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Better Golf Viewing for East Coasters: Tournaments in Europe or on the West Coast

Golf fans on the east coast of the United States get a treat this week (especially morning radio hosts.) The Open Championship, in Hoylake, Englanf, began this morning at 1:35a…

Better Golf Viewing for East Coasters? Early morning golf in europe or prime time golf on the west coast?

HOYLAKE, ENGLAND – JULY 20: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot from a bunker on the 18th hole on Day One of The 151st Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club on July 20, 2023 in Hoylake, England. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Golf fans on the east coast of the United States get a treat this week (especially morning radio hosts.) The Open Championship, in Hoylake, Englanf, began this morning at 1:35a eastern. The moment we wake up we can turn on TV coverage, and see our favorite golfers going for the Claret Jug in the final major of the year. There is a polar opposite to the extremely early morning rounds of the Open Championship. That opposite is prime time golf during the west coast tournaments. A great example of this was watching the US Open last month in Los Angeles. Watching the final groups at 9pm was great.  This leads to the question of which is better viewing for us golf fans living on the east coast (because shouldn't TV always revolve around us?) Let's compare the positives and any negatives we can find to solve our question.

The 151st Open Championship. Royal Liverpool Club in Hoylake, England.Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

Pros - Early morning golf viewing

Wake up and golf is on.

Gives you a distraction at work for most of your entire shift

On Saturday and Sunday when your children wake you up at 6am, you can watch a major golf tournament while you drink your coffee.

If you have any bets placed you don't have to wait until 10pm to see if they cash.

Doesn't really take over your entire day since it's done by mid-afternoon Saturday and Sunday.

Bunkers at the 151st Open Championship. Royal Liverpool, Hoylake, England.Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images

Pros - West Coast tournament golf viewing

Watching golf at 8pm or later!

You don't miss most of the Thursday and Friday rounds because you're at work. You get home and have a solid 3 hours of the round left.

Beers/wine/cocktails and golf on Friday and Saturday night.

Gives you something to watch on Sunday night outside of football season (and if one of your premium channel shows is over.)

The 151st Open Championship. Royal Liverpool, Hoylake, England.Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Cons

Early morning: Probably frowned upon by workplaces to enjoy a pop or two while watching the 1st 2 rounds.

Prime time: Nothing to distract you at work until around 11am, and at that point on a Friday isn't the day just about done!

Tee box at the 151st Open Championship. Royal Liverpool, Hoylake, EnglandPhoto by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

Results

Watching golf at any time is never a bad thing, but for personal preference I think the early morning watching is best for East Coasters. What puts it over the top is the weekend rounds. You wake up Saturday and Sunday, plop yourself on the couch, or your favorite chair, with a cup of coffee and watch the final major tournament of the season. Then by 1 or 2 pm it's over, maybe you have some winnings in your betting account and you have the whole day ahead of you!

Play Golf Inside Citizens Bank Park This Fall Thanks To Upper Deck Golf

Summer just started, but we are already looking forward to the fall, why you ask? Because it's when we can play golf inside Citizens Bank Park thanks to the cool new experience called Upper Deck Golf. Hopefully, when it's time to actually play, the Phillies are World Series Champions, because Upper Deck Golf at Citizens Bank Park will happen after Red October.

It's basically like Top Golf, but imagine hitting off the top deck of Citizens Bank Park onto the baseball diamond! Here are the details: Play an epic round of golf inside your favorite stadium! Upper Deck Golf is a once-in-a-lifetime golfing experience inside the most legendary stadiums and ballparks across the country! Enjoy a VIP experience while hitting tee shots from the upper deck throughout the stadium, down to custom greens on the field below. You’ll start and end your round at the clubhouse festival inside the stadium with great music, cold beers, food and multiple golfing challenges for you and your friends.

There have been a lot of really exciting events that happened at Citizens Bank Park, obviously from The Phillies Winning the World Series, to the Phillies run last year, to all the awesome concerts that have been and that are coming. Let's not mention how we could have been getting ready to see Morgan Wallen on Saturday, June 17, and then he went and canceled and still hasn't announced an official new show date.

On a brighter note, when the Phillies season ends, you can now play golf and show your skills thanks to the Upper Deck Golf experience. Check out the details below.

Bryce Harper Grand Slam

It's going, going, gone!

Bedlam At the Bank

My God, still get chills!!!

Phillies Winning The World Series

Now Hit Some Golf Balls Off The Upper Deck

Upper Deck Golf describes itself as "a once-in-lifetime golfing experience inside the most iconic stadiums and ballparks across the country." Golfers hit tee shots from the upper deck down to custom greens on the playing field below.

"As part of the Upper Deck Golf event, fans will have a chance to play a round of golf throughout Citizens Bank Park down to custom greens on the field below while enjoying great music, cold drinks, food and multiple golfing challenges at a clubhouse bar and festival area inside the ballpark."

Happening This November

November 16th - 18th! You can already sign up for tee times now.

How Much Will It Cost

A standard round costs $79.99 per player with two per grouping, but prices can vary. Each player gets 18 golf balls. Two for each hole. 

General view of golf ball for the driving range

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Steve Vassalotti is co-host of “The Matt Cord Show with Steve Vassalotti” weekday mornings 6a-10a on 102.9 WMGK. He has been with the station since 2015. For WMGK he writes about inane nonsense that surrounds our daily lives, sports, food and other various topics. Steve writes about Philadelphia lifestyle content, the Philadelphia Eagles culture and trending topics.