SLRS at th Pebble Beach US open

Qarik

Okay I got free ticket. In the official spectator info guide it says:

Camera Policy

Cameras and camcorders are only allowed at the course during
practice rounds, Monday through Wednesday, for personal,
non-commercial photographic use only and without their cases.

Cell Phones

Cell phones, including any cell phones with photographic
capabilities, are not allowed on the shuttle buses or through

any Admission Gate.
----
Does anyone have any experience at USGA pro tournaments? Have you actually been turned away at the gate because of your camera and/or your cellphone?

ian408

I think the policy is pretty clear and that if you show up with a phone or a camera, you will be refused admission (unless of course, you have a media credential).

Deacon

Yes, yes and yes
As stated you can take cameras in during practice rounds so you have the 3 days to shoot. You MUST not shoot during a player's swing, only after ball contact has been made. You cannot disturb a player etc. At the Masters they limit the size of anything taken onto the course. Whatever be it a purse etc it has to fit inside a 5x5x10 inch box. Not sure if the Open will have the same size restrictions. I got around it a bit by them allowing me to take the lens off the camera and put each one individually in the box.

Cell phones are typically not allowed period. Some goofball will smuggle one in and invariably forget to turn the ringer off. Easy ticket out of there.

As far as equipment, 70-200 is a great lens for golf during practice rounds. You can get closer during the practice rounds because of less people otherwise a 3-400mm is necessary for tight shots. If you have a tele extender, it might give you a bit more reach.

My son in law is a PGA player and try as I might, I have never been able to secure a media pass for a tournament. Here is a link to shots from the practice round/par 3 tournament:

http://deacon.smugmug.com/Sports/Practice-Day-and-Par-3/Masters-Golf-2010/11773154_oC62U#831474497_PFVCf

Let me know if you have any more questions, good shooting.

Deacon

jm94085

Seems pretty standard for PGA events...I brought my 7D and rented a 400mm 2.8L lens to bring to the Presidents Cup last year and had no problems during the practice rounds (nothing allowed during the tournament).

And as you can imagine cruising around with that beast of a lens did bring lots of nice attention from other curious spectators - and it gave me a good sense of where I wanted to be on the course for the best viewing options during the actual tournament rounds ;-)

As for cell phones don't even think about it...the wand you with those metal detectors at the gate (give yourself plenty of time to get through the lines as it can take a while).

Here's some shots I took at the Presidets Cup:

#1 Tiger Woods


#2 Tiger Woods


#3 Tiger Woods


#4 Mike Weir


#5 Camilo Villegas


#6 Lucas Glover


#7 Tiger Woods


Cheers,
John

johng

Agree - forget the cell phone and camera on tournament days. I've shot practice rounds at Firsestone a couple times. But my dad tried to bring his cell phone in and he got sent back with it - which stunk because you have to take a bus from parking area to the gate so he lost about 40 minutes taking it back to the car. As for a camera? Forget it. Never gonna happen.

Qarik

wow..okay. it sounds pretty strict. thanks guys.