Know before you go: Fan's guide to attending Detroit's Rocket Classic
· Yahoo Sports
Detroit — Here's everything fans need to know ahead of the eighth and final playing of the Rocket Classic, Detroit's first and only annual PGA Tour stop:
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When is the Rocket Classic?
The Rocket Classic will be played Thursday, July 30, through Sunday, Aug. 2.
Where is the Rocket Classic?
The Rocket Classic will be played at Detroit Golf Club, located at 17911 Hamilton Road, between Livernois and Woodward avenues, south of Seven Mile Road.
How do you get tickets?
Daily grounds passes start at $68 and are available at RocketClassic.com. Children 15 and younger get in free with a ticketed adult. There also are an assortment of other discounts available. Admission is free on the one practice day that's open to the public, Wednesday, July 29.
Where is parking?
Three places, with shuttles running regularly from each spot to the course throughout each day:
- Lawrence Technological University, 21000 West 10 Mile Road, Southfield
- Oakland Mall, 637 John R. Road, Troy
- Detroit Mercy, 4001 W. McNichols Road, Detroit
Parking passes are digital and must be purchased in advance at RocketClassic.com. Public parking for competition rounds will be at Lawrence Tech and Oakland Mall, and ADA and VIP parking will be at Detroit Mercy for competition rounds (and for Wednesday's practice rounds). If you're using rideshare, the dropoffs and pickoff location is at the Palmer Park Community Building, located at 1121 Merrill Plaisance St. in Detroit, which will be accessible from Woodward Avenue. There won't be any access from Seven Mile Road.
What is the schedule for the week?
The course is closed to fans on Monday, July 27, and Tuesday, July 28. Here's the day-by-day schedule:
- Tuesday, July 28: Par 3 in the D, UBS building at 1217 Woodward Ave. Six PGA Tour players — Rickie Fowler, Xander Schauffele, Cameron Young, Keegan Bradley, Tony Finau and Russell Henley — will hit tee shots from a fifth-story rooftop, to a custom-built green below, about 100 yards away. Watch party is at Campus Martius Park, from 7-7:30 p.m., and it's free to attend.
- Wednesday, July 29: Free admission at DGC. The pro-am takes place all day, starting at 6:45 a.m. All PGA Tour players participate, as do a number of local celebrities. It's a great day to get autographs. There's also a youth clinic, from 4-5:30 p.m., on the member's driving range, with PGA Tour pros participating.
- Thursday, July 30: Round 1; gates open at 6:45 a.m., play starts around 7.
- Friday, July 31: Round 2; gates open at 6:45 a.m., play starts around 7.
- Saturday, Aug. 1: Round 3; gates open at 7:15 a.m., play starts around 7:35.
- Sunday, Aug. 2: Round 4; gates open at 7:15 a.m., play starts around 7:35. Leaders tee off around 2 p.m. The trophy presentation will be on the 18th green, shortly after the completion of the final round, or after 6 p.m.
What is the TV schedule for the week
Here's the linear broadcast schedule for the week:
- Thursday, July 30: Golf Channel, 3-6 p.m.
- Friday, July 31: Golf Channel, 3-6 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 1: Golf Channel, 1-3 p.m. CBS, 3-6 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 2: Golf Channel, 1-3 p.m. CBS, 3-6 p.m.
ESPN+ will have a variety of feeds, including featured groups, from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, and Friday, July 31, and from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1, and Sunday, Aug. 2. SiriusXM also will carry live coverage from noon-6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and from 1-6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
What is the bag policy?
Bags smaller than 6 inches by 6 inches by 6 inches are allowed. Clear bags smaller than 12 inches by 12 inches by 12 inches are allowed. One-gallon plastic bags are allowed. Medically necessary and diaper bags are allowed (and infant and medical supplies will be permitted after inspection). Not allowed: Backpacks of any kind, purses, oversized tote bags, binoculars cases, camera cases, seat cushions, tinted plastic bags, mesh bags, or folding chair bags (folding chairs, however, are allowed). A complete list of prohibited items is available HERE. Warning: It's a very long list, and you're going to want to study it ahead of time, because there is no bag check on the grounds at Detroit Golf Club.
What's the weather forecast?
The Rocket has featured all sorts of extreme weather during the first seven years of the tournament, so you just never know what you're going to get. It is Michigan, after all. But, knock on wood (3 wood?!), things are looking pretty good for the final Rocket Classic, with no sustained stretches of rain expected, at least for now. The temperatures don't look all that extreme either, maxing out in the mid-80s on Thursday and Friday and high-70s on Saturday and Sunday.
Where is the merch tent?
Besides the 18th green on Sunday, this is arguably the most popular destination on the course throughout the week, located at the main entrance, near the 10th tee. There's every kind of gear that you can imagine, but if you want to make sure you get some, get there early in the week, because the shelves are usually pretty well picked off come Saturday and Sunday. Also, bring the plastic. The merch tent is cash-less.
What's the best way to get autographs?
The PGA Tour has a supposed no-autograph policy throughout most of the course, though players are relatively cool with it, so long as it's right place, right time (i.e., not in the middle of a competition round). The best place to get autographs is near the putting green, behind the clubhouse. Another good place is between the clubhouse and the 10th hole, as players are coming out of the scoring tent or finishing up post-round interviews. The best way to get a ball or a glove is in the tunnel, located off the 18th green, as players walk to the scorer's tent. The best way to have success on this front: Be polite, know a player's a name, and, ideally, be a kid.
What are the best fan viewing areas?
AREA 313 is the prime spot on the golf course — three pivotal holes bunched together, the par-5 14th hole (which looks a lot different this year, with no pond), the par-3 15th hole, and the par-3 16th hole. There are open-to-the-public grandstands there, and it can get pretty rowdy. The 18th hole always is great, too, though if you want the perfect view there for Sunday's finale, you better get there early. Nos. 1 and 9 always are good for setting up shop, too. If you want to follow the hottest players on the course or your favorite golfers, download the PGA Tour app, which features live scoring. You can designate "favorite" golfers on the app, so you easily know where they stand. Also, if you're a total golf nerd/junkie, another great place is the player driving range. Watching warmups is a thing of beauty.
What's new for fans in 2026?
New tournament director Mark Hollis promised to bring some buzz back in 2026, so there are some new fan experiences, including some music planned at the members' driving range, located near the second and third holes. There also is the Rocket Dream Nine, a first-of-its-kind interactive feature for the PGA Tour featuring mini golf holes throughout the course at three sites — near No. 2 green, No. 5 tee and No. 11 green.
What's proper etiquette?
It's not exactly a LIV-like free-for-all for the fans, but Rocket Classic officials want you to have as much fun as you can possibly pack in from sun-up to sundown. So, feel free to get loud for a good shot, and yell, "Mashed potatoes" (if you insist) after a tee shot. But keep your head on a swivel and be aware of your surroundings, because there's activity going on all around you. Be quiet when a player is about to hit and keep cell phones on silent.
Anything else?
I always tell everyone who's never been to the Rocket the same thing — unless you're planning on sitting in one spot all day long, there's a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes and avoid flip-flops at all costs. The grounds are uneven; flip-flops are a fantastic way to sprain an ankle. Stay hydrated, wear a hat, and don't skimp on the sunscreen.
@tonypaul1984
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Know before you go: Fan's guide to attending Detroit's Rocket Classic