Attire for the Open

Just purchased my tickets for RSG in July. I noticed that when I went to St Andrews a number of years ago, many people were dressed in full golfing attire, including golf shoes. I assumed these people had come prepared in the hope they might receive an unexpected call up in the event of any last minute withdrawals, especially the elderly americans in their head to toe tartan golf wear.

However, following on from a thread on 606, it seems that many consider golf gear and shoes to be the most appropriate clothes to spectate at an event. This has caused a dilemma for me; I wear a golf glove for full shots, but remove it for putting and chipping. When spectating, should I remove the glove or keep it on?

Trainers are the best things to wear - I when I see people in golf shoes.

Caddies don't wear golf shoes and they're not doing anything less than spectators.

I think lose the glove and wear your special jacket.

The one that does up with the laces and buckles at the back

LJ - not sure if my special jacket conforms with dress code in the clubhouse...

You won't be getting in the clubhouse anyway.

I said on the 606 thread I did go to the open once in shorts, T-shirt and flip flops. So I guess you can wear anything. Having said that if it is likely to rain I would want waterproof shows, so I would go for golf shows rather than wet feet.

Mercurio wrote:Trainers are the best things to wear - I when I see people in golf shoes.

Caddies don't wear golf shoes and they're not doing anything less than spectators.

Caddies are walking on the fairways rather than the banks and mounds that with a bit of rain could become quite treacherous. Nothing wrong with golf shoes, after all it's what they are designed for.

You'd have to be quite malcoordinated to fall over on a golf course, in which case you probably aren't safe to leave your house.

SR

For me it would be more about keeping your feet dry, so really I would advise any waterproof shoe. Whether that be golf shoe or walking boots, or even flip flops. I do not walk so would only have golf shoes, why would anyone question wearing them? Would you rather I got soaking feet?

Chances of wet feet at the Open?

Fairly high. The queue for the pisspot is usually huge so you are likely to drip a bit on your feet as you nip round the back of the portacabin.

LJ

Will you be heading down to RSG's, cant be that far for you to travel?

Not saying that, just that there is no need for golf shoes, if it's raining so hard that you get wet feet, then why would you want to be standing out in it anyway?, play would probably be suspended and every sensible person would be in the Bolly tent waiting for the weather to clear.

RSG is a bit of a slog for me to be honest Mac. It's in a really difficult spot to get to on the coast and the traffic is going to be a nightmare. Couple that with the little fella and the answer is probably not.

When he's a bit older I'm likely to take him to one of the events though.

Maybe a trip to Regatta or Mountain Warehouse is required (judging by current weather conditions) - kit yourself out with full-on hiking boots, gore tex waterproofs and you could always get a couple of those ski sticks old folk use (to stop themselves going headlong in the snow) to balance yourself; you could even find an alternative use for them; beating annoying b@stards who shout out 'get in the hole' 'you da man' or any other mindless ululation every time someone makes a stroke

super_realist wrote:Not saying that, just that there is no need for golf shoes, if it's raining so hard that you get wet feet, then why would you want to be standing out in it anyway?, play would probably be suspended and every sensible person would be in the Bolly tent waiting for the weather to clear.

SR, you will probably have paid good money for the ticket and it can rain hard enough for your feet to get wet without stopping play. Good for you if you can just write of the cost of an open ticket but many cannot or would not do that. So yes I would be standing in the rain.

Do those who are thinking about wearing golf shoes to the Open also wear football boots to watch their kids play football?

Shanking, They should have a sniper on permanent call for those "Youdaman" types.

Mac, it's not that I could afford to do so, but I would gleam no pleasure from standing out in Britains worst to watch people struggle round a golf course.

To be honest forget footwear.

Judging by the shots that Woods is hitting for one I would be more interested in headgear.

This should see you alright.

http://www.araihelmet-europe.com/2010/wp-content/uploads/RX-7GP_Crutchlow_WSBK_P.jpg

Mac, if you are worried about wet feet, why not just get a pair of wellies, waterproof, grippy and cheap too.

super_realist wrote:Mac, if you are worried about wet feet, why not just get a pair of wellies, waterproof, grippy and cheap too.

Cant argue with that. But still would not look down on someone for wearing golf shoes.

Just don't think there's any need. I can count on one hand how often I've actually required golf shoes on course in terms of traction. We only wear golf shoes out of convention and perceived rules/etiquette.

Most people would probably be shocked at just how much work their spikes do in keeping them firmly grounded.

I know mine do... but then I have a balance issue at the moment.

drive4show wrote:
Caddies are walking on the fairways rather than the banks and mounds that with a bit of rain could become quite treacherous. Nothing wrong with golf shoes, after all it's what they are designed for.

They're not designed for watching golf!

They're designed for keeping your balance when swinging a club.

There is lots of footwear more suited to walking around a golf course than golf shoes.

I don't get this at all.

My golf shoes are designed for walking around a golf course all day. In comfort. Without slipping about on wet grass.

I have ordinary everyday work shoes and a few pairs of 'fashion' shoes. I also have trainers that are not waterproof.

So what do you suggest I wear?

Something with a flat heel. And no sequins

LondonJonnyO wrote:Something with a flat heel. And no sequins

If I wear my stiletto's (sorry, forgot to mention them) I can aerate the greens while I'm there

super_realist wrote:
Shanking, They should have a sniper on permanent call for those "Youdaman" types.

I think the sniper would sadly be a bit hit and miss and possibly too noisy. If you get the wrong spectator with one of those 50cal bad-boys it could be a tad messy too. I've given the matter some thought over recent months and I would advocate a three strikes approach along the lines of; the first occasion you utter some idiotic remark you are taken to one side and someone (preferably like Windsor Davies from 'It ain't half hot mum' or the drill sergeant from 'Full Metal Jacket' shouts some sense into you. If that fails to work then a beating with the cat o nine tails behind the club house by several burly committee members should do the trick. If you are really stupid and persist with your shouts then a discreet garotting ala 'The Godfather' is the final solution. Once you've videod it and placed on Youtube I feel fairly certain that this behaviour would be all bit eliminated on these shores at least

You forgot the salt in the wounds after stage two

LondonJonnyO wrote:You forgot the salt in the wounds after stage two

Ahh good idea. See Links courses do have their uses after all; once they've had a damn good thrashing you could drag them through the briny pulled by a donkey

LJ
Sorry to hear that you are unbalanced

Its a tragic story. It goes back my days as a seaman

Ahh a Jolly Jack Tar. My ole fella UncleAlbert1934 was in the 'Senior Service'. Those long nights just fly by as he regails me for the thousandth time with stories from the dim and distant past when he served under the King....

Yeah. But i was pressganged

drive4show wrote:

LondonJonnyO wrote:Something with a flat heel. And no sequins

If I wear my stiletto's (sorry, forgot to mention them) I can aerate the greens while I'm there

Why is it all of a sudden I get this mental image of a plaid-clad Lily Savage?

Noshankingtonite wrote:

drive4show wrote:

LondonJonnyO wrote:Something with a flat heel. And no sequins

If I wear my stiletto's (sorry, forgot to mention them) I can aerate the greens while I'm there

Why is it all of a sudden I get this mental image of a plaid-clad Lily Savage?

NST

we all dress like that down here, you'll be expected to do the same when you're down

drive4show wrote:I don't get this at all.

My golf shoes are designed for walking around a golf course all day. In comfort. Without slipping about on wet grass.

I have ordinary everyday work shoes and a few pairs of 'fashion' shoes. I also have trainers that are not waterproof.

So what do you suggest I wear?

Trainers. If forecast not good, walking boots. There's no excuse for golf shoes.

Mercurio wrote:

drive4show wrote:I don't get this at all.

My golf shoes are designed for walking around a golf course all day. In comfort. Without slipping about on wet grass.

I have ordinary everyday work shoes and a few pairs of 'fashion' shoes. I also have trainers that are not waterproof.

So what do you suggest I wear?

Trainers. If forecast not good, walking boots. There's no excuse for golf shoes.

What if you do not own walking boots, do you suggest paying for a pair of shoes you would never wear again. I would maybe suggest buying wellies as SR mentioned but not walking boots.

I can't believe how upset people are getting at the idea that someone who happens not to be playing might consider golf shoes appropriate attire for a golf course. I went to the 2008 and 2009 opens, and at both the weather was wet enough to make trainers inappropriate but dry enough to make wellies or walking boots look like overkill. I have no idea whether I was in a minority or a majority, as funnily enough I was looking at the golf, not other spectators' footwear.

Can the sniper be asked to take out Ken Brown whenever he goes and blocks out the view of 50 spectators at a time?

Anyway... I agree with Mercurio

Everyone should own a pair of walking shoes.

Just like everyone should own at least one dog.

It's de rigueur.

Koreans own lots of dogs. But only one at a time. And not for very long.

LondonJonnyO wrote:Koreans own lots of dogs. But only one at a time. And not for very long.

Not true. They only ever own a bit of a dog at any one time. Usually the meatier bits.

OK so I watched this thread from afar so far but just had a call from a mate who has got two tickets for the weekend at Wentworth.

I'll see what the weather is like before deciding on the footwear but I haven't been to a big golf event since the early 70s Open at either Birkdale or Lytham (can't remember which).

So does anyone have any other hints or tips for good viewing? We'll be going on the final day (Sunday) as we are both playing in a comp at our own club Saturday. I expect Sunday will be real busy but our tickets apparently include free parking and even a clubhouse pass so what should be our plan?

Davie

If you can blag a BMW key it's worth doing so, gets you into the hospitality area behind the 18th and also behind the 14th green. Free soft drinks, tea and coffee. Also, good idea to watch the last few holes on the tellybox in the hospitality area. That way you get to see every shot as the leaders come down the stretch. Entrance ticket does include free parking.