New holes, bigger green, more cameras and signature holes for each team: ‘We’re playing a high-tech video game,’ says Billy Horschel.
It’s Game Day: The Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL) kicks off its second season today at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. 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 title of this indoor golf spectacle.
Tiger Woods joins as mic’d-up team leader
The six teams remain unchanged, but superstars Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas are sitting out for now due to back surgery recovery. Woods, however, has promised to be present at every Jupiter Links GC match starting January 13, equipped with a microphone. The 15-time major champion is expected to chime in with commentary and team support, offering fans a unique behind-the-scenes experience.
Tech upgrades and signature holes
Season two brings significant technical enhancements. The putting green has been expanded by 38% to nearly 500 square meters, now featuring 12 pin positions. Over 600 actuators simulate realistic slopes and breaks. ‘It’s easier to read now,’ says Wyndham Clark of The Bay. ‘That benefits the best putters among us.’
Artificial turf has also been adjusted so that every chip is now played with the grain, allowing players to shape shots more creatively. ‘It adds excitement for the viewers,’ Clark adds.
Immersive visuals and team identity
Each team now has a signature hole, designed 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’ is set against the Manhattan skyline and Lady Liberty. Atlanta’s ‘Fore-O-Fore’ showcases the city’s silhouette. These holes are played whenever the respective teams compete, giving them a home-course advantage.
Hanse’s ‘Stone & Steeple’ hole includes a church and cemetery, reminding players that errant shots may not survive long. ‘We’ve got holes like on a real course, but also ones straight out of a video game,’ says Horschel. ‘Because in the end, we’re playing a high-tech video game.’
To enhance the viewer experience, TGL has upgraded its Virtual-Eye technology and now uses 79 cameras, including the award-winning SmartPin Cam, offering 360-degree live views from the flagstick’s perspective. Let the games begin.