Live From the U.S. Open: Enhancement Explosion Allows 18 Holes of Golf-Shot Tracking

17/06/2017

Live From the U.S. Open: Enhancement Explosion Allows 18 Holes of Golf-Shot Tracking Two technologies - Toptracer and Trackman - are being deployed By Ken Kerschbaumer, Editorial Director

Friday, June 16, 2017 - 11:45 am

Print This Story

Story Highlights

Zach Fields and his graphics team cover every hole on the course.

Fox Sports' coverage of the U.S. Open is embracing golf-ball-tracking technology in a big way. Zach Fields, SVP, graphics technology and integration, and a team working in a double-wide trailer at Erin Hills are tracking shots on all 18 holes.

We undertook a conscious effort to be on every hole, Fields says. Tracing is like the yellow line in football: once the viewer sees it, they want it all the time.

Fox Sports is using two tracking technologies: Toptracer, which relies on optical tracking, and Trackman radar. Nine tee boxes are equipped with Toptracer technology, with a custom-built CMOS sensor detecting the ball for the full duration of its flight via proprietary software. The remaining tee boxes are equipped with Trackman radar, allowing a combination of ball tracing and enhanced data.

Trackman data is being integrated with FlightTrack 3D graphics.

Trackman data is also integrated with FlightTrack, a system that provides a complete 3D graphical representation of the course. The ball's flight can be graphically laid over the representation, giving viewers an overhead view of the ball's flight instead of simply from behind the tee box.

Last year, we could only use it live, but now we can do seven holes on tape, says Fields. We have seven Trackman units that are bringing in video from the EVS servers and compositing the graphics and sending it back. You have to be able to do this on tape.

Those seven units for live-to-tape needs are complemented by two systems that are used strictly for live needs and offer data like spin rate, apex, and more. There is also a reverse tracer with the ability to show shots coming into the 15th green, as well as three roaming RF Toptracer units to provide even more flexibility in showing fairway shots on any hole.

That hole is a short par four, notes Fields. The viewer will be able to see the ball coming towards them.

Toptracer, based on optical tracking, is deployed on nine tee boxes.

Will a day arrive when shot-tracing technology will be used on every shot? It will take some work because it is currently a bit too difficult to set up for every shot, but, as it continues to be expected by viewers and the technology becomes easier to use, one can envision that day.

Touchscreen and augmented-reality technology is also in use this year, and the more traditional broadcast-graphics needs are fulfilled by 10 Vizrt units.

In the span of four days, we are going to have 40 hours of golf coverage. It is a lot of tech, but there is also a lot of programming to cover, says Fields. We have also gotten better at knowing how and where to use these technologies, and the production crew bought in is tremendous.

When it comes to innovation, there is also the need to make sure the right technology is used for the right event. One enhancement not in use this year are green overlays showing the contours of the green. The primary reason is that the greens complex is not undulating enough.

We didn't feel it fit in this year, Fields explains. It wouldn't have as big an impact on this course.

LINK:	http://www.sportsvideo.org/2017/06/16/live-from-the-u-s-open-enhanceme...
	See more stories from svg

Most recent headlines

05/01/2027

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be demoed at CES 2026

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...

01/06/2026

Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026

January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026 Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...

02/05/2026

Dalet Flex LTS Delivers Smarter Search, Faster Editing, and an AI-Ready Foundation for Modern Media

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...

01/05/2026

NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to Integrate Dolby's Full Suite of Premium Picture and Sound Innovations

January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...

01/04/2026

DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION

January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...

18/03/2026

Net Insight Names Larissa GrnerMeeus CPO

Newly named chief product officer (CPO), Larissa G rner Meeus will return to Net Insight on May 4. Larissa G rner Meeus will become CPO of Net Insight on May 4...

18/03/2026

SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026: Select Sessions Now Available to Watch on SVG PLAY

SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026 explored how the sports broadcasting i...

18/03/2026

SVG's SportsTech@NABShow Blog Goes Live as Countdown to Vegas Heats Up

The 2026 NAB Show kicks off one month from today and SVG is once again set to cover the show from every angle. SVG's SportsTech@NAB Show Blog is now live - ...

18/03/2026

The Premiere of Dead Lover Showcases Grave Robbing and Sex With a Giant Finger

(L-R) The cast and crew of Dead Lover at The Ray Theater for its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. (Photo by Robin Marshall/Shutterstock for Sundan...

18/03/2026

Music Row Piano from Wiltone Productions

Yamaha C7 captured in Nashville Wiltone Productions have announced the release of Music Row Piano, a deeply sampled Yamaha C7 piano library that's been ...

18/03/2026

Techivation introduce T-Warmer Mk2

Bass-enhancement plug-in upgraded Along with a steady stream of new releases, Techivation have recently been revisiting some of the older plug-ins in their ...

18/03/2026

Tonal Balance Control 3 from iZotope

Mix-reference plug-in overhauled iZotope's powerful mix-referencing plug-in has just reached its third major version, and now boasts a new capture proce...

18/03/2026

Toontrack Transistor Organ EKX

Latest EZKeys 2 expansion arrives Toontrack's staggering collection of EZKeys 2 expansions has grown once again, and the latest instalment delivers a on...

18/03/2026

Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture

Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture 18 March, 2026 Media releases New SBS Audio podcast For The Culture, hosted ...

18/03/2026

Future-ready broadcasts with ATSC 3.0 and enhanced services from Rohde & Schwarz at NAB 2026

Future-ready broadcasts with ATSC 3.0 and enhanced services from Rohde & Schwarz...

18/03/2026

LCTWS 2026

London Calling - When The Industry Convened to Help Streaming Find its MoJo In this blog, Laura Rognoni reflects on key discussions from the Connected TV World...

18/03/2026

SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations

SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations Brie Clayton March 18, 2026 0 Comments SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, a...

18/03/2026

Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K

Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K Brie Clayton March 18, 2026 0 Comments LED wall virtual production blends 12K open gate acquisition w...

18/03/2026