Your Guide 4 Taking Kids to the Solheim Cup in Des Moines

The Solheim Cup takes place August 14-20, 2017 at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club. It is the most prestigious team event in women’s professional golf and it’s a great honor to have it here in Des Moines. The biennial event pits the U.S. against Europe for three days of outstanding golf.

The Solheim Cup has a reputation for being “kid friendly” with a more upbeat, celebratory atmosphere than a typical golf tournament. The event will feature a number of fun and exciting things for children and families. In addition to the main competition, there are several other activities to attend throughout the week like the PING Jr. Solheim Cup, practice sessions, a concert series, kid zone and more.

With all of that in mind, I’d really like to take advantage of this opportunity and take my kids, especially my daughter, to see some professional women athletes at the top of their game. Since, I’ve never attended a professional golf tournament before, I reached out to tournament organizers who provided me with some great tips, that I’d like to pass on to you. Here’s your guide for taking kids to the Solheim Cup in Des Moines.

Your Guide 4 Taking Kids to the Solheim Cup in Des Moines – dsm4kids.com — Image source Solheim Cup

Know Before You Go

Location

The Solheim Cup is being held at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club, 1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to get there on the day of the event, so you are not rushed. Visit their website or give them a call at (515) 440-7500 if you need additional information.

Tickets

There are a number of ticket options available. Daily Grounds Tickets start as low as $15. You can also add on upgrades like concert tickets, pavilion(s) entrance, parking, food and beverage, etc.

NOTE: Juniors (age 17 and younger as of August 14, 2017) will be provided Junior Tickets FREE of charge any day when accompanied by a ticketed adult. A maximum of two (2) Junior Tickets per day may be obtained per one ticketed adult. If families want tickets to access a certain hospitality tent, there are options to upgrade a Junior ticket for a fee.

Parking

Off-Site General Public Parking is available in Lot P located behind the Marsh Advantage building at 12421 Meredith Drive, Urbandale, IA 50398. Parking in Lot P costs $10.00 per day and attendants accept cash ONLY. It is recommended that Off-Site parking passes be purchased in advance online at solheimcupusa.com. Complimentary shuttles will be available between Lot P and Des Moines Golf and Country Club.

Spectator Etiquette

Be loud and be proud! Most golf tournaments require quiet clapping and hushed crowds. The Solheim Cup encourages cheering and singing. You will be asked to be quiet right before and while a golfer takes her swing. But cheering before and after is great!

Is there a dress code? Red, White and Blue! Capt. Juli Inkster is asking for fans of TEAM USA to wear red on Friday, white on Saturday and blue on Sunday. The rest of the week wear whatever patriotic clothes you can find! Just remember it will be August in Iowa, so dress nice, but cool. And don’t forget the sunscreen and comfy shoes.

Are there any age restrictions? There are no age restrictions – everyone is welcome! Older kids that are old enough to golf themselves (8+) will get the most out of the event. They’re old enough to be interested in what’s going on and have enough steam to walk around on their own. Younger kids may still enjoy it, but as you know, parents typically must scale back the pace or duration of these events, so as not to completely overwhelm the littles. Parents know their kids best!

Safety & Security

There are a number of items that are not allowed into the Solheim Cup. You can find a complete list here. With an expected crowd of over 100,000 and your kiddos in tow you will also want to have a few safety protocols in place. It is worth noting that small drawstring packs (variety typically carried by children) and diaper bags (when an infant/young child is present) are allowed.

Are strollers allowed? Yes. However, for a nice viewing experience they aren’t recommended. Golf courses are quite hilly and to really see the event, you’ll need to hop from hole to hole and through grass fields. A stroller would make this quite cumbersome. If you have a smaller infant you might opt for a sling or a baby pack. For a toddler who’s a bit too big for a carrier, you might want to opt to walk one or two holes instead of trying to watch the whole event. No money lost since kids get in FREE!

While You’re There

Restrooms

Take a look at the course map before heading to the tournament. Restrooms are located near almost every hole on the course and at the main entrance.

Food/Beverage Availability

No outside food or drinks are allowed into the Solheim Cup, unless they are necessary to treat a medical condition or infant needs. There will be food for purchase at various concession stands that are dispersed every few holes across the course.

Enjoy the Atmosphere

If you have not attended a golfing event before, you may want to review the rules of the game and let your kids know what they should expect. Be sure to try to get to the event you’re attending early so you can enjoy all the festivities. Wear red, white or blue; join in with the chants and singing; and get pumped up with the rest of the crowd!

Kid’s Zone

There will be a kid’s zone and merchandise tent located near the main entrance with a wide variety of hands-on golf-related activities. There will be putt-putt golf, healthy living and nutrition tips, a card station for kids to make signs for the players and many more fun things to do.