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| TGL Players Reflect on the ‘Future of Golf’ |
Shared with the permission of Global Golf Post. To subscribe or join, click here. Shane Lowry of The Bay Golf Club hits the first tee shot in TGL history. PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA | Shane Lowry was so nervous Tuesday night before he hit the ceremonial first tee shot in TGL history that he took his earpiece out to concentrate on his drive. About two hours later, Lowry had a much different mindset. “That was the most fun two hours I’ve had on a golf course,” Lowry said. Of course, it wasn’t a golf course. TGL is simulated golf played inside the SoFi Center, a 250,000-square-foot, tech-infused facility at Palm Beach State College. Many of the world’s greatest golfers—including co-founders Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy—will visit the facility over the next three months to explore a new avenue for the long-traditional game of golf. Instead of hitting shots into green grass, players aim at a large screen roughly the size of a five-story building. The simulator shows the ball flight and provides detailed stats afterward. For the 1,500 fans in the arena, it was an adjustment to watch quick-paced golf accompanied by loud music, abundant technological data, occasional booing after bad shots, and the ability to see every player’s shot from their seats. The competition itself was a rout: Lowry’s Bay Golf Club, featuring Ludvig Åberg and Wyndham Clark, surged to a 6-0 lead and cruised to a 9-2 victory over the New York Golf Club in TGL’s inaugural match. The Bay Club clinched the win after just 10 holes (TGL matches consist of 15 holes). But the competition isn’t the main focus.
“Other than the fact that we were on the receiving end (of a loss) tonight, it’s really cool walking into an arena,” said Rickie Fowler, who competed for the New York team along with Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick. “This is something fun for the game of golf. It’s not trying to compete with what we do on (the PGA) Tour. It’s a supplement to the game and hopefully opens some people’s eyes to what is possible.” Woods and McIlroy, both residents of the area, were on hand for the debut, giving pointers and appearing on the ESPN telecast. As co-founders, they aim to ensure the league’s success mirrors their Hall of Fame careers. Sweden’s Ludvig Åberg, a rising star, stole the spotlight. He made the first birdie in TGL history—a 9-footer on the movable green that gave The Bay Club a lead they never relinquished. Åberg later sank a 32-foot putt on the fifth hole, impressing even Woods in the ESPN booth. “I’ve always been jealous of football and basketball players who get to play in a stadium, where you can draw off the energy of the crowd,” Åberg said. “I think this is the future of golf.” The format wasn’t without challenges. Schauffele, the world No. 2, struggled with his short game, receiving boos after several poor chips. “It was a bummer to let my boys down,” Schauffele said. “If I was (the fans), I would have booed me, too. It’s kind of hard to talk smack when you’re losing by 10 points.” The league aims to bring a fresh perspective to golf, making it more entertaining and approachable. While televised coverage showcased the players’ banter, the live audience couldn’t hear it due to the music, missing moments like Lowry jokingly calling himself “the Scottie Scheffler of indoor golf” before shanking a chip. ESPN’s involvement is crucial for TGL’s success. “You want the fans to have fun and create a good experience, but the biggest driver is how it does on TV,” Fowler said. Next week’s TV ratings are expected to soar with Woods making his TGL debut for Jupiter Links Golf Club against Los Angeles Golf Club. “We’ve got Tiger Woods next week, so we’ll do all right next week, I know that,” Lowry said. Shared with the permission of Global Golf Post. To subscribe or join, click here. |
- By Craig Dolch • January 10, 2025
TGL is about entertainment and introducing new fans to the game. The winning team at season’s end will earn $9 million from a $21 million purse, but the emphasis is on creating a dynamic and engaging experience.