Golf question - Ryder Cup gift

[Anonymous]

Hi - my parents are obsessed with golf and love watching the Ryder Cup. I'd like to get them tickets as a gift (for 2023 in Italy). Prices are steep, of course, so my question is if I bought tickets for one day, which day would be best? The last day? Second to last? (I'd like to get them VIP so they can have nice seating since they are older.)

[Anonymous]

Wow. What an amazing idea.

[Anonymous]

Are you buying the plane tickets and hotels too? If not, give the gift written in a card, then let them pick the day before you buy the ticket.

[Anonymous]

The last day

[Anonymous]

If you’re going to fly them all the way to Italy, definitely get tickets for more than one day! What if the weather is bad? Etc.

[Anonymous]

Have you been to a PGA golf tournament before? Have your parents? How mobile are your parents?

So let’s assume you have not been to a major tournament before. The ability to walk several miles is realistically a requirement. I am sure you could buy a tour package that included everything though obviously expensive. ($25K - $50K). But they still would need to be very mobile. If they are up for the hiking then go for it.

[Anonymous]

i did this for my parents back when it was in Ireland and they thought it was the greatest thing ever. I booked through an agent that does sports tours so if you can afford it, that is really the way to go as they handle everything. Transport to and from the course is a big deal, asis driving in Italy - no thanks and the taxi drivers there are literally insane. They will also then stay at a hotel with all the other golf enthusiasts which made nights in the bars really fun for them. Highly recommend.
I got them the last 2 days, but my husband has been to the Masters a few times and sometimes he likes to watch the final day on TV. Having said that, if they are going all the way to Italy, the last 2 days are the best, but most expensive. You can also get the earlier days and perhaps one break day for sightseeing as the earlier days are less expensive and slightly less crowded.
Good luck, it is a trip they will never forget.

[Anonymous]

Ryder Cup is a 3 day event BUT -- it is basically a week long and people will be on the course every day as the players do practice rounds.

The issue with any golf tournament for a spectator is do you remain in one place and see everyone at that location play through, or do you follow particular players, but then not get a great view as people will obviously be at the prime spots already. Or -- can you do both? My personal approach was to get a seat at a not quite so important/favorite Par 3 hole early on the course. Watch everyone play through that hole, and then walk along and jump into holes. If you do not have assigned seats then you are basically setting up for the day at a later hole, and you still have to get there pretty early to get a seat -- then wait a couple of hours until the players start coming through.

The rounds of Ryder Cup are (1) Four players -- two each team playing "best ball". The player who gets the best score on a given hole wins the hole for his team. So -- basically everyone is going for birdies/eagles. The second round is again a four some with 2 from each team playing alternate shots. The players (or their team captain) decide which will tee off from hole 1 and then they alternate teeing off from there. They also alternate shots on each hole. The third day is the standard 1v1 match play format.

Any of the days are fun to watch, and the pre-play days are typically crowded but more fun if you want to walk around as the players are obviously more relaxed.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Many thanks for the helpful feedback! To the PP who used a sports travel agent, would you be willing to share contact info and/or a website? (I'll also reach out to agents specializing in Italy, too.)

[Anonymous]

OP again. Just realized that my last question was more appropriate for the travel forum, so will also post there!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Many thanks for the helpful feedback! To the PP who used a sports travel agent, would you be willing to share contact info and/or a website? (I'll also reach out to agents specializing in Italy, too.)

Broach Sports Tours, but as I said, it was a long time ago (whatever year the Ryder Cup was in Ireland), but they were awesome, everything was taken care of and they had a good sized group. If they are not still around you can search for agents, but make sure they get good reviews. You would not want to spend all the money and be disappointed. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Good point on mobility. At the Ryder Cup, especially Fri/Sat, you want to be able to move around a good bit. With only 4 groups per session (2 sessions per day) you don't get to see much action if you park yourself in one spot all day, unless you can find a spot that allows you to see multiple holes.

[Anonymous]

Not being a punk but Bethpage in 2025 might be a better bet. The US always loses in Europe, Italy isn’t a great golf destination and the logistics might be daunting. Just my two cents.