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There are all sorts of ways to watch a golf tournament.
Some follow one group around the course, occasionally skipping ahead to get a good spot right along a rope line. Others prefer to stake out a bleacher seat or a comfortable patch of grass and watch the field go by. Still others, wanting to be close to their idols, haunt the practice green or clubhouse area, clutching a hopeful sharpie and a souvenir to autograph.
But there are always a few choice spots when it comes to getting the best view of the tournament.
The followers
Whenever Tiger Woods makes an appearance, as he will for the tournament, the fans are sure to follow. With the huge galleries Woods attracts, it is difficult to get a good view trying to walk alongside him all day. There are always fans camped out along the rope lines several holes ahead of his group, just waiting for Woods to arrive.
Be it Woods' group or another pairing on the course, Congressional offers several short cuts that may ease the trip.
The hill behind the fifth green offers a good vantage point back down the fairway. From the crest of the hill, a tall spectator can see every shot from the approaches into the fifth green through the tee shots on the sixth hole, at the bottom of the hill on the other side.
Also on No. 6, there is another convenient hill just past the landing areas for players' drives. From there, the sixth green is visible from afar, and the par-3 seventh hole is immediately behind with a minimum of walking.
There are several such opportunities on the course, where one fairway runs back alongside the one preceding it. These include holes three and four, 11 and 12, 15 and 16 and 16 and 17. It is worth skipping ahead on the 11th hole, especially. Trekking all the way to the 11th green makes it difficult to get a decent view of the 12th hole. Skipping ahead from the 11th fairway to the landing area on 12 is a better option.
The planters
Conversely, there are a number of excellent viewing areas where it is possible to get an unobstructed look at all of the action on any one hole, or some of the action on several different holes.
Congressional Head Professional and Director of Golf John Lyberger recommends sitting behind the green at any of Congressional's par-3 holes. The second, seventh and 13th holes all play uphill from tee to green. The difficult second has a small hill behind the green, while No. 7, Lyberger said, offers the best odds of seeing a hole-in-one.
But the best viewing spot at a par-3 may be behind the 10th green, the over-water par-3 redesigned in 2006. From a natural amphitheater behind and left of the green, spectators can watch players' tee shots from afar land on the green right in front. The 10th green area also provides a view of the adjacent 18th green, a cherished spot on Sunday especially.
The right side of the 18th fairway is also prime real estate; players will hit their second shot from close by, and the green is clearly visible down a steep hill. A hillside across the pond from the 18th, between the Gray Goose Lounge and Morton's The Steakhouse Grill, also commands the 10th and 18th greens.
Several sets of bleachers dot the course; the small one behind the first tee has a good view of the entire hole. Good greenside risers are available at the ninth, 14th and 16th.
Congressional also provides for those with comfort and other forms of entertainment in mind, including the aforementioned Gray Goose lounge beside the final green. Two Michelob Ultra Groves provide concessions, merchandise, restrooms and other entertainment behind the sixth green and between the 11th and 15th fairways.
The hunters
There are three prime locations for autograph seekers.
The practice green outside Congressional's pro shop is always a hub of activity. Not only do professionals stay sharp there before and after their rounds, but it is also on the highway between the first, ninth and 10th holes. It is the likeliest spot to catch an obliging player with time to hobnob with a few fans.
The other two spots are officially designated autograph areas. Scoring trailers, where players go to sign their scorecards immediately after a round, are located to the right of the ninth green and the left of the 18th. There is a roped-off area outside each where fans can gather. On Saturday and Sunday, players will only sign next to the 18th hole.
