Harper Lin
Protracer, now known as Toptracer, is a golf ball-tracking technology that uses CMOS image sensors to capture a golf ball in flight and extrapolate its exact flight path. The technology was created by Swedish founder Daniel Forsgren, who was inspired to improve the viewing experience of golf on TV. Toptracer has since expanded beyond TV viewing, becoming the #1 Range Technology in Golf, with installations in more than 24,000 bays globally.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Invented by | Daniel Forsgren |
| Year of invention | 2006 |
| Technology used | CMOS image sensors |
| Purpose | To capture objects, specifically a golf ball in flight, and convert the multiple video angles of the struck ball to extrapolate the (nearly) exact flight of the ball |
| Use cases | Used in golf broadcasts, driving ranges, and training |
| Availability | Available at more than 24,000 bays globally |
| Benefits | Allows viewers to see the flight of a golf ball, its speed, distance, and other valuable insights |
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What You'll Learn
Protracer's history and development
Protracer was developed by a Swedish group and launched in 2006. It uses a custom-built CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) sensor that can detect a golf ball and, using the Protracer software, can track the object through the entire shot. That flight-tracking capability is then converted into a graphic that can be made visible on TV in real-time.
In 2006, the PGA TOUR, European Tour, and television outlets all over the world partnered with Protracer. Golf fans could finally see the flight of a golf ball through on-screen graphics, along with speed, distance, and other valuable insights. Watching golf on TV would never be the be the same.
In 2012, Protracer expanded its reach to driving ranges, allowing golfers to see their shots displayed on monitors. The system used the same technology seen on TV and could be installed at driving ranges to trace and analyze shots hit by ordinary golfers.
In 2016, Topgolf Entertainment Group acquired Protracer and rebranded the technology as "Toptracer". Topgolf had already been tapping into a new generation of golfers who wanted more from a driving range than just a bucket of balls and a dirt field to hit them in. Toptracer technology could now be used not only for TV viewing but also for the fun games found at Topgolf venues.
In 2020, Callaway Golf Company acquired Topgolf for $2 billion. Toptracer struck a long-term partnership with The Home of Golf in 2021, becoming the official range technology of St Andrews Links. Today, Toptracer can be seen on major championship golf broadcasts throughout the golf season and is the "Official Range Technology" of the PGA of America.
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How Protracer works
Protracer, now known as Toptracer, is a ball-tracking technology that has revolutionised how golf is watched on TV and played at driving ranges. It was invented by Daniel Forsgren, who first came up with the idea in the late 1990s when he started playing golf. He was disappointed with the way golf was presented on TV and wanted to know more about how the ball was performing in the air and what the players were doing.
Protracer uses CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) image sensors to capture objects, specifically a golf ball in flight. The technology can detect the golf ball and, using the Protracer software, can track the object through the entire shot. This flight-tracking capability is then converted into a graphic that can be overlaid on TV in real-time. The camera is usually fixed behind the golfer as they hit. This allows viewers to see the ball flight of a golf shot in real-time, along with valuable insights such as speed, distance, lift, exit speed, and more.
In 2012, Protracer expanded its technology to driving ranges, allowing ordinary golfers to see their shots displayed on monitors and analysed. This was made possible by installing the same technology seen on TV at driving ranges to trace and analyse shots.
In 2016, Topgolf Entertainment Group acquired Protracer and rebranded it as "Toptracer". Today, Toptracer continues to be the #1 Range Technology in Golf, with installations in more than 24,000 bays globally. It has also expanded beyond TV viewing to include fun games and training features, offering golfers an opportunity to learn and improve their swing.
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Protracer's impact on TV golf
Protracer has had a significant impact on televised golf, revolutionizing the way the sport is watched and analysed. The technology was created by Daniel Forsgren, who was inspired to improve the viewing experience after taking up golf in the late 1990s. Forsgren wanted to make it easier for viewers to understand the action and "get a feeling for the ball flight".
Protracer uses CMOS image sensors to capture the flight of a golf ball. The technology can detect the ball and track its entire journey, converting the data into graphics that are overlaid onto TV footage in real-time. This allows viewers to see the ball's flight pattern, as well as providing insights such as speed, distance, and arc.
The impact of Protracer on televised golf has been profound. It has been described as "one of the greatest things to happen to golf on TV", offering a new level of insight into the game. Viewers can now see exactly how professionals execute their shots, with Protracer making it easier to follow the ball and understand its performance in the air. The technology has become an integral part of golf broadcasts, used on major championship golf courses throughout the golf season, and is even being considered for use in other sports.
Protracer has also had a significant impact on the business of televised golf. It has been adopted by major golf tours and television outlets worldwide, and its inventor, Forsgren, has seen high demand for his product, counting channels like NBC and ESPN among his clients. The technology has even been credited with bringing new life to golf facilities, attracting new customers and improving the guest experience.
Overall, Protracer has revolutionized the viewing experience of golf, offering a level of insight and analysis that was previously unavailable. It has enhanced the understanding and enjoyment of the sport for viewers, and its impact on the sport's broadcasting and business landscape has been significant.
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Protracer's expansion to driving ranges
Protracer, a Swedish company, was founded by Daniel Forsgren in 2006. It uses a custom-built CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) sensor that can detect a golf ball and, using the Protracer software, can track the object through the entire shot. This flight-tracking capability is then converted into a graphic that can be made visible on TV in real-time.
Protracer was initially used for golf telecasts, tracing the flight of the ball. However, in 2012, Forsgren expanded Protracer's reach to driving ranges, allowing golfers to see their shots displayed on monitors. This expansion brought a new experience to driving ranges, enhancing the traditional setup of a bucket of balls and a dirt field to hit them in.
The technology provides golfers with valuable insights such as exact yardage distances, ball speed, distance from the target, and more. It also enables golfers to track their shots via a smartphone or tablet. This data-driven approach to golf practice has proven to be a successful innovation, with over 1,200 golf facilities worldwide adopting Toptracer Range technology.
The expansion of Protracer to driving ranges has had a significant impact on the golfing experience. Golfers can now receive instant feedback on their shots, make adjustments, and fine-tune their swings. The technology has also attracted new customers and increased player retention, contributing to the success of driving ranges that have adopted it.
Toptracer, the new name for Protracer after its acquisition by Topgolf, continues to innovate and enhance the driving range experience. With its advanced technology, Toptracer offers golfers a unique opportunity to improve their skills, analyze their performance, and engage in fun games that utilize the data-rich environment of the driving range.
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Protracer's future
Protracer, a technology that uses a custom-built CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) sensor to detect and track golf balls through their entire flight path, has already had a profound impact on the golfing world. Invented by Daniel Forsgren in 2006, it has become the gold standard for golf broadcasts, with its colourful graphics and data enhancing viewers' experiences and understanding of the game.
In 2012, Forsgren expanded Protracer's reach to driving ranges, allowing amateur golfers to benefit from the technology. This move was significant in making the technology more accessible to the general golfing public, and not just professionals.
Protracer was purchased by Topgolf in 2012, and the company was renamed Toptracer. Under this new brand, the technology has continued to evolve and expand its capabilities. Toptracer now offers an enhanced training experience, with golfers able to see the results of their adjustments immediately on a video screen. This allows for a detailed analysis of swing mechanics and provides an opportunity to fine-tune technique.
Looking to the future, Toptracer technology could become even more integral to the golfing experience, both for professionals and amateurs. With its ability to provide instant feedback and detailed data analysis, it could be further integrated into coaching and training programmes, helping golfers improve their skills more efficiently. The technology could also be further developed to offer new insights and data points that could influence strategy and technique, pushing the boundaries of what is currently possible in the sport.
Additionally, with the continued advancement of technology, Toptracer could become more accessible and affordable, potentially becoming a standard feature at driving ranges and golf courses worldwide. This would democratise the technology, allowing golfers of all levels to utilise it for practice, leisure, and competition. Furthermore, with the growing popularity of e-sports and virtual reality, Toptracer could find applications in these fields, creating new avenues for the technology to evolve and engage a new generation of golfers.
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Frequently asked questions
Protracer is a ball-tracking technology that uses CMOS image sensors to capture objects, specifically a golf ball in flight. It converts multiple video angles of the struck ball to extrapolate the exact flight of the ball, which is then converted into a graphic that can be made visible on TV in real-time.
Protracer uses CMOS image sensors to capture objects. The image sensor uses a photodiode and a CMOS transistor switch for each pixel, so light enters the micro lenses, passes through red, green, and blue colour filters, through photodiodes, and produces an electrical signal output.
Protracer allows viewers to see the ball flight of a golf shot in real-time, along with speed, distance, and other valuable insights. It makes it easier to follow the golf ball and understand how the players are performing.
Protracer is used on major championship golf broadcasts throughout the golf season and is the official ball-tracing partner for TGL presented by SoFi. It is also available at select driving ranges and golf facilities, including St Andrews Links.
Protracer was invented by Daniel Forsgren, who came up with the idea when he started playing golf in the late 1990s. He wanted to improve the viewing experience for golf on TV and make it easier to understand the ball flight and how the players were performing.
