For years, technology has been involved in the world of golf. Even two of the oldest and most revered courses in the world have been affected by the digital age.
At least that was the case on Thursday at the 2026 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, the annual DP World Tour event played at the Old Course in Sant’Andrea, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns.
It was in Carnoustie, host of eight Open Championships, that a piece of widespread modern technology marked one of the best pro golfers in the world.
The technological device in question was a TV drone, and the golfer in question was from Scotland Robert MacIntyre.
After the two-time winner of the PGA Tour had at least two conflicts with TV drones in the first round on Thursday, he went into his impact. in an interview with BBC Sport.
Robert MacIntyre complains about TV drones in Carnoustie: ‘It’s like revving a car’
Modern drone technology has transformed many industries, and golf course photography and pro golf television coverage can be counted among them.
Golf fans watching tournaments at home now get frequent, dramatic aerial views of their favorite pros in action on historic golf courses every time they tune in. with TV drone manufacturers can get up close and personal with players quickly at a much lower cost.
Although amateurs have reaped rewards from TV drones at pro golf events, pro golfers are a different story.
When a pro is trying to maintain vigilant focus on the shot at hand, a drone buzzing loudly around them can be a major distraction.
Just ask MacIntyre.
After an opening 71 at Carnoustie, MacIntyre came up with a few questions BBC Sportduring which he lashed out at the drones that had distracted him during his turn.
According to MacIntyre, on two separate occasions, TV drones buzzing nearby forced him to abandon his shots. And in one such case, MacIntyre hit a “bad hit” on an invading drone.
“I asked him twice before the shot in the 8th on the drone, and then I gave the shot on the 8th. Before I hit the shot, I have the type of the guy, I can still feel, like too close. I pass from the shot, not fully committed because I only think about the drone, and then, yes, I said to MacIn badtyre shot. BBC Sport on Thursday “So I left my putt at 18 because there’s a drone.”
MacIntyre went on to acknowledge the importance of television in the professional game, but later argued that TV drones don’t need to fly as close to players as they did in Round 1.
“I understand that TV is everything, money, everything. But they don’t need to be that close,” MacIntyre said, before joking, “My camera has enough zoom from how close I was to be able to see the golf shot.
He also said that the drones drive him “insane”, but explained that the real problem was not just the drones, but how the drones behave during strong wind conditions like they had at Carnoustie on Thursday.
“It drives me crazy. I’ve had it before. The problem is, when you stay stable, it’s good, it’s more, it’s obviously blown by the wind, and trying to stay in position, it’s like revving a car right where you’re trying to hit,” explained MacIntyre. “When they are too close in these conditions, I fight with her.”
This isn’t the first time MacIntyre has had a problem with drones at pro golf tournaments. Back to the 2024 RBC Canadian Open, MacIntyre repeatedly complained about the CBS TV drones on the course during the final lap. CBS agreed to ground the drone, and MacIntyre went on to capture his first PGA Tour victory.
Fortunately, MacIntyre doesn’t seem to have let his anger at TV drones continue to bother him on Friday at the Dunhill Links. Playing at Kingsbarns, MacIntyre opened Round 2 with four early birdies to clear the classification and in competition.
