Know before you go

DETROIT >> Here’s a fan’s guide to the seventh Rocket Classic, Detroit’s first and only PGA Tour stop:

Tickets

Daily grounds passes start for competition rounds (Thursday through Sunday) start at $73, available at RocketClassic.com. Children 15 and under get in free with a ticketed adult, and there also is complimentary admission for active and retired military and first responders. There also are ticket discounts for college students. All tickets are mobile, and no re-entry is allowed.

Admission is free on Wednesday, a practice and pro-am day.

DGC gates open at 6:45 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 6:20 a.m. Friday, and 7:15 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Parking

Parking for competition rounds will be at Wayne State, 5501 Anthony Wayne Drive in Detroit. Passes are required and must be purchased at RocketClassic.com, starting at $26. Parking for Wednesday’s practice round is at Detroit Mercy, 4001 W. McNichols Road in Detroit. Parking is free.

Complimentary shuttles to and from DGC run from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, 6:15 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, 5:50 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, and 6:45 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Merch

The expansive Rocket Classic merch tent is located just past the entrance onto the grounds, and if you’re looking to stock up on the latest gear, it’s best to get there early in the week. The shelves are usually well picked over come Saturday and Sunday.

Also, bring your credit or debit card. Cash is a no-go, since COVID.

Wednesday: Detroit Community Day

Wednesday is free for all fans (parking and entrance), and features a pro-am that will include several local sports stars from the Lions, Red Wings and Pistons and NASCAR, among other outlets. The annual youth golf clinic is from 4-5:30 p.m., on the driving range, where elementary and middle-school students can get golf tips from PGA Tour pros.

Thursday: Bow Tie Day

The 2025 Rocket Classic kicks off, with Bow Tie Day, in honor of Nick Gilbert, the late son of Rocket Company founder and Rocket Classic visionary Dan Gilbert, who died in 2023 at the age of 26 from nuerofibromatosis, a rare genetic condition that causes tumors to grow throughout the body.

Friday: Folds of Honor Friday

Fans are encouraged to wear red, white and blue, and the national anthem will play during a morning ceremony. Fans will receive a Folds of Honor pin, and the first fans through the gates also will receive a Bobblehead commemorating Cam Davis, the winner of the Rocket Classic in 2021 and 2024.

Saturday: Collegiate Day

This is a first for the Rocket, which is encouraging fans to wear their school colors to the tournament. (College students get 31.3% discount on tickets this year.) Detroit-base Greyson Clothiers will be dropping a limited-editing hat during play Saturday, with updates available on the Rocket’s social-media channels.

Sunday: The Finale

The final round is the most-attended, so it’s best to get there early if you want to stake out your spot on the course. The 18th always is the place to be come Sunday evening, as the sun is setting and a new champion is crowned. The trophy ceremony will be on the 18th green, within a half-hour of play ending.

Autographs

PGA Tour players are very willing to oblige autograph requests, especially from kids, so long as it’s not in the middle of their round. The best place to get an autograph is near the putting green, and the best place to get a ball or glove is in the tunnel off the 18th green, as players walk to the scorer’s tent. Be polite, and know the player’s name.

Viewing areas

There are lots of great public viewing areas throughout DGC, though my favorites are in AREA 313 (the 14th, 15th and 16th holes, a corridor which features three exciting holes and can get plenty rowdy), and at the 18th green, especially on Sunday. There’s a cool treehouse area near the fifth tee that’s worth checking out, too.

Proper etiquette

Look, it’s a fun tournament. It’s supposed to be fun. Rocket and the PGA Tour want you to have fun. But there is a level of decorum to follow at a PGA Tour event, namely, be aware of your surroundings. There’s action all around you. Be quiet when a player’s about to hit, then feel free to get loud when he hits a good shot. Keep cell phones on silent.

Parting shot

The best piece of advice I give to friends looking to attend the Rocket, it can be a whole lot of walking, so be sure to wear some comfortable shoes. Flip-flops are a disaster, especially if it rains. Also, it’s looking like it’s going to be scorching all week, so hats are wise, and make plans to stay hydrated and lather up with sunscreen.