Golf
What is TGL? Teams, schedule, rules and more to know about Tiger Woods’ new indoor golf league | Sporting News
Get ready to see professional golf like you’ve never seen it before.
Simulated golf is booming all over the world. It allows an option for golfers in frigid conditions to go indoors into the warmth and simulate a round of golf. These kinds of systems are used by all sorts of golfers — even the professionals.
Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and the PGA Tour are combining the best of both worlds, bringing teams together in the TGL, a league where golfers will mix playing traditional and simulated golf.
The organization has been in the works for years. It was expected to launch in 2024, but was pushed a year due to structural damage to the facility it was being hosted at. Now, Woods is one of the 24 PGA Tour pros taking part in the inaugural season.
Here’s everything you need to know about the TGL.
WATCH: Watch the TGL on ESPN with Fubo (U.S. only)
What is TGL?
The TGL, which stands for Tomorrow’s Golf League, is a new 3-on-3, indoor golf league that was created by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in partnership with the PGA Tour. It is owned by TMRW Sports, a venture formed by Woods, McIlroy and sports executive Mike McCarley.
It combines both traditional golf play with elements of simulated indoor golf. The players start by hitting into a giant 64 x 53 foot simulator powered by Full Swing. They will have to deal with hitting from areas with real grass, fairway, rough and sand into the screen for tee shots and approach shots.
When does TGL start?
The TGL starts on Tuesday, Jan. 7, with the regular season being played on either Mondays or Tuesdays throughout January, February and the first week of March.
The postseason does not have a designated start date yet.
What are the rules of TGL?
Once a player gets within 50 yards or less of a hole, they transition to a physical green. The custom-built GreenZone is a 22,475-square-foot short game area that transforms between holes.
There are other elements to the competition not typically on the golf course. There is a 40-second shot clock for each shot. If golfers don’t get their swing off in time, they face a one-stroke penalty
There will be five regular season matches per team, and then a postseason format based on the results of the matches. A points-based standings system is set to be utilized, meaning a team earns two points for a win in regulation or overtime, one point for an overtime loss, and zero points for a regulation loss.
At the end of the regular season, the top four teams advance to the single-elimination semifinal round with No. 1 vs. No. 4 and No. 2 vs. No. 3. The winners of the two semis move onto the championship round, which is a best two-out-of-three format.
TGL matches consist of two teams of three playing against one another in head-to-head action.
There will be 15 holes of simulated golf to be played in a match. The first nine holes will use “triples” meaning all three players on a team compete in an alternate shot format. The teams will decide the order of the golfers.
The last six holes will be “singles”, where players are matched up head-to-head against someone from the opposing club. Each player will play two holes against one opponent before both step aside for their teammates to play. Whichever player finishes with the lowest score on the hole wins a point for the team.
The team with the most points at the end of 15 holes wins the match. If there is a tie, then an overtime will take place to declare a victor.
TGL teams
There are six teams in the TGL, each consisting of four players per team.
Here is a breakdown of all six squads in the TGL.
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
- 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
- Ludvig Aberg
- Wyndham Clark
- Min Woo Lee
- Shane Lowry
TGL stadium
The TGL will be played at the SoFi Center, a first-of-its-kind venue that is located in Palm Beach Gardens at Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth Beach, Fla.
According to the TGL, the SoFi Center “will hold up to 1,500 people and will include a field of play spanning about the size of a full-length football field in total.” It also features “two areas on the field of play, the ScreenZone for shots into the screen and the GreenZone, where the teams finish each hole.”
The venue is expected to host up to 1,500 people.
What is Tiger Woods’ role in TGL?
Woods’ role with the TGL isn’t just as an owner and mastermind behind the idea. While he is financially invested into the league, he also will be playing in it.
Woods is a member of the Jupiter Links Golf Club, joining Max Homa, Tom Kim and Kevin Kisner on the squad. Since there is no need to trek up and down hills over a four-day tournament, it is molded to fit the legendary golfer’s physical needs.
It’s unclear if Woods will play. Teams are made up of four players, but only three will play during matches.
How to watch TGL matches
- TV: ESPN, ESPN2
- Stream: ESPN+, Fubo
ESPN is set to broadcast the TGL, with matchups airing on ESPN or ESPN2.
The action will also be streamed through ESPN+ or Fubo, which offers ESPN and its platforms.
TGL golf schedule
Tuesday, Jan. 7
Matchup | Time (ET) |
New York vs. Bay | 9 p.m. |
Tuesday, Jan. 14
Matchup | Time (ET) |
LA vs. Juniper | 7 p.m. |
Tuesday, Jan. 21
Matchup | Time (ET) |
NY vs. Atlanta | 7 p.m. |
Monday, Jan. 27
Matchup | Time (ET) |
Juniper vs. Boston | 6:30 p.m. |
Tuesday, Feb. 4
Matchup | Time (ET) |
Boston vs. LA | 9 p.m. |
Monday, Feb. 17
Matchup | Time (ET) |
Atlanta vs. LA | 1 p.m. |
Atlanta vs. Bay | 4 p.m. |
Bay vs. Boston | 7 p.m. |
Tuesday, Feb, 18
Matchup | Time (ET) |
Jupiter vs. New York | 7 p.m. |
Monday, Mon. 24
Matchup | Time (ET) |
LA vs. New York | 5 p.m. |
Boston vs. Atlanta | 9 p.m. |
Tuesday, Feb. 25
Matchup | Time (ET) |
Bay vs. Juniper | 9 p.m. |
Monday, March 3
Matchup | Time (ET) |
Bay vs. LA | 3 p.m. |
New York vs. Boston | 7 |
Tuesday, March 4
Matchup | Time (ET) |
Juniper vs. Atlanta | 7 p.m. |