What is the best way to watch a PGA event? Practice rounds or regular play?

Question

What is the best way to watch a PGA event? Practice rounds or regular play?

Answer 1

I personally hate practice rounds and the driving range.  I want to see them in full competition mode.

Answer 2

Practice rounds are going to be less crowded, so if you can find when your favorite players are going out, you'll be able to follow them better. I find it fun to watch them stop during a round and try a dozen shots out of a bunker, or putt at a hole from several different positions.

However, there's nothing like seeing them in actual competition.

The bigger question, I think, is when you watch regular play, do you stay at one hole, or follow a group. If you stay in one position, you can get a good spot and have a chance to see all of the players throughout the day.

If you follow a group, you can get a better sense of how a tournament round unfolds. It's an interesting perspective.

There's more on watching a tournament at the link below. That particular article applies to the Pebble Beach, but much of the advice also extends to any tournament you might follow.

http://www.golfblogger.com/index.php/gol...

Answer 3

Live.

Answer 4

I prefer to watch the actual game LIVE on TV in the comfort of my armchair at home. However, I had previously gone to the golf course to watch the actual game. Somehow the thrill is not there, as I was not able to cover the actions that took place for the other holes apart from the one I was at. Besides, watching LIVE telecasts on TV does not expose myself to the elements.

Answer 5

In practice rounds, players tend to be more loose. They spend more time with caddies getting yardage readings and sometimes hit 2-3 shots to a green. They spend more time studying the green by putting from all areas on the green. They tend to be more receptive to fans as well.

Tournament days are strictly business. There is more pressure on them to perform and you can certainly see it in their expressions. If they have a bad round, they are less likely to interact with fans after the round.

Answer 6

Practice rounds offer the chance to take photos, which you cannot do during a regular round.   The players are also more open and loose as stated above.   Usually smaller crowds, too, but that does vary from event to event...