Golf gizmo tied to Donald Trump assassination plot banned at Ryder Cup

Golf fans have been banned from bringing rangefinders inside Bethpage Black for the first day's play of the Ryder Cup on Friday as a result of strict security measures implemented by tournament officials and police ahead of Donald Trump's arrival. 

US President Trump is scheduled to arrive on the grounds of Bethpage prior to the fourballs matches on Friday afternoon.

It was anticipated that avid golfer Trump would arrive for the opening morning foursomes but that is no longer the case.

That call came after one Ryder Cup boss fired a warning that there would be no delay to the start of the Ryder Cup - unlike the half hour delay experienced before the US Open tennis final when Trump rocked up there earlier this month. 

In a statement sent to attendees on Wednesday morning, Ryder Cup officials have confirmed a number of items will not be prohibited in the first tee grandstand or clubhouse area of Bethpage Black on Friday. 

Notable items include golf rangefinders, large umbrellas, portable folding chairs, large vaping devices and metal/hard plastic insulated beverage containers.

Laptops and tablets will also not be allowed on the golf course. 

The enhanced Ryder Cup spectator security procedures for the President's visit to the 2025 Ryder Cup comes just two weeks after the fatal shooting of his friend and ally, Charlie Kirk, in Utah. 

It's also just over a year now since Trump miraculously survived an assassination attempt. 

In July 2024, the security services reportedly flagged a man who was using a rangefinder to the US Secret Service around 20 minutes before Trump was shot at a rally in Pennsylvania.

Ryder Cup officials are also warning that attendees can expect significant delays and airport-style security ahead of Trump's visit to Bethpage. 

Fans are therefore being advised to turn up early on Friday, with gates now opening from 5am.

The morning foursomes on Friday will start promptly at 7.10am local time. 

The latest Ryder Cup statement about enhanced Ryder Cup fan security procedures read as follows:

Those attending the Ryder Cup on Friday, September 26, should expect enhanced security measures and additional restrictions in place at Bethpage Black.

Ticketed attendees are strongly urged to arrive as early as possible and should budget extra time as they plan their day. In addition to security screening at the entrance, spectators will be subjected to TSA-style screening points around the Clubhouse, adjacent grandstand and surrounding areas. If spectators leave these secure areas, they will need to be screened again prior to reentering that area.

Gates will open for ticket holders at 5 a.m. Guests should make every effort to restrict personal items to a minimum.

Please review the restricted items list in the Ryder Cup Spectators Guide.

 

In addition, the following items will not be permitted in the first tee grandstand or clubhouse area of the golf course on Friday, September 26 (This prohibition also applies to items purchased at the Ryder Cup merchandise shop):
 

• Portable folding chairs
• Large vaping devices
• Torch-style lighters
• Metal/hard plastic insulated beverage containers
• Large umbrellas (small retractable umbrellas are allowed).
• Umbrella use may be restricted in certain areas of the course and main grandstand. Rain ponchos are strongly encouraged.
• Range finders will NOT be permitted inside the golf course on Friday, September 26.
• All bags, personal items and their contents may be subject to inspection.
• Laptops and tablets will NOT be permitted in the Bethpage Black Golf Course.

There is no storage area inside the Bethpage Black Golf Course for prohibited items. A limited number of storage lockers are available near the main entrance outside of the screening area. 

Guests should expect temporary delays moving around publicly accessible areas inside and outside of the Bethpage Black Golf Course. These areas may briefly become restricted or frozen spaces before, during or after the event. 

A recent BBC article claims police chiefs have confirmed that there is an "increased" risk of someone "targeting" the Ryder Cup to "make a statement" in the wake of Kirk's death.

As a result, Ryder Cup officials have had to step up their levels of security ahead of President Trump's arrival on Friday afternoon.