Golf chiefs reverse phone ban at Open

MOBILE phones will no longer be banned at golf’s Open Championship after officials announced a sensational U-turn ahead of this year’s event.

The R&A, which runs the game’s oldest major, imposed the blanket ban at Carnoustie in 2007 following complaints from players in the previous year’s event at Hoylake.

As well as being distracted by spectators making calls on their phones, they were also being put off as people used them to take photographs. In recent years, spectators have had to hand over their phones entering the course then collect them again on the way out.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The R&A has now decided to lift the ban for this year’s event on 19-22 July in Lancashire.

The move is aimed at “enhancing the experience” for the general public, who will be allowed to make calls in designated areas on the course throughout the event. Photography and video recording will not be permitted, though the R&A will not instantly eject people breaking that rule. It has admitted the lifting of the ban will raise “issues” but is relying on “good-natured spectators” and also “peer pressure” to make it work in the long run

“There is no denying the attachment people feel to their mobile phones both in terms of gathering information and staying in touch with family and friends,” said Peter Dawson, the R&A chief executive.

Related topics: