Colonial Golf Tournament 2011

[Nikonfan]

I went to the Colonial Golf Tournament this weekend as part of the media. This was my first PGA event. I was amazed at how strict the photography rules were. Guests were not allowed to even take pics with cell phones! Even with a media badge, you still had to have a special photography badge. Luckily, my badge allowed me to shoot from inside the ropes. I have only had time to post a few pics to my site. Sorry, I don't have time to resize them for TPF and upload them since I have a day job. But you can see them at the link below. Feel free to CC. Thanks!

Ft. Worth and DFW Photographer | David Lunt Photography/blog -

[Huck]

Yeah, this year they changed up the rules for cell phone usage there, including having areas for cell phone use. If you are caught, they can take your phone and you can pick it up later or you can leave for the day.

[Nikonfan]

I saw that they decided to allow cell phones in certain areas this year. I did hear of the "PGA Nazi's" (as I have heard the officials referred to) asking a few people to leave because they didn't want to turn over their phones. They really don't mess around with that. I may be going to the Byron Nelson this weekend. It is still up in the air.

[jeffro20]

Originally Posted by Nikonfan

I went to the Colonial Golf Tournament this weekend as part of the media. This was my first PGA event. I was amazed at how strict the photography rules were. Guests were not allowed to even take pics with cell phones! Even with a media badge, you still had to have a special photography badge. Luckily, my badge allowed me to shoot from inside the ropes. I have only had time to post a few pics to my site. Sorry, I don't have time to resize them for TPF and upload them since I have a day job. But you can see them at the link below. Feel free to CC. Thanks!

Ft. Worth and DFW Photographer | David Lunt Photography/blog -

So Joe Hobbyist isn't allowed to take pictures for his own pleasure at PGA events?

[Nikonfan]

Sadly no. I have never seen such a camera unfriendly place. It was the PGA, not the Colonial that set the rules. I do however, understand where they are coming from. Most point and shoot cameras make a beep which could distract the players. Cell phones have a fake camera shutter sound and DSLRs have a loud click and/or beep when focusing. So I get the need to restrict camera use around the greens. Whenever I was inside the ropes I made sure not to actually release the shutter until after the golfers club hit the ball.