Spectators with cell phones and cams on the course

[bunter101]

So we have went over 100 years of people attending golf tournaments, but now people 'need' their mobiles and cameras? If there is anything that could be considered urgent in your life, either a) watch on tv or b) use some common sense and locate a payphone that they provide on course.

People with smart phones who don't know how to put them on silent...... who knew cellphone salespeople could be so witty!

[imakaveli]

Bubba would freak out....

[imakaveli]

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk563D1oYr8&feature=plcp"]http://www.youtube.c...r8&feature=plcp[/url]

[puttingmatt]

I laugh everytime I see someone out in public,
having a conversation , on speaker phone, and
look at you , as to say , " Don't listen to my broadcasted
private conversation ".

[tx_basser]

I was just at the Byron and don't get the fascination with wanting to Video/Pics everything a Golfer does. The rudeness is ridiculous, and people sticking phones in peoples faces or something. I had an enjoyable time with my kids at the tournament and we were right next to Phil the entire event, and he autographed their stuff and even talked to them.

[monkeynaut]

Is it ruder to take a picture or demand somebody sign something?
Just taking a theoretical journey. If you take picture while I'm doing something it demands less of me than shoving something in my face and making me sign it, while I talk to you.

[roho]

There's nothing rude about asking for an autograph. Most are given before and after play not when a player is in the middle of his swing during a crucial shot.

I saw a pro autograph seeker at one tourney, she had a notebook of 8x10 glossy's of every player in the field. When the player was done with a hole and he walking to the next hole, she would ask that player to sign the photo, most where happy to do it. This was a practice day also.

[monkeynaut]

[quote name='roho' timestamp='1337534597' post='4946252']
There's nothing rude about asking for an autograph. Most are given before and after play not when a player is in the middle of his swing during a crucial shot.

I saw a pro autograph seeker at one tourney, she had a notebook of 8x10 glossy's of every player in the field. When the player was done with a hole and he walking to the next hole, she would ask that player to sign the photo, most where happy to do it. This was a practice day also.
[/quote]
So She was asking during a round? Nope. I think that's a bit much. If a golfer offers a ball or glove or autograph mid-round, fine. Otherwise wait til the end

Let's not forget the Jim Gray flap for imposing on DJs round.

[NJ Shlice]

I think it's wrong to ban them since for most people, even for just safety reasons, its essential that they have their cell phone. But there needs to be signage that constantly reminds that they need to be on Silent or if you don't know how to, turn them OFF.

Designated cell-phone talking areas are a must also.

[bmaas03]

[quote name='NJ Shlice' timestamp='1337613597' post='4950744']
I think it's wrong to ban them since for most people, even for just safety reasons, its essential that they have their cell phone. But there needs to be signage that constantly reminds that they need to be on Silent or if you don't know how to, turn them OFF.

Designated cell-phone talking areas are a must also.
[/quote]

If signs solved the problem, this thread wouldn't have been created.
There are signs at every tournament and people still forget to turn the phone on silent or take photos mid-swing.

The tour isn't going to switch your cell phone on silent for you. The loud minority of cell phone offenders have ruined it for the rest of us. Blame them for not allowing you to have a cell phone on the course and accept the reality that they've created.
Going to a golf tournament is a priviledge, not a right, and the PGA/USGA have a right to enforce policies that allow for the best product possible to perform for them for the widest audience possible. If cameras and cell phone noises bother golfers, they're going to cater to the golfers. And at this point in society, the majority of us don't need to have access to a cell phone 100% of the time.

[monkeynaut]

Maybe they should tweet or text phone guidelines to spectators.

[scotchblade]

[quote name='NJ Shlice' timestamp='1337613597' post='4950744']
I think it's wrong to ban them since for most people, even for just safety reasons, its [b]essential that they have their cell phone.[/b]
[/quote]
It is? Why is that?

[pinhigh18]

This has been a fascinating topic to peruse. I was just at The Nelson and intentionally left my phone in the car (thinking that there was still a restriction on them – even though I remember having it with me the year before…never mind). Initially I did feel “naked” and almost turned back to the car – in case work needed me since it was Friday.

To make a long story short, it was very refreshing NOT having the phone with me. With a lull in the action when others were reaching for their phone – I had the distinct pleasure of looking into my 16 year old daughter’s face and actually talking to her and completely enjoying my time with her. Furthermore, without the constant link to the outside world, I took the time to use my binoculars and zoom in on the action and take in all the sights and sounds peculiar to a professional golf tournament.

Two more quick points – the tour does a GREAT job with shotlink and all the data on the big electronic signs, etc. and finally, it WAS very distracting to hear all the conversations going on with the people on their cell phones – for those without cell phones, the conversations tended to be golf specific while the conversations I overheard on the cells were totally non-golf related and seemingly trivial.

[scotchblade]

[quote name='pinhigh18' timestamp='1337725738' post='4960598']
To make a long story short, it was very refreshing NOT having the phone with me. With a lull in the action when others were reaching for their phone – I had the distinct pleasure of looking into my 16 year old daughter’s face and actually talking to her and completely enjoying my time with her. Furthermore, without the constant link to the outside world, I took the time to use my binoculars and zoom in on the action and take in all the sights and sounds peculiar to a professional golf tournament.
[/quote]
This is what I have been trying to say along, thank you for a great example of the benefits of NOT having a cell phone.

I hope people start to realize that the urge to stay connected is disconnecting them from what is right in front of them.