The Approach's guide to golf majors: early starts and coffee on tap

The four annual golf majors hold a peculiar kind of magic that pulls in viewers from every corner of the globe, and Australia is no exception. From the azaleas of Augusta to the dunes of Royal Liverpool, the game's biggest weeks arrive with a rhythm that fans plan their calendars around months in advance. For Australians, following the Masters, the US Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship has become a ritual that mixes world-class sport with the quiet satisfaction of an unhurried morning.

At The Approach in Nottingham, those rituals translate into something rather special: a city-centre venue where the doors open early, the coffee machine hums before the first group tees off, and the atmosphere builds alongside the leaderboard. Whether you keep a notebook for every round or simply want the sport on in the background while catching up with friends, this guide will help you get the most out of major season, with practical tips, pairing suggestions, and a sense of the community that gathers around the big screens.

The four majors and their rhythm across the year

Golf's major championship season stretches from April to July, offering a steady drumbeat of anticipation that rewards both casual observers and devoted fans. The Masters at Augusta National opens proceedings in mid-April, followed by the PGA Championship in May, then the US Open in June, and finally The Open Championship on links courses in the United Kingdom in mid-summer. Each tournament carries its own character: the Masters for its roars across Amen Corner, the US Open for punishing rough and tight fairways, The Open for unpredictable weather and pot bunkers, and the PGA for strong fields and rising stars.

For Australian viewers, the timing creates different viewing experiences depending on where you live. The Masters often coincides with pleasant autumn weather across the eastern seaboard, while the US Open in June lands in the southern hemisphere winter, making those early starts feel even more committed. The Open, played on links courses in places like Royal Liverpool or Royal Birkdale, offers the most comfortable hours for Australians because evening coverage in the UK translates to prime time in Sydney and Melbourne.

Time zones and the Australian early riser

Few things test a sports fan's dedication like a 3 a.m. alarm for the opening tee shots of a major. The country stretches across three primary time zones, and the gap with the UK shifts the experience depending on whether you are watching from Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, or Hobart. Perth sits roughly seven to eight hours ahead of British Summer Time, putting early coverage in the late afternoon Western Australian hours, while viewers in Sydney and Melbourne face nine to ten hours of separation, with opening rounds firmly in the small hours of the morning.

The good news is that Australian golf fans have built a culture of embracing those pre-dawn starts. Coffee is the natural companion, and the flat white that took shape in Sydney in the 1980s has become the unofficial fuel for anyone watching overseas sport. Many viewers prepare their own brews at home, but a growing number head out instead, joining fellow fans at venues that open their doors early. Watching a crucial putt drop from across the world while sitting in a sports bar with a fresh cup, surrounded by strangers who become friends for the duration of a leaderboard collapse, carries a charm that the living room rarely matches.

Building a breakfast ritual around the opening tee

A well-crafted breakfast ritual can transform a sleepy viewing session into a proper social occasion. Australian café culture has long understood this, with Melbourne in particular earning an international reputation for the quality of its morning coffee and food pairings. The classic Aussie breakfast plate of eggs, bacon, mushrooms, and sourdough feels right at home during a US Open broadcast, while lighter options like avocado toast suit the more measured pace of Masters coverage. At celebratory moments photographers often capture the gleeful clinking of glasses and spontaneous cheers, and the same energy can be found at a sports bar when a crucial putt drops.

The Approach takes this morning ritual seriously. With coffee flowing from early in the day and a kitchen serving breakfast and brunch items to suit the slow build of a major, the venue offers a relaxed environment for fans who want to settle in before the first tee shot. The combination of caffeine, comfort food, and the murmur of early coverage creates a gentle ramp into the day's drama, allowing viewers to ease into the tension rather than arrive at the most stressful moment without context.

The venue setup for marathon viewing days

Watching a major championship properly requires more than just a television and a comfortable chair. The best experiences come from venues that understand the rhythm of a four-day tournament, where morning groups provide relaxed background, afternoon pairings build tension, and back-nine drama peaks as the sun sets. The Approach has invested in multiple HD screens positioned around the venue so that every seat offers a clear view of the action, no matter which group or featured hole is being broadcast.

Seating matters just as much as screens. Long viewing days call for arrangements that allow fans to shift between sitting and standing, between focused attention on a single match and casual conversation with friends. The layout at The Approach reflects years of experience hosting sporting events, from Premier League football weekends to international cricket, and the same attention to sight lines carries over to golf. You can settle into a quiet corner with a coffee during the early groups, then move closer to the action when the leaders reach the back nine. The Approach's commitment to that versatility is part of what makes it a destination for serious golf fans during major weeks.

Live music and entertainment between shots

Golf majors unfold at their own pace, with stretches of high drama followed by quieter moments as players walk between holes and the broadcast cuts to features. These interludes are perfect opportunities to lean into the entertainment side of a sports bar, and The Approach leans in hard. Every weekend, the venue hosts live bands and performances, transforming the space between tee times into something resembling a celebration rather than a passive viewing session. It is the kind of programming that keeps energy levels high even when the leaderboard stalls.

The musical offerings during major weeks tend to complement rather than compete with the golf. Acoustic sets during the morning groups, fuller bands in the evening when coverage often concludes, and themed nights that tie into the spirit of the tournament itself. During The Open in particular, the venue takes on a British seaside feel, while Masters week calls for something a little more refined. Fans planning a visit can browse the live music calendar and choose sessions that pair their preferred groups with their preferred soundtrack.

Food and drink pairings for long viewing days

No major viewing experience is complete without thoughtful food and drink pairings that sustain fans through four rounds of fluctuating fortunes. The Approach offers a kitchen menu built for exactly this kind of endurance event, with familiar comfort foods that pair beautifully with both the morning coffee and the afternoon pint. Pizzas work well during the busier group stages, while the Sunday roast tradition feels particularly fitting on the final day of a major, turning the championship-deciding round into a proper British occasion that resonates with The Open's home-soil heritage.

Drink specials and food promotions run regularly throughout major season, and the venue's range covers everything from local ales and craft IPAs to cocktails, wines, and a thoughtful non-alcoholic selection for designated drivers or those pacing themselves across a long day. For Australians watching from afar, this pairing culture mirrors the tradition of gathering around the BBQ for the footy, except the gathering happens across hemispheres and the sport features small white balls rather than oval ones. The beer list rewards slow sips, allowing flavour to develop alongside the unfolding narrative of the championship.

Responsible enjoyment and the spirit of the game

Golf carries a reputation for decorum and respect, and the best viewing environments reflect those values while still embracing the occasional eruption of joy when a career-defining shot lands. Australian licensing laws around the service of alcohol require venues to follow responsible service practices, and any reputable sports bar observes these standards carefully, checking identification, pacing service where appropriate, and offering food alongside drinks throughout the day. These rules exist to ensure that the social side of sport remains welcoming and safe for everyone.

The Approach takes this responsibility seriously, with trained staff who understand the balance between enthusiastic service and sensible limits. During major weeks, when emotions run high and the crowds thicken, this attention to detail matters more than ever. Fans who plan their viewing around food, water, and a sensible pace enjoy the experience far more than those who attempt to power through on caffeine alone. Major championship golf is a marathon, not a sprint, and treating it as such, with proper breaks and proper hydration, ensures the final round is enjoyed with the same focus as the opening tee shot.

If the rhythm of the majors appeals to you and you find yourself craving an early morning coffee alongside the opening groups, or perhaps a Sunday roast as the final putt drops, The Approach offers a setting designed for exactly that kind of occasion. Doors open early on major weeks, the coffee machine is ready before the first group tees off, and the kitchen serves breakfast and brunch items to fuel the morning session. As the leaderboard tightens and the back nine drama unfolds, the venue shifts into evening mode with live music, drink specials, and the kind of communal energy that turns strangers into fellow fans by the final green. Plan your visit around the marquee groups and settle in for a major week done properly.