Got a ticket for the Houston Open. Never been to a golf tournament before, so I wasn’t sure what I could bring with me. Did some digging online about the bag policy and it was a bit of a mess. Different places had different rules, and I just wanted to watch some golf without any hassle.
First, I checked out the NRG Stadium rules since I heard they host events there. Their policy seemed pretty clear. They said you could bring in one clear bag, like those plastic or vinyl ones, and it had to be no bigger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches. Or, you could use a one-gallon clear freezer bag, like a Ziploc. Seemed simple enough, but then I saw that the Minute Maid Park, another place in Houston, had different rules. They allowed clear bags up to 16 inches by 16 inches by 8 inches. Bigger, but still clear. I thought, “Okay, maybe there’s a standard size for these things?”
Then, I stumbled upon the Toyota Center’s policy. They were all about traveling light and said no bags bigger than 7.75 inches by 5.25 inches by 2.25 inches. That’s tiny! I was starting to get confused. Was there a specific bag size for the Houston Open or not?
I even found something about the University of Houston’s TDECU Stadium. They were strict, too, saying no backpacks and limiting the types of bags you could bring in. All this information was making my head spin. I just wanted a straight answer.
Here’s what I did:
- I went straight to the Houston Open’s official website. Figured that was the best place to get the real deal.
- I found their bag policy section, and it was pretty much in line with what NRG Stadium said. Clear bags only, no bigger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches, or a one-gallon Ziploc.
- They also mentioned that bags couldn’t have an inner liner, so I made sure to double-check that.
To be on the safe side, I grabbed a clear tote bag I had lying around that fit the size requirements. I also made sure it didn’t have any weird inner pockets or liners. Then, I transferred my wallet, keys, phone, and a small sunscreen into the clear bag. I figured it was better to be safe than sorry. I didn’t want to get turned away at the gate for having the wrong bag.
I even saw a post online that said, “KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!” with a date. It reminded me to check the policy again closer to the event, just in case they updated it. And another one mentioned that even if vendors gave out bags, the event’s bag policy was still in effect. Good to know!
In the end
It all worked out. Getting through security was a breeze with my clear bag. I saw some folks with bigger bags getting stopped, so I was glad I did my homework. Watching the golf was awesome, and I didn’t have to worry about my stuff or any bag issues. From now on, I’ll always check the event’s bag policy before I go. It’s a small thing, but it makes a big difference in having a smooth day.
