STRIPED OR SHANKED: Ryder Cup Fan Kits

Earlier today, SeatGeek—the official Ryder Cup ticket marketplace—rolled out their Ryder Cup Fan Kits. And maybe it’s just me, but the offerings are disappointing (maybe even offensive)…

Seat Geek is currently listing two different kits: the At Home Fan Kit and Ultimate Watch Party Kit.

Starting with the former, for THREE HUNDRED FORTY-THREE DOLLARS (which, I guess, is substantial less than buying a Ryder Cup ticket right now), you’ll receive:

• Custom Watercolor Art Print of Bethpage Black by Claire Nilan
• Ryder Cup Merch: 2 Ryder Cup Hats
• 24 x Cocktail Napkins
• 12 x Coasters
• 12 x Commemorative Cups
• 12 x Drink Stirs & Skewers
• 12 x Flag Toothpicks
• 8 x Balloons
• 1 x Hanging Pennant
• 1 x Team USA/Team Eur Table Runner
• Ryder Cup Guide Booklet featuring Ryder Cup history, trivia, cocktail recipes from Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Goslings Rum, Elijah Craig Bourbon, Michelob Ultra, and more.

That’s it; no special Ryder Cup-themed or inspired food or non-alcoholic beverages. No mini-hot dogs, shepherds pies, nothing. And for that price, I can only hope that the Commemorative Cups are Ball aluminum cups or, at the very least, dish-washer safe (so the Ryder Cup logs survive the first rinse).

If you really want to splurge, for ONE THOUSAND EIGHTY-ONE DOLLARS (or approximately the cost of a Ryder Cup ticket), you’ll receive:

• 100 x Cocktail Napkins, Coasters, Commemorative Cups, Drink Stirs & Skewers, Flag Toothpicks
• 20 x Table Tents
• 3 x Bar Menus
• 2 x “QUIET PLEASE” Paddles
• 3 x Window Clings
• 1 x Wall Flag, Hanging Pennant and Pillowcase Banner
• Customizable digital promotional assets for your venue/club to promote the watch party

From reading this, it seems like the Ultimate Watch Party Kit is more directed at bars hosting watch parties, but 100 capital napkins is, simply put, laughable.

I try not to be a judgmental persons (it’s part of my 2025 goals for self improvement in the hopes of cultivating goodwill from the Golf Gods), but this is a ripoff—a complete shank. If you are actually taking the day off from work to watch the Ryder Cup, I can immediately provide you with significantly ways to spend $100, let alone $343—a couple cases of your favorite beers (maybe something European like, hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, salsa, etc. If you want to really embrace the Ryder Cup theme, splurge for some Newcastle, Harp, Duvel or Guinness.

When you compare these offerings to the Taste of the Masters kits, like The Classics Kit ($100) which includes things like Pimento Cheese, Moon Pies and Masters-branded Souvenir Cups, the reality is that these Ryder Cup party kit just reinforce a well-settled truth: the Masters just does it better than everybody else.

Cover Image via NBC New York