Mobile phones will be permitted at this year’s Open Championship with spectators able to keep up-to-date with all the action thanks to a host of official smartphone apps.
Since 2006, mobile phones have not been permitted throughout The Open venue for the entire week. However, at Royal Lytham & St Annes this July, spectators will be able to carry their phones, with calls allowed in designated areas.
Photography and video recording will still not be permitted during Championship days although spectators will be allowed to check their smartphones from the course and in grandstands, and so they will be able to keep up-to-date with live scores, course guides, video, live action and much more from the official Open Championship apps.
“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. We understand this and allowing their use at the Championship will enrich The Open experience,” said Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A.
“We are offering spectators access to an enhanced range of apps for Android, iPhone and iPad that will offer live video of play and other attractions at The Open and will keep them up-to-date with essential Championship information including scoring, tee times, news and an interactive course guide.”
Spectators will have restricted use of their phones and will be limited to making calls in designated areas around the tented village and food and drink outlets. Strict rules will be put in place designed to ensure that play is not affected in any way by the change.
Dawson added: “We understand there will be concerns over this change in policy but will be liaising with spectators at the Championship to ensure calls are not taking place near play. Our spectators are very knowledgeable and understand golf, and so we are confident they will respect the players.”
There have been a significant number of physical changes to the course since David Duval won the last time the Open was staged there in 2001.
All but four holes - the first, ninth, 12th and 15th - have undergone redevelopment, with almost 200 yards added to the overall length of the course and a completely new seventh green constructed.
The links will now play 7,086 yards as opposed to the 6,905 it did 11 years ago.
The 492-yard sixth hole has also been downgraded to a par-four for this year's Open, making the course a par 70 for the championship.
Dawson admitted they had probably reached their limits at Lytham in terms of adding extra length.
"There is always room to do something but we are very close to the maximum," he said.
