The United States Golf Association (USGA) has added a new WebAR augmented reality (AR) experience to its list of smartphone applications.
Golfing in the United States already has a history of producing AR content. For the first time in 2015, US broadcasters NBC worked jointly with Reality Check to introduce AR graphics in televised programmes.
The USGA is working with London-based professional service providers Deloitte to create “US Open AR”, a WebAR experience which tracks live and past golfing tournaments.
USGA AR App in Detail
The 2021 US Women’s Open championship hosted live AR coverage with full 3D renders of every hole along with live stats tracking.
Users can scan a flat surface, which places an AR golf course on a desk or coffee table, to view specific course holes from any angle.
The incredibly realistic 3D golf course renders run smoothly on mobile devices, where users can change stats or track players on the fly with minimal loading times.
US Open AR also gives users the chance to relive Tiger Woods’ 2008 playoff, tracking every player in the tournament during each augmented replay.
The app also supports virtual reality (VR) add-ons like Google Cardboard for full immersion, and takes users on a 360-degree immersive tour of the Torrey Pines Lodge—a famed golfing hotspot—where VR visitors can explore luscious outdoor spaces or warm interiors.
Augmented Sports Broadcasting
As AR technologies advance and become more common, many brands and broadcasters are turning to them as the industry grows.
AR applications like US Open AR are becoming increasingly popular, namely after stadiums closed their doors amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Mixed reality (XR) studios have also become commonplace in sports broadcasting, with ESPN integrating AR/MR solutions across its various sports broadcasts.
AR graphics are a great storytelling tool for live broadcasts to engage viewers with immersive 3D animations to display stats and highlights.
The 2021 Tokyo Olympics also partnered with NBC and Ross Video to bring AR graphics and high quality renders to its global event from July 23.
