Tour officials have a big hang-up with cell phones

Tuesday, Oct. 12, 1999 | 8:30 a.m.

The PGA Tour has banned cellular telephones and cameras from all events this season.

The tour has set up a claim check near the gates of its tournaments where fans can leave the items until they leave the course, according to a tour spokesman.

The tour said it has prohibited the items because golfers have complained about being distracted during their swings by camera flashes and cell phones ringing.

"Obviously, a number of recent incidents have forced us to take this action," James Cramer, a PGA Tour spokesman, said.

During the World Golf Match Play Championships earlier this year, for example, both Tiger Woods and Nick Faldo complained about distractions from cameras and mobile phones.

In the past, the PGA Tour had allowed spectators to bring cameras to event practice rounds and had likewise allowed cell phones, as long as they were either turned off or set to vibrate instead of ringing.

Now, the items are banned from all PGA Tour-sanctioned events, including practice rounds. Fans who are caught with either cameras or cell phones will be asked to turn them in to the claim check or leave the premises.

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