The pivot in the conversation arrives because the R&A is rolling out what it’s calling ‘The Open Commitment’ next week as it bids to preserve this grand old championship’s reputation. Spectators on the Merseyside links will be expected to follow a number of rules – largely focused around respecting the players, the course, and each other – or face ejection.
The new code of conduct is a direct response to not only what happened at the Ryder Cup, but the rising trend of players being verbally attacked at golf tournaments. Notably, in March, Matt Fitzpatrick faced the wrath of the TPC Sawgrass galleries as he battled for the Players Championship title with Cameron Young, while Wyndham Clark was subjected to persistent heckling on his way to winning a second US Open at Shinnecock Hills last month.
And that means the behavior of the fans at The Open will come under intense scrutiny. But Faldo says the governing bodies “should do more” to eradicate the issue.
“When you buy a ticket, more than likely you have to give an email address, so they know who they are,” the 68-year-old tells TG in a phone call from Turnberry, where he is spending a few days before heading to Royal Birkdale to carry out his various duties.
“I think it should be in black and white, bold, block capital letters that if you are ejected you will be fined ‘X’ amount – five thousand dollars or something. Make it a serious number where they go, ‘Hang on, I don’t want to get thrown out and it cost me five grand.’ I don’t know if they can do that legally, but put the stiffest penalty available to you. At Augusta, they know they will not get a ticket again. Simple as that.
“That’s not our game. That is just flat out not our game. The disgusting stuff they shout at the players pre-shot, or any time, has got to be eliminated.”
Faldo says it is absolutely a new thing, too.
“The worst we had was you would be on the green and could hear someone whispering, ‘Three-putt! Three-putt! Three-putt!’ If anyone did shout anything, it really stood out. But it was just knuckleheads who think it’s clever.”
Then Faldo thinks of an even better plan.
“Maybe we need to create a ‘don’t be a dick’ app for our phones,” he laughs.
Patent pending, of course.