Went to LIV golf tournament in Orlando
 

Decided to go watch my first golf tournament on Friday March 31st. I know there's a lot of controversy about LIV, but took the cheap opportunity to watch pros up close.

I expected a real party experience since they say "golf but louder", but it was traditional quiet golf with some faint music pumped in, here and there. There is an entertainment area with golf simulation and various shows and games at the 9th hole area. You can also upgrade your ticket to various 'club' areas on the course where the party atmosphere seemed to be.

I enjoyed watching/following Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson's group. The crowd was LOVING Phil, which as a leftie I did too! He was so responsive to the fans. Thanking us when we'd say "good putt Phil", and I even got a fist pump from him when he was passing by!

Even though it was a thrill to be so close to these professional golfers, I found myself getting bored by not being able to follow the path of the ball in the sky or see where it landed (much better view of that on TV). They should use bright colored balls, that might help us. Kept hearing from so many, "I can't see where it went". The walking was too much for me (yes I'm getting old), and the quality of golf was not amazing. So many missed good birdie opportunities. They both were -1 by the 9th hole and I'd had enough.

Glad I experienced it, but have no desire to watch live golf again. Have you gone to live golf tournaments? What was your experience?

We used to regularly to Arnie's tournament in Orlando. We are avid walkers, so for us it was nice to be able to see the course up close, and appreciate the quality of the play much more than just seeing it on TV. Also, if you happen to follow a "hot" foursome, it is very exciting to see the great shots and scores. And you get a sense of the personalities of the golfers, more than you see on TV.

To me, one advantage to live golf is that you get a better feel for the long distances. Many non-golfers probably don't realize that the length of a football field is just a short wedge shot for a golfer. Television cannot recreate a 300-yard drive.

Watching 300+ yard drives is truly amazing. My friend came down to visit, and golf, last week and brought his 32 year old son with him. On many par 4’s we had to wait for the green to clear because the kid was driving them from the blue tees. On the par 5 12th hole at Tierra Del Sol (a dogleg left) the kid hit over the trees, taking out the dogleg, and his ball winded up in the center of the fairway 110 yards from the hole. It took me two decent shots to get there. It’s amazing how far the professionals hit the ball, and many of them are only about 5’10” and 160 lbs.

I could NEVER attend a live golf tournament. My impulse would be to find those in the crowd yelling “In The Hoooooole!!!’” And pummel them all.

Those stupid comments are ridiculous and irritating.

I’d end up in jail with bloody fists..

Watching a 300 yard drive on tv or in person is a totally different experience. Many pros can hit it 300+ in the air! The first time I went to a pro tournament I was amazed at how the ball keeps going up and keeps going and going - unlike my shot which goes up and comes down.

I went to the United States Women's Amateur a few years ago. These were mostly college girls and they were all very small - most under 5'6" and 125-150. But they took an easy swing and consistently hit it about 250 yards. Made it look so easy.

Be happy you went to a LIV Event, a regular PGA Tour event would bore you to death. You have no clue what's going on, because events are unfolding at different times, in different places. All the LIV action is compressed, as everyone is playing together.

As for "following the ball", I have enough trouble following a drive when I hit it and those guys are hitting it 50% farther and 50% faster. Nature of the beast.

I'm impressed you were able to follow it. I tried from every angle, beside the player, somewhat in front, way in front, I never once was able to follow it in the sky.

Youth is wasted on the young!

Went to The players Championship in NJ years ago and summer heat, large crowds and not being able to see much made it a day drinking beer in the tent. Of note that Saturday; I was standing at back of green on par 5 and saw John Daly's approach to green. Landed on green in two. When on the green we see he is putting with a two or three iron? Chatter amongst the spectators was Daly snapped his putter in half in frustration last hole! Missed the eagle putt, made birdie.
Since then I only go to tournament practice rounds and collect autographs in a more intimate and casual setting. However if anyone wants to give me or sell me Masters tickets I will go any day of the week!!! (serious!)

I have been to a few PGA tournaments and some PGA practice rounds. I agree - practice rounds are much better as the players are relaxed, joking with the gallery, and you can see how they prepare for the tournament. At a practice round, I saw Rory, Lee Westwood, Darren Clark, and Graeme McDowell playing together. Between one hole, they all walked very slowly along the gallery signing an autograph for anyone who wanted one! Must have been 50 or 60 people and it took about 15 minutes. Not very legible writing - more of a scribble but still very nice and people really appreciated it!

Golf is much better watched on TV. At a tournament, you can only watch one group at a time so you have no idea what is going on at the other 17 holes while if you watch on TV, you can see what is happening all over the course.

I used to go to the Kemper Open every year. I've also been to the US Open, the US Senior open and the President's Cup.

Watching the pros play the same course I played (TPC Avenel) was a treat. It showed me that they don;'t play the same game is I do. Just the sound of the ball "sizzling" as it left the tee dropped my jaw...

I agree. I’d be in the cell next to you!

Politely disagree. In both leagues hard to follow as all players are spread out(18 holes) and to make matters worse for the LIV, there are two tournaments, individual and team. Only way to follow ball is by standing behind the player and the ability to follow it for at least 250 yards.

And don't forget "mashed potatoes"---whatever that means.

Personally, there are a few LIV players I'd like to watch play again----but I refuse to support the sportswashing that is driving it.

Bur you are ok with the government and American corporations doing the same thing?

You probably would have enjoyed going to watch pros at TPC Sawgrass and watching the island green, great fun.
Several trips to Augusta for Masters was also great fun, but I'm green with envy that Doug got to PLAY Augusta (Billy Joe Patton, played as an amateur in Masters, also member at Augusta, was a member of Mimosa Hills CC our home club in NC and invited Doug to join him one day at Augusta.)

One thing I really appreciated was the smallish crowd that allowed us to be as close as can be to the players with no fighting off other spectators. Here's a Phil Mickelson flop shot up close (hopefully it uploads) Very cool.

Dang, my videos don't seem to upload. Sorry!

You cannot attach video files, such as MP4 files, to a post. You would need to upload it to a website and provide a link.

An easy way to share a video file is to upload it to your Google Drive. Everyone with a Google account has a Google Drive with 15GB of free storage. Go to "drive.google.com" and log in (if you are not already logged into Google). After you upload the file, you can use the "share" function to create a link address and specify that anyone with the link can access the file as a viewer only.

The only time I would go to a tournament is when my daughter is playing, or to see Tiger Woods play. I used to watch on TV when Tiger played.

PGA golf 25 tournaments
 

I marshaled 20 PGA tournaments. Try it, inside the ropes is great.
As a spectator I recommend: 1. Go watch at the range for an hour 2. Follow your favorite player through a whole round. 3. Go on a Thursday when everything is relaxed. 3. Go to Champions or LPGA tournament where there are less crowds.

It much more fun to watch on TV after walking, playing and having seen a course.

Tried to watch LIV on TV. I found viewing gimmicks nice, but jumping from hole to hole and player to player disjointed.

We went to the LIV in Winter Garden yesterday (Saturday).

Having worked inside to ropes, we found this tournament in total to be OK, but disorganized...I posted separately on this forum.

Traffic/parking lines
Beer tent lines ridiculously long
Food lines long and "truck" quality
Golf shots long also, witnessed first birdie on #8

Golf tournaments in general are a lot of walking, tough to see balls in the air, etc..

But go enjoy

Too crowded because it's terrible and no body goes.
:a040:

Best idea for a spectator is to find a spot around a Par 3 hole. Watch the golfers tee off, see where the ball lands and watch them come to finish the hole.

Attended yesterday. Great experience. Closer to players than PGA. Upbeat atmosphere. Music playing in the background around the course. No shouting after shots. Players tossing balls to kids (saw 3 of those). Food good, but lines a little long. Toilet access no problem. Dusty driving in to park, but really short walk to the course. For $46 ticket with access to basically everything (except party tents for $210), I’d say go.

Like any Professional Golf Tournament, if you don't have a Hospitality Tent ticket, you're going to find long lines and lousy food. At LIV Boston, we had unlimited Filet Mignon, Shrimp & Lobster all day long and no one waiting for a drink.

Thanks for making me laugh out loud :laugh:

Fred

So you're one of those yelling at the golfers?! I can't watch golf with sound because of people like you! And congrats on the fist pump, if he tossed you his ball that might be worthwhile.

I don't know how many professional golfers you have seen lately but nowadays they are more like a cross between a thoroughbred racehorse and an NFL tight end. I've worked at the Arnold Palmer Invitational five of the past six years and when you're up close and personal with these guys they are physical specimens. I'm 6'2" and I found myself looking up at most of these guys. Every moment they're not on the golf course they're in the gym. These guys aren't Peter Jacobsen!

I can't watch golf with sound because of people yelling or commenting to the players! And congrats on the fist pump, if he tossed you his ball that would have been worthwhile.

Never won’t support anything Saudi or from China. Ever

I agree with all your comments, except the only birdies I saw were on #2.

No I am not one of those yelling at golfers. But Phil did appreciate those that were telling him "we love you Phil" or "great putt Phil" as he walked to next tee box. You might want to reread my post, and/or take a happy pill.

Your house is free of all Chinese manufactured products?

Good point!

If you pay your taxes in the USA, you're supporting a county that has BILLIONS of dollars of contracts with Saudi Arabia.

... to say nothing of where the gas in coming from, that you're putting in your car or golf cart, both of which, undoubtedly contain Chinese manufactured parts.

But yeah, stay away from those golfers who are making money from the Saudis!

Worked 15 years as a volunteer at the A. Palmer, and at a number of LPGA tournaments as a cart driver for the participants (DEFINITELY enjoyed that "work", LOL !). Had 3 assignments at the A. Palmer as a hostess in the player's and major sponsor pavilion which housed an elaborate all day buffet (ate much better than any other tournament volunteers I can tell you, but missed having a course assignment so I could watch the action. Last PGA or LPGA tournament I worked was 4 years ago now. I completely agree with you, although being at any live event is an experience not to be missed, but for golf, just like in football, you will never ever get the view and detail you get from the couch watching and 85" TV and drinking a cola that did not cost $15 :) :) Will add that my fondest memories are of the volunteer breakfasts with Arnold when he was still alive... those are precious memories as the personal contact and conversation was much different than the fan experience as a fan on the course or warm up areas.

That is so true ! (meaning most non golfers probably have no idea of the distance or what a feat that is !