2011 ArticlesBy Brad Gagnon on

And now we'd like to turn your attention to a new, wicked-ass feat in the world of sports television science: golf's answer to the Skycam, but 1,736 times cooler. Meet the the HoverFly Erista.

Essentially, we're talking about a remote-controlled helicopter — officially called a quadcoptor — that will purportedly allow viewers at home to get a birds-eye view of a golfer while he takes a shot. Straight out of a futuristic film like Blade Runner, it's the kind of thing that would scare the living hell out of you while walking down the street, but will likely become commonplace at PGA Tour events before you know it. 

Now, watch the video below from Callaway and Odyssey social media maven Chad Coleman and you begin to realize that there might be one tiny problem with the current version of the device: It's freakin' loud. Do you really think Tiger Woods would be cool with something like this lingering above his head during his backswing?

For now, it's only being used on the practice ranges. John Holmes from PGA.com reports that Golf Channel put the gadget to work on the driving range Tuesday as players prepared for the Arnold Palmer Invitational, which is taking place at Bay Hill in Orlando, near the network's headquarters. The footage apparently aired Wednesday night on their "On the Range" show.

USA Today's Michael Hiestand reports there are no plans to use it during tournament play anytime soon, and I'd imagine that will be the case until they can teach the drone to shut the hell up.

I don't know a lot behind the technology involved, and I couldn't find a lot of answers regarding the noise factor and improvements that might be in the works. You'd think there's gotta be some room for development, especially considering the company's website states the device is only designed to fly about 10 minutes with payload.

But it sure is nifty looking. Here's another video from Cleveland Golf if you're interested.

(Photo via the Titleist Twitter account / Hat tip to Sportress of Blogitude)

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About Brad Gagnon

Brad Gagnon has been passionate about both sports and mass media since he was in diapers -- a passion that won't die until he's in them again. Based in Toronto, he's worked as a national NFL blog editor at theScore.com, a producer and writer at theScore Television Network and a host, reporter and play-by-play voice at Rogers TV. His work has also appeared at CBSSports.com, Deadspin, FoxSports.com, The Guardian, The Hockey News and elsewhere at Comeback Media, but his day gig has him covering the NFL nationally for Bleacher Report.

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