When I first heard about TGL, for some crazy reason I went back to my childhood and recalled the made for TV event-“Home Run Derby.” Home Room Derby pitted the greatest sluggers in baseball in a pure home run hitting contest. Willie Mays vs. Mickey Mante, Harmon Killebrew vs. Duke Snider, Roberto Clemente vs. Hank Aaron and so on. Home Run Derby had to be the most inexpensive TV sport production of all time. A batting practice pitcher in a field with no fans and an insipid announcer calling the action. Each player was interviewed after his turn with the most amazing dull commentary of all time. (Well, Jack, I just uppercut that one a bit.”) All that being said, we found the competition compelling and looked forward to its weekly production. The Home Run derby “king” won hundreds of dollars as the best players in baseball went “mano a mano” in a spirited but dull competition. I realized that TGL would be a more grandiose production with the sponsorship of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and a bunch of private equity fat cats. I was certainly skeptical but the appearance of Scott Van Pelt and ESPN tickled my curiiosity so I decided to tune in with an open mind.
I was really impressed with the concept. Team play consisting of three oustanding PGA Tour players aside hitting into a huge simulator screen with fabulous graphics glistened the screen. The players were top names on tour such as Xander Schauffele, Ricky Fowler, Ludvig Arberg were there and the team names have been formalized in the manner of professional soccer. (New York Golf Club etc.). The inaugural match pitted the New York club captained by Schauffele against the Bay City club with Aberg, Shane Lowry and Wyndham Clark. The competition consisted of a 9 holes followed by a singles competition of 6 holes for a 15 hole event. Unlike Home Run Derby, TGL presents a tantalizing indoor format of simulation drives and second shots from real grass into the simulator. The following shots land on the green, miss the green or land in the greenside bunker. The players then hit those shots in front of a live audience replete with cheering, booing, trash talking and general camaradarie. The greens are loaded with breaks and undulations supported by new simulation technology, whereby the players have simulated real outside world conditions. The technology is in use at other simulation facilities primarily new university golf centers where the players can practice their putting as if they were outdoors. The other positive aspect of TGL play is that each shot must be executed against a time clock so pace of play is even and determinate. Clock violations result in a lost stroke so no penalties were incurred during this first match. In addition the competition has added the concept of the Saturday “press” affectionately called the hammer. Competitors get to use the hammer to attempt to comeback in their matches and add stress and drama to the competitive environment.
In this first match the Bay City Club “hammered” Schauffele’s New York Club by a score of 9-2. Aberg could not no wrong as he drove the ball very well and holed a number of putts to generate points for Bay City. It was interesting to see the professionals struggle with the indoor chipping surface as most of their chips never came close to the results that they execute routinely while on Tour. Schauffele’s chipping was less than stellar and the New York Club could not make putts either as they dropped back further and further. Their “hammer” throws produced nothing of value as the Bay City guys “hammered them” with good tee shots and putts. All the players took the event very seriously and seemed to really enjoy the format, the competition and the banter from the audience.
I like the concept of TGL. I am the usual skeptical golf snob traditionalist who doesn’t think the game should be changed. I now come to realize that indoor golf can provide a wider interest in the game and potentially bring the game to more people who otherwise would probably never venture into thinking about golf as a spectator sport. TV Ratings on ESPN were encouraging and surpassed viewership of LIV Tour events. Tiger Woods will be making his first appearance as a TGL player in the coming weeks and he will be able to play this tour indefinitely as he only has to stride a few paces in between shots. The TGL Tour is envisioned to be a rapid three month test certainly designed for entertainment of those Eastern and Mid Western golf addicts who have had to store their clubs for the winter. There is sufficient prize money to motivate the players and extend the concept further in the future. I would have to conclude that TGL is going to be a positive factor in furthering the development of the game and its growth going forward.
Almost by accident I watched week 1. I agree with your assessment. It was entertaining and the pace of play made it much more interesting than the typical TV broadcast of watching 3 shots made by the leaders and then back to commercial. Having played plenty of simulator golf due to our 5 month golf shutdown in Boston, I was very jealous of the high end technology being used. I hope that the glitter doesn’t wear off and they build on the broadcast and technology to deliver another angle to golf broadcasing. I also belive if the TGL can gain traction it can be a boon to the simulator businesses that are cropping up everywhere in the cold climates.