport and always appreciates some great golf deals. He’s still trying to convince his wife to let him install a putting green in his backyard.
Comments
0 comments