Golf legends Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have teamed up to create a brand-new golf experience for fans. They are the driving forces behind TGL, a technology-focused and interactive golf league.
In partnership with the PGA Tour, TGL offers a unique and intimate way to watch professional golf. Teams of top players will compete in a custom-designed arena, bringing fans closer to the action than ever before.
Here’s a closer look at TGL:
What is TGL Golf?
Launched in August 2022, TGL is a tech-driven, 3-on-3 golf league. Six teams, each with four PGA Tour golfers, will play two-hour matches at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, a venue specifically built for TGL.
What Does TGL Mean?
TGL stands for Tomorrow`s Golf League. The name comes from TMRW Sports, a company founded by Woods, McIlroy, and former NBC golf executive Mike McCarley. TMRW Sports is focused on developing technology-based projects 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 session is “Singles,” featuring head-to-head play for six holes, with each golfer playing two holes.
- The course inside SoFi Center is equipped with advanced technology and is about 97 yards by 50 yards, around the size of a football field.
- Players tee off from real grass and hit onto a massive simulator screen, over 20 times larger than a standard golf simulator.
- The technologically advanced green features jacks that adjust the slope, creating varied play on each hole.
- Each hole is worth one point. If teams are tied after regulation, overtime decides the winner.
- 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 hit within this time, or their team gets 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. Timeouts don`t carry over between sessions. Timeouts can be called before the shot clock expires by the team playing, or by the opposing team until the player addresses the ball. Teams can`t call consecutive timeouts during the same shot.
- Referee: A referee is on the course to enforce rules, and another official monitors from a booth.
- All golfers wear microphones during matches to enhance the fan experience.
TGL events are designed to fit into the PGA Tour schedule as part of their partnership. Weekly matches lead to playoffs, culminating in one team winning the SoFi Cup.
TGL Points System
Like the NHL, TGL uses a points system in the regular season. Teams can earn up to two points per match, which determine their SoFi Cup standings.
A regulation win or an overtime win both award two points, while an overtime loss earns one point.
The top four teams enter the playoffs, which include a single-elimination semifinal and a best-of-three championship series.
Who Plays in TGL?
Six teams representing different cities will compete throughout the season. Here are the teams and their players:
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 first TGL season begins on January 7.
TGL Match Schedule
(All times Eastern)
Jan. 7 – New York Golf Club vs. The Bay Golf Club — 9 PM
Jan. 14 – Los Angeles Golf Club vs. Jupiter Links Golf Club — 7 PM
Jan. 21 – New York Golf Club vs. Atlanta Drive GC — 7 PM
Jan. 27 – Jupiter Links Golf Club vs. Boston Common Golf — 6:30 PM
Feb. 4 – Boston Common Golf vs. Los Angeles Golf Club — 9 PM
Feb. 17 – Atlanta Drive GC vs. Los Angeles Golf Club — 1 PM
Feb. 17 – Atlanta Drive GC vs. The Bay Golf Club — 4 PM
Feb. 17 – The Bay Golf Club vs. Boston Common Golf — 7 PM
Feb. 18 – Jupiter Links Golf Club vs. New York Golf Club — 7 PM
Feb. 24 – Los Angeles Golf Club vs. New York Golf Club — 5 PM
Feb. 24 – Boston Common Golf vs Atlanta Drive GC — 9 PM
Feb. 25 – The Bay Golf Club vs. Jupiter Links Golf Club — 9 PM
March 3 – The Bay Golf Club vs. Los Angeles Golf Club — 3 PM
March 3 – New York Golf Club vs. Boston Common Golf — 7 PM
March 4 – Jupiter Links Golf Club vs. Atlanta Drive GC — 7 PM
March 17 – New York Golf Club vs. Los Angeles Golf Club — 7 PM
March 18 – Atlanta Drive GC vs. The Bay Golf Club — 7 PM
March 24 – Match 1: Atlanta Drive GC vs. New York Golf Club — 9 PM
March 25 – Match 2: New York Golf Club vs. Atlanta Drive GC — 7 PM
March 25 – Match 3 (if necessary): New York Golf Club vs. Atlanta Drive GC — 9 PM
How to Watch TGL Golf
You can watch all TGL matches on ESPN and ESPN+.
