The launch of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's TGL has received mixed reactions as fans grapple with the virtual style, although the shot clock was an immediate success. The high-tech golf league, which Woods and McIlroy have been preparing to launch for some time, is set to feature 24 top PGA Tour players in weekly televised matchups at a unique indoor arena in Florida.
The 24 players are divided into six teams: Atlanta Drive GC, Boston Common Golf, New York Golf Club, The Bay Golf Club, Jupiter Links GC, and LAGC. TGL takes place indoors and relies on a giant golf simulator, with the league attempting to incorporate technology into the sport.
The first match saw Xander Schauffele, Rickie Fowler, and Matt Fitzpatrick of New York Golf Club against Wyndham Clark, Shane Lowry, and Ludvig Aberg of The Bay Golf Club. The launch of TGL ultimately led to a mixed reception; the shot clock was a hit, and others were impressed by the facility at Palm Beach State College's state-of-the-art SoFi Center.
"Yep, it's something....first impressions is hopefully this normalizes a shot clock," one fan wrote. Another commented: "I actually don't hate it yet. I'm mostly jealous that there's a place that exists with a 3000 square foot simulator screen and a green / pitching area that can change contours. That's actually cool. Imagine having that as a practice facility."
The innovative TGL has caught the attention of many, with one enthusiast commenting: "I like the technology and engineering of it. Also love the different style and shot clock to make it fast paced (once it actually started)."
Another fan expressed their enjoyment, posting: "I'm enjoying it so far... watching the ball fly on the screen with a shot tracker is weird for me... but other than that I'm enjoying it. the pace is good and the inane banter is minimal... a win so far IMO." The quirky design of the holes also sparked reactions, with a viewer remarking: "Unrealistic holes are a choice but given that it's virtual anyway, I think I'm good with it? I mean watching someone play virtual St Andrews wouldn't measure up... so something new. Who knows."
However, not all feedback was positive. A critic pointed out a flaw: "How does TGL, a made for TV golf simulator league, not show the distance on the shot tracer," while another questioned the necessity of certain elements: "What purpose does the ref serve?" Some found the event lacklustre, with complaints about the slow start: "It's already boring," lamented one viewer, frustrated by the 17-minute wait for the first shot.
"17 minutes before they hit their first shot. Hype man. Pass."
Another suggested a more dynamic opening for such an event: "If I were launching a FUN NEW EXCITING golf league, I wouldn't have the first 15 minutes of the inaugural TV window consist of ... golfer interviews and rules/format explanations."
In TGL, the team with the most points wins, with each hole's winner earning one point. A match consists of 15 holes and two sessions, with the first session being a 'triples' nine-hole three vs three foursomes match, and the second session being a 'singles' one-on-one clash over six holes, where each player plays two holes.
If matches are tied after regulation play, a penalty shootout-style challenge is played in overtime, where a team must hit two shots closer to the hole than their opponents to win. After the 15-week season concludes, the top four teams in the league will compete in the playoffs, culminating in a best-of-three final to determine the first TGL champion.
This article originally appeared on Mirror US
