• Keith Jenkins

Two of golf`s biggest stars have collaborated to introduce a fresh sporting experience. Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy are the innovators behind TGL, an interactive and technology-driven golf league.

In partnership with the PGA Tour, the league offers a unique viewing experience, allowing fans to closely observe teams of elite golfers competing in a specially designed arena.

Here`s a detailed look at TGL:

What is TGL Golf?

Launched in August 2022, TGL is a technology-enhanced, 3-on-3 golf league featuring six teams, each composed of four PGA Tour players. Matches are two hours long and take place in the SoFi Center, TGL`s custom venue in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

TGL Meaning?

TGL is short for Tomorrow`s Golf League. This name originates from TMRW Sports, a company established by Woods, McIlroy, and former NBC golf executive Mike McCarley. TMRW Sports focuses on developing technology-based ventures within sports and entertainment.

How TGL Matches Work?

A 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 integrates advanced technology and spans roughly 97 yards by 50 yards, about the size of a football field.
  • Players tee off from real grass into a massive simulation screen, over 20 times larger than a standard golf simulator.
  • The tech-integrated green includes mechanisms to 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 resembles a penalty shootout in soccer. Golfers compete head-to-head until a 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 USGA recommendations for pace of play.
  • Timeouts: Each team gets four timeouts per match, two per session. Unused timeouts from the first session do not carry over. Timeouts can be called until the shot clock expires for the team playing, and until the opposing player addresses the ball for the opposing team. Teams cannot call consecutive timeouts on the same shot.
  • Referee: A referee is present to enforce rules, and another official monitors from a booth.
  • All golfers wear microphones during matches to enhance fan engagement.

TGL events are scheduled to complement the PGA Tour season 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, influencing their SoFi Cup standings.

A win in regulation or overtime earns 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 Players and Teams?

Six city-based teams 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 Season Start?

The inaugural TGL season begins on January 7th.

TGL Schedule?

*All times Eastern

Jan. 7

New York Golf Club vs. The Bay Golf Club — 9 p.m.

Jan. 14

Los Angeles Golf Club vs. Jupiter Links Golf Club — 7 p.m.

Jan. 21

New York Golf Club vs. Atlanta Drive GC — 7 p.m.

Jan. 27

Jupiter Links Golf Club vs. Boston Common Golf — 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 4

Boston Common Golf vs. Los Angeles Golf Club — 9 p.m.

Feb. 17

Atlanta Drive GC vs. Los Angeles Golf Club — 1 p.m.

Atlanta Drive GC vs. The Bay Golf Club — 4 p.m.

The Bay Golf Club vs. Boston Common Golf — 7 p.m.

Feb. 18

Jupiter Links Golf Club vs. New York Golf Club — 7 p.m.

Feb. 24

Los Angeles Golf Club vs. New York Golf Club — 5 p.m.

Boston Common Golf vs Atlanta Drive GC — 9 p.m.

Feb. 25

The Bay Golf Club vs. Jupiter Links Golf Club — 9 p.m.

March 3

The Bay Golf Club vs. Los Angeles Golf Club — 3 p.m.

New York Golf Club vs. Boston Common Golf — 7 p.m.

March 4

Jupiter Links Golf Club vs. Atlanta Drive GC — 7 p.m.

March 17

New York Golf Club vs. Los Angeles Golf Club — 7 p.m.

March 18

Atlanta Drive GC vs. The Bay Golf Club — 7 p.m.

March 24

Match 1: Atlanta Drive GC vs. New York Golf Club — 9 p.m.

March 25

Match 2: New York Golf Club vs. Atlanta Drive GC — 7 p.m.

Match 3 (if necessary): New York Golf Club vs. Atlanta Drive GC — 9 p.m.

How to Watch TGL Golf?

All matches are available on ESPN and ESPN+. Fans can catch the action on streaming platforms.