The second-ever TGL match is set to begin with Tiger Woods taking center stage for the first time with his Jupiter Links Golf Club. And for the second week in a row, TGL’s most popular innovation, the shot clock, will be on display. TGL’s brain trust, which includes Woods and Rory McIlroy, had to decide which parts of the traditional game of golf to keep and which ones to kick to the curb. One of the complaints about pro golf is around slow play, and the league knew it needed to keep the action going quickly to keep viewers engaged. The shot clock was introduced as a solution to this problem, adding an element of excitement to the game.
The shot clock in TGL works by giving players 40 seconds to hit each shot, the same amount of time pros are allotted on the PGA Tour. Without shot clocks on Tour courses, players often exceed their time without being penalized. In TGL, the shot clocks are prominently displayed for both players and fans to see, with additional digital shot clocks located throughout the venue. Once the shot clock reaches 15 seconds, the sound of a heartbeat adds pressure to the players, making for an exciting viewing experience. Fans also get more involved in the action, cheering or chiding players as the shot clock winds down to zero.
The use of shot clocks in TGL has been a hit with both players and fans, adding a new level of excitement to the game. It is unlikely that shot clocks will make their way to golf’s major tours anytime soon, but they have found a home in TGL where they enhance the viewer experience. The second TGL match, featuring Tiger Woods and his Jupiter Links Golf Club, will showcase the shot clocks once again, starting at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. With the success of the shot clocks in TGL, it will be interesting to see if other golf leagues or tournaments adopt a similar innovation to improve pace of play and engage fans more deeply. The shot clocks have become a signature feature of TGL, setting the league apart from traditional golf events.
