Ryder Cup schedule at Hazeltine

WEDNESDAY

7:30 a.m.: Gates open.

8 a.m.: Practice.

2-6 p.m.: Mixed four-ball match featuring members of the U.S. and European Junior Ryder Cup teams.

THURSDAY

7:30 a.m.: Gates open.

8 a.m.: Practice.

4 p.m.: Opening ceremony at the south end of the practice range.

FRIDAY

6:30 a.m.: Gates open.

Foursomes: Tee times at 7:35, 7:50, 8:05, 8:20 a.m.

Four-ball: Tee times at 12:30, 12:45, 1, 1:15 p.m.

6:30 a.m.: Gates open.

Foursomes: Tee times at 7:35, 7:50, 8:05, 8:20 a.m.

Four-ball: Tee times at 12:30, 12:45, 1, 1:15 p.m.

SUNDAY

7:30 a.m.: Gates open.

5:15 p.m.: Trophy presentation.

HOW TO WATCH

TV: Golf Channel, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; Ch. 11, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

In person: 10 large video boards throughout the course allow fans to follow the roars and action. So does a Ryder Cup radio — available to buy for $15 — that provides the NBC/ Golf Channel, Sirius/ XM radio and BBC feeds.

IF YOU GO

Be patient. If possible, attend a practice round(s) so you can scout out viewing positions and develop a plan to navigate the huge weekend crowds. You also get much closer to players, enough to hear conversations between players and caddies.

Get there early, before gates open, and stake your claim to a bleacher seat or a spot at the ropes. Avoid elevated greens and choose ones you can see from an elevated spot.

Resist temptation to join the festive first-tee scene that draws everybody. Find a spot ahead on the front nine and wait for the action to arrive. When it moves through, find a spot on the back nine.

People-watch those inside the ropes. Whether it was Michael Jordan, Michael Phelps, Justin Timberlake, the players' wives or the media, it's just fascinating.

If you want to follow a specific player, do so on Sunday when there are 12 singles matches, and it's easier to move with a pairing.

parking

Free parking and free shuttle service for the general public are available at Canterbury Park in Shakopee.

format

• Each of the first two days includes one four-match session of foursomes and one four-match session of four-ball. The final day is reserved for 12 singles matches. In each case the result of a match is determined by the number of holes won.

• The match ends after 18 holes, or earlier if a lead becomes insurmountable. For example, a player or team that wins 2-up has a two-hole lead with one hole remaining. Similarly, a 3 and 2 score indicates a three-hole lead with two holes remaining.

• Each team captain independently submits the order of play for his team — he can send out players as often or as little as he likes until Sunday, when everyone plays. The lists are matched, resulting in the pairings. The pairings can be modified only if a player is ill or injured.

the matches

Foursomes: More commonly called "alternate shot," this format features two players from Europe vs. two from the U.S. with each team playing one ball. The golfers play alternate shots until the hole is played out. Team members alternate playing tee shots. The team with the better score wins the hole. Should the two teams tie for the best score, the hole is halved.

Four-ball: More commonly called "best ball," it's different from foursomes in that each competitor on the two-man teams plays his own ball. The team whose player has the lowest score on that hole wins the point. Should players from each team tie for the best score, the hole is halved.

Singles: One player competes against another in match play.

All square: A match in progress that is tied.

Concede: When a player or team does not make its opponent or opponents finish out the hole. It's etiquette to concede short putts.

Dormie: When a player or team has to win the remaining holes just to earn a tie. For example, if Player A is leading Player B 4-up after 14 holes, Player B must win holes 15-18.

Halve: A hole is halved when players or teams finish the hole with the same score. A match is halved when the players or teams finish 18 holes tied.

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