How The Open Limits How Much Alcohol Fans Consume

SOUTHPORT, England — Enjoying a pint at the pub while watching live sports is as tried-and-true of a tradition as any in the U.K. But for fans attending the final major championship of the men’s golf season this week, it isn’t that simple.

While there’s plenty of beer, wine, and spirits available for purchase at the Open Championship, which began Thursday, enjoying those adult beverages around Royal Birkdale takes a little more effort than it does at golf tournaments in the U.S.

At The Open, alcohol sales start at 10 a.m. each day. Pouring hours vary across most U.S. golf events—the Masters sells beer and wine as soon as gates open at 7 a.m., while the Ryder Cup last September started selling booze at 9 a.m. (which didn’t prevent the rowdy American fans from turning ugly on the dominating European team).

The vast spectator village at Royal Birkdale has multiple options for alcoholic beverages—including free Scotch whisky tastings—but there are no golf holes within direct view, requiring fans to walk with their drinks to see live golf. The Open Arms bar has multiple locations, but most food trucks and vendors do not sell alcohol. That’s a drastically different strategy than American golf tournaments, where various beers, seltzers, and signature cocktails are seemingly available around every corner.

Fans at The Open are also not allowed to consume alcohol while sitting in the grandstands. Similar policies are in place at Premier League and other professional soccer matches in the U.K., where general admission fans can’t drink alcohol within sight of the pitch. “I think it’s because the British fans can get a little rowdy,” one English volunteer at Royal Birkdale told Front Office Sports. Golf tournaments in the U.S. rarely, if ever, have restrictions on where alcohol can be consumed.

It should be noted The Open does have an official beer, Singha (a Thai lager), and official spirit, Loch Lomond Whiskies. Pints of beer and glasses of wine cost about $10.79 (£8); 25ml servings of liquor start at $8 (£6), and cocktails start at around $16 (£12).

Fan Report Card

While many of the limitations around alcohol consumption at The Open aren’t new this year, they do come as the R&A, which operates the tournament, has implemented a new spectator conduct policy in the wake of recent incidents of poor behavior from golf fans.

“Enjoy Responsibly” is one of the five pillars of “The Open Commitment,” with the following guidelines:

• For fans who consume alcohol at The Open, please enjoy it responsibly and respectfully.
• Alcohol brought from outside the venue is not permitted.
• Alcohol is not permitted within grandstands.
• Behaviour that disrupts the experience of others will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the course.

“I think it’s a good thing,” one fan said Thursday morning while passing signage for The Open Commitment entering the grounds. “There’s been too many bad incidents happening.”