Mobile ban at the Open Championship

published 22 January 2007

For the first time in Open Championship history mobile phones will be banned on site following complaints from players at last year's event.

The Open follows the trend of other big events following the increase in popularity of camera phones. The Ryder Cup at The K Club operated a strict but ultimately successful no phone policy last year.

"Anyone who attended the Ryder Cup at The K Club can't have failed to notice the lack of interruptions from mobile phones and the event was much the better for it. The constant chirruping of ring tones and the noise of camera phones taking pictures was a real source of irritation to the players at last year's Open and the ban at Carnoustie will increase everyone's enjoyment,? said Golf Monthly editor Mike Harris.

?We have all become used to having a mobile as a security blanket but I'm sure golf fans will be able to revert to the age-old method of setting a meeting point and time. I'd have thought the phrase, 'See you at the Open Arms (the official on-course pub) at X o'clock' will become widely used this July."

R&A chief executive Peter Dawson explained to Golf Monthly why he felt such a drastic step was necessary at the Open. ?We don?t want a Championship won or lost because someone has used a mobile phone or camera at the wrong time. It's not our fault we?ve had to take these steps - it is because some spectators have not been able to control themselves,? he said.

The R&A will install additional public telephones for the general public. Security checks of every spectator will be in operation at the paygates.

Discount tickets for Open Championship

Paul joined Golf Monthly in 2006 in a junior role and has since worked as senior staff writer and now as technical editor. He writes equipment and instruction content and tests the vast majority of golf clubs that are introduced every year.

Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter