bobforman Loc: Anacortes, Washington State

My wife is dragging me to a PGA event which leads me to two questions. First, what lens should I use on my D7500, and second, what is the etiquette of photographing one of these events?

ghbowser Loc: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia

Check the venue and tickets, but most restrict the use of cameras and video equipment, but when watching an event cell phones are everywhere.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

A quick internet search brought me to this: https://www.adorama.com/alc/golf-photography-guide/

goofybruce

You have likely watched a golf tournament on television. Pay attention to what the crowd is doing, camera-wise. Much of them are shooting cell phone video of full shots. The only photographers with "professional" cameras inside the ropes ARE professional photographers with tournament-issued credentials. You will be allowed to take pictures with your cell phone, but unlikely to use even a small Olympus or Sony camera. I have shot pictures from "outside the ropes" and gotten good shots. You will have to decide whether to take up one spot or try to follow one or two groups of golfers. If you take up one spot near a green, remember there's going to be lots of people trying to get there as well. My best photos were taken from further away from the green, about where many of the drives landed so I got some good approach shots. You could get near a greenside bunker, but at a pro level, you might only get a couple of players in that particular bunker. Again, go to where most if not all players will be hitting a shot... Good luck and remember: "These guys are good!" and enjoy the day.

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

You can't take a camera. A golfer might hear a shutter click. No other species can hear like a golfer.

marler1957 Loc: Marietta, GA

https://www.pgachampionship.com/spectator-guide - You can only take a camera on grounds for practice rounds which are Monday-Wednesday.

100-400mm (70-200mm) would be good choices plus a shorter lens - 24-700/24-120.

One other suggestion to go with the ones from "goofybruce". The majority of the players are righthanded, so go to the righthand rope at the tee box and about 15-20 yards downrange to get pictures of swings.

Some people like to go the practice areas to get pictures as well.

Be sure you don't let your flash go off. I have seen some of the professionals with their pop-up flash taped down.

goofybruce

when all else is quiet, nothing is as loud as a camera click....just ask any competent wildlife photographer... If you played golf, you would understand the relationship between ear drums and the nervous system. Just a small 'twitch' on the downswing can make a difference in micrometers as the clubface moves through the ball. That miniscule change can result in a couple of yards over 100 yards of distance which makes a difference whether the next stroke is from a sand trap, or rough or a two-footer for birdie.

marler1957 Loc: Marietta, GA

actually this is the tour link....https://www.pgatour.com/company/tournaments-prohibited-items and not the PGA Championship

rcarol

It is very unlikely that you will be allowed to bring in a camera other than the one in your cell phone.

User ID

Good etiquette would be to just use your phone and be sure to silence the ringer. Acoarst this also solves the lens question.

Anywho it seems like its really your wifes outing, so unless youre her "hired help" leaving your toys at home makes sense.

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

I was at the 1999 PGA at Medinah. Cameras were allowed during the practice rounds but not during the tournament.
At that time, I had a 24-70 & a 70-200 which should do the trick.
If you wanted simplify it even more, I’d go with a 24-105 on a crop sensor model.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Your camera CANNONT make noise, even a click while golfers are practice swinging and swinging their clubs and tee offs. You will not like others responses to you if you attempt to do that.

Bill_de Loc: US

Silly me!

I went to the link you provided so I could follow this thread knowing what is real and what is BS.

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lwerthe1mer Loc: Birmingham, Alabama

I was allowed to take my camera to the St. Jude’s tournament a few years. I got some good photos of the players swings in continuous shutter mode.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I do not think cameras, other than mini's or cell phones are allowed at PGA events.
Mark