Golf Channel will introduce an innovative wrap-around camera technology to its golf instruction franchises when major champion Hal Sutton makes his Golf Channel Academy debut on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. ET.
Utilizing 32 GoPro HD cameras equipped to a rig that surrounds the golfer, Golf Channel will be able to examine Sutton’s swing through a range of 180 degree angles versus the traditional “down the line” and “side” camera angles. The GoPro camera array – featuring all cameras firing at the same time – are capable of capturing a freeze frame at any point of the golf swing, thus allowing viewers to look at an exact moment in the swing from 32 different angles.
A slow motion visual effect made famous by Warner Bros. in the movie series, The Matrix, the production process has made its transition to sports in recent years, with NBC’s Sunday Night Football utilizing the camera technology for replays during live broadcasts.
“We are always looking for exciting new ways to examine the golf swing,” said Kevin Schultz, Golf Channel director of instruction. “This innovative technique allows us to look at the golf swing from so many different points of view, and will allow us to more thoroughly analyze the golf swing and better educate viewers looking to improve their own game.”
Filmed at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Fla., the five-episode Golf Channel Academy with guest Hal Sutton is co-hosted by Gary Williams and airs Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. ET. Sutton will take viewers through every facet of his golf game – full swing, driver, bunker play, short game and putting – providing tips and insights from lessons he has learned throughout his career, which include 14 PGA TOUR victories and the 1983 PGA Championship. The visual effect will appear in all five episodes of Sutton’s appearance on Golf Channel Academy.
Behind the Scenes Video: Behind the Scenes of Golf Channel Academy’s GoPro Array Camera Technology
