New holes, bigger green, more cameras and team signature holes: ‘We’re playing a high-tech video game,’ says Billy Horschel.
It’s game time again: The Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL) is back for its second season at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, running through March 3. The season opener is a rematch of last year’s final, where Atlanta Drive edged out New York on the final hole to claim the inaugural indoor title.
Tiger Woods mic’d up for TGL
The six teams remain unchanged, but TGL co-owner and superstar Tiger Woods, along with Atlanta’s Justin Thomas, will sit out early matches due to back surgery recovery. Woods, however, has promised to attend every match of his Jupiter Links GC team starting January 13 — equipped with a microphone. Expect the 15-time major champion to chime in with commentary, adding entertainment value and perhaps revealing how well the GOAT performs as a live host.
Tech upgrades and signature holes
Season Two brings major upgrades. The putting green is now nearly 500 square meters — 38% larger — with 12 pin positions (up from seven). Over 600 actuators simulate slopes and breaks. ‘The green is easier to read now,’ says Wyndham Clark of The Bay. ‘That benefits the best putters among us.’
Artificial turf fibers now point inward, meaning every chip is into the grain. ‘It lets us do anything with the ball,’ Clark adds, enhancing viewer excitement. The SoFi Center now boasts 79 cameras and an improved Virtual-Eye system for better shot tracking. The award-winning SmartPin Cam returns, offering 360-degree views from the flagstick’s perspective.
Fantasy meets reality: Custom holes for each team
Six new holes have been designed as team-specific signature holes by top architects like Gil Hanse and Nicklaus Design. The Bay’s ‘Bay Breaker’ features redwoods and San Francisco fog, while New York’s ‘Big Apple’ plays against the Manhattan skyline and Lady Liberty. Atlanta’s ‘Fore-O-Fore’ showcases the city’s silhouette, and Gil Hanse’s ‘Stone & Steeple’ includes a church and cemetery — a reminder that errant shots may not last long.
Each match features the signature holes of the competing teams, giving a home-course advantage. ‘We have holes like on a real course, but also ones you’d see in a video game,’ says Horschel. ‘Because ultimately, we’re playing a high-tech video game.’