Open can of worms….. NOW.
The PGA Tour will begin allowing the use of mobile devices during tournaments on February 28th at the Honda Classic. People will be allowed to use their phones to make calls and use their devices in designated areas. They must keep phones on silent, and not take photos or video during play.
Yeah right. They think they’ll be able to police that? If you think Tiger Woods gets mad when the press click their shutters in his back swing, just wait until someone in the gallery receives a phone call and their phone isn’t on silent mode…
Events like the Masters however, are not under the umbrella of this policy. Don’t think you can sneak your cell phone into the Masters.
PGA Tour’s press release is below – click the read more link if you can’t see it
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — The PGA TOUR announced Tuesday a mobile device policy that will allow fans at TOUR events to carry mobile devices and use them in select areas on the golf course.
The Honda Classic, scheduled for Feb. 28-March 6 at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., will be the first event for which the mobile device policy will be implemented as an enhancement to the overall fan experience.
Testing was conducted at five TOUR events in late 2010 and early 2011 to gauge the potential impact of mobile devices at PGA TOUR events. The five tests allowed the TOUR to develop and refine a list of best practices.
“We understand that mobile devices are an important part of everyday life.” said Andy Pazder, PGA TOUR chief of operations. “We concluded after the five test tournaments that allowing mobile devices on-site at TOUR events was a tremendous fan enhancement, allowing them to stay connected to business and family. We anticipate our fans will be respectful of the policy and as a result the integrity of our competitions will not be compromised.”
With the revised policy, spectators are allowed to carry mobile devices on the golf course with the volume setting on silent. Phone calls can be made or received in designated areas throughout the golf course — for example, at concession stands.
Fans will be allowed to receive and send messages and check data on the golf course away from play.
No video recording is permitted at any time during the week, and no photography will be permitted during official competition rounds.
The mobile device policy will be implemented on a tournament-by-tournament basis, subject to the approval of the TOUR.
The Masters Tournament, U.S. Open, Open Championship and PGA Championship are not PGA TOUR co-sponsored events and have their own respective policies regarding the use of mobile devices on-site.
HOGWire – Golf Industry News
Oh yes, seeing the look on Tigers face while someones cell is ringing will be a kodak moment for sure and worth the price of admission alone 🙂