Spidercam at The Open: A Turning Point in Golf Broadcasting
Spidercam at The Open: A Turning Point in Golf Broadcasting
For over a century, golf has largely resisted radical change in how it’s presented. While other sports have embraced immersive production—goal-line cameras in football, overhead drones in racing, body-cams in extreme sports—golf stuck with its slow, static broadcast style. Until now.
At the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, that changed. For the first time, the R&A deployed Spidercam, a high-tech, cable-suspended camera rig best known from cricket and American football. The move split opinion—but there’s no denying it changed how viewers experienced the tournament.
Hovering silently above tee boxes, zooming across fairways, and gliding behind players mid-swing, Spidercam delivered shots once thought impossible. Overhead views of Royal Portrush’s treacherous dunes, pot bunkers, and undulating greens brought fresh context to shot selection and terrain. At one point, fans were able to track a drive in real time, seeing its trajectory through the wind before it bounced on the 14th fairway and rolled to the fringe.
The system cost £300,000 for the week—a hefty price tag. But broadcasters hailed it as a breakthrough. “We’ve never captured golf like this,” said BBC Sport’s director of production. “It adds tension, storytelling, and clarity in a way that stationary cameras can’t.”
Not everyone agreed. Purists argued the camera intruded on the natural ambiance. Several players, including Tommy Fleetwood, expressed concerns about movement during swings. The R&A responded by restricting Spidercam usage during putting and limiting movement near players in setup.
Yet many players applauded the move. Max Homa called it “sick,” noting that his followers on social media loved the behind-the-swing footage. Rory McIlroy said it could be “a game changer for younger audiences.”
And therein lies the point. Golf’s broadcasters are chasing a new generation—one raised on immersive media, instant replays, and cinematic visuals. The traditional broadcast model, with long delays, static shots, and unclear ball flight, risks alienating future fans.
Spidercam is part of a wider push. NBC and CBS are investing in AI-generated shot traces, enhanced commentary powered by live stats, and even AR overlays for streaming viewers. In Japan, golf broadcasts already feature hole flyovers blended with wind data and player heart rates.
The R&A’s trial at Portrush is likely just the beginning. Talks are underway to deploy Spidercam at the Ryder Cup and future majors. As one production consultant noted, “It’s no longer about just showing golf. It’s about telling stories that match the drama on the course.”
And while the debate over tradition vs. innovation will continue, one thing is clear: golf’s visual future is no longer grounded—it’s flying above the fairways.