PGATOUR.COM to expand live shot tracking for fans

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As golf fans began to settle in to the second year of the PGATOUR FedExCup season, you discovered several changes to PGATOUR.COM. From live scoring to our new schedule to player information, you provided a full range of opinions and questions. Among the feedback we already received, a number of you asked about TOURCast, our live shot-tracking application, and what had become of it in 2008. So we set our staff to work. After sorting through the various questions you asked about TOURCast, they distilled their answers below. Take a quick look to see if we covered yours. And please keep the feedback coming as we continue to evolve PGATOUR.com into a more progressive and complete experience for golf fans everywhere.

Among the many highlights of PGATOUR.COM's new live shot-tracking feature will be the ability to zoom out to see the full field in play -- shot by shot.

Q. Where is TOURCast?
A. TOURCast is no longer available as a subscription service on PGATOUR.COM. In an effort to offer live shot tracking to more fans, our developers have been working diligently throughout the offseason to create a better way to follow PGA TOUR events live. By tapping into the same ShotLink system that made TOURCast hit with our customers and merging it with new web technology, we've been able to harness our exclusive live shot tracking in an exciting new way. Seriously. That's not just a marketing promise. Our developers have trash cans full of empty Red Bull cans to prove it.

Q. Will I still be able to follow a player with the new live shot-tracking feature?
A. Yes. In fact, you'll be able to zoom in on any player, their entire playing group, or zoom out to see the full field in play -- a feature that many of our TOURCast customers had asked for. You'll be able to see their shots and location on the course, plus, you'll be able to see how they're performing compared to their playing partners, the current round leader, against the field average, and more.

Q. Will it cost the same as TOURCast?
A. No. We'll be offering this new feature to fans for FREE thanks to the support of our advertisers and marketing partners. It only made sense to make it available to as many fans as possible.

Q. What will it take to run the new feature?
A. No one has really asked this question, yet. But we figured you will, so our staff went ahead and provided an answer. Rather than require special software, the new live shot-tracking feature will run in your web browser on PC or Mac, so long as you have the latest Flash Plug-in. Most of you do, and it's a free download here if you're not sure. It will run in Internet Explorer (the latest version -- IE 7), Firefox, and even in Safari.

Q. Alright already. When can I expect to see the new live shot-tracking feature?
A. Still maintaining their sleep-deprived pace, our developers our finalizing the feature and will be testing it throughout the month of February. As someone who is interested in TOURCast or who has been a past customer of TOURCast you can participate in our testing and give us feedback. Join our Beta Testing group by going here. Select "TOURCast as the subject and write "BETA GROUP" in the message We will give you a chance to preview the new feature, provide feedback, and stay updated on our progress as we approach its release.

Q. Will the new feature be available for all PGA TOUR events once it's launched?
A. Absolutely. It will be available exclusively for our FedExCup events, including the Playoffs for the FedExCup, THE TOUR Championship, the Fall Series and two of the World Golf Championship events It will not be offered for our Champions and Nationwide Tour events at this time.

That covers the questions we've received so far, plus a few our staff added in. We hope any TOURCast separation anxiety you experience will soon disappear with the introduction of our new, FREE shot-tracking feature. And remember, if you want to preview and help us test in the meantime, go here to join our Beta Testing group. Remember to select "TOURCast" as the subject and write "BETA GROUP" in the message.