Ryder Die in France
Ever wanted to express your continental or nationalist pride with your passion for golf? Lucky for you the Ryder Cup is happening later this month, with match play beginning on September 28th. If you are not familiar, the Ryder Cup is a match play event held every two years that pits teams of golfers from the US and Europe against each other.
What is special about this year’s competition is that it is being held at Le Golf National in Guyancourt, France, right outside of Paris, the first time since 1997 that it is being held in continental Europe.
Now, with two weeks to go before match play begins, how could you possibly make this trip happen? That’s what we hope to help you with.
First, you’ll want a ticket if this trip hinges on you actually attending the Ryder Cup. General admission tickets are available at tickets.rydercup.com. They range in price from €45 for Tuesday’s practice to €199 for Sunday’s final day of match play (These price assume adult rates). There is also a six day pass for €699. Tickets are non-transferrable and non-refundable, so if you buy them, you better be sure you’re going. If you are interested in upping your experience with a hospitality package head to www.rydercuphospitality.com
Then, you’ll need to figure out how to get to France. There are great cheap flights to be had out there. Assuming a week long stay from September 24th - October 1st these are the cheapest flights we’ve found from major US cities -
New York/Newark - $409
Los Angeles - $718
Chicago - $379
Houston - $705
Atlanta - $507 (With an overnight in London on the return)
As you can see it’s still very doable from most parts of the country. For anytime of the year, flights to Europe for less than $500 are great. To have flights under $450 two weeks out from departure in New York and Chicago is incredible. If you live in those areas, this idea just got a little more enticing.
For lodging, Paris is chock full of options, especially on the high end, but there is still plenty in the under $200/night and even below $100/night. We recommend using hipmunk.com for hotel booking. The site aggregates hotel discount sites and vacation rental sites like AirBnB and VRBO.
Wherever you stay, getting to Le National Golf for the Ryder Cup will be something you have to figure out. The public transit is probably the easiest and most economical way of travel. If you drive, you will have to park away from the course in one of three lots, for a €20 fee, and take a shuttle bus in. Bicycle and motorbike parking is free of charge in these lots. Taxis will also have to drop off and pick up at these lots. Click here for more transport information.
So, there you have it. Anywhere between $500 and $3000 can get you to Paris for the Ryder Cup in two weeks. If you do pull the trigger on this trip, have a GFTG (Great F’ing Time Guys/Gals) and tag us on Instagram and Twitter @goforthegame.