At PGA Championship, CBS Sports Bolsters Aerial, Bunker Camera Lineup; Takes Viewers Deeper with Optimotion Swing Tech

At PGA Championship, CBS Sports Bolsters Aerial, Bunker Camera Lineup; Takes Viewers Deeper with Optimotion Swing Tech Operational effort features more than 125 cameras, 150 microphones, and robust real-time graphics By Brandon Costa, Director of Digital

Thursday, May 16, 2024 - 2:28 pm

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Golf's second major of the year is underway and CBS Sports is bringing one of its biggest live production efforts ever this week to Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville for the 106th PGA Championship.

This marks the 34th consecutive year and the 41st time overall that CBS Sports has led the broadcast production efforts for the PGA Championship and this year's operation is an impressive one. More than 125 cameras, 150 microphones, and 600 crew members cover the course while deep tracking and graphics technology better tell the story in the network's wall-to-wall coverage.

I'm so proud of our golf team. They truly think they set the standard in the industry, says David Berson, the newly-minted President and CEO of CBS Sports (he takes over following the retirement of Sean McManus at The Masters). I don't think that our golf coverage has ever been better than it is today. I'm just really thrilled with the coverage we have.

Graphics Put the Viewer First While ESPN broadcasts and streams coverage on the first two days of the tournament, coverage shifts over to CBS Television Network and Paramount+ for the push to finish on Saturday and Sunday. On the linear broadcast, data-filled real-time graphics continue to revolutionize coverage of live golf.

An example of CBS Sports' work in implementing OptiMotion technology into the broadcast from earlier this year.

One of the new highlights for this PGA Championship is the use of GOLFTEC OptiMotion Swing Analysis Technology. First implemented by CBS Sports during its PGA Tour West Coast Swing earlier this year, the visual breaks down swing dynamics for the viewer. Lead analyst Trevor Immelman presents biomechanical swing data on elements like hip turn and shoulder tilt. It also helps comparing and contrasting between golfers.

CBS loves the technology as it allows its coverage to lean into the educational aspect of viewers looking to improve their own golf swing.

We haven't even scratched the surface on the data, and so the old line of the sky's the limit' applies in this case, says CBS Sports lead golf producer Sellers Shy. It not only helps the viewer understand the player's swing, but Trevor is also working very hard in having it relate to the viewer at home. That's what their goal is: to help the casual fan and the extreme golfer; both ends of the handicap spectrum. [We are] trying to help their swings out. Trevor really adds to the data that we've seen because it can be a challenge to put in layman's terms.

Mike Francis, VP, Engineering and Technology, CBS Sports noted that the operations team used GOLFTEC OptiMotion Swing Analysis on the driving range during coverage of The Masters last month. It's also been utilized across significant PGA Tour events this season.

That's just the new star in a robust graphics effort designed to better tell the story of live golf. The modern mainstay, TopTracer, is at Valhalla on all 18 holes and even the practice facility. The 3D radar tracking system provides viewer with an accurate visual representation of distance, height, and curvature of a shot in realtime. Additionally, Toptracer is outfitted on four RF mini cameras to add versatility to ball tracking graphics. These allow for the show to get select TopTracer graphics on second and third shots from the fairway.

Additionally, CBS Sports is deploying ARL Virtual Eye Side Slab Flight Track. This virtual eye technology leverages Toptracer ball tracking on tee shots to provide an overhead slab view of the hole. Available on all 18 holes, the offering also brings back full page displays detailing how golfers played certain holes during previous rounds with virtual flyover animations.

Over the past decade, these graphical enhancements have proven to be critical storytelling tools for CBS Sports' Executive Producer and EVP, Production Harold Bryant, Shy and fellow producer Jim Rikhoff, and directors Steve Milton and Rob Matina.

Aerial, Bunker, Cinematic Cameras Deliver the Images The last time this major visited Valhalla was in 2014 and since then the course has undergone a significant renovation. That offers some new visual storytelling opportunities for CBS Sports. The back nine will surely become a star of the show, most notably the par-5 18th hole. CBS Sports has run one of its FlyCams along the green area at 18, as well as laying BunkerCams in the sand.

The end of a FlyCam run at Valhalla Golf Club for this weekend's PGA Championship. (Photo Courtesy CBS Sports)

They redid it through and through, says Shy. It has a gorgeous new, fresh appearance. We also are taking what we learned from the previous championships there, specifically in 2014, and enhancing those areas. You're going to see a lot of activity around 13, 14, and 18 because it's going to be a popular place. 13 is in our logo. 14 is an incredible par three with bunkers all the way around. Then 18 is a par-five finish, which you don't normally see. There's been extreme preparation put into this week and we're ready.

Aerial coverage will inevitably shine at a golf event like this. FlyCam has also been rigged above the 13th green and 14th tee. There will also be live drones (from Kaze Aerial Production) and the iconic Goodyear Blimp taking the skies.

Shallow depth-of-field cinematic looks also continue to grow in popularity as part of the CBS Sports golf production plan. A full Steadicam will shoot in the mode while two of the network's Atlas camer

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