[Kim Maengnyeong's Golf English Conversation] "The Difference Between gallery and spectators"

Golf tournament galleries must always observe proper etiquette.

‘Gallery’.

A group of spectators who have come to the golf course to watch the competition. In short, ‘The spectators of a golf tournament’. In sports, the term ‘gallery’ is used to refer to spectators only in golf and tennis. The tennis gallery at Wimbledon is the number one destination for tennis lovers. Soccer spectators are called ‘soccer spectators’.

‘Gallery’ is a term used for exhibition halls in art museums (picture gallery) or art galleries. The gallery at a golf tournament resembles this because spectators line up along both sides of the fairway and watch the play quietly as if viewing artworks. The origin of the term started in the UK. The cheapest seats in a theater are the ones at the far corner of the second floor stairs, but they are far from the stage.

Similarly, at a golf tournament, spectators can only watch the players from outside the ropes. It is similar to watching opera singers in a theater, hence the term ‘gallery’. The Masters Tournament has a unique term called ‘patron’. There is gallery etiquette. First, when a player is about to address the ball, people around should not talk or move (Don’t move and talk about when players are about to take a shot).

Do not take or make cell phone calls while spectating. Don’t take pictures. Never applaud, ridicule or laugh if a player makes a bad shot. Spectators must never touch a ball during play.

A: What is the gallery at a golf tournament?

B: Those who attend a golf event for the purpose of watching the golf tournament.

A: What does the gallery need to know when watching a golf tournament?

B: Taking pictures, playing on your phone, laughing, or coughing can be incredibly distracting for a golfer.

Written by Kim Maengnyeong, Golf Columnist