CBS Sports Previews PGA Championship Plans; 125+ Cameras Include FlyCams, Bunker Cams, Live Drones, and Shallow-depth-of-field

CBS Sports has offered a sneak peek at their production-technology plans for the PGA Championship this year, which will include FlyCams, bunker cameras, live drones, shallow-depth of fields cameras, a 360-degree camera, and more. In partnership with the PGA of America, CBS Sports and ESPN once again will provide live, wire-to-wire coverage of next week’s tournament at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, KY from Thursday through Sunday, with CBS Sports leading overall production efforts using 125 cameras, nearly 150 microphones, and nearly 500 EVS and Hawkeye replays channels.

Inside CBS Sports’ production truck for the 2023 PGA Championship.

CBS Sports coverage is led by coordinating producer Sellers Shy, along with Jim Rikhoff, and directed by lead director Steve Milton, along with Bob Matina. Chris Svendsen and Bryan Kosowski serve as replay producers. Harold Bryant also oversees the coverage as Executive Producer and EVP of Production. The tournament also marks David Berson first major event as CBS Sports President & CEO, following Sean McManus’ retirement after The Masters in April.

Stay tuned for SVG’s in-depth coverage of the 106th PGA Championship next week, but in the meantime, here is a preview of what CBS Sports has in story for Valhalla: 

• Fly Cams – A series of Fly Cam technology systems spanning the practice facility, the par-5 18th green, and the par-4 13th green / par-3 14th tee. The cameras will oscillate up and down to provide multiple vantage points of the golf course.
• Bunker Cameras – A collection of robotic bunker cameras will showcase unique 360-degree greenside perspectives of the par-3 14th and par-5 18th holes.
• Aerial Coverage – Multiple state-of-the-art drones will be in use as a live camera source to complement aerial coverage from the Goodyear Blimp, offering unique, scenic views from above during live action.
• Shallow Depth-of-Field Cameras – Showcasing views of players inside the ropes with a cinematic feel, CBS will deploy a shallow depth-of-field Steadicam, along with two Atlas (mini shallow depth-of-field) Steadicams.
• Falcon 360 – An immersive 360-degree camera will showcase picturesque panoramic views of Valhalla.
• Player Walk-and-Talk – A popularized CBS Sports-led innovation that debuted with Max Homa at the 2023 Farmers Insurance Open (who went on to win), coverage will include “walk-and-talk” interview capability with a player “mic’d up” inside the ropes while completing a hole.
• Toptracer – Toptracer broadcast technology will be incorporated on the practice facility in addition to all 18 holes (including tee box “high tracer” vantage points), using 3D radar tracking to provide the viewer with a true sense of distance, height and curvature. A staple of this technology will be tracing live tee shots on various holes showing the apex, ball speed, distance and curve.
• Toptracer RF – Toptracer will outfit four RF mini cameras to provide ball tracking graphics and statistics on a player’s shot from the fairway throughout the entire golf course.
• ARL Virtual Eye Side Slab Flight Track – Virtual Eye technology returns with coverage on every hole, as well as the practice facility. Virtual Eye uses Toptracer ball tracing capabilities on tee shots to provide an overhead slab view of the hole. Also returning will be full page displays detailing how golfers played certain holes during previous rounds, as well as statistical insight and virtual flyover animations, giving a second shot perspective once the ball comes to rest.
• PinPoint Wind Analysis – Numerous anemometers measuring wind speed, direction and daily wind trends will be strategically placed around the course to capture wind data on each hole and how it may influence player shot choices.
• GOLFTEC OptiMotion Swing Analysis Technology – Initially implemented during CBS Sports’ coverage of the PGA TOUR’s West Coast Swing, these swing breakdowns utilize GOLFTEC’s OptiMotion technology to present viewers with biomechanical swing data on things like hip turn and shoulder tilt, while also comparing and contrasting to other golfers.

In its 34th consecutive PGA Championship and 41st time overall, CBS Sports will offer multi-platform coverage throughout the week, highlighted by third and final round coverage (1:00-7:00 PM, ET each day) on Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19 on the CBS Television Network, with coverage streaming live on Paramount+.

For the 34th consecutive year, Jim Nantz will host the network’s coverage from the 18th tower, and he’ll be joined in the super tower by lead analyst Trevor Immelman. Ian Baker-Finch and Frank Nobilo will serve as hole announcers and analysts, whilelead on-course reporter Dottie Pepper along with Colt Knost and Mark Immelman will offer perspective from inside the ropes. Amanda Balionis will provide reports and conduct interviews.

CBS Sports Network, the 24-hour television home of CBS Sports, will provide extensive shoulder programming surrounding the 106th PGA Championship, including PGA Championship On the Range, PGA Championship Clubhouse Report, encores of CBS Sports’ third and final-round broadcasts of the tournament, and PGA Championship Archives featuring memorable highlights of previous editions of the tournament.

CBS Sports HQ, the free 24/7 streaming sports news network, will feature previews, live updates, look-ins, recaps and more beginning Monday, May 13. CBS SPORTS HQ SPOTLIGHT, the daily sports information show on CBS Sports Network, also will break down all the storylines and action throughout the week. Coverage from THE FIRST CUT will include shows on-site at Valhalla during the first two rounds, along with podcast recaps and extended post-round coverage on CBS Sports HQ. Additionally, CBSSports.com will provide live coverage and analysis throughout the Championship.