Using Drones on your course Cancel The title field is required!

1. James Smith

   

   112 posts
   
   10/22/2017 7:10 AM

   Any of you Superintendents using Video Drones on your course?
   
   I've been learning on a Typhoon H and using it for shots of where we will be doing renovations so far but I want to work my way into doing videos we can use on our website to showcase our course!
   
   If you are using one how about posting what kind and what your uses are for so far.
   
   It would be kinda nice to get a group that can help each other learn and get better ideas from!

   
   
   
   
2. Joshua Sawyer

   

   0 posts
   
   10/23/2017 7:10 AM

   I didn't do it myself, but recently contracted out a drone service to create a topography map prior to a renovation. The drone had a LIDAR radar setup on it...flew the corridors in a matter of hours and created a 3D map of all contours and trees. The data was then used to create a 1' contour map in about 2 weeks. This was compared to traditional methods that would have taken longer and cost about the same. We were also able to take that information and do some date specific shade studies on the course to help justify the grass variety decisions. Really cool technology that quantified sunlight hours so it wasn't just me saying 'I think you need this'.

   
   
   
   
3. Rick Tegtmeier

   

   0 posts
   
   10/26/2017 6:10 AM

   James,
   
   5 years ago I purchased a DJI Phantom 1 just for the very reason that you mentioned. We were getting ready to do a large renovation project and I wanted to do before, during and after videos for the membership to see. I did several over the years and it is now really cool to go back and look at what we did. The problem with the early drones is that you also had to purchase a GoPro camera and mount it to your drone. Now almost all drones have cameras built in with great gimbles to match the quality of the camera.
   
   I think it is a great tool to have. I loved doing and I received great feedback from the membership. A lot of them told me that they loved the weekly updates especially when we had drone videos with it.
   
   I would encourage you to do your homework and I would encourage you to do it. I have now used the drone to do some videos during our recent Solheim Cup tournament. I have also used it to show the wear around a green from cart traffic. All very well received from the membership.
   
   Rick

   
   
   
   
4. Landon Lindsay

   

   0 posts
   
   12/14/2017 8:12 AM

   We bought a DJI phantom 4 almost a year ago. We use ours to document larger projects such as green aerification, fwy aerfication and verticutting. We made a really cool video before the Byron Nelson this year. Our membership and greens committee really enjoys the videos. We have also used it as learning tool by being able to document cart traffic from above to push the point of how detrimental it can be. We fortunately have an assistant who is extremely savvy at video editing as well.
   
   Below is our youtube videos if you want to check them out.
   
   https://www.youtube.com/user/bocaj11515

   
   
   
   
5. Bill Brooks

   

   18 posts
   
   12/14/2017 10:12 AM

   Our club's website is in need of a major overhaul. I am bringing the idea to our next board meeting of drone flyovers of each hole. For those that have added this to your website did it seem to attract more people and what was the feedback? I have a friend that has the DJI Mavic Pro, does anyone have this drone? Looks like it is a little more advanced with its shot angles. Thanks

   
   
   
   
6. Jonathan Burke

   

   2 posts
   
   12/14/2017 1:12 PM

   James- We had a tee and bunker renovation at Hartford Golf Club this fall. In order to document the renovation and keep the membership informed we decided to purchase a drone. I delegated the task to my my Assistant Superintendent, Curtis D'Anna , because I am technologically Amish. He went with the DJI Mavic Pro and made some upgrades to the camera and software. Videos were made and then posted on youtube. We then email the link to the membership and the club website. It's been a huge success and we are finding more uses for the drone. Well worth the investment for PR purposes alone. Take a look at the videos. If this is what you are interested in I would be happy to put you in touch with Curtis. Jon
   
   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmt9VZ ... _polymer=1

   
   
   
   
7. Jonathan Burke

   

   2 posts
   
   12/14/2017 1:12 PM

   Landon Lindsay said: We bought a DJI phantom 4 almost a year ago. We use ours to document larger projects such as green aerification, fwy aerfication and verticutting. We made a really cool video before the Byron Nelson this year. Our membership and greens committee really enjoys the videos. We have also used it as learning tool by being able to document cart traffic from above to push the point of how detrimental it can be. We fortunately have an assistant who is extremely savvy at video editing as well.
   
   Below is our youtube videos if you want to check them out.
   
   https://www.youtube.com/user/bocaj11515

   
   
   Landon- Great videos. Dig the Nina Simone. How were you able to get the music for the videos? Any concerns with copyright infringement? Jon

   
   
   
   
8. Landon Lindsay

   

   0 posts
   
   12/14/2017 1:12 PM

   Jonathan youtube typically takes care of any possible copyright infringement by placing an ad in front of the video, so the studio can be paid for their music. Ultimately these videos don't really make it past our membership, so we are not too concerned with infringing on any copyright laws

   
   
   
   
9. James Smith

   

   112 posts
   
   12/16/2017 6:12 AM

   Jonathan, I love the videos. I would not mind asking Curtis a few questions if he has an email I could do it that way.
   
   I have been using mine (Typhoon H) for documenting my bunker renovations I am working on. I have gotten the handle on flying the drone pretty well but still working on the camera section of it. I think I need to learn how to pre-program the flights for better videos. I really need to know the software he is using for producing them.
   
   One serious concern I have is the license part of Drones. from what I have read, anyone using a drone to take photos for commercial use has to have a FAA part 107 license. I have been told if you publish your photos on the web for the use of promoting a product you fall under this restriction. Does curtis have his and if so was it hard to get. Its basically a pilots license to fly drones and you have to take it at a FAA approved site.
   
   Again, those videos are fantastic. I hope to produce similar one day. and thanks for the post