any golfing photographers here?

[redline]

planing on attending a golfing game in a fortnights time. Any tips for shooting such an event? Any restrictions on where I can stand or how far away from the player is "safe"?
so far all i know is:
not to fire the shutter before the golfer hits the ball.
Heard Tiger woods caddy attacked the photog who fired their camera early.

[MHD]

get a 200-400VR and you can get as close as you want

[gstark]

Switch the camera into Quiet mode ...

[atencati]

dont shoot or make any noise from the time the marshalls hold up the quiet signs until the ball is struck, and move as little as possible. Golf is nice because you can get fairly close to the athletes with a little foresight. And don't forget, the golfers can have you removed from the event for basically any reason. Saw some pretty sad displays of stupidity at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am last year. Photogs running around snapping away at any time until they got booted. Not very civilized.

Andy

[Greg B]

They are prima donnas I reckon. Getting paid a bucket to play golf, but they can't cope unless everyone is "vewy vewy qwiet"

Same with tennis players.

I can understand with brain surgeons and bomb defusers.

[redline]

get a 200-400VR and you can get as close as you want

yeah, i would have to sell my car to pay for one of though. given the choice I honestly perfer the 400 or 500 f2.8 primes insteads

[the foto fanatic]

If you are attending a professional tournament, then you will be inside ropes with the paying public. The obvious places for you to take photos are around the tees and the greens. Yes, be careful about shutter noise - look for opportunities to shoot after the ball has gone or well before the player starts his backswing. There will be plenty of static photo ops - when the player lines up his putt; looking at a difficult lie; discussing the possibilities with his caddie etc.
If you are attending a corporate golf day where a company is entertaining clients, you will have a lot more latitude. If they have asked you to take photos, try to get one of each group after they have all hit their tee shots on one of the holes (sales opportunity for you!) Generally players at these days like to have their photos taken.
Good luck

[redline]

thanks guys, i had a look at some golfing photos at a stock agency really great inspiration stuff.
i'll post my shots after the event

[Allan]

A good place to capture some action is around the bunkers. We attended the Aust. Open in Melbourne a couple of years ago and I got some great shots of Greg, Ernie and co. blasting their way outa the pots.

You don't need a long lens and the trick is to stop the ball about a metre in the air, with sand flying everywhere. You have to move fast tho, study the course prior to get in the right position.

The magic word is FOUR!! Hear that and you throw your body over your equipment.

Watch out for the pro photogs, they're there making a living and will run over you, no questions asked.
Have fun, Al.

[redline]

so did any of the pros ever get hit by the ball btw?

[Allan]

Not that we saw at that event. But Adam Scott hit this poor sod with a 250yd. drive. Standing down the 13th fairway, all was quiet, the tee was out of sight.
The marshall in front of us says 'THEY'RE HITTING OFF!!'
Everyone's quiet, waiting, then this guy about 4 metres away, suddenly yells out in pain.
We didn't see the ball arrive. He went down and came up with lump the size of an egg on his back.

Adam Scott arrives, good natured banter captured by ABCTV, and off he went after giving the guy his spare towel.
One in a million shot that could've been worse.