Although the PGA Tour dropped its long-time slogan, “Glory’s Last Shot,” late in 2013, it might not have had its last shot after all.
The PGA has been pushing technological development aggressively as of late. In November 2015, it finally got the ball rolling towards the pin.
The PGA and Microsoft agreed on a three-year connection which will utilize Microsoft’s ability to engage those fans, players and broadcasters with the Tour. Microsoft hopes to provide insight into the 80,000-plus hours of past Tour footage, and the analyzation of statistics, conditions and courses.
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PGA Tour’s Chief Commercial Officer, Tom Wade, said, “The PGA Tour is thrilled to enter into this relationship with Microsoft which, at its core, is designed to produce deeper, richer and more immersive content for our fans to consume across all of our platforms.”
As the relationship with Microsoft grows, the PGA plans to adopt Microsoft programs; Windows 10, Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Office, in hopes of getting key information analyzed and relayed to the fans, players and broadcasters as they need it.
The Tour has made great strides in the past year in its relationship with Microsoft. Since 2015, the PGA is in the works of releasing advanced technology; the Microsoft HoloLens, two Universal Windows 10 apps (The Walking Scorer, Laser Operator), the Grid App and the Tournament Champion app.
Taqtile, a Seattle-based startup is to thank in part for the development of the HoloLens. The purpose of the HoloLens is to engage fans in course design, improve operations, and provide benefits for players.
As an individual straps on the HoloLens, a bird’s-eye three dimensional view of courses is available to interact with. Users can compare shot data from previous tournaments, track prior ball flight, or learn the layout of a hole in a futuristic new way.
The HoloLens has the ability to reach even more users outside of the statistical elements of the PGA. Taqtile co-founder, Dirck Schou said, “You could be holding a real putter and have something happen on the HoloLens when you make a putt – maybe a monster jumping out and grabbing your ball, or a hologram with fireworks.”
Sounds like Scooby Doo and the gang will be making an appearance. The monster probably would have got away with the ball too, if it wasn’t for those meddling kids.
Microsoft’s Windows 10 applications will make the Tour more accessible as well.
The Walking Scorer app and Laser Operator app are up-and-coming applications which will both be run on Lumia handheld devices. The Walking Scorer app will manage and track player and course information, as the Laser Operator app will collect data using laser sensors implemented on the greens to give the Tour two sets of course data to analyze.
Microsoft’s other application, the Grid App, is also in the works. The application will run on Surface Pro 4 tablets, and will be used to replace the clipboard used by volunteers to track shot location and monitor ball trajectory while recording the ball’s landing spot.
Microsoft’s last developmental application, the Tournament Champion app, is for patrons attending the event. The app will allow fans to track player locations using heat maps, a bird’s-eye view of the course, player standings, statistical analysis of the tournament and more.
Attendees will also experience a “gamification element”, where they can compete in live games with other attendees. Step aside Candy Crush Saga and Angry Birds, the future is here.
As the PGA and Microsoft work together and develop technologically, the door is wide open for other professional sporting organizations to build a relationship with Microsoft or any other technology company.
The PGA Tour and Microsoft are changing the game of golf and sport right before our eyes. The game that has been around since its days in Scotland in 1457 is getting a much needed technological makeover.