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Golf Channel using drone to film golfers at Arnold Palmer Invitational

Posted by Chris Anderson on March 19, 2013 at 3:39pm

golf channel camera drone

The Golf Channel is apparently testing a new way to film golfers at this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.

Titleist posted this photo of the Golf Channel's hover camera flying over one of its pros, Scott Stallings, hitting at the range. It looks insane.

Below this photo, we have a Vine embedded of the thing. It's not quiet. We have no idea how this is going to work at a golf tournament, which emphasizes silence.

Titleist

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Comments

MR60

Forrest Frantz March 26, 2013 at 11:16am

Cool optical illusion of the blades. Every other prop appears to be curved up (like they should when supporting a camera) and the alternate props curved down. The illusion I assume is caused by the nearest blade turning clockwise (blade tip goes from near or high to low perspective) and vice versus for the counterclockwise props (going from far or low to high).

Imagine a golf ball with a follow-me chip and a copter/lens quick enough to fall-in behind it and video its flight, slow-mo its rotation and predict its landing. Now that would add value. Maybe someday?
John Moore March 25, 2013 at 12:17pm

I was at this tournament last week and I didnt see any multicopters whle I was there. Honestly, by the weekend there are so many people on the grounds that I cant image theres anywhere safe to fly something like that.
Patrick Egan March 24, 2013 at 8:33am

Tehy had plans to use an unmanned blimp before the FAA said no!
Carl La France March 20, 2013 at 6:27pm

They could hook the "Claw" to it and grab the ball in the air and he could get an" Eagle "hot!
Developer

Randy March 20, 2013 at 6:23pm

The retractable landing gear is cool. That's a good one.
Moderator

Sgt Ric March 20, 2013 at 12:39pm

I have seen how they often use full sized helicopters to film the course layout, but not live action during play.

As an aside, NASCAR has in the past used an R/C helicopter and a quadcopter which were only allowed to fly over the infield grass area.

This was obviously just an experiment since they now mostly use the same cable system made famous at football games.
Euan Ramsay March 20, 2013 at 5:27am

First thing I thought was "what's that camera rig they're using???". Then I worried about the golfers...:-)
Jack Crossfire March 20, 2013 at 4:17am

A Runryder poster with an octocopter has good salesman skills.
Jason Wise March 20, 2013 at 3:45am

Come on, its not above there heads, they look to be 8-10m away....there will be of course guidelines for its usage
John C. March 19, 2013 at 11:30pm

I stink at approach shots as it is.

Retractable landing gear gets a thumbs up.