No Ladders Allowed

In case you were considering it, there are no ladders allowed at the US Women’s Open. And that’s just one of many rules for spectators if you are planning to attend the tournament this weekend in Southern Pines, N.C.

It’s been my general observation that rules and policies are usually put in place after someone has done something really stupid. It’s not likely that the USGA thought the ladder rule up on their own…someone brought one. I can understand a ladder on the street corner at a Mardi Gras parade, but the U.S. Open? I can picture the family pulling into the parking lot of a shaded and pristine golf club with their ladder strapped to the top of the station wagon with faded nylon cord like a Christmas tree. Dad probably hit the nearby car as he lifted it onto his shoulder and cleared the way to the entrance gate. Even an umbrella is difficult to manage in those crowds, how far do you think he got before someone told him they weren’t allowed?

I’m so anxious for the Open to start that I’m reading the spectator rules. I wish they’d add one that says something like:

At no time may you yell “In the hole” as a player is teeing off, it disturbs our at home viewers.

The great thing about watching golf from home is that you get constant action with no need to hustle from place to place, elbowing your way towards the rope. You don’t drip sweat, you don’t have to park AND you can watch from a ladder.