What else can you do. I pretty much know that i can watch the golf, but i what about stuff like the tented village, is that a seperate ticket e.t.c

The reason i ask is that i have never been to one so was wondering what else i can do.

Its all included in the ticket..Usually as you enter the tented village is there and the odd few tents further away,thats what it was like at the Royal Liverpool..

ok brill, thanks for that, just got to figure the best way to get there.

Once your in pretty much everything is all access, apart from inside the ropes of course.
Tented village obviously is not extra charge, you'll leave enough money there as it is ;-)
Was at St. Andrews in '05 and they had shuttle busses from the train station. You can obviously come by car and use the public parking areas. Not sure if that's free of charge, too.

A bit of M5/M6 action and you're there Matt - albeit from Dartmoor it'll need to be a bit of a Jimmy Carter / Early Starter to catch the morning tee times.

The last Birkdale Open I went to ('98) was well organised and involved a trip down memory lane in the form of a double-decker bus journey after we parked a mile or two from the course on some school playing fields that have probably been sold off to developers now.

All the tented village is free entry - and only some of the granstands will be out of bounds unless you've got some influence somewhere with someone 'in the know..'

I'm planning on being there myself this year for the first time since St Andrews in '05. The Open's always a bit special to attend in person.

Yea i think i might pop along for the day aswell, have to leave about 4 in the morning but im sure it will be worth it!

I think the best way is drive which is a long journey for most but its less hassel than flying and catching the train again is just hassel and will take a while... Just have to save up some petrol money and leave early... Lets face it, one of the biggest tourneys on the planet and its only once a year, might aswell make the effort!

Ocean Finance should be able to sort you out mate when it comes to funding the journey and the fuel bill. It's a bit of a pig of a journey for me too with those pesky Pennine hills in the way, but it's worth the effort to get out and see the leg ends in action; plus I know a couple of lads who're in the field so there's a bit of personal interest.

Sadly, another Championship has gone by without me realising my dream of qualifying and shooting a couple of 85s on the big stage to miss the cut by 20 shots. Bah. Maybe next year...

Considering going myself. Was at St andrews in 2005, goto the scottish open at loch lomond(members tickets anyone? ) when i can. Major problem is travelling the length of the country, is somewhere to stay!

Same Matthew, looking forward to seeing some under dogs this year...

I tell you what, lets both qualify next year and see who can make the biggest mess of things! Imagine getting paired with Woods in the first round... Shank, Shank, top, thin, shank, fat, chunk, duff, duff, shank, fat, Golf shot, shank...

LMFAO at that Jamie, i've decided to drive up friday night and stay somewhere close to catch the action on saturday, only gonna stay for one day. Might catch up with few WRX'ers when i'm there.

Thats what i might do, my best mate was lucky, his girlfriend bought him 2 day pass and accom for his birthday... My girlfriend got me a pack of Pro v1 xs... Appreciative but all the same... She also got him Jay Z tickets...

Funnily enough i wasnt overly bothered when we split up... Im in search of a girl golfer partner now! Anyway back on track... I think staying over night is a good plan, so might look into that aswell, and yea, we should have a WRX section to meet up!

Im gonna drive up for about 4 hrs and stay in a travel lodge, only costs £50, then leave about 7ish in the morning so should arrive about 8am.

It's well worth the journey, one of the biggest sporting events in the world, let alone golf, you'll get to see the best in the world faced with the purest challenge in golf. I'll be going to my first Open in England and thoroghly looking forward to it. I've been to three before and they have the organisation down to a 'T' as far as parking and the bus link are concerned, there's still a queue on the way out but after a long day on your feet it's nice to be sitting down. You will have to pay a tenner to park your car, the only event i've been to where you have to pay for public parking but it's well worth it.

It's the thought that counts mate...

Rapunzel's already had her present for this year - two new rabbits to replace the late Robbie that caused a domestic after I was given the task of naming them and went down the 'actresses that I fancy' route...

I've been dropping hints about a set of Cobra Greg Norman blades come August, but I'm not sure they've been picked up on yet. I'll probably get some socks and a t-shirt like last year.

Birkdale's a cracking viewing course (and venue) and I shall be found behind the 4th tee for much of the day.

What shall i shout to find you,...........................

Just look for a skinny bloke; about 6'00" with a barnet like T.J. Hooker and massive feet. Probably bending someone's ear about 'The Good Old Days. When you had to shape the ball. And 260 yards was a decent drive... etc'

Can't you just wear a really stupid hat, as i wont be able to see your massive feet. People will beat me up if im on my hands and knees calling your name.

I suppose I could. With the state of my feet I could always go with a bright red bowler hat with a big flower stuck in it. And a red nose.

Im sure youll be dressed like John Cleese in the NXT adverts... Wonderful day for it old chap, popped down the old apples and pears at the inn, got meself a swift scon and traversed over hear on horse and cart to enjoy a splendid days spectacle... Im sure the hickory shafts and ballatas will be a firm favourite amoungst the competitors carry sacks and will be a heated battle across the planes of the dale, the sun brazing the morning dew from the playing surface, setting the warriors up for quite an event that is bound to go down in history as the day Mat bored everyone away from the 4th tee with his Peter Allis/Michael caine commentry on sed event...

If you dressed like that, you would stand out a mile and then we could all find you. Are you going on the saturday?

Trying to persuade some friends to come so I can spend less on fuel money. Quite fancy going now.

Mate, if you think John Cleese's performance about golf balls is bad, wait 'til you set me off on the price of petrol...

I'll be sure to stand somewhere near the 4th and yell "GET IN THE HOLE!" whenever possible

The open is deffo worth the trip.
I have only been to one and wish I had started going years ago as now it's not practical to make the trip.
The practice day is good because the players are friendly and try out crazy shots and stuff.

Last year a dood stood near me got told to stfu or get out because he shouted you the man!

Quite right. It annoys me greatly.

I must admit it gets on my tits alot when they shout that aswell, just feel like say shut the ...... up :lol

Just got my tickets.We're taking the caravan this year!Counting down the days!!!!!

Caravan!? Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Please... no.... not the dreaded sight of 'Monza' ahead of me on that country lane as we bimble along at 35mph...

Call me Jeremy Clarkson, but one of the most welcome sights in life is that of a caravan in a scrapyard.

Excellent. About time some action was taken on this issue.

Agreed!


Whats the facination of living in a box on 2 wheels anyway?

The fascination is economic reality!3 adults,3 kids = £12 per night in Southport 10 min walk to Birkdale

So who's going? And what days?

Going to be there on the friday! Driving down early and driving back up, watch the real action on the telly on sunday I think.

Yep I will be there!

Me and 3 mates (to help with the fuel)

We are going on the Thursday.

So now Tiger's out who's your Pick?

Westwood? he's from your neck of the woods Mat!

brooky333

Might go myself for the practice days.

Hey why not do a fuel protest and drive really slowly clogging the roads up for miles on end.... or driving behind a caravan as the rest of us would know it.....

Tips: Sergio or Andres Romero to win
Tips: Monty not to win ( hope he does but cant see it)

Going on Tuesday,thursday and friday.Shame Mr Woods not going,but at least that gives everyone else a chance!
Tips:Justin Rose Jim Furyk.

I'm going on the Sunday as usual.......with a couple of mates

I won't miss the extra police presence & the Nike security guys in red jackets that have been given a bit of responsibility & think they're looking after GOD for the day..........................

Westwood to win........................he's deserves

Birkdale is a superb viewing course, large dunes run between the fairways and you can watch 2-3 holes at once. Par 3s are great. Costs £55 ($105) to get in on championship days. NO MOBILE PHONES WHATSOEVER this year (there is a God).
Nearest international airport is Manchester. Liverpool is closer but doesn't handle as many flights. Southport is a holiday town so thousands of rooms, save money and stay inland a bit.
Park and ride buses will run from Southport seafront, saves hassle of parking at the course, which is limited due to housing and other courses which neighbour Birkdale.
If you bring your clubs there are a stack of top class courses nearby..Hillside, Southport & Ainsdale, Formby, West Lancs, Caldy, Hesketh (good not great), Formby Hall (inland, not links), Heswall, all worht playing if you can get a time...

Holiday booked at work, cant wait!will be leaving at 5 or 6 in the morning however. Should be a good day though.

i think i read somewhere that the tented village is there but only selling "official merchandise"
which is great for some but not for others..
i liked to look at all the clubs and golf equipment..
the trouble is stick birkdale 2008 on a shirt and the price doubles !!

having said that we shall be there friday or saturday whichever day the weather forecast looks the best..
went to hoylake last year and thought it was great for viewing compared with some of the other links course(less sand dunes)
luckily we only live about 90 minutes away