TGL is nearing the launch of its second campaign, and the tech-powered league pioneered by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy has not wasted the opportunity to make upgrades over the offseason
Big changes have been made to SoFi Center for season two(Image: Mike Ehrmann/TGL/TGL Golf via Getty Images)
TGL, the indoor golf league backed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, has made a series of big changes as it nears the start of its second season.
TGL debuted in January and exceeded expectations with strong viewing figures on ESPN. The league boasts a roster of some of the biggest names and best players on the PGA Tour, and the made-for-TV product was generally received as a welcome addition to the golf calendar.
Season two begins on Dec. 28, with defending champions Atlanta Drive, led by Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay, taking on Xander Schauffele’s New York City Golf Club at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The match tees off the final season before the league introduces expansion franchises.
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Season one, for all its success, was not without its issues and glitches, including an awkward moment when Tommy Fleetwood had to retake a shot after the ball-tracking system failed.
Heading into the new campaign, TGL has made a host of upgrades to improve the experience for players, spectators and viewers alike.
“After a successful inaugural season, we conducted a comprehensive review of data and learnings from all aspects of competition with players, teams and our broadcast partners to elevate the fan experience, enhance gameplay and create even more excitement for Season 2 of TGL presented by SoFi,” said Andrew Macaulay, the chief technology officer of TMRW Sports, TGL’s parent company.
“These updates are part of our continued effort to increase drama, intrigue and dynamic moments while further challenging TGL’s teams within SoFi Center’s one-of-a-kind environment.”
Justin Thomas’ Atlanta Drive are the defending TGL champions(Image: TGL Golf via Getty Images)GreenZone revamped
Much of TGL’s work in the offseason has focused on upgrading the GreenZone, the dynamic short game area that includes a rotating green with adjustable slopes.
In season two, viewers will notice that the putting surface is much larger. The dancefloor has increased by 38 percent to 5,270 square feet, making it close to the size of an average PGA Tour green.
The increase in size has enabled the number of hole locations to increase to 12, almost double the seven that were available last season. Upgrades have also been made beneath the synthetic turf to enable more customization of the slopes on the green.
To make room for the enlarged green, one of the three bunkers has been removed. The remaining traps have been made significantly bigger and deeper, with steeper faces to make sand shots more challenging for players.
TGL’s green has been enlarged for season two, with one of the three bunkers removed(Image: TGL)Updated holes and better graphics
TGL is yet to announce new additions to its back catalogue of virtual holes — they are due to be unveiled in the near future — but a series of updates have been implemented to the ones seen last year. There are new tee boxes to create different angles and make risk-reward decisions more impactful.
Additionally, each of the six teams has been assigned one hole to be their home track, with “localized backdrops and terrain.” So expect to see a towering skyline surrounding the team hole of New York City, while Los Angeles Golf Club and The Bay will likely have ocean themes.
A major graphics upgrade has been made possible by a move to the Unity 6 engine, too. The league believes it will “deliver more realistic and immersive virtual golf environments.”
Hitting zone improvements and better fan experience
The hitting boxes in the ScreenZone, where players hit their longer shots from real grass or sand into a massive simulator screen, have been enlarged. The league says that will aid with divot management and give players more space to operate.
The new sand trays include upgrades to the dynamic bunker lip, which can be made larger or smaller depending on the depth of the bunker that players have found themselves in.
The ScreenZone did look a little cluttered in season one, particularly for fans watching in the arena. However, season two will bring improved sightlines and fewer obstructions after two towers were removed from the field of play, with ball-tracking cameras being mounted in the ceiling instead.
