The Travelers Championship - 10 Tips for Savvy Golf Spectators

Here in Connecticut we've got the perfect antidote to your yearly post-US Open hangover; it's called the Travelers Championship and it's an event we nutmeggers look forward to all year.

Our state's biggest sporting event has a colorful history and charitable tradition, with benefits that extend well beyond the yearly week of golf festivities.

Today's opening ceremonies at TPC River Highlands launch a week of activities leading up to Sunday's final round.  The field is fantastic and the forecast is fine, so if you're anywhere in the area this week, a trip to Cromwell is something you'll surely want to try for ...and to make your Travelers Championship experience all the more stellar I've got some tips for you.

Provided by the experts at TPC River Highlands... who've hosted the tournament for thirty years... these pointers will ensure that you get the most out of your spectator experience:

1.  “Watch players warm up. It’s a great way to get close and see how good the pros really are when they are hitting shot after shot exactly how they want to. ” * you'll definitely want to watch swings and short game drills at the impressive practice facility but there's also a practice green next to the club house and leaderboard where players tend to practice earlier in the day. I've observed some interesting drills... and amusing interchanges... there over the years.

2.    “Keep an eye out for property maps and pairings guide as you enter the grounds and make a plan for the players or groups you’d like to see throughout the day. Having a map of the facility will make it easier to jump to different locations.” * Check the large video boards in numerous locations throughout the course to see which pairings are approaching the green... and to keep up with a changing leaderboard.

3.   “The best holes to watch and learn are holes 15-18.  This is a great final stretch to watch the TOUR players handle the pressure and finish off a great round. You will pick up tips on how to play difficult shots and/or use proper course management.”

4.   “Check out the merchandise tent early in the week, specifically Pin Flags – they are the first to sell out. Too many people wait until Saturday and Sunday thinking they’ll restock, but the best selection is found earlier in the week.” * Last year I bought an awesome wide brim visor, I'm pretty sure those are going to be popular this year as well.

5. “The best spots to watch the most amount of golf is behind the 4th green so you can see the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th hole or between the 15th and 16th hole for some awesome action.”  • • MORE TIPS -->

Overlooking the 18th green at TPC River Highlands      ©GolfGirlMedia

6. “The course is often less crowded on the front 9, so you can often get much closer to the action. The course will get more crowded the later it gets in the day, so find a good spot before its filled with other spectators.” * The hills surrounding the 18th green are a great place to station oneself later in the day. The area gets very popular on Sunday afternoon,  for obvious reasons. 

7.    “The best time to try for autographs is earlier in the week or at the autograph zone located at the practice facility.” 

8.   “Find the fairway landing zones of your favorite holes and you can beat the traffic to watch your favorite player hit their approach to the green. Holes #6 and #13 are a great place to watch fairway shots because they are the only par 5's on the golf course and it is exciting to watch TOUR players try and hit the green in two for a shot at eagle. ”

9.   “Whether you choose to follow a group or your favorite player, travel from green to tee for the best viewing spot along the rope line.”

10.   “Watch everyone on the leaderboard tee off on No. 1, then walk all 18 holes backwards to see everyone on the field, plus the entire course. Great exercise, great golf!” * If you bring the little ones, remember to schedule a good block of time for the Kid's Zone.

Check out the Travelers Championship website  and @TravelersChamp for additional information & daily dispatches from the course. To find out more about TPC River highlands and the TPC network of courses visit TPC.com Also, follow TPC Network on Twitter @PlayTPC, Instagram @PlayTPC, and Facebook at www.facebook.com/tpcnetwork.