Fox Sports is taking a beating for its golf broadcasts from many out there who think they can do better or know better. Hat’s off to Fox Sports for introducing drone coverage to the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay. As a “drone pilot” and builder of several unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) myself, I’m stoked to see some new looks.
I’m miffed that Fox Sports didn’t hire me to do this gig though. I have to be the world’s best combination golf/drone authority.
My Bigger Drone for Aerial Golf Photos/Video
Over the last couple of years now I’ve gotten deep into aerial photos and videos via unmanned aerial vehicles, known by most as drones. I’ve build some aerial video/photo “ships” and am loving the angles and views I can capture of golf courses.
To me a drone is a large unmanned killing vehicle used in war. Unfortunately people who don’t know much call the little copters equate them with the bigger drones. Small copters like the ones I have have a bad wrap and there are some true boneheads doing dumb things with them. These “drones” can provide so many great functions otherwise not available. One such great one is the aerial flyovers of the holes at the Masters Tournament.
Augusta National – Masters Tournament 16th hole as seen by a drone
You may have not realized, but when the TV or online coverage does their hole tours, the flyover videos are shot by an aerial drone similar to what I use. Here’s a screen cap of a drone shot of the 16th hole above. The dramatic views and videos are absolutely awesome. Love them.
There’s an especially cool shot which starts in a bunker and rises up to show the hole. Another one the camera starts by some trees and rises straight up over them. Very cool.
The aerial coverage and how close the camera can get to the tree lines makes the great Masters broadcast even better.
The season is winding down, but there is still some green grass to be found here until the snow flies. At lunch a couple of days ago I flew the aerial photo/video hexacopter over a corner of Salt Lake City’s Meadowbrook Golf Course.
Meadowbrook Golf Course Aerial – click for more
If you need golf aerial photos or videos, contact me!
I spent some time in very windy conditions today capturing a few holes on the back nine of the Mountain Dell Lake Course. The Lake Course is one of two courses at Mountain Dell, the other being the Canyon Course. Mountain Dell is a municipal golf course located in Parleys Canyon, midway between Salt Lake City and Park City, Utah.
Mountain Dell Lake Course – click for more photos
I captured the photos with my golf aerial remote controlled hexacopter. It is a rig I built myself for the purpose of capturing stunning golf photos and video. As you can see from the photo above and the other golf aerial photos in the Mountain Dell Lake Course photo gallery, the aerial rig is delivering some fantastic results!
If you are in need of aerial photos or video for a golf course or anything else, contact me. Also, check out my website dedicated to aerial aircraft and aerial video/photos, Ambient Flight.
I’m really making great progress on my golf aerials photo/video rig. If you need aerial photos or video, contact me. Yesterday’s shoot at Hidden Valley Country Club here in Sandy, Utah, produced some fantastic shots. It was quite windy, so I’m not sure the videos I captured will turn out, but the photos are fantastic.
Hidden Valley Country Club Lakes Course – Par-3 6th – click for more HVCC photos
Left: Lakes Course 9th green – Right: Mountain Course 9th green – Clubhouse behind – click to see more
I’ve enjoyed the challenge of building a setup to capture these images, and the challenge of flying it. Looking forward to seeing what the future holds for this type of media.
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