New holes, bigger green, more cameras and signature designs: ‘We’re playing a high-tech video game,’ says Billy Horschel.
It’s Game Day: The Tomorrow’s Golf League, better known as TGL, launches its second season today at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The season runs through March 3 and kicks off with a rematch of last year’s final between Atlanta Drive and New York GC.
Tiger Woods mic’d up for Jupiter Links GC
While the six teams remain unchanged, Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas will not compete initially due to ongoing recovery from back surgeries. However, Woods, a TGL co-owner, has pledged to attend every match for his team, Jupiter Links GC, starting January 13—equipped with a microphone. Expect the 15-time major champion to contribute commentary and entertainment as a sideline host.
Tech upgrades and signature holes
The TGL arena has seen major upgrades. The green zone has expanded by 38% to nearly 500 square meters, now allowing for 12 pin positions. Over 600 actuators simulate realistic slopes and breaks. ‘The green is easier to read now,’ says Wyndham Clark of The Bay. ‘It benefits the best putters among us.’
Artificial turf fibers now point inward, ensuring every chip is played with the grain. ‘It lets us do anything with the ball,’ Clark adds. The SoFi Center also boasts 79 cameras and an enhanced Virtual-Eye system, including the award-winning SmartPin Cam for 360-degree views from the flagstick.
Signature holes and immersive design
Each team now has its own signature hole. Highlights include ‘Bay Breaker’ for The Bay GC, featuring towering redwoods and San Francisco’s skyline, and ‘Big Apple’ for New York GC, set against Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. Gil Hanse’s ‘Stone & Steeple’ hole features a church and cemetery, reminding players that errant shots have a short lifespan.
‘We have holes like on a real course, but also ones you’d see in a video game,’ says Billy Horschel, who plays for Atlanta today. ‘Because ultimately, we’re playing a high-tech video game.’