we can get pretty close depending on tv view. general rules not published:
don't lean against a tower, even if you don't move it will effect the tv camera 20 ft up.
don't block a network camera, go under or around...you can't tell sometimes if they are on line or not
quiet--no shooting before ball strike--this is more a problem when focusing on another player lining up a shot and not realizing someone else is putting. yesterday i accidently fired a shot when a player was hitting a tee shot, fractionally too soon, then the reuters guy next to me moved (got up) and Phil's caddy saw him and hammered him--thinking he fired early and then got up too soon right before Phil took the box.
so he took the blame. several years ago, a lady from the local paper fired early and i was next to her so Steve Williams (Tiger's caddy) blamed me. just have to be real careful--they are playing for big bucks. Steve supposedly threw a photographers camera in a lake once.
stay close to ropes and careful on fairway crosses. around green get a good position
if you are nice, don't block out the gallery--always be though full of those who PAY to come to sports events.
don't miss THE shot. make sure to do follow through shots--real important
pro's usually won't touch and can't afford leica. they don't use cf cards, they cost a ton for a system, they aren't as sturdy, they are slow (no 10 fps for those bunker shots, etc), too small, generally not perceived as reliable. this might raise some angst here, but no surprise, the M digital camera is not really a sports camera. one exception would be as a wide camera--but again a 24-70 cost $1800 new and an M8/M9 plus lens is way over that. when you think about it, we have to turn in around 50-100 publish ready shots (10 inch at 300 dpi) plus have raw files within a short time after the event (or during from the fairway with computer). i shot around 500 yesterday since i got there late and filed 71 right away and could extract another 50 or so later. they have to be sharp and exposure right out of camera. an M8, even in skilled hands would be challenged to do this. plus no 200-400 zoom available ! that's to say that you couldn't get epic shots with an M8, you can. a friend of mine shots large format at football games and gets amazing shots--just not too many of them.
now if i am traveling for fun, different story.