Title says it all, but: On seemingly every hole at the Open, fans scream at nearly every shot and give the loudest reaction when a player throws his ball into the stands. Every tee ball is met with ridiculous response, regardless of its quality.

The USGA and NBC have created this, with their emphasis on the "New York crowd," but it was old - for me - from the start Thursday.

Can anyone remember a less informed gallery at any event?

WW

Galleries have been mostly uninformed since oh...circa 1996.

+10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Maybe they are trying to out-do the FBR Open crowd in AZ.   I even heard a few BOOOOs yesterday when that kid picked 3wd off of 18 instead of driver.  I was wondering if they thought it was a practice round or something.

+1 around the time Tigermania began

I'm not saying other galleries are smart or well behaved, though there are plenty of examples of enlightened - even astute - ones.

Do you agree that the crowds at Bethpage this week are the least informed you've seen?

WW

Welcome to the world of the casual fan showing up at events just to say they were there. I don't have a problem with it. The players seem to enjoy it. It they didn't they would throw balls into the stands. I would say it is there fault more that NBC for creating this atmosphere.

I have been to 4 PGA Champions in the last 7 years, I am blown away at 4, how unknowledgable and disrepectful "fans" are at the tournments.

It's like going to concert, some people go to be there because they know and love the music. Some go to be seen and say they were there.

It's dissapointing everytime tiger hits his driver off the tee on a par 5 and some idiot yells "go in hole!"...

Jim

It makes me sick...BB

I feel like the gallery here have gotten more loud and stupid later in the day. I think booze has a lot to do with the the crowd seeming crazy.

Is this gallery more uninformed than others? Maybe. I think the announcers are talking about it more since it's a good story to say the crowd is blue collar because Bethpage is a public course so it just draws our attention to the nonsense.

A lot of truth to the Tiger era that brought people to the game who have no clue, nor do
they care about the etiquette of the game or tradition.

But it is NOT a Bethpage thing, or New York thing at all. There was Winged Foot and Shinnecock with
a lot of the same New Yorkers as spectators. You can't really say it's the regulars that play Bethpage regularly
because did not get special access to tickets.

Personally I think it is the Ryder Cup atmosphere that is changing the game. Went to Ryder Cup in Louisville
and seems similar.

What's weird is how it annoys me and pisses me off when the idiots yell some dumb things, but the pros don't complain.
Except for the rare insults which are always wrong(Getting on Sergio, Monty, etc). But aside from the occasional
morons, pros say the love the atmosphere. I think I'd hate it but who are we to complain if they like it???

So I agree with the decline of the fans, but not that it is a Bethpage thing at all.
Remember what morons were there at Brookline? As good as that was, some Americans really embarrassed
the American golf fan. And our own players got all crazy and wild. I really think Brookine is what made
the US fan think it was ok to act like they were at a football game.

I live 25 minutes away from Bethpage, and am completely disgusted with the morons who attend this event and think that they are so important and everyone wants to hear them yell on every shot and scream before the player sets up to hit every shot. The media has glorified this behavior, and quite frankly it makes me sick. Have fun and enjoy the event but stop being an idiot. It gives knowledgeable golf fans, and all New Yorkers, especially Long Islanders a bad name.

That's my rant...btw I have a thursday ticket and might be going tomorrow to tell people to shut the hell up. Ill be the one in the rainsuit.

It just seems golf is starting to get to be more like football (the crowds). Booing and negative stuff being yeld out.

I am not saying it was more fun to watch the old "wide world of sports" golf. You know when the 2 guys would play a heads up stroke match, w/ the "golf clap".

Golf is obvously becoming more main stream. Its bound to change, the crowds, equipment, everything is changing. With all this change people want to see the 320 drives, and balls that spin back, ect. This is the stuff the 20-40 handicapper will never do. These are the guys who show up at the course in t-shirts, and a case of beer, w/ a Nascar hat. These are the people who scream dumb sh!t.

I'm 27 years old, not some old fart who thinks golf should be played by old white men in goofy pants. And I live in NY, and its everywhere you go that has these reatrds yelling get in the hole, and dumb stuff. But its the TV announcers who keep bring up the guy who was yelling at Sergio. This makes other idiots think if they do something horrible, or yell something out of the oridanry it will be taked about forever (just like the guy w/ glasses and horrible 80's porn mustache yelling "hit the ball already" to Sergio)

Sorry, rant over.

1)I really dont think the pros like it. I think the pros say nothing because it would cause more negative yelling and stuff against a pro would disagreed w/ the fans rowdyness. (does this make sence?)
2)Football game mentality +1


+1 You guys were writing my first response while you guys did yours. I agree %100!!

I live in LI, NY and I am embarrassed when I hear obnoxious comments being yelled out to the players. It makes me feel ashamed to be a New Yorker after hearing stupidity. But you also have to look at it from another point, those idiots who are at the tournament also paid 100 bucks to get in. That 100 bucks contributed to the food on the players' tables at home. I'm sure the players think its rude, but they have to encourage more and more fans to come watch so they get that big fat paycheck.

Its the same thing when people go to a football game and people are screaming at the top of their lungs when the team they are rooting for is on offense and trying to audible to the teamates.

In my opinion, uninformed fans are good for the game... they could only learn more and teach other dumb friends.

when you have 50,000 fans at any event there are going to be idiots in the crowd. However, for the most part, people are just very festive and are having a good time. It was very fun on Saturday. By the time the 3rd round started, everybody had been drinking all day and were ready to party. Too bad the rain came because the atmosphere was electric. As long as people are respectful to the players in their backswings I have no problems.

What makes golfers so special and protected that we can't get on them a bit. I understand there is a different level of respect in this sport but it's still a major sporting event and fans can get into it.

What bothers me more is watching the Masters (even though it is the greatest tournament) knowing that every spectator and announcer are under a watchful eye and will get kicked out if they say or do the wrong thing. I'd rather see people being themselves rather than abiding by uptight rules.

One last thing - the "get in the hole" comments. It happens everyone (except Augusta) and always will. I get more upset at people who take it so literally and get disgusted when they hear it rather than at the people who say it. People are just being enthusiastic and having fun. Yeah it's cliched but whatever.

My nominee for POST OF THE YEAR

Never quite understood why it's no problem for fans to yell and holler when someone is taking a free throw in basketball or a free kick in soccer, but everyone craps the bed in anger when someone says something after a golfer swings. It's a sport, not the damn opera.

USGA needs to hire 50 roving security "agents". Whenever ppl act like idoits they quietly disappear (taser/stun gun/drugged beer...etc) and turn up 3 days later with their memory erased. Go X-files on their dumb arses. "Get in the hole!" bzzzzapp! THUD. "what happened?"

As long as the actions stick to being verbal, I think its good for the popularity of the game and will encourage people to come out the tournaments. Lets just hope thugs dont learn the game, become a professional, roll with they're posse and start gang fights behind the third green.

From what I see now, I hope some stupid fan doesnt toss a drink at Tiger and have Tiger jump in to the gallery and start taking people's heads off with his 7 iron. FORE!!!!

Dont you think golf should be held to a higher standard? This is a gentlemen's game, that should include the galleries. And I'm no snobby old timer, I'm 25, I just think class and manners are a dying art and golf is one of the last areas that holds those values dear.

I'm glad that NBC has perpetuated this so the rest of the world can see what we always knew: New Yorkers have proved to the world that the south doesn't have a lock on rednecks. These douchbags are some of the biggest rednecks on the planet. My buddy went to the All-Star game last year at Yankee stadium and said they were the biggest tools he had ever seen.

Honestly Chicagoans, especially south siders are just like them. Da Bears, Da Sox. Over dare. I hate it.

These guys like to think they are so clever. It makes them feel significant. The New Yorkers think they invented rowdy behavior so they have a license to show their a55. Whatever...get a life douchbags.

The "get in the hole" morons are just wanting to hear themselves on TV when they get home and replay the tourney on their DVR's. Just plain dumb. These are the same guys who go out with their buds once a month to "go golfing", get drunk, spray their shots into other groups without yelling "fore", and refuse to let faster players through. They've never been taught proper golf etiquette and have no interest in learning.

Oh lay off 'em already. They're having a good time out there, and no ones getting hurt.

This has turned into a pretty good Open despite the weather. Too bad we'll likely miss the the ending though.

The reason they hold the Open in New York is because it is the #1 TV market. And the gallery is into it.

99.9% of the patrons are into the game and I for one like the positive gallery/player interaction. In a way, that's good for the game.

It sure beats the days when the snooty golfers wouldn't even acknowledge the gallery. THAT was a turn off.

I sat near the "Get in the hole!" family today on 18. The bad part is that the father is the worst offender and passing it on to his sons/ son's friends. Thankfully, they left after Tiger holed out. (Along with more then half the grandstand) I had about 2 1/2 hours of peace and quiet after that. I think it's about time that volunteers were allowed to kick patrons out or at least alert the proper authorities to escort them off the property.

While I agree to a certain extent that there has been some uninformed fan behavior, there has also been some absolutely great moments that were due in large part to the crowd. Phil's putt on 18 to close out his 3rd round was a great one, and probably the loudest roar of the tournament so far.

But I think the most fun I had watching was when one of the amateurs (I forget who, think it was Drew Weaver) made birdie on 2 when he pretty much had the course to himself. He got real fired up with the crowd, and was really getting them involved. Here was a young guy having the time of his life and performing well in front of thousands of fans. It put the biggest smile on my face, and it could of only happened at this venue, on this stage, because of the loudness and energy of the fans.

I'd give anything to have Phil (or Tiger, though I'm a big Phil guy) make a run tomorrow, have the roars echoing around the course. This could become a surreal atmosphere if that were to happen.

I agree. Bethpage's gallery is disgusting - stupid morons who should not even go to a golf championship, let alone US Open.

Such CLASSLESS golf fans, although I am not generalizing all NY sport fans here.

My wife and I were at Winged Foot for the Open, And we sat next to 4 fathers and their sons, All the fathers acted like complete baffoons. We were mortified. Like Father Like Son. Very Sad. Come on YOur 40 years old grow up. Monkeys behave better.Losers.

Phil is obviously sopping up the energy.


This is going to be one of the most exciting US Open finishes ever. You will all watch and be on the edge of your seats and the New York crowd will make it truly ZZZZelectricZZZZZ!

You realize that you were sitting next to board members of Fortune 100 companies, right? This should explain quite a bit.

You said it well.

While I agree that sometimes the crowd can be a little ridiculous, I don't think it's that bad of a thing for golf. Who really cares if these idiots yell "get in the hole" as long as it's not being done in the middle of the swing? Seriously, let them be make fools of themselves. Some people love attention and while it may be stupid, it's not hurting anyone. As long as they quiet down when the player is addressing his ball, and not making noises during their swings, there's nothing wrong with it.

The number one reason I hear from someone who doesn't watch golf is because they think it's "boring". I've played golf for 16 years and certainly watched a lot, and I don't remember a time when golf was this exciting to watch. I know for a fact that the excitement in some of the crowds has a lot to do with that. If golf is made to be more fun to watch because of the crowds, then that can only help the game grow.

I also believe the players enjoy these crowds as well because it loosens them up. I have yet to hear one say in an interview "boy those crowds were acting stupid today". If the players don't mind it, then why should we?

For those of you that love the crowds that do everything by the rules, you still have the Masters and British Open every year. The lack of ruckus a British crowd exhibits puts me to sleep, which is a prime example of the type of crowd all of golf's non-viewers believe is present every week on the PGA Tour, hence why they don't tune in. Let's give golf an exciting atmosphere to go along with the exciting play....let the "gentleman's game" be across the pond.

circa 1996? don't blame Tiger for the New York crowd's behaviour...nothing to do with him. They've always been like this.
Phoenix was there before Tiger came on tour..and golf in America has always been blue collar...compared to the other side of the pond. Weren't these the same crowds shouting obscenities at Nicklaus because he was kicking the king of blue collars from Latrobe's behind?
or the same crowd threatening to lynch black players at Augusta years ago? Golf's always had that section..It's no worse nor better now.

The fact that in golf, the mic is 10 feet from the crowd, you can here the lone moron yelling stupid crap out. You can't hear it in other sports, just a dull roar from the crowd.

It's tiring to hear it, IMO.

Wow. You really think you don't hear "boy those crowds were acting stupid today" because the players enjoy it, and not because the moment an athlete says anything that might be considered a possibly controversial statement, ESPN, the papers and anyone else with a microphone to talk into is going to beat it to absolute death to get the most mileage out of it? Athletes lie. All the time. It's not worth saying the truth if the truth is going to be something a mediot looking to make a name for themselves may try to make a story. Why do you think so many athletes take so much media training?

Golf was quite exciting to watch, people have just decided it is now cool to say so. Augusta in 1986 is still the most exciting major ever, and I don't believe there was a single "get in the hole" off the tee. Nor were there any "you da man"s.

It's not the roars that is the problem. A guy makes a birdie or a great putt/chip, absolutely let out a cheer, and *that* is something players will never have an issue with. A cheer in response to a good shot. But that isn't the problem. The problem is the stupidity that is "get in the hole" off the tee, booing a player for not hitting driver/missing a green. I think booing is pretty stupid period, but it has no place on a golf course. Go to a football game to do that.

Anyone who considers any sport to be more fun to watch "because of the crowds" needs to have a lobotomy. No one would be there in the frsti place, and no network would broadcast something if there was not the actual sport taking place.

Wow. Just wow.

The other thing is that in basketball it's white noise, kind of like the traffic going by on the highway when you're on a golf course.

A car crash in your downswing, though, is going to distract you, and probably mess you up.

So, you're telling me that the player's really don't like the crowds being so loud and that they are just lying to save face? Give me a break. The players gave a lot of credit to the crowds at the previous ryder cup for getting them excited and practically willing them to victory. The way I see it, there are two options: they can silence the idiots who yell stupid things and bring the general excitement of the crowd down, or they can allow the crowds to be free and have a great time. People are going to have more fun if they don't feel so inhibited.

Yes, golf has been exciting to watch, and sure there are tournaments from the past that stick out as "the most exciting" to everyone. What I'm saying is that ALL tournaments are more exciting now than before because of the crowds.

No one is arguing that people are stupid for the yelling of "get in the hole", etc. It's dumb, but really, who cares? They are not doing it in their swings...what's the harm really? I've yet to hear a reason why it's so awful. Big deal about booing too. I think people need to really lighten up when it comes to this stuff. It happens in all sports and was bound to happen in golf as it became more popular. It's not like people are saying "hey don't hit it in the water" as a player steps on a tee. We are talking about things that happen AFTER a player hits a shot....what's SO bad?

We can deal with these idiots and just make fun of them and enjoy the fact that golf is becoming very popular or we can go back to how golf was 15 years ago with people using it as a sleep aid. Golf has been changing...maybe we shouldn't be so opposed to that?

Less informed fans? How about the fans for a certain player. They all have man crushes, are fanboys, scream get in the hole, wear Nike garb and many of them hate Phil.

As far as NY fans - deal with it. They paid their money. As long as they don't heckle and Bethpage cuts off the beer and ejects troublemakers then they paid for their ticket.

Cleary the most uninformed fans....Tons of them even think you can make it in the hole on your tee shot on a 605 yard hole par 5.

I wouldn't go quite as far as the OP, but the 'we're going to be heard' mantra of the New Yorkers appears to have been misconstrued by the minority idiot brigade as 'we're going to be a bloody nuisance.' A bit of spirited fan participation is to be applauded and certainly adds to the atmosphere of the event, but the morons who are shouting out on every hole are doing no favours for anyone.

Sadly, it seems this year's US open has been a happy hunting ground for the casual fan with little idea of how to behave at a golf tiournament. A minority of halfwits have made it, at times, a bit galling to watch; or, more accurately, to listen to.

Notwithstanding the atrocious weather and the imbeciles, it's been a great US Open though and New York should be very proud.

I like the getinthehole guys. I think people are dumb who think that the getinthehole guys are being literal and actually think the ball is going in the hole on a 600 yd par 5. They're just getting caught up in the excitement and electricity of a major. And that's what I like to see, that people are excited about golf and enthusiastic about it and can feel the electricity flowing. That's just me though.

But hey, I'm a season ticket holder for the Dallas Cowboys, and sitting next to some of the more obnoxious and rowdy fans for a few hours can become quite annoying, so I can sympathize somewhat.

The "get in the hole" crowd is simply a reflection of the greater societal trend towards individualism (ie., look at me, let me be the event rather than be part of it) over collective interest. Does anyone think that any of these people would pause and consider their actions if someone told them they were ruining the enjoyment of an event for numerous others. My bet is that they would tell that person to STFU and to mind their own business, while continuing to put their own needs first.

Eh... Overall it's pretty annoying, but doesn't have much impact on me watching the tournament. However, that guy yelling "one time" on tiger's chip in last year on 17 at the us open was fairly timely.

I think the players don't mind because they know what side their bread is buttered on.

As Colin Cowherd says (and one of the few things I agree with) is that no business should cater or overreact to the extreme 10% in any direction.

Yes, there are a few obnoxious fans who yell 'Get in the Hole' and treat golf like a social drinking outing beyond the limits of what many people would consider appropriate. On the other hand, the casual sports fan - many of which are fairly well behaved are the financial tide the tour makes $$$ on. And if they like to cheer when a ball spins back (even if it ends up changing a 5 foot putt to a 20 footer), cheer when a ball is thrown into the crowd or enjoy a brew like it's a ball game then more power to them.

If golf relied on the 10% that is avid golf fans who cling to it being a gentleman's game where nothing more than a golf clap is appropriate they would die on the vine....or just end up like the NHL.

Professional golf is entertainment. And the PGA/USGA/networks, tournament and players know it's in their best interest to keep that large group happy rather than the avid 10% who expect the same behavior they would have at a tournament.

That's why you didn't hear one pro complain about the raucous crowds. Large crowds and big ratings fill their wallet. And I'm sure they are happy to put up with a few knotheads to do it.

New Yawk is loud and boisterous. It's the city that does stuff either full speed or not at all. everyone was having fun including the players. Some of those guys playing never smile at all, come to New York and all of a sudden they are smiling ear to ear and "flexing" to the crowd hooting and hollering for them. It was fun as hell! It's a game, OUR game.

You had to be there.

This is a pretty uninformed post. How can you judge an entire gallery by a few drunk losers? I do think get in the hole is played out, but that guy is everywhere, even Augusta. As long as events want the cash from alcohol sales we will have to deal with some idiots, regardless of location. Golf is still one of the most civilized sports to attend. Try going to a NFL game. A huge drunk fest in the parking lot before the games and it only gets worse inside.

It was timely until someone yelled it out during everyone of Tiger's putts this year. Originality is dead.

It's a fine line between attracting new people to the sport and respecting it's past.

It's going to have to be up to the venues to discern the difference.

I personally like that the Masters & the Open are " old school " while other tourneys are allowed to be more raucous ( within reason ).

I think it adds flavor to the sport over the long haul.

As a Long Islander...I take offense to all the uninformed fan talk. Golf on LI has become a craze....where else do people sleep in their cars to play a course?? The Metropolitan section has probably the best courses in the world..and quite a few. Can you "informed" golf fans name some of them??? And I'm not talking Winged Foot or Shinnecock. Because someone yells "get in the hole" on the tee of a par 5 doesnt make them "uninformed". Not one golfer complained to the press that the crowd was out of hand. Listen to Glovers press conference afterward. Or Duval's....speaking of which, I will leave you with the best comment I heard while there on the 6th green Friday.... Duval makes birdie....crowd errupts....Duval walking to 7th tee....fan yells out "working out is overrated David!" Duval even smiled.

Now...does the uninformed golfer remember what Duval looked like 15 years ago out of college?? and then when he started to lose his game?

Duval is back to the weight he carried before he got into tip top shape (Nike tour days).