Is TGL a flop?? 🤔

👀 The Three-Putt: 3 Golf Picks You Can't Miss

📰 Must-Read: We’re giving our takes on TGL’s inaugural match, but if you're curious about the league's format, players, and cutting-edge technology, get all your questions answered with Golf.com's “Tiger Woods’ golf league starts tonight. Here are answers to 17 major questions”

⛳ Must-Try: Enter the FlightScope giveaway for a chance to win up to $3,000. Share your FlightScope Story before January 31st!  

📽️ Must-See: Didn’t catch it live? Watch these TGL opening night highlights from ESPN. 

😎 Sim Steals and Deals

New year, new deals baby. Here’s the best indoor golf deals from across the web this week.

⛳ TGL: The Triumphs, Tribulations, and Total Head-Scratchers

’Twas the night all of us indoor golf nerds have been waiting for: the premiere of TGL this past Tuesday. As die-hard fans, we tuned in live and are here to dish out our take on the electrifying highs and the somewhat cringeworthy lows of the opening clash.

The showdown featured Bay Golf Club's power trio—Ludvig Åberg, Wyndham Clark, and Shane Lowry—against the formidable lineup of New York GC, starring Matt Fitzpatrick, Rickie Fowler, and Xander Schauffele. The night kicked off with a team-based alternate-shot format across nine holes, before shifting to mano-a-mano matchups post-intermission. Spoiler alert: Bay Golf Club wasn't just playing; they were dominating, leading the scoreboard at 9-2.

The Highlights:

• Tech Wonders: We couldn’t help but marvel at the tech on display. From a seemingly physics-defying, rotation-capable green powered by 600 hydraulic jacks to the gargantuan 64 ft x 53 ft projection screen, the tech was nearly flawless. And those course designs? From volcanic hazards to island greens, they brought an irresistible flare of creativity that kept us on the edge of our seats. Can we get these courses in public play, please?

• Atmosphere Overload: The vibe was electric. Think NBA-level excitement with vibey lights, pulsing anthems, and a crowd that wasn’t shy about booing or cheering. It was a golf match reimagined as a high-energy sports showdown, all in a very digestible 2-hour runtime.

The Lowlights:

• Broadcast Blues: The coverage had its awkward moments—too much dead air, abrupt cuts that clipped Rory’s insights short, and hot mics that didn’t deliver. The mid-round interviews? More cringe than cool, with player comments barely audible. Did we need an intermission? Where was the banter and playful trash talk we were promised?

• Technical Quirks: While the green’s technology amazed, its real-world application saw players struggling with chipping and putting. Misalignments and tricky surfaces hinted at a steep learning curve ahead.

• Lack of Competitive Energy: The night’s matchup felt lopsided, with Bay Golf Club running away with the show. 

• Questionable Cameo: DJ Khalid’s looooooong interview...was that really necessary?

TGL is essentially pioneering a new sporting format, and while the inaugural match had its share of stumbles, the foundational tech was impressively robust. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for more engaging commentary and dynamic play in the matches to come.

Don’t Miss Out: Circle your calendars for the next face-off—Los Angeles Golf Club vs. Bay Golf Club on Tuesday, January 14 at 7 PM ET, airing on ESPN. It’s bound to be a spectacle!

Win Tickets: FYI, you can win a trip to see a match live. The grand prize includes flights, a hotel stay, a PGA TOUR Superstore shopping spree, custom luggage, and other awesome perks. The giveaway periods ends on the 12th, so make sure to enter before then! 

TGL Night 1 at a Glance

Best Shot
Ludvig Åberg's 32-foot birdie putt (watch it here)

Coolest Course Design 
Pick Yer Pluder (Check it out here)

This thrilling match play par 5 offered three strategic options from the gold tee. Players could “go bold” with a 300-yard carry over the guardian bunker to a narrow 27-yard fairway for the most reward. Or, they could opt for the safer left side where the fairway spans 70 yards. 

Best “Hot Mic” Moment 
“I’m going to be the Scottie Scheffler of indoor golf” - Shane Lowry (watch it here)

A Recap Review
“It’s clearly so new that ESPN doesn’t know what to do with it. Their camera angles are different every time. They sporadically show stats. Their audio has everyone talking over each other. Some of the holes are really fun, but you dont “feel” them very well. (If that makes any sense)

BUT… I think it has a lot of potential. I have really enjoyed this more than I was thinking I would. They need to flush out some of the production stuff, but the golf is fun to watch.”

-u/Bivylife on r/golf 

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🌟 We’re headed to the PGA Show!

We're hitting up our first PGA Show, and we're beyond stoked! What's on your must-know list? Drop your burning questions and top reporting requests here, and we'll bring back the inside scoop just for you. Let's make this PGA Show all about what YOU want to hear! 😉

TGL got us like…

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