You know how Augusta National has those strict rules that catch fans off guard every year? Well, the U.S. Women’s Open has its own set of guidelines that can trip you up, too, from what you can bring in your bag to when you can snap that perfect photo. Every major championship seems to have its own unique way of keeping spectators in line. The 2025 championship at Erin Hills is coming up fast at the end of May. Now’s the perfect time to brush up on what you can and can’t do as a spectator. Let’s break down everything you need to know to avoid any surprises at the gates.

U.S. Women’s Open 2025: Complete Fan Behavior Guide You Need to Follow

Let’s start with what you cannot bring through those security gates. Your bag can’t be bigger than 6 inches in any direction. Clear plastic bags up to 12 inches are totally fine, though. Tablets and laptops are banned entirely. Drones won’t make it past security either. Selfie sticks and camera stabilizers are also on the no-go list. Water bottles up to 32 ounces are permitted if they’re empty when you arrive.

Here’s where the photography rules get tricky. You can bring cameras during practice rounds from May 26-28. Stand-alone cameras are allowed during those first few days. Mobile phones under 7 inches work all week long, but they must stay in silent mode. The championship rounds from May 29 to June 1 change everything. You cannot take photos while any player is hitting their shot. This applies from the moment they address the ball until they finish their swing. Video recording is banned throughout the entire tournament.

The championship rounds from May 29 to June 1 change everything. You cannot take photos while any player is hitting their shot. This applies from the moment they address the ball until they finish their swing. Video recording is banned throughout the entire tournament. These same restrictions applied during the 2024 championship as well.

As one USGA official explained, “We encourage fans to capture their favorite moments at our championships, but we have set guidelines to ensure our players and other fans are not distracted during competition.” Social media posts using the #USWomensOpen hashtag are encouraged. Live streaming will get you ejected immediately, though. Keep your posts to still photos only during championship rounds.

Movement around the course follows specific protocols. Stay behind those gallery ropes at all times. Cross fairways only at designated crossing points. Keep conversations quiet when players are addressing their shots. Weather delays trigger a color-coded alert system that you’ll see on scoreboards.

How U.S. Women’s Open Rules Compare to Other Major Championship Policies

Augusta National maintains the toughest policies in professional golf. Phones and cameras are prohibited during Masters tournament week. Even practice rounds limit you to basic cameras with strict lens restrictions. The PGA Championship restricts fan photography even more than USGA events. Only media credentials allow photography during competition rounds. Brooks Koepka noted how “the strict policies help maintain that major championship atmosphere that separates these events from regular tour stops.”

Both U.S. Open championships follow identical USGA guidelines. Scottie Scheffler appreciates this consistency: “Players know what to expect at USGA events, which helps us focus on our preparation.” 

The AIG Women’s Open takes a different approach. Professional cameras remain banned, but phones work fine throughout the week. Flash photography remains prohibited, but video policies are less restrictive than those of American majors.

These varying policies create challenges for fans who attend multiple majors. What works at one tournament might violate rules at another. Most major championships have gotten stricter over the past five years due to social media growth and broadcast rights protection.

The 2025 U.S. Women’s Open strikes a middle ground among major championships. You get more opportunities than at Augusta National’s Masters, but face tighter restrictions than regular LPGA Tour events.

All violations result in immediate expulsion from Erin Hills. You’ll also lose all ticket privileges for the remaining championship days. USGA security doesn’t issue warnings before taking action.

The USGA continues refining its approach to balancing fan engagement with competitive integrity as technology advances. Are you ready for championship golf while following these guidelines?