CBS Sports Coverage of PGA TOUR West Coast Swing Embraces FlyCams; Walk-and-Talk' Returns

CBS Sports Coverage of PGA TOUR West Coast Swing Embraces FlyCams; Walk-and-Talk' Returns Ball tracing, data tracking, cinematic cameras play an ever-larger part By Ken Kerschbaumer, Editorial Director

Thursday, January 23, 2025 - 11:06 am

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When the PGA TOUR West Coast Swing tees off today with the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, CA, CBS Sports will deploy some tried-and-true bells and whistles alongside new elements to enhance the production and the experience for viewers at home.

The West Coast Swing always offers some unique highlights in terms of formats and crowds. Both the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am next week and The Genesis Invitational on Feb. 15-16 will get the signature-event treatment: GOLFTEC's OptiMotion swing-analysis technology, for example, will provide biomechanical swing data and compare golfers' swings. The Waste Management Open on Feb. 9 supplies its distinctive crowd energy year after year (although tournament officials promise a zero tolerance policy with respect to unruly behavior). Making its debut this year at the WM Phoenix Open will be the third-round on-course set with reporters Colt Knost and Amanda Balionis at the par-3 16th hole.

Among other highlights will be the return of the walk-and-talk interviews, with miked players being interviewed as they walk the course. In addition, FlyCams will be deployed on the West Coast Swing to showcase picturesque views of the par-3 17th hole at Pebble Beach along with the exciting atmosphere of the par-3 16th hole at the WM Phoenix Open.

Live drone and aerial coverage will provide scenic views, complemented by a Goodyear blimp. A second drone will be deployed specifically for ball tracing and data tracking at the Farmers Insurance Open and AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

Tracing and data tracking are increasingly important in golf-tournament coverage, with 3D radar tracking (led by live tee-shot tracing) providing dynamic swing visual metrics, such as shot apex, ball speed, distance, and curvature. Multiple TrackMan high tracers are set to be used throughout the West Coast Swing, and RF mini cameras will offer tracking capability on approach shots from the fairway.

Two shallow-depth-of-field (Atlas) mini Steadicams will be standard across the events, showcasing players inside the ropes with a cinematic feel, and an immersive Falcon 360 immersive camera will supply vibrant panoramic views of each venue. Next week's coverage of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am will offer something unique to that week: a camera crane at the difficult par-5 14th hole will feature robotic technology for incoming-shot tracing.

Complementing coverage of the PGA TOUR in 2025, CBS Sports will offer live final-round coverage of four LPGA Tour events: the Mizuho Americas Open (Sunday, May 11; 1:00-3:00 p.m. ET); Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba (Sunday, May 25; 1:00-3:00 p.m.); Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give (Sunday, June 15; 2:00-4:00 p.m.); and CPKC Women's Open (Sunday, Aug. 24; 4:00-6:00 p.m.). The broadcaster will also provide multiplatform, complementary golf programming throughout the season on CBS and streaming on Paramount+: five PGA TOUR specials, five Korn Ferry Tour specials, and 10 episodes of Course Record With Michael Breed. Additionally, CBS Sports Network will air classic PGA TOUR telecasts leading up to each week's tournament on CBS and encore final-round broadcasts on Monday nights.

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2025/01/23/cbs-sports-pga-tour-west-coast-...
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