How is TGL different from traditional golf?

The new TGL has been in full swing (pun intended) for several weeks now, and with much trepidation from the golf community before games got underway, it’s safe to say reactions have been… mixed.

While the technological advancements of golf simulator play take centre stage, and have earned rave reviews in parts, many golf traditionalists are yet to be swayed by the indoor golf setup.

At Black Box Golf, we’re approved stockists of the Trackman Virtual Golf Simulator, so we’re well-versed in this type of play, albeit on a smaller scale.

So, for the uninitiated, or for those yet to check out the TGL, how exactly does it differ from the game we all know and love – for better or worse?

What is TGL?

If you’re not in the know, TGL stands for ‘Tomorrow's Golf League’ and is a new golfing format spearheaded by the likes of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods.

A mixture of team-based and 1v1 play, the TGL will see some of the sport’s top names battle it out over several weeks, in a state-of-the-art facility in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

The key difference? All matches will be contested indoors, utilising the world’s most advanced golf simulator and indoor putting greens. Players hit golf balls into the screen, with ball data being analysed in real time to present an accurate picture of where it would have landed in real-life play. Once players are close enough to the green, they move over to the in-house greens to continue. They’ve even thrown in some bunkers for good measure.

To find out more about how TGL works, you can check out our blog at the link.

What are some notable differences between TGL and traditional golf?

Indoor arena play

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll be well aware that, traditionally, golf is played outside. So bringing it indoors was always going to turn some heads.

However, on the whole, the indoor element may have elevated the atmosphere of the game beyond what we’re all used to.

Sure, it’s always amazing to see droves of dedicated golf fans line the sidelines in major matches. But because sound travels, cheers aren’t always the first thing we notice.

But because the sound has nowhere to go in an indoor arena, the reactions of the several thousand fans in attendance are magnified, making for a raucous sound and enthusiasm levels getting blown through the roof. In short, the fans seem to love it.

Microphones

This choice is as far from traditional as you can get. But in the age of reality television and entertainment, where the lives of celebrities are examined under a microscope at every opportunity, it makes for engaging viewing.

Yes, all players in TGL are mic’d up during matches, meaning we, the audience, can catch every groan at a disappointed strike, as well as every squeal of elation at every awesome shot – and everything in between.

Comical and enthralling all at the same time, if you ever wanted a deeper insight into the inner workings of golf’s best, this is your chance. 

Time limits

Golf isn’t known for being the fastest sport in the world. Well, those in charge at TGL want to turn that stereotype on its head with the introduction of time limits.

Players have a limit of 40 seconds to swing their club. If they go over their allotted time, they forfeit one stroke, encouraging them to calculate their approach quickly.

It adds a subtle touch of drama and risk to each strike, which, if you’re one of those fans that is sick of seeing players take too long at the tee, could come in handy.

The hammer

It feels like something lifted from a poker game, as opposed to a golf game, but it works nevertheless!

The hammer is a clever TGL tool players can employ to double the value of a specific hole. Before their first shot, if they call for the hammer, the point value of that hole can be doubled, assuming the other team accepts.

If they don’t accept, they lose the hole, adding to the tense nature of the game. It’s a clever trick that can be used to apply pressure to the other team, or to crawl back from the jaws of defeat, or simply to throw a spanner in the works. But each side only gets three hammers per 15-hole round, so they must be used wisely.

Explore golf simulator technology with Black Box Golf

Whether you’re a fan of the new TGL or not, there’s no denying the value that golf simulator options have in the modern game, both professionally and for amateur golfers.

And there’s no greater golf simulator to install in your home or office right now than the Trackman virtual golf simulator. An industry-leading name in golf technology utilising state-of-the-art launch monitors and radar technology, Trackman products are widely used by golfing veterans and those who need the most data from their strikes to improve performance accordingly.

By owning a Trackman Golf Simulator, you can enjoy the most realistic at-home golfing experience available today, with unbelievably accurate simulations of some of the world’s most famous golf courses, all available at the touch of a button.

To find out more about the Trackman simulator or similar products we can provide, like the Trackman iO, speak to the team at Black Box Golf about our stock today.