Advice on shooting PGA tournament?

[tkoutdoor]

Wow, a friend of mine in the golf business just called me up yesterday and said he has 3 media passes to the Boeing Classic and wants me to come shoot with him! This will be my first time at a PGA tourney, but my friend knows his way around this environment pretty well. He will use the pics for his website and will try to get interviews from whomever may be willing to grant them. I'll be shooting the pics. He's strictly an amateur photographer though in terms of pics. I'm an amateur as well, but it won't take much for me to cross over to pro when I'm ready. My pics are decent enough and I know how to use my equipment pretty well. I'll be shooting with both a 5D/100-400L IS and a 20D/24-105L IS. I have a Kenco 1.5x telextender that will autofocus with the 100-400 and still give good IQ that I'll probably take along as well. I could take along an 85mm 1.8 or 50mm 1.4, but I'm not likely to want to stop to swap out lenses I think and then have to swap back for zoom. Will they frown on me wearing a pack in this environment?

I'm looking for whatever tips you all may be able to offer. Some big tips that I've gathered so far, partly from the rules and partly from reading up are: 1. Don't stand in the line of the golfer. 2. Don't shoot when the golfer's over the ball or until the backswing. If a player says "move", do it NOW! 3. Try not to stick out and be a distraction. 4. A shutter click at the wrong time will get you booted!

One thing that I don't know about that comes from the regs is that "Noise free camera equipment must be used at all times". I don't own any "noise free" camera equipment. My lenses are quiet as they are USM and I won't shoot when it will be a distraction, but seriously... has anyone ever heard of that in golf? If they really mean this, how do photographers accomplish this? I'm guessing that it won't be firmly adhered to. Any thoughts on what to do?

I'd appreciate any advice on this.
Tim

[stathunter]

I have shot a few PGA events. The key is to have a long lens that will let you shoot freely without getting too close to bother any of the golfers. You will then also need a monopod to get the best shot and you can use it to hold your ground.

When shooting during interviews/press conferences I would still suggest a body with 70-200 on it. You typically need something with some reach--- most of the golfers like to keep some distance.

[tkoutdoor]

I have shot a few PGA events. The key is to have a long lens that will let you shoot freely without getting too close to bother any of the golfers. You will then also need a monopod to get the best shot and you can use it to hold your ground.

When shooting during interviews/press conferences I would still suggest a body with 70-200 on it. You typically need something with some reach--- most of the golfers like to keep some distance.At the moment I don't have anything in the 70-200 range as my lenses are in transition. But I was hoping that the 100-400 on the 5D body would suffice as it would be equivalent to a 62.5mm to 250mm on the 1.6x crop body. I don't really think the 85mm or 50mm would be long enough for their comfort zone, maybe that's what you're trying to steer me away from. What do you think about the "noise free" camera equipment rule? Ever heard of that?

[stathunter]

For the reach you might want to shoot the 100-400 with the 20D. The 5D is a nice camera because it has less shutter noise than say a 1D series body.
Some golfers are more sensitive then others -- typically you can make noise but they want you further away. Since Tiger is not playing things have loosened up a bit.
Carry the 5D and 100-400 and put the 85 in your pocket or on the 20D---not sure the 24-105 will do much for you---that is about the only lens I do not have.

[highbarger]

Forget the golfers... turn your lens on the guy that always yells "Get in the hole" as soon as the putter meets the ball. I'd love to see what he looks like:lol:

[tim]

Watch out for the flying white missiles.

[Tigershark]

I will be at the Ryder Cup practice rounds with a 100-400 and probably a 300 2.8. I haven't shot Golf in a while but you should be far enough with the 100-400 not to be a distraction. You could also consider renting a longer lens