I watched the Buick Invitation golf tournament on CBS Sports last weekend. They introduced a new broadcast technology called ProTracer. It’s a video system that tracks the ball flight so we can see how well the golfer work their shots off the tee. The system makes it interesting (and useful) to see the ball flight when the wind is influencing the trajectory. The winds were especially a factor on Torrey Pines Golf Course.
This Swedish technology was first introduced in a professional tournament during Open De España, back in April 2007. When it hit America, that’s when we’ll see this technology gain popularity. CBS is also the broadcaster for The Masters this year, so we’ll most likely see this technology debut in that American major tournament.
Update: Image above was changed due to Protracer’s site removed the original demo image. It’s now a photo of Tiger Woods during the 2008 Buick Invitational at Hole 11, final round.
Building IT
Jot It Down
You were right – they did use it at the Masters. Twice on Saturday (Mickelson terrible hook into the back bunker on 16 that effectively killed his charge) and 6-7 times on Sunday. On Sunday they had 3 cameras, on 10, 13 and 16. I really liked 10 and 13, on TV you can’t normally see how much these guys can bend the ball of they want.
I didn’t watch the entire telecast on saturday and sunday, but I did notice they the use of Protracer for Trevor Immelman’s shot on the par-3 16th where he put his ball into the water. The ball did a draw and then went straight down. Amazing, even with a double bogey he still managed to win The Masters. It wasn’t an exciting finish. Even Trevor wasn’t excited.
Oh well, maybe next year Tiger will be in his top form during The Masters.
This device is now used regularly during weekly tournaments. It is amazing to watch the flight of the ball with it and it really gives us as the viewers a great visual on how the shot is played, that is, if it was played right.
Nick´s last blog post..Golf Blog Tips-A List of Great Golf Bloggers
They also showed it on Protracer when the ball goes into the water or hazard. I guess to show “How not to shape your shot.”
[…] third is 250 yards from the hole. Your Average Approach Length for the three shots is 183.3 yards.The average length of approach shots (from the golf ball to the hole before the shot is played). Onl…from the hole and, the third is 250 yards from the hole. Your Average Approach Length for the three […]