Guinness Receipt Reveals the Remarkable Prices Golf Fans Are Paying for Booze at The Open
As fans flock to the hallowed fairways of Royal Troon for The 152nd Open Championship, there’s as much buzz around the bar as there is on the course — and not just for the usual reasons. A recently surfaced Guinness receipt has gone viral for revealing the eye-watering prices being charged for drinks at the iconic golf tournament, and it’s left golf lovers everywhere both amused and stunned.
While the world’s best golfers battle for the Claret Jug, fans attending The Open are contending with a different kind of challenge: keeping their wallets intact. A pint of Guinness — that beloved Irish stout — is reportedly setting fans back a hefty £7.50 (about \$9.70 USD). And that’s just one of many pricey offerings at the venue’s bustling hospitality tents and pop-up bars.
—
### The Viral Receipt
The now-viral receipt began circulating on social media after a fan snapped a photo of their order: two pints of Guinness and two G\&Ts, with a total tab of nearly £30 (around \$39). The simple image, showing a few lines of alcohol purchases with a surprising grand total, quickly caught fire online.
“£7.50 for a Guinness?” one shocked user posted. “That better come with Rory McIlroy delivering it personally.”
The reaction has been mixed — some fans say it’s par for the course at a global sporting event of this scale, while others believe it’s an outrageous cash grab.
—
### What’s On Tap and What It Costs
According to attendees and media sources at The Open, the full range of drink options includes:
* **Pints of Guinness or lager** – £7.50
* **Cider** – £7.20
* **Gin and tonic** – £8.50
* **Wine (small glass)** – £7.95
* **Champagne** – £12–£15 per flute
* **Bottled water** – £2.50
* **Soft drinks** – around £3.00
For those keeping score, enjoying a few drinks with friends at The Open can easily surpass £50–£60 (over \$75) — before grabbing a snack.
—
### Tournament Organizers Respond
Facing growing chatter online, tournament organizers were quick to address the issue. A spokesperson for The R\&A, which oversees The Open, stated:
> “We strive to provide a world-class experience for fans, and that includes offering a range of food and beverage options. Prices are consistent with major events of this scale.”
In other words, while the prices may be high, they’re not necessarily out of line with other global sporting events. However, that explanation has done little to ease the sting for fans paying stadium-level prices while standing in the unpredictable Scottish weather.
—
### Social Media Reactions: “The Real Hazard at The Open”
Golf Twitter and Reddit were flooded with jokes, memes, and even mock scoring cards rating “the cost of pints” instead of players’ performances. One user quipped, “Forget bunkers — the real hazard this year is your bank account.”
Another joked, “I’d need a sponsor exemption just to afford a round of drinks.”
Still, some fans are taking it in stride. “Honestly, it’s part of the experience,” one attendee posted on X (formerly Twitter). “The Open is golf’s version of Wimbledon or the World Cup. You budget for the drinks like you do for the merch.”
—
### How It Compares to Other Sporting Events
Believe it or not, The Open’s prices aren’t the highest out there. At Wimbledon 2024, a pint cost around £8, while at the Super Bowl in the U.S., a beer can cost over \$14. Even at Premier League matches, fans have become accustomed to paying £6–£7 for a pint. That doesn’t mean fans are happy about it — but it does mean this trend isn’t unique to golf.
—
### The Bigger Picture: Premium Events, Premium Pricing
The high cost of attending major sporting events has become a growing conversation in recent years. Tickets, travel, accommodation, food, and drinks — it all adds up. For fans of golf, where the tradition and pageantry of events like The Open are deeply cherished, it can feel like a trade-off between once-in-a-lifetime access and financial pain.
But for many, the atmosphere at The Open — the wind-swept links, the roar of the crowd, the drama of the leaderboard — still outweighs the sting of an expensive Guinness.
—
### Final Thoughts
While golf fans might be feeling the burn in their wallets this week, most seem to be taking it with good humor. After all, The Open only comes around once a year, and enjoying it with a cold pint in hand — even at £7.50 — is part of the experience for many.
So whether you’re watching from the gallery or from your sofa at home, raise a glass (perhaps a slightly cheaper one) to the fans at Royal Troon, who are proving that love for the game sometimes costs more than expected — especially at the bar.
Leave a Reply