How to Attend European Tour Golf Events

The PGA's European Tour includes events not only on golf courses across Europe, but worldwide. What once began as a proving ground for aspiring pro golfers has become one of the world's most prestigious professional tours. Annual total prize money handed out during the tour regularly exceeds 100 million U.S. dollars.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Airfare and accommodations
• Passport
• Travel visas (may be needed, depending on the country hosting the event)
• Ticket(s) to your chosen event(s)

Head to a European Tour Golf Tournament

1. Keep in mind that, unlike most PGA Tour schedules, the European Tour runs year-round.
2. Don't let the name fool you. Your attendance options are not limited to golf courses in continental Europe. Venues typically also include exotic locales such as South Africa, Hong Kong, Qatar and Malaysia.
3. Check into visa requirements as early in your trip-planning process as possible. International travel sometimes includes lengthy tourist visa application procedures.
4. Plan to attend a European Tour golf tournament by checking the official schedule of events as listed on the official tour website (see Resources below). There, you will find dates and tournament venues listed in chronological order, so you can browse available events being held in countries you may be visiting during your vacation.
5. Choose the European Tour event you want to attend. By clicking on the link provided on the PGA Tour's European Tour schedule page, you can link directly to the contact information of the event's official promoter. The promoter can guide you to resources where you can obtain tickets, or you can search online for tickets to specific events.
6. Buy your tickets. Because European Tour tournaments are held over a number of days, you have the choice to purchase day-only tickets, or tickets to the entire tournament. Do whatever works best with the rest of your holiday schedule.
7. Make your travel and hotel arrangements. Be sure you are thoroughly familiar with the cancellation policies of both your airline and your hotel, in case you need to change plans.
8. Visit the site of the tournament in advance of the first day of competition. This will familiarize you with the course grounds, so you'll know where the ticketing gates and spectator zones are ahead of time.

Tips & Warnings

• The U.S. State Department lists information regarding visa requirements for foreign travel (see Resources below). Plan well in advance if you want to attend a European Tour event in a country that requires a travel visa.
• Tournaments can be rescheduled or canceled without notice due to poor weather conditions. Make sure that your travel arrangements are refundable.