TGL presented by SoFi, the primetime, team golf league in partnership with the PGA TOUR, has announced a series of enhancements to elevate the playing and viewing experience for Season 2.
Based on data, analytics and player feedback from Season 1, enhancements include a renovation of the green, with a larger surface area, more hole locations and larger bunkers.
“After a successful inaugural season, we conducted a comprehensive review of data and learnings from all aspects of competition with players, teams and our broadcast partners to elevate the fan experience, enhance gameplay and create even more excitement for Season 2 of TGL presented by SoFi,” said Andrew Macaulay, Chief Technology Officer, TMRW Sports, parent company of TGL. “These updates are part of our continued effort to increase drama, intrigue and dynamic moments while further challenging TGL’s teams within SoFi Center’s one-of-a-kind environment.”
Key Changes to the Greenzone
o The putting surface has increased by 38% from 3,800 to 5,270 square feet, closer to the average green size on the PGA TOUR (5,701 square feet).
o Larger putting surface now features 12 hole locations, up from seven.
o Two Full Swing Virtual Greens under the turf are now 1,250 square feet in total with 608 actuators to morph the putting surface (up from 1,215 square feet, 567 actuators). The larger Virtual Greens add 60 square feet of adjustable putting surface to bottom tiers.
o The knoll at the highest point of the GreenZone is 18 inches lower, allowing for improved viewing for fans and more natural slopes on the upper portion of the putting surface.
o The slope of a section of the chipping area has been regraded, allowing for a greater variety of shot-making on approach shots.
o The smallest bunker has been removed. while the two remaining bunkers are 50% larger. The bunkers now include revetted layers of turf to create distinct vertical, greenside walls.
Among the other changes from Season 1, six holes will have a new look with localised backdrops and terrain and will serve as official Team Holes for all six teams.
The ScreenZone hitting boxes have been enlarged to provide more space and to improve divot management, while the sand trays have also been made bigger to allow for a larger bunker lip that can be raised or lowered at the front of the bunker, increasing difficulty for fairway bunker shots.
And to improve the on-site fan experience, two ball-tracking camera towers have been removed from the field of play, relocating them into the SoFi Center ceiling.
TMRW Sports worked with Beau Welling Design on the GreenZone renovation; Full Swing on hole redesigns and building of two new virtual greens; and SYNLawn on the synthetic playing surface reinstallation.
The second season of TGL tees off on December 28, marking the league’s broadcast network debut on ABC in a rematch of Season 1’s Finals between New York Golf Club and defending champion Atlanta Drive GC.
To see the full Season 2 schedule and book tickets, visit TGLGolf.com