The Open 2019: Golf fans are in love with Sky Sports’ brilliant new ‘Sky Scope’ technology

PORTRUSH, Nothern Ireland — Much as I love my domestic coverage around the majors, and miss it while I’m abroad like I am this week, one of my favorite things about being back to my homeland for the 2019 Open Championship is getting a heavy dose of the British broadcasters’ event coverage. It gives you a taste of how golf fans in the United Kingdom are experiencing the event, and, in some cases, what we might be missing.

And 2019 was no exception.

British broadcaster Sky Sports, which owns the domestic rights to the Open Championship, launched a brilliant new feature this week called “Sky Scope.” 

Sky Sports has been rolling out a series of these segments throughout the week, and every time they do my heart jumps. The concept is so simple, but it’s must-watch TV.

The underlying technology is provided by MRMC and Dimensio, and uses a process called “volumetric capture,” which creates lifelike digital replicas of the players. The players are then beamed into Sky Sports’ on-site studio, where host Nick Dougherty begins analyzing as if they’re swinging right in front of him.

But because they’re digital replicas, the camera isn’t restricted to a single location. It can move all around, pulling in close or pivoting around as Dougherty describes related elements of the swing. Like below, when the hosts were highlighting Dustin Johnson’s arm structure, and how it relates to the clubface.

The segments last about four minutes, and for a golf swing nerd like me, they’re fast becoming the highlight of my day whenever I see them pop on. So far they’ve done four of them. Unfortunately, you can only see them if you’re based outside the U.S., but if that’s you, check them out below! And if not, enjoy the lovely twitter reaction from golf fans who are raving about the tech and let your imagination run free,

Gary Woodland

John Rahm

Dustin Johnson

Henrik Stenson

The #skyscope technology on @SkySportsGolf is tremendous. Learning so much I might actually be able to impress that golf playing bloke I live with.

— Ali O'Neill (@nessiesdaughter) July 21, 2019

Appreciate it's not free to air, but golf coverage by @SkySportsGolf is groundbreaking. #Skyscope is beyond belief. #TheOpen Yeah it's not cheap but it's a must have for me.

— Smudger (@bryansmith1970) July 21, 2019

Anyone watch @SkySports coverage of @TheOpen ? That AR SkyScope looks insane

— Michael Calton (@mr_calton) July 21, 2019

That SkyScope technology @TheOpen is amazing stuff! Well done @SkySportsGolf Great innovation. @NickDougherty5 how much is it? #alot

— Guy Stacey 🇬🇧🇪🇺🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (@GuyStacey1) July 21, 2019

Amazing piece from @NickDougherty5 @SkySportsGolf #skyscope free to air couldn’t provide the brilliant tech that sky brings @TheOpen #TheOpen #theopen #OpenChampionship2019 #RoyalPortrush

— Rid (@rmts05) July 21, 2019

@NickDougherty5 brilliant piece about the skyscope,you've turned into a real top presenter .

— griggo (@MarkGriggs9) July 21, 2019

Sky’s new SkyScope Virtual Golfer is bloody impressive. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/jthl5SFIXf

— Chris (@luckster42) July 20, 2019

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