Two of golf`s biggest stars, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, have collaborated to create a novel experience for sports fans: TGL, an interactive and technology-driven golf league.
In partnership with the PGA Tour, TGL offers a unique viewing experience, allowing fans to intimately watch teams of elite golfers compete in a specially designed arena.
Here`s a closer look at TGL:
What is TGL golf?
Launched in August 2022, TGL is a technology-enhanced, 3-on-3 golf league. It features six teams, each with four PGA Tour golfers, competing in two-hour matches at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
What does TGL stand for?
TGL is short for Tomorrow`s Golf League. This name comes from TMRW Sports, the company founded by Woods, McIlroy, and former NBC golf executive Mike McCarley, which focuses on developing technology-based ventures in sports and entertainment.
How do TGL matches work?
A TGL match consists of two sessions. The first session is “triples,” a nine-hole, 3-on-3 alternate shot format. The second is “singles,” featuring head-to-head play over six holes, with each golfer playing two holes.
- The course at SoFi Center is equipped with advanced technology and spans roughly 97 yards by 50 yards, about the size of a football field.
- Players tee off from real grass and hit onto a massive simulation screen, over 20 times larger than a standard golf simulator.
- The tech-integrated green uses jacks to alter the slope, creating varied play on each hole.
- Each hole is worth one point. Ties after regulation are broken by overtime.
- Overtime: TGL overtime is like a penalty shootout in soccer. Golfers compete head-to-head until a team gets two shots closer to the pin than their opponents.
- Shot clock: Matches include a 40-second shot clock. Players must shoot within this time, or their team gets a penalty.
- The 40-second limit is based on USGA recommendations for pace of play.
- Timeouts: Each team gets four timeouts per match, two per session. Unused timeouts don`t carry over. Timeouts can be called until the shot clock expires or until the opposing player addresses the ball. No back-to-back timeouts are allowed for the same shot.
- Referee: A referee enforces rules on the course, and another official monitors from a booth.
- All golfers wear microphones, bringing fans closer to the action.
TGL events are scheduled to complement the PGA Tour season. Weekly matches lead to playoffs, culminating in the SoFi Cup championship.
What is the points system in TGL?
Like the NHL, TGL uses a points system for regular-season matches. Teams can earn up to two points per match, which determines their SoFi Cup standings.
A win in regulation or overtime is worth two points, while an overtime loss is worth one point.
The top four teams advance to the playoffs, featuring a single-elimination semifinal and a best-of-three championship series.
Who competes in TGL?
Six city-based teams compete in the season. Here are the teams:
Atlanta Drive GC
▪︎ Patrick Cantlay
▪︎ Lucas Glover
▪︎ Billy Horschel
▪︎ Justin Thomas
Boston Common Golf
▪︎ Keegan Bradley
▪︎ Hideki Matsuyama
▪︎ Rory McIlroy
▪︎ Adam Scott
Jupiter Links Golf Club (Jupiter, Florida)
▪︎ Max Homa
▪︎ Tom Kim
▪︎ Kevin Kisner
▪︎ Tiger Woods
Los Angeles Golf Club
▪︎ Tommy Fleetwood
▪︎ Collin Morikawa
▪︎ Justin Rose
▪︎ Sahith Theegala
New York Golf Club
▪︎ Matt Fitzpatrick
▪︎ Rickie Fowler
▪︎ Xander Schauffele
▪︎ Cameron Young
The Bay Golf Club (San Francisco Bay Area)
▪︎ Ludvig Åberg
▪︎ Wyndham Clark
▪︎ Shane Lowry
▪︎ Min Woo Lee
When does the TGL season begin?
The first TGL season starts on January 7th.
What is the TGL schedule?
*All times Eastern
Jan. 7
New York Golf Club vs. The Bay Golf Club — 9 p.m. on ESPN, ESPN+
Jan. 14
Los Angeles Golf Club vs. Jupiter Links Golf Club — 7 p.m. on ESPN, ESPN+,
Jan. 21
New York Golf Club vs. Atlanta Drive GC — 7 p.m. on ESPN, ESPN+
Jan. 27
Jupiter Links Golf Club vs. Boston Common Golf — 6:30 p.m. on ESPN, ESPN+
Feb. 4
Boston Common Golf vs. Los Angeles Golf Club — 9 p.m. on ESPN, ESPN+
Feb. 17
Atlanta Drive GC vs. Los Angeles Golf Club — 1 p.m. on ESPN, ESPN+
Atlanta Drive GC vs. The Bay Golf Club — 4 p.m. on ESPN, ESPN+
The Bay Golf Club vs. Boston Common Golf — 7 p.m. on ESPN2, ESPN+
Feb. 18
Jupiter Links Golf Club vs. New York Golf Club — 7 p.m. on ESPN, ESPN+
Feb. 24
Los Angeles Golf Club vs. New York Golf Club — 5 p.m. on ESPN2, ESPN+
Boston Common Golf vs Atlanta Drive GC — 9 p.m. on ESPN2, ESPN+
Feb. 25
The Bay Golf Club vs. Jupiter Links Golf Club — 9 p.m. on ESPN, ESPN+
March 3
The Bay Golf Club vs. Los Angeles Golf Club — 3 p.m. on ESPN2, ESPN+
New York Golf Club vs. Boston Common Golf — 7 p.m. on ESPN2, ESPN+
March 4
Jupiter Links Golf Club vs. Atlanta Drive GC — 7 p.m. on ESPN, ESPN+
March 17
New York Golf Club vs. Los Angeles Golf Club — 7 p.m. on ESPN2, ESPN+
March 18
Atlanta Drive GC vs. The Bay Golf Club — 7 p.m. on ESPN, ESPN+
March 24
Match 1: Atlanta Drive GC vs. New York Golf Club — 9 p.m. on ESPN2, ESPN+
March 25
Match 2: New York Golf Club vs. Atlanta Drive GC — 7 p.m. on ESPN, ESPN+
Match 3 (if necessary): New York Golf Club vs. Atlanta Drive GC — 9 p.m. on ESPN, ESPN+
How can fans watch TGL golf?
All matches are available on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN+.
For more, visit the ESPN golf hub page.