Tech Innovations Shine in Golf Playoffs
Ready for a tech-infused golf experience like never before? Welcome to the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, where The Golf League (TGL) competition is about to kick off its inaugural season! This ain't your grandpa's golf course; it's a cutting-edge haven for PGA Tour players.
The 1,500-seat venue, specifically designed for the league, brings together professional golf, high-end simulation technology, a rotating putting area with seven different hole placements, top-notch Pro AV and broadcast gear, and yes, you guessed it – air conditioning (yes, we said it). And let's face it, who doesn't appreciate the comfort of AC when stuck in a spectator seat?
Backed by TMRW Sports – a company co-founded by pro golfers Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, along with former NBC Sports executive Mike McCarley – each match runs about two hours. ESPN's got a multi-year deal to air all matches, so you'll be able to catch the action at home, too. They've even got their own dedicated broadcast booth on the suite level, overlooking the entire fantasy course.
Rules? We don't need no stinkin' rules!
Okay, maybe there are a few rules, but we'll keep it simple: TGL features six teams representing six cities, with each team boasting a roster of four golfers, though only three play during a match. The course spans nearly as much ground as a football field, with tee boxes made of real grass, a 64x53-foot projection screen for playing shots, and a real-world putt, pitch, or wedge area for the short game.
Each team competes to win points on 15 holes. The first nine are played as triples (alternate shot), and the last six are played as singles, keeping things interesting all the way to the end.
It's more than just a game, it's a show
Unlike traditional golf tournaments, TGL thrives on the energy and excitement of its audience. So say "goodbye" to "Quiet Please" signs and welcome to cheerleaders, a DJ spinning tunes throughout the match, and flashy lighting and sound effects that create an atmosphere reminiscent of a rock concert, not a stuffy golf tournament.
Technology takes center stage
To bring it all together, Samsung displays play a key role in the TGL presentation. As you enter the SoFi Center, you're greeted by a nearly 600-square-foot XRB Series outdoor LED video wall that's as easy on the eyes as it is on your retinas, with 5,000 nit brightness and a 3.99mm pixel pitch. Throughout the field of play, ISC Series indoor LED ribbon boards, stretching almost 900 linear feet, provide match information and sponsorship opportunities. And bookending the gameplay projection screen are two massive VMR Series 3.9mm indoor displays that showcase scoring, statistics, team branding, and more.
Sound systems that make your ears tingle
No golf competition is complete without the perfect soundtrack. L-Acoustics loudspeakers ring out through the SoFi Center with announcer voices, music, and all the swings, whiffs, and triumphs you'd expect from a thrilling golf match. And if that's not enough, a collection of L-Acoustics loudspeakers, installed by Tampa, FL-based ESI Production Services, ensures every moment is perfectly audible to the fans – from overhead speakers to under-mezzanine fills, all powered by LA7.16i amplifiers.
Data, data everywhere, but can you handle it?
While TMRW produces the matches with an in-house production team, they contract Game Creek Video to supply five full-sized trucks to handle the live coverage and ESPN provides the talent. With 72 robotic cameras, Sony 4K broadcast cameras, and a Spidercam cable camera system, they got all those angles covered. Special tracking cameras capture data on ball speed, angle, spin, and more, providing real-time insights for both players and spectators.
So buckle up, sports fans! The TGL competition at the SoFi Center is about to redefine golf entertainment. Who said golf had to be boring? Now, where's that mini putt to practice on?
- The SoFi Center, where The Golf League (TGL) competition is held, not only offers top-notch golfing experiences but also features digital signage technology, such as Samsung displays and ISC Series indoor LED ribbon boards, to enrich the event experience.
- TGL matches are more than just a traditional game of golf; they also include elements of entertainment, like cheerleaders, a DJ, and flashy lighting and sound effects, to create an atmosphere akin to a rock concert.
- To ensure the data collected from special tracking cameras, including ball speed, angle, and spin, are transmitted and displayed in real-time, TGL contracts Game Creek Video for live coverage, and relies onfive full-sized trucks and 72 robotic cameras.
