Golf icons Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have joined forces to introduce a revolutionary experience for golf enthusiasts. They are the creators of TGL, an engaging and technology-enhanced golf league.
In collaboration with the PGA Tour, TGL offers a unique and intimate viewing experience. Fans can witness teams of elite golfers competing in a specially designed, state-of-the-art arena.
Here’s a detailed look at TGL:
What is TGL Golf?
Launched in August 2022, TGL is a technologically advanced, team-based golf league. It features six teams, each with four PGA Tour players, competing in two-hour matches at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
TGL Meaning
TGL is short for Tomorrow`s Golf League. This name comes from TMRW Sports, the company established by Woods, McIlroy, and former NBC golf executive Mike McCarley. TMRW Sports focuses on developing technology-driven ventures in sports and entertainment.
How TGL Matches Work
Each TGL match consists of two sessions. The first session is “Triples,” a nine-hole, 3-on-3 alternate shot format. The second is “Singles,” with head-to-head play over six holes, each golfer playing two holes.
- The course inside SoFi Center is equipped with advanced technology and is approximately 97 yards by 50 yards, about the size of a football field.
- Players use real grass tee boxes, fairways, rough, and sand to hit shots into a massive simulation screen, over 20 times larger than a standard golf simulator.
- The high-tech green includes mechanisms that alter the slope, creating varied play on each TGL hole.
- Each hole is worth one point. Ties after regulation are broken by an overtime.
- Overtime: TGL overtime is similar to a penalty shootout in soccer. Golfers compete head-to-head until one 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 receives a penalty.
- The 40-second limit is based on the USGA`s pace of play recommendations.
- Timeouts: Each team gets four timeouts per match, two per session. Unused timeouts do not carry over. Timeouts can be called until the shot clock expires for the shooting team, and until the player addresses the ball for the opposing team. Teams cannot call consecutive timeouts on the same shot.
- Referee: A referee is present to enforce TGL rules, with another official monitoring from a booth.
- Players wear microphones during matches to enhance fan engagement.
TGL events are scheduled to complement the PGA Tour, as part of their partnership. Weekly matches lead to playoffs, culminating in the SoFi Cup championship.
TGL Points System
TGL uses a points system similar to the NHL for regular-season matches. Teams can earn up to two points per match, which determine their SoFi Cup standings.
A win in regulation or overtime is worth two points, while an overtime loss earns one point.
The top four teams advance to single-elimination semifinals and a best-of-three championship series.
TGL Teams and Players
Six teams representing different cities compete throughout 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 TGL Start?
The inaugural TGL season begins on January 7th.
TGL Season 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 to Watch TGL
Matches are broadcast on ESPN and ESPN+. Fans can stream all the action on ESPN+.
For more updates, visit the ESPN golf hub page.
