NBC Sports and Topgolf Entertainment announced an multi-year partnership to exclusively integrate Topgolf’s Toptracer ball-tracking technology into NBC’s PGA Tour telecasts. NBC Sports will begin utilizing Toptracer during the upcoming Waste Management Phoenix Open from Jan. 31 to Feb. 3.
Toptracer provides real-time 3D ball-flight data analytics such as ball speed, apex, curve, and carry. The technology will be mainly used during tee shots via a live video shot or a virtual trace placed over a graphic of the hole. Toptracer will be used on all 18 holes throughout PGA Tour coverage on both NBC and Golf Channel, which is owned by NBCUniversal.
“This forward-thinking partnership allows us to combine our strengths to modernize how fans engage with golf,” said Mike McCarley, president of the Golf Channel, in a press release. “We’re thrilled to expand our partnership for high-quality PGA TOUR coverage, but we’re equally excited to showcase technology like Toptracer Range for golf courses to help evolve the golf experience for the future and bring new fans to the sport.”
NBC will also use Toptracer to track fairway shots anywhere on the course. As part of the new partnership, the sales team at Golf Channel will collaborate with Topgolf to introduce Toptracer to golf facilities worldwide. Topgolf Range can be installed at any driving range to give guests the same shot-tracking analytics set to appear on NBC’s PGA Tour broadcasts. The data can be displayed at monitors at each facility or consumed via the free Toptracer Range app, available on both iOS and Android devices.
“Golf is growing, in part, because people are consuming the sport in different ways, and we’re in the business of helping our golf course partners leverage these new concepts to attract more golfers to their facilities and build their businesses,” said Will McIntosh, executive VP of strategy at the Golf Channel.
SportTechie Takeaway
CBS Sports used Toptracer during its broadcast of 21 PGA Tour events last year, featuring the technology on 10 holes per event. CBS will retain that use of Toptracer, but, luckily for golf fans, NBC Sports will expand the use of the ball-tracking system to all 18 holes instead of just 10 per round. NBC has invested in integrating ball-tracking technology in other sports, too. Earlier this NFL season, the network introduced the use of TrackMan technology during Sunday Night Football broadcasts to track and measure Field Goal attempts.