Tournament Crowds

[williamwes626]

This is my first season playing TGC and I've had a great time here.  I had a suggestion that might make the tournaments more fun and realistic and that's to have more tournaments with crowds so there's more of an atmosphere.  I miss that feeling of crowd chatter and cheering when I hit a nice shot, especially in majors.  Sometimes I'll play TST with no follow cam so I don't know where the ball will be when I hit my next shot like in real life, and I like to hear the crowd's reaction for a hint if I'm on the green, in a bunker,etc.  Sometimes I'll use crowd seating to line up a shot when aiming.

I can tell a lot of the best designers with tour worthy courses - (they're amazing courses and that's why I wrote weekly previews for CC) don't like to include crowds, but with no wind, no caddy to be seen, and no crowds, these beautiful courses feel a bit more lifeless since there's no movement except for the golfer and the ball.  I remember there used to be 'tour' versions that had crowds but I've only played 3 maybe 4 courses all season with a tourney atmosphere.  I figured if these courses are being put forth to be accepted for tournaments, then adding fans makes sense.   I put up a poll since I have no clue how others feel about this.   

[dingersinger]

I like the feel of just being out there alone playing the course, but I also definitely get that that is not a tournament vibe at all

[Cecil Harvey]

Lag sucks. Crowds usually add lag. I believe this is also why you don't see rain in a round in TGCT tournaments.

[williamwes626]

Jun 18, 2021 15:56:40 GMT -5 Cecil Harvey said:

Lag sucks. Crowds usually add lag. I believe this is also why you don't see rain in a round in TGCT tournaments.

Oh that's why - I never realized.  If that's the case, it's out of our control really, and it's not worth having the crowds if it's going to hinder playability.  Thanks for the info.

[Cecil Harvey]

Jun 18, 2021 22:41:12 GMT -5 williamwes626 said:

Jun 18, 2021 15:56:40 GMT -5 Cecil Harvey said:

Lag sucks. Crowds usually add lag. I believe this is also why you don't see rain in a round in TGCT tournaments.

Oh that's why - I never realized.  If that's the case, it's out of our control really, and it's not worth having the crowds if it's going to hinder playability.  Thanks for the info.

I would like the crowds for the tournament feel, but yeah... over time this has been why crowds are mostly skipped on.

[scootmcgoot]

Some designers will do a “members” version with no crowds and objects and then a “tournament” version that includes crowds and grandstands and such. Some won’t. A lot depends on the environment they are looking to create and whether the tournament objects or crowds fit the landscape. The tournament objects also add to the object meter. Many courses are pushing the limits of the meter with the planting they need to produce the environment and there’s no room to add in the grandstands and camera towers and whatnot.

[damay6977]

In addition to all of the above comments, I have also noticed that the crowd will sigh a second or two before the ball lands in the rough or bunker which sort of ruins the anticipation that you might get a lucky kick to avoid the rough or might just carry the bunker, its a bit of of a spoiler really.