Tour News

U.S. Open allowing cell phones during play

Published

11 years ago

Apr 17, 2015

Spectators will be allowed to carry cell phones during the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay for the first time in the event’s history.

[quote_box_center]”Spectators may carry mobile devices smaller than 7 inches in length and/or height, including cellphones, smartphones and PDAs,” the press release reads. “All device volume controls must be set to silent or vibrate at all times.”[/quote_box_center]

It’s a move that makes sense from both a societal and spectating standpoint. People are attached to their cell phones, and with access to usga.org, usopen.com and phone apps during the event, the experience will no doubt be more convenient for the patrons. But can the U.S. Open Staff control the fans who struggle with the temptation of taking videos and photos during play, potentially disturbing the players?

[quote_box_center]”Previously, the use of mobile phones had been a concern to us from a security perspective, but we’ve seen we’re able to control that and that in this day and age, people are accustomed to having [mobile phones on] them for their own personal security,” USGA Director of Public Relations Janeen Driscoll told Golf.com.[/quote_box_center]

The R&A allows fans to carry cell phones at the Open Championship, and we saw Tiger Woods’ reaction to an ill-timed cell phone photo in 2013.

[quote_center]”Unfortunately people just don’t put their phones on silent,” Woods said. “Just put it on silent. Just put it on silent.”[/quote_center]

Just last month, a cell phone may have affected the outcome of a PGA Tour event.

While Jordan Spieth was hitting a bunker shot on the first hole of a playoff at the Shell Houston Open, a cell phone camera appeared to go off. Spieth said he was distracted by the noise and mishit the bunker shot. He went on to make bogey and exited the playoff early, ending his chances at victory.

Allowing cameras at the U.S. Open opens the door for a similar situation. Do the positives outweigh the negatives of allowing patrons to carry phones on the ground during play of a major championship? It’s a shame that one or two unruly fans who forget to put their phone on silent, or a take a picture in a players’ backswing, can have an effect on the outcome of a shot. But that’s the reality.

U.S. Open participants are playing for roughly $1.6 million and a place in golf history. Is it worth it for a fan to be able to access their U.S. Open leaderboard app, or Tweet to their followers they just saw Rickie Fowler in person?

For the love of golf, please keep your cell phones on silent.

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Andrew Tursky

He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men's Golf team and earned a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

27 Comments

Hitn18

Apr 21, 2015 at 7:04 am

I think the USGA should make a new rule that if a player is distracted by a noise made from technology he gets a mulligan!!!! problem solved. This whole argument is ridiculous golf needs the fans or the purses go way down. As golf club technology has advanced so has all other technology and the players need to learn to adapt. I have watched players at tournaments during practice rounds and on the range were there is all kinds of noise and it seems to have no effect, just like they say they need to take their range game to the course. Here is what I think is the one way to address this issue that may satisfy both sides.
1. If a fan does not have his phone on silent and distracts a player he gets removed from the event. After a few patrons get removed from the US Open people will learn quickly.

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labillyboy

Apr 20, 2015 at 6:32 pm

Good players can shut out distractions. Just another way to filter out the best player in the field. If you have rabbit ears, you need to improve. If they are that touchy, why not get rid of all the fans and just post the results in the newspaper. Of course their paychecks would get awfully small… but hey… Just don’t text when you are driving a car. The guys I play with never stop talking, we talk even as we are hitting the ball… it’s easy. I’m sure the pros can handle it.

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Mike

Apr 20, 2015 at 6:10 pm

This is not any more disrupting than the crowd yelling when a great shot is hit. I don’t see anything wrong with it as long as the phone is on silent mode. However, the odds are someone will forget as there is never going to be 100% compliance on this.
I served as a marshal at the U.S. Senior Open where cell phones weren’t allowed and people were still taking pictures even though there were stations to check bags before getting on the bus. Maybe the better solution would be to have the pros where ear plugs if they are sensitive to noises. I won’t be using one but have no issue with this if people want to take photos or videos.

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Andrew

Apr 20, 2015 at 3:13 pm

Great news – I’m coming over for the Open from the UK and it’ll be nice to get a few photos of the event. Wasn’t able to use at it at Merion which was disappointing.

Last time I checked as well, the silenced camera on my iPhone is far less distracting to players than the dozen long lense cameras, TV crew, hangers on and the idiot that always yells mash potatoe!

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Bullwinkle J. Moose, Attorney-at-law

Apr 20, 2015 at 3:10 pm

Let the phones on the course if only so we can get some outstanding sound bites of these big babies crying about pictures during their back swings, hopefully Sergio is involved, he likes to whine about everything under the sun

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Regis

Apr 20, 2015 at 1:36 pm

Why not have designated cell phone areas? Make them accessible (like by the beer tent) but prohibit them anywhere near the field of play

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Nathan

Apr 20, 2015 at 12:49 pm

Pro’s
-Updated scores
-If in a group it is nice not having to stay with everyone for the fear of getting lost. For example: I like to see the courses and walk. Although, some people prefer to sit.
-I do like being able to get updated scores or follow live feed while we are waiting on groups.
-Good for promotions and growth of the game.
Cons
-Negative impact on players, because it will affect a golfer. Everyone makes the argument about a pro basketball player hitting a free throw. It is not the same and never will be. The noise a basketball player hears is constant. However, a Camera flash/sound is out of the norm. Horns are banned from arena’s why? Because that would be a louder more distracting noise players are use to hearing. The most frustrating thing when I play is a for a mower to stop in the middle of my swing. I rather them keep mowing. Fans also are a lot closer to the action in golf, and golf is not a rhythm sport.
-People become to attached with their phone and do not meet people, or have conversations. They do not take everything in while they are there.

Golf Purist will say no
Casual Golfer/anyone else will say yes please! I see both sides of the argument, but I believe the tourny should dictate what is decided. For example: Masters is a purist environment, so keep phones out. Pheonix Open – Casual affair and fun so keep phones in play! That is the way I look at it.

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Mccance79

Apr 19, 2015 at 12:54 pm

Finally they will allow the spectators… you know the reason why there is a PGA TOUR can use technology to remember the special moments… Look if a basketball player deal with heckling and screaming during a free throw. PGA Tour players can put up with cell phones…

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- Know What I'm Talking About
  
  Apr 20, 2015 at 11:39 am
  
  This is such a dumb argument, anyone who makes it has never been in serious competition in both conditions (in front of crowd making constant noise like baseball, basketball, etc to the point it becomes white noise vs being silent in golf or tennis). They don’t go completely silent during a free throw, and playing in dead silence is much more difficult, especially when in the middle of your shot a random noise is made.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - labillyboy
    
    Apr 20, 2015 at 6:46 pm
    
    that’s why they should just quit the silence concept all together… Just let everyone talk all the time. I play a course next to a freeway once in a while. I never notice the noise on the holes that are 30 feet away from it… But at a course in a quiet neighborhood… the guys I play with never stop talking so I don’t notice a car there either… Heck, I bet I am talking on 50% of my shots… you’re right when it’s absolutely quiet and then there is a noise it can startle some people… but not me. I played in a Wednesday pro-am at a tour event, that was probably the most disturbing thing for me was the quiet… I wanted to tell the gallery to keep talking when I hit…
    
    Reply Report comment
GMatt

Apr 17, 2015 at 10:49 pm

Wow…. Epic Fail

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GMatt

Apr 17, 2015 at 10:48 pm

Big mistake…..It’s a shame a small percentage of knuckleheads will cause something to go wrong…You know it will happen… Leave your phone at home, but some people just can’t pry themselves away from their addiction for a few hours….

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- Brian
  
  Apr 18, 2015 at 8:22 am
  
  Uh… Trying hard not to go into full snark mode. But some people have jobs and families that just can’t wait until you make it to a pay phone to check your messages. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with having a muted phone in your pocket. It doesn’t signal an addiction to me. No pun intended.
  
  But! I was at a concert last night and heard a fake shutter noise over the band. So I understand why Tiger and Bubba can get ticked off. It was loud! Maybe the USGA can have a training area to teach people how to mute their phones and turn off flashes.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - slider
    
    Apr 18, 2015 at 12:42 pm
    
    people still had families and jobs in the 90s before the smart phone was around how could they manage?
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Eh
      
      Apr 19, 2015 at 7:05 pm
      
      The world today is a completely different one than the 20th century. Almost anything being compared to the 90s these days in that manner is unreasonable.
      
      Reply Report comment
  - brian d
    
    Apr 22, 2015 at 1:46 pm
    
    Right, but could you argue if you have that many important cant-wait phone calls coming through, you are probably too busy to be at a golf tourney that day?
    
    Reply Report comment
chris m

Apr 17, 2015 at 6:23 pm

I am glad they will allow phones. I hate having to leave my phone when attending other tournaments, including USGA events.

Went to last year’s PGA Championships and they allow cell phones – phone on silent, no photos during tournament rounds (no video at all). Folks could download the Championships app and get updates, watch video replays, etc. The tournament also had “mobile device enforcement” marshals. These marshals tended to be with the galleries for the leaders and more popular groups.

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Joey5Picks

Apr 17, 2015 at 2:57 pm

It’s simple: if you can’t live without your phone for the day, stay home and watch on TV. Failing that, PUT YOUR PHONE ON SILENT AND FOLLOW THE RULES. It’s very simple. Problem is, there will always be people who think the rules don’t apply to them.

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Danny

Apr 17, 2015 at 1:55 pm

It’s a good idea. With social media, the more pictures, tweets, facebook posts and instagrams that people post the better it is for PGA Tour.

With all the talk of growing the game, it’s ancient rules like not being able to take your phone in that drive non-avid golf fans away and exclude people.

The pros need to stop being babies, my iphone makes no sound when I snap a picture. If you hit a bad shot it’s not because of my phone.

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- Brian
  
  Apr 18, 2015 at 8:24 am
  
  Good point! Let’s ensure no one under 50 attends the tournament. 😉 At least keep a ban on selfie sticks.
  
  Reply Report comment
slider

Apr 17, 2015 at 1:38 pm

played chambers bay last year and the us open is going to be unreal so excited the course is spectacular as far as cell phones I don’t like them at the course because you know its going to ring in some ones back swing

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golf guy

Apr 17, 2015 at 12:21 pm

The amount of security at golf tournaments is completely ridiculous and unnecessary. I remember multiple times having to “sneak” my phone since they were requiring checking in your phone and leaving it with security, they probably had 1,000 phones. I got hassled for carrying my baby’s diaper bag and was checked by completely fat lazy cops three separate times, yet the drunk morons yelling stuff in back swings get a free pass. I will never go through the circus again and will stay home and watch on my a/c cooled home. It’s a shame how pathetic the PGA runs anything these days, all grumpy old white guys who hate life.

Reply Report comment
- brian
  
  Apr 17, 2015 at 12:49 pm
  
  I think people can afford to spend a few hours watching golf without updating their Facebook, tweeting to their bros that they were on tv when golfer X hit shot Y, or seeing what Kim Kardashian is up to. The reality is they probably dont allow cell phones because while the majority of spectators are golfers and know proper protocal, there are always people who dont know or dont care and ruin it for everyone.
  It would be nice if cell phones were allowed, but i think there are enough occasions where they become distractions to players on the course.
  
  As long as there are people who are examples of why the rules are there, we will never be allowed to have anything nice
  
  Reply Report comment
- Rich
  
  Apr 17, 2015 at 5:25 pm
  
  You took a baby to a PGA tour event?
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Brian
    
    Apr 18, 2015 at 8:25 am
    
    So what if he did?
    
    Reply Report comment
    - other paul
      
      Apr 20, 2015 at 10:38 am
      
      That’s awesome. Lucky kid.
      
      Reply Report comment

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