The countdown to the launch of TGL, a prime-time televised indoor golf league backed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, is well underway. The key components for the league have been finalized, including the selection of six 4-player teams of PGA Tour stars, the choice of the custom-built Sofi Stadium in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. as the venue, and the inclusion of two course architects: Nicklaus Design and Beau Welling Design.
TGL’s competition format is first-of-its-kind, as it involves a mixed-reality setup where players strike long shots on virtual holes before hitting their chips and putts on an actual green. The green is a dynamic challenge that can rotate 360 degrees with changing topography to create an innovative gaming experience. The architects were tasked with creating 30 holes, with 15 being played in shifting rotation throughout the season.
Nicklaus Design, a renowned firm with extensive experience in course development, provided a sneak peek of two TGL holes – a par 4 in Texas Hill Country and a par 3 along the California coast. The design process for these virtual holes required a balance of creative freedom and logistical constraints, such as avoiding intermediate-length shots and extreme elevation changes that wouldn’t translate well in the simulator.
Despite the technical challenges, the architects aimed to create compelling challenges and strategic options that would test players’ decision-making skills under TGL’s 40-second shot clock. For example, the “Bluebonnet” hole in Hill Country offers players a choice between a drivable par-4 or a long two-shotter, while the California par-3 “Cliffhanger” presents various challenges, including wind factors.
The transition from concept to reality involved traditional design processes, starting with hand-drawn sketches that were digitized and inputted into modeling software by Full Swing, TGL’s technology partner. The virtual holes were simulated to ensure they accurately reflected the intended design, although the true test will come when players experience them in gameplay.
Designing for TGL presented unique opportunities and challenges for the architects, who had to adapt their approach to account for the virtual nature of the competition. Despite the limitations of designing for a simulated environment, the architects were able to create innovative and engaging golf holes that will test the skills of the players and elevate the overall experience of the league.
