Credit: TGL presented by SoFi
Well, the TGL is now four weeks in and still I have not finalized my feelings on the technology centric arena golf league from Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
The matches are aired on Tuesday at 4 p.m. PDT – there are times that change, and in some cases days – from a specially designed arena in the Palm Beach area of Florida.
There are six teams of four players – three play each week – with all the players coming from the PGA Tour.
The matches are shown on ESPN and are approximately two hours long.
Using a monster-size simulator and a real green that rotates and has pistons that change the makeup of the green from hole to hole. The concept is cool and for now, it seems like a consistent green.
The players are all wired up and it allows the announcer to interact with the players and also allows the viewer to listen to the players’ conversations throughout the match.
Provided the player has a personality, it is awesome to hear the give and take between not just their own teammates but the other team as well.
In week three, getting to see and hear Justin Thomas’s reaction to Billy Horschel’s entrance at the beginning was pure gold. It’s those moments that really enhance the event.
But like everything that just starts out, things seem a bit off. What are some of the things that could be done.
*There seems to be problems with technology regarding the distance of a shot. When you see some of the top players are so badly off a 100-yard wedge shot, you have to question it. Sure, the players can hit a bad shot but when it happens multiple times, then there’s something wrong. I am not technologically gifted so I’m not sure if there is something that can be done to correct this but if not, it’s not going to be as easy to get some players to the game.
*I think TGL needs to be opened to LIV members as well. A competitive event that is this socially interactive screams for players like Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed, and Brooks Koepka. Tiger in a match against Phil, where heckling is not just okay, but encouraged, would make it must-see TV.
*The matches lack excitement. Two blowouts in the first two weeks, followed by a shutout in the third match. Not sure how that can be fixed other than the team behind should have permanent control of the hammer and make it so the other team must accept the hammer at any point. It adds some pressure to the team leading and theoretically gives the losing team a chance to climb back into a one-sided match. It makes it tough to watch a blow out the whole time. I know in week two I changed the channel when at halftime as it was not much fun to watch, even with Tiger and Max Homa on the same team with both wired for sound. **Editor’s note: After I posted this, we got the first overtime match between Tiger and Rory’s teams, and it was awesome – exactly what I thought was missing!
*I am sure the audience will get more involved as it will take time to feel comfortable yelling and screaming to the point of heckling the players, except for perhaps the Ryder Cup. I’m not saying the TGL audience should go Happy Gilmore at the matches, but a raucous crowd in an arena setting, makes it sizzle (think the 16th hole in Scottsdale.
These points might be nit-picking, but I really want this to work. It’s been great coming home from work on Tuesday’s and slapping this on the TV. On the West Coast having it on 4-6 is awesome.
Two hours and done – it even allows me to cook dinner when it’s my turn – everyone wins! And the format works in making my wife interested, if even for half of the show.
Golf is always popular but 4-6 hours on a Sunday afternoon is a big ask for the fringe fan. Making it simpler to follow on a weeknight may bring more fans to the game.
It also allows players not a lot of people are familiar with to get a chance to feel like they know the players, like say Max Homa, a little more. And that can’t be a bad thing.
There’s a chance golf has hit on a big thing. Maybe not to the golf purist, but I am first and foremost, all about growing the game.
This personalizes the players and gives a condensed version of the sport. It’s a great step towards growing the game. It is well worth your time to watch.
For more information on TGL, please visit the website at www.tglgolf.com.
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