Attending the Ryder Cup is on nearly every serious golfer’s bucket list. To have the best experience, you will need to make all of your arrangements early.
Would you like to witness golf history?
Like when Phil Alfred Mickelson, an American professional golfer, made history by winning 3 out of 4 major golf tournaments. So far, Phil’s 1 out of only 12 people in the entire history of golf to achieve this feat.
Golf tournaments are one of the most exciting aspects of the golfing world. Seeing the action live helps immerse you in the sport like never before.
As we wait for 2021 to roll around, now is the perfect time to start making plans to attend one of the world’s biggest golf tournaments. Read on to learn everything you need to know before attending the Ryder Cup.
1. Know Where to Go
Where exactly will the Ryder Cup take place? In the wonderful Whistling Straits, Wisconsin. It’ll be the first time the Straits course has had the honor of hosting the biennial event. If you’ve never been to the Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin, you’re in for a wonderful surprise.
The entire landscape is comparable to the picturesque views of Scotland and Ireland. The rugged, windswept course lies along the Lake Michigan shoreline. It was Peter Dye who created the windy course, which is a true masterpiece in the world of golf.
2. Wear Wind Friendly Clothes
Bringing the right clothes means you’ll be able to truly enjoy the event, without being uncomfortable. Start by always double-checking the weather for upcoming rain forecasts so you can bring a poncho and umbrella.
The Wisconsin area you’ll be in has a lot of high winds. Bring a lightweight windbreaker to help you stay comfortable even when the breeze is strong.
Since the event is taking place in September, you shouldn’t have to worry about bringing any winter clothing. However, you never know when a cold front may blow in. It’s a good idea to have a thicker jacket in your hotel room or at your campsite, for colder nighttime weather.
3. Get Free Tickets
Were you hoping to share your love for golf with your kids? You’ll be happy to know that children who are juniors can gain free admittance on practice days. A junior is any child that’s under the age of 17.
For juniors to enter, they have to have an adult with them who already has a ticket. For every ticketed adult, you can get up to 2 free junior admittances on practice days.
You won’t have to worry about pre-registering for their junior tickets. All you have to do is stop by the on-site Admissions Office, and you can pick them up on the day you arrive.
Military Attendance Policy
To honor the women and men who selflessly serve our country, free Ryder Cup tickets are available for practice days. Who qualifies for the military discount? Military retirees, Active Duty, Active Reserve, National Guard, and spouses can all receive complimentary grounds tickets for Practice days. E
4. Know the Schedule
The practice days are Tuesday through Thursday. Even if the event is completely sold out, juniors and Military members can still get free grounds tickets for practice days. However, both types of free tickets prohibit access to the National Pavillion and private hospitality areas.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are match days, and the rules are different. On match days, your kids will need to have a paid junior ticket to be able to enter the event grounds. Even very young children, like toddlers, still have to provide a paid junior ticket for match days.
What to Expect on Practice Days
What happens on the practice days? Tuesday is a big day since it’s the opening day of the 2021 Ryder Cup!
Being there on Tuesday means you’ll be able to see both teams together while you get a sneak peek at potential pairing for the match days. Tuesday is a very family-friendly day, and the energy levels are always soaring.
Wednesday is a little bit more serious as you get to witness the best junior golfers in action, from both the United States and Europe. The junior golfers will compete in friendly competitions.
Finally, Thursday is an especially festive day. In the afternoon, you’ll get to enjoy the opening ceremonies where there are music and team introductions.
What to Expect on Match Days
The Matchdays are Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For Friday and Saturday, you’ll get to enjoy a morning and afternoon match.
Each of these two matches will consist of some type of four-ball format. Finally, on Sunday, have fun as you watch all 24 golfers compete in 12 single matches.
5. Explore a Variety of Accommodations
Moving on, let’s look at the top tips for travel and accommodation needs. It’s a common misconception that buying a ticket to the event means you can stay a destination Kohler property.
However, simply buying your ticket doesn’t guarantee you’ll have any sort of special access to a Destination Kohler hotel. Instead, you’ll have to do all of the planning separately after you buy your ticket.
Get Your Accommodations Link
First, you’ll need to purchase your ticket to the event through the PGA of America. Once you finalize your purchase, you’ll receive a special link. If you don’t receive the link, call customer service immediately so they can email it to you.
The special link will take you to a list of lodging accommodations. You can choose between luxurious places like 5-star hotels, glamping sites, or private home rentals. There are also traditional RV campsites, as well as tent campsites where you can stay.
6. Use Ride Share to Get to the Golf Course
Why drive when you can have someone drive you? For the best experience, we suggest using either Uber or Lyft to get to Whistling Straits.
You’ll be able to fully immerse yourself in the lovely landscape, without having to navigate unfamiliar roads. As the event date gets closer, there will be rideshare details posted on the events on the main page.
Enjoy Complimentary Parking
If you’re not getting a ride to the event, you’ll be happy to know that parking is easier than ever. There will be complimentary onsite parking at Whistling Straits, as long as you’re a current ticket holder.
Have the Best Ryder Cup Experience
Now you know what you can expect to happen at the Ryder Cup 2021. By planning, you’ll be able to set yourself up for an amazing experience. For more planning tips like these, check out the rest of this site.
