Ever wondered what it might be like to walk a day in a professional golfer’s shoes? You won’t have to any longer. The PGA Tour has partnered with GoPro and SkratchTV to follow players on the green in some new innovative ways. Footage will be seen from a first person perspective of the player using GoPro cameras, creating a viewpoint more commonly seen in a video game shooter than a golf match. For younger fans these new views might not seem so unfamiliar after all.
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Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler, and Cameron Tringale have already partaken in the first couple days since the launch. However players will not be the only ones getting in on the action. In addition to the player cams there will be in stadium fan cams providing additional views. This venture is comparable to similar ideas tested by other professional leagues. The NBA All Star Game has featured 4 different camera angles including fan voted and backboard cameras in addition to traditional broadcasts. Similarly players at MLB’s All Star Game have been equipped with GoPros during the home run derby. As we move towards a more interactive sports viewing environment leagues are adapting with the times.
A new way to watch @PGATOUR golf! Watch #HEROCast live stream at @WMPhoenixOpen https://t.co/C1WkWDvKsw #GoProGolf pic.twitter.com/QtNmVLHEiY
— GoPro (@GoPro) February 3, 2016
This move is viewed as a way for golf to grow its popularity with a younger fan base. The partnership will include episodic content with SkratchTV host Erik Anders for a new show titled “Adventures in Golf”. SkratchTv is an online golf network created in partnership with the PGA Tour and could help appeal to a younger demographic not as likely to own televisions or have cable subscriptions. GoPro is a young company with an already strong fan and user base and makes sense on paper to partner the PGA. The collaboration of these three brands is intriguing and will be a partnership worth keeping an eye on.
We’re bringing fans new ways to watch with @GoPro and @PGATOUR. Tune in LIVE: https://t.co/230ylE2fEC pic.twitter.com/GCAKNuzlYN
— SkratchTV (@skratchTV) February 3, 2016
This content will be streamed on a variety of outlets for all 3 partners including their websites and respective apps. The action kicked off last week at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and continued through Sunday Feb. 7.