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European Tour’s Irish Open cell phone policy doesn’t hurt anybody

By Brandon Raper

HARTFORD, WI - JUNE 14: Shane Lowry of Ireland uses his phone during a practice round prior to the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills on June 14, 2017 in Hartford, Wisconsin. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
HARTFORD, WI - JUNE 14: Shane Lowry of Ireland uses his phone during a practice round prior to the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills on June 14, 2017 in Hartford, Wisconsin. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) /
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The European Tour continues its attempts to “modernize” their game at the Irish Open. Will allowing cell phone photography really change that much?

The European Tour continues its efforts to counter popular impressions of golf as a “stodgy” sport. The surge of twenty- and thirty-something champions has helped, sure. But there’s only so much Rory McIlroy’s or Jordan Spieth’s mere presence can do to “grow the game.”  To that end, the European Tour is continuing its modernization efforts, allowing cell phone photography at this week’s Irish Open.

This is a first for the European Tour, which has long had a strict no-phone policy during competition. The PGA TOUR recently relaxed their rules, but the camera has been a no-no on both sides of the pond for some time. The Irish Open is a trial run, allowing photos – not video – in all areas of the course. But how much will this really change the game?

If you listen to Shane Lowry, it could be the worst thing ever to happen in professional golf.

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"I think that’s ridiculous.. There’s going to be carnage this week for myself and the other Irish guys. What a week to trial something like that. There’s going to be 25,000.Trying to get 25,000 people to turn their phone on silent. Statistically, a certain percentage of people won’t have their phones on silent. They’re going to use it anyway. There’s going to be carnage."

Lowry, even at just 30 years old, clearly isn’t keen on this move toward a liberalized on-course phone policy. He notes that there’s been a new wave of courses playing loud music on the range, but says it’s more trouble for tired golfers rolling out of bed than it is a draw for fans.

Cell phone cameras, managed correctly, won’t hurt anybody

Let’s get right to the fact here: this policy is essentially being borne out of necessity, not some creative genius. Simon Alliss, Championship Director for the Irish Open, basically admits as much.

"We know that almost everyone now uses their mobile phone to take pictures.(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)[W]e’re embracing that and encouraging spectators to share their experiences on social media and show the world what a wonderful event the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in Portstewart really is."

There’s the rub. As unique as the GolfSixes format was – short rounds, pyro with player intros, on-course interviews – this is a tacit concession to what fans were already doing. Now, instead of being hushed and secretive, the European Tour is legislating the behavior, instead of fighting it.

I really do understand Lowry’s point, of course. You can’t possibly expect all 25,000+ fans to keep their phones silent at all times. I’d expect that even Lowry would accept this policy over smaller numbers of people causing a disruption trying to keep things discreet.

The Tour did a fantastic job separating silent photos from video and calls, both of which can be significantly disruptive and poorly timed. No flashes allowed, and a common sense rule of “be considerate to other spectators and respectful of play”. Not that hard to follow, right?

Next: For the Irish Open, your favorite Irish golfers

Watch this week’s coverage, and I bet you won’t notice more than two or three phones you wouldn’t have seen otherwise. Pro golfers need to get used to a few extra cameras on them these days.

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