We’re lower than three weeks from the start of the TGL’s inaugural season.
The brand new simulator league is beginning to ramp up its media efforts together with the discharge of a number of gap designs that gamers will encounter as soon as play will get began Jan. 7.
On condition that the sport is being performed on a simulator—besides all photographs inside 50 yards—the structure component of the league is an open e-book. These holes will be something. There doesn’t must be any consideration for playability or equity provided that these are digital designs being performed by professionals in a match-play format that’s strictly for leisure.
Our first appears to be like over the previous few months have confirmed that this can be much more Golden Tee than Augusta Nationwide.
Whereas there are some causes to be skeptical about TGL, it’s doable {that a} league headlined by Tiger Woods (and being broadcast on ESPN) will exceed expectations to attract large rankings. If you’re considering studying extra in regards to the format, check out the story I wrote earlier this yr.
Right here is my response to some of the outlet designs which have come out up to now.
“The Spear” is provocative
I’m fairly positive I drew this gap whereas doodling in my fifth-grade geometry class.
Piza Golf designed this digital par-5 that options two huge triangles and an island inexperienced, surrounded by water in all instructions. The thin a part of every triangle connects close to the touchdown zone at about 300 yards from the tee so gamers must resolve whether or not to tackle that danger or lay again.
𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗿 | 𝗣𝗮𝗿 𝟱 A heroic gap that can require cautious thought and technique.
: @PizaGolf pic.twitter.com/QXUYPFfqN5
— TGL (@TGL) December 12, 2024
Size is an enormous benefit right here as any drive past 310 yards or so has a a lot wider touchdown space the place the second a part of the triangle widens out. Laying up into the primary triangle makes it an automated three-shot gap whereas stepping into the second triangle makes for a straightforward resolution to go for it in two.
The inexperienced is technically an island, nevertheless it’s very giant—and there’s a grandstand that horseshoes across the again.
Of observe, there’s one other gap known as “Temple” that’s nearly equivalent to this one.
What do I like about this gap? It’s extremely bizarre which is what I hoped to see. The drive will seize everybody’s consideration. It instantly forces the participant to decide off the tee.
What do I dislike about this gap? The longest gamers have the simplest shot. There also needs to be no tough in any respect on a gap like this. Let’s create extra danger. And why is there a grandstand across the inexperienced? It is a big island and these are the most effective gamers on this planet. I don’t suppose they want any further assist. It actually makes the second shot much more boring.
How would I modify this gap? What if it was only one huge triangle? Begin with the huge finish at a 220-yard carry after which have it get narrower so {that a} 320-yard drive must be an excellent shot to remain within the fairway. Take the tough out, take the grandstand out, make the island slightly smaller.
What grade would you give this design? Perhaps a B-minus. Their coronary heart was in the appropriate place—I respect the idea—however we would like extra danger for the longest gamers on a gap like this.
“Alpine” is all in regards to the pace slot
It is a beefy par-4 set in a mountainous space with a gorge that runs your complete size of the outlet on the left-hand aspect.
The 530-yard gap performs uphill to a fairway that’s divided by a gargantuan slope. If gamers discover themselves on the left aspect of that slope, they are going to hit an exaggerated pace slot that carries their ball down the golf green. Bailing out to the appropriate doesn’t have the identical benefit.
— TGL (@TGL) November 14, 2024
The second shot is harmful because the inexperienced is sort of surrounded by the gorge and there’s no tough across the inexperienced. If gamers miss the pace slot, it can depart a 230-yard shot into the inexperienced which is a few 50 yards or extra longer than those that tackle extra danger off the tee.
The “Golden Tee” facet of this gap is in regards to the magnificence that surrounds it and the dramatic fairway slope.
What do I like about this gap? It’s a magnificence with the slopes and the way it’s framed by the gorge. The tee shot is enjoyable as a result of hitting a draw across the nook will lead to much more distance because the ball goes bounding down the hill. Not having any tough additionally helps make the second shot extra harmful.
What do I dislike about this gap? Longer gamers are getting rewarded once more, provided that the carry to succeed in the golf green on the speed-slot line is about 300 yards. The longer you hit it, the much less danger you tackle.
How would I modify this gap? I might angle the golf green slightly extra away from the gamers in order that it’s tougher to hold the bunkers on essentially the most aggressive line, forcing gamers into hitting a draw or being very correct off the tee.
What grade would you give this design? A-minus. I like this gap for essentially the most half. It’s a cool tee shot, as Tiger displayed right here in his go to to SoFi Enviornment.
“Fast Draw” forces a Grand Canyon-sized resolution
In the actual world, you would wish a bridge to succeed in an island fairway that’s surrounded by a canyon.
Within the digital world, there isn’t any such concern.
— TGL (@TGL) October 10, 2024
“Fast Draw” is a par-5 that stretches so long as 720 yards on the conservative line. Meaning going approach out to the left together with your drive and taking part in it as a three-shot gap.
There’s one other line, nevertheless, and I might count on most gamers to take the aggressive route. The block of fairway floating out within the canyon permits the participant to succeed in the outlet in two photographs, though the inexperienced is just not sitting at a positive angle to be receptive for long-iron approaches.
It’s a couple of 305-yard carry off the tee to succeed in the island so it’s doable a number of the shorter hitters received’t tackle that line.
The inexperienced is nicely protected by bunkers however in any other case doesn’t have an excessive amount of chew.
What do I like about this gap? It simply appears to be like candy. That is precisely what I used to be imagining from an aesthetic viewpoint. It’s additionally cool to have a heroic drive the place any miss will lead to a re-tee scenario.
What do I dislike about this gap? The golf green island is approach too large. Until there’s a whole lot of wind, I don’t see how accuracy can be a difficulty. It’s only a matter of carrying the canyon.
How would I modify this gap? Make the golf green island so much smaller. Drive gamers to hit an excellent drive to get the reward.
What grade would you give this design? B-plus. I’ll give it factors only for the feel and appear.
“The Claw” forces an fascinating resolution
Sticking with the theme of risk-reward off the tee, “The Claw” is probably my favourite design I’ve seen up to now.
Set in South Florida sandy dunes, the par-4 has a fairway within the form of a claw surrounded by water and sandy areas.
— TGL (@TGL) December 12, 2024
There are three distinct choices off the tee. The primary is to put up wanting all the pieces and depart an extended strategy into the inexperienced. If you would like slightly shorter shot in, you may go up the left-hand aspect, taking up extra danger. And if you would like a fair shorter shot in—with the most effective angle—gamers can attempt to hit the finger of fairway reducing out into the water.
That final choice gives not simply the shortest shot however the most effective view to get it shut.
What do I like about this gap? The danger-reward component may be very clear and apparent. I additionally like that there are three choices and none of them relies on energy. You must be correct right here or else will probably be hassle.
What do I dislike about this gap? If I’m nitpicking, I want the inexperienced had extra slope.
How would I modify this gap? Nothing actually. That is an excellent gap design for TGL.
What grade would you give this design? A-plus. The designer understood the project.
“Bluebonnet” is 2 holes in a single
I’m a sucker for drivable par-4. With “Bluebonnet,” TGL designers created one which may also be stretched out to play as a standard two-shotter.
— TGL (@TGL) October 17, 2024
The entrance tee field may have gamers swinging away on the inexperienced which sits atop a sandy ridge/cliff. There’s a slope proper of the inexperienced that can assist transfer balls left towards the inexperienced. It’s a couple of 300-yard carry to succeed in land.
Laying up is not any small feat because the slender fairway to the left requires a exact shot.
The again tee field will create a tricky tee shot alongside the left fairway. Getting nearer to the canyon edge permits for a greater angle into the inexperienced.
What do I like about this gap? The slope proper of the inexperienced is a small goal with an enormous reward. I additionally love how a lot slope there’s on this inexperienced. I’m hoping for some awkward short-game photographs.
What do I dislike about this gap? I nonetheless don’t totally perceive the grandstand behind the outlet. Is that this a buffer to keep away from gamers going over the inexperienced? Is that this simply an aesthetic factor? I feel the entire holes look higher with out grandstands.
How would I modify this gap? I might make the layup slightly extra inviting so gamers suppose twice about going for it.
What grade would you give this design? A. That is actually charming.
So these are 5 of the craziest designs you will notice subsequent month when TGL will get began.
What kinds of holes would you wish to see in TGL? Let me know beneath within the feedback.
The submit These 5 TGL Gap Designs Are Completely Insane appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
