The Mini Billboard is the newest and most exciting innovation in televised golf in the 21st century and so its only natural that people will have a whole lot of questions. Here are the most frequently asked ones that we have received – answered!
What happens if the foil comes up on its own during play?
The Mini Billboard, TMB V6 is controlled by a miniature micro-computer that has been developed to ensure that the foil can only raise when the ball has been putted. The switching is carried out by an extremely reliable IP67 device (very high water and dust proof rating) that has a lifespan of over 1 million cycles!
Can it still operate with the flag in?
Yes, the device has been designed to operate with the flag in or out to comply with current and future golf rules and regulations.
Is it waterproof?
Yes, the system has been designed to operate even if the golf hole is full of water. The internal control centre where the micro-computer and batteries reside is sealed to IP (ingress protection) level 67.
How much does it cost?
The Mini Billboard is provided as a complete tournament service on a per fee basis. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
How many cycles can it perform on a single charge?
The internal USBC charged battery system can carry out over 1,250 cycles on a single charge.
Do you need to make a different size hole in the green?
The Mini Billboard takes up the exact physical size and depth requirement as a standard ‘David’ golf cup insert that is used on golf courses throughout the world. The insertion tool has a unique feature that ensures the correct depth of the hole has been created which is checked prior to inserting the device.
Does it put off the players?
Rest assured, the Mini Billboard only raises after play is complete and retreats following a very brief delay once the ball is retrieved and hence it has no impact on the gameplay at all. This moment is usually the time when the audience applauds and cheers and so enhances the appreciation of the putt to the televised audience.
Will everyone around the green in the gallery be able to see it?
The main intended purpose of the Mini Billboard is to capture the moment when the ball is putted which is broadcast to the televised coverage of the event for the viewing audience and future playbacks. The logos are presented to offer the best capture for the outside broadcast cameras with their orientation set before the event commences.
What would happen if the device fails to work during an event?
Nothing, the device will remain unseen and the play can continue as per normal. This extremely unlikely eventuality would be immediately rectified by the TMB representative who is present throughout the event for immediate rectification.
Can the ball lip out due to the foil itself?
The device shares the same geometry as a standard golf cup. The foil has been specially formulated to provide no resistance to the ball and so it in no way interferes with the path of the ball when it enters the hole.
If the foil is somehow dislodged when in the hole, will that prevent the ball from going into the hole?
The foil is affixed to a CNC machined platform in 8 locations and is fully supported around its base. In the event that some 3rd party intervention did affect the device and foil in particular, it would be self-evident to the player retrieving the ball who would be duty bound to report it to the TMB representative who is present throughout the event for immediate rectification. This scenario is deemed to be highly unlikely.
What happens if a fly or insect lands on the switch and sets the switch off?
The device is actuated by a commercially available trigger switch used in industrial automation applications. The load required to activate the switch is greater than 5g. The switch is also not affected by rainfall.
What happens if a player’s ball hits the hole from range? Can the device be damaged?
The centre support within the V6 is the only part of the TMB that is manufactured from steel as this receives the ball as it enters the hole. However, consider that ball is entering the gap between the outer wall of the hole and the inner shaft of the flag which have a ‘slowing’ effect on the ball. In the worst-case scenario, the ball will deform under deceleration before any damaging forces are applied to the device itself.
Is the device affected by rainfall?
As with the question about insects above, the trigger switch requires at least a load of 5g to operate. According to Michael Kodransky (1999), the density of water is 1 g/cm3. The smallest mass of a raindrop produced during a drizzle is around 0.004 mg and the largest produced during a heavy storm is approximately 300 mg and hence there is insufficient to activate the switch.
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