TGL - Any interest?

PARlance

Not sure if the lack of a thread about this is an indication of apathy surrounding it, but it seems to be a significant development in the game of golf.

Basically a simulator league where top pros will play in teams. Not sure if it's affiliated with the PGA Tour but they seem to be backing it.

I think it would fall into the 'slightly interested but not really excited by it' category for me.

https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/12997557/tiger-woods-and-rory-mcilroys-high-tech-golf-league-tgl-to-launch-on-january-9

Rory's resignation from the board of the PGA Tour seemed to go without too much attention as well, not surprising that he stepped down tbh.

spacecoyote

Times may not work for most people here I guess. Think its scheduled to be on around US prime times, so could be looking at 1-2am here.

I wasn't actually interested until I read a potentially good take on it. Basically, how you don't get to ever really hear about golfers thinking in terms of strategy for a shot and that this could, given they're mic'd be an interesting insight. Or hearing Tiger describe the strategy someone would use. Can't see a big draw outside of people who play golf

Sorbet

I’m hoping it will be good but not convinced it will be. Certainly looking forward to seeing a little more personality from the players. Has anyone heard if it will be available on TV this side of the Atlantic?

PARlance

No European broadcaster announced yet AFAIK. You would have to imagine Sky will pick it up.

Trampas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121375743#Comment_121375743

Id be surprised if Sky aren’t in for it

coillcam

Timing is crap, the same reason I don't watch many US sports. I'm on the fence until I see the end product but I'm not massively excited tbh.

slave1

Poor poor response to LIV team which in itself is a non-runner outside US as US college golf is very team centric.

I want to see single golf on a real course not any other sh1te

PARlance

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121378707#Comment_121378707

I think it's sufficiently different of a response to have some chance. Sim golf is huge is Asia and growing worldwide, so there's some genuine "growing the game" angle there imo. At the same time, mildly interested would be about as far as I could go.

The same can't be said for The Netflix Cup. I struggled through 15 mins of it last night. Probably the worst bit of sport/entertainment/not sure what to call it that I've watched. It's like they looked at the worst parts of LIV and amplified it.

This is just a small sample.

https://youtube.com/shorts/-6hlbzClrYY?si=nFzvDUOpwyc19YHJ

swededmonkey

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121378868#Comment_121378868

I couldn't even finish that youtube clip. Based on that, its a no from me!

PARlance

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121379176#Comment_121379176

The carry on that went on before them sprinting to the hole was even worse, but I didn't want to spoil the fun.

RoadRunner

Sim golf is going to make up a large part of the future of golf. TGL is a good move for that, it will help technology to improve filter down in price by bringing it mainstream.

Right now, you can play sawgrass in two ways, you afford the $900 greenfee plus compulsory caddy, can tolerate the waiting lists etc, can afford flights & accom, and get the time off work for a week, serious jetlag, and sketchy weather. Or you play it on a simulator where it's always in good condition. You won't be subjected to the 6 hours round which are commonplace there too. My least favourite parts of golf, such as looking for balls in rough as my shoes get soaked are nicely removed from simulators too. Also you can play at night. Frost? Ha. Dress codes, snobbery.. that bullshit all ends. Golf is jumping significantly in price as we are all aware of.

The better simulators get, the better the experience is going to be. Golf courses within the m50 are frowned on increasingly as a waste of land that is not being farmed, lived on, available to the public to enjoy for recreation purposes, or productive in any meaningful way as it is only benefitting a tiny number of people each day.

Some will shun sims and say there's no experience like feeling the wind in your face, or the sounds of the sea... yes I agree, but bear in mind that <snip>*edited to remove crazy tangent*</snip>

Anyway, with that crazy tangent out of the way, one of the most endearing aspects of golf for everyone is the social side. In my (very) limited experience of sim golf, the craic is actually even better, when everyone is around and part of the game together, with a perfect view of the action. In the news today I noticed that the facilities constructed didn't handle a patch of bad weather this week and damaged the roof of the facility, so possibly a bad omen early days for TGL, but I'll still be interested to see how these first TGL sessions go.

El Guapo!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121379993#Comment_121379993

That was a wild ride of a post. 🙃

RoadRunner

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121380316#Comment_121380316

I truly have no idea how I was allowed to be the golf society captain for a year 🤣

PARlance

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121380316#Comment_121380316

I haven’t been as confused since watching the Netflix Cup last night.

I think he said that TGL is going to be cancelled due to bad weather and that we're already living in a world where anything within 6 foot is a gimme.

RoadRunner

😬😑

gypsy79

i have heard the software is super glitchy which is obviously not gonna be good if true

Mantis Toboggan

Posponed until 2025

https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/tgl/11/20/tgl-to-postpone-inaugural-season-until-early-2025

Mushy

Till 2025 seems odd, assume won't go ahead now

Trampas

Who’s money going up in smoke

gypsy79

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121393130#Comment_121393130

Why does 2025 sound odd...it was clearly supposed be after NFL regular season and before majors so there is no spot till 2025 as clearly not going to be ready for 2024

Mushy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121399852#Comment_121399852

Long time to try keep people's interest

Trampas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121404473#Comment_121404473

Once Eldrick is involved is enough to keep people interested. Watch the viewing figures when he’s playing compared to not

Trampas

Eldrick gets 12 million from the pip fund and Rory wins it this year for 15

ClutchIt

No

pauldoo

Starts next week

Set up looks good tbf. Think it has potential, golf tournament in a couple of hours, some of the best players in the world and a shot clock. Looks like sky have it but haven't seen them push it yet

big_drive

Will take a look and see, hard to call yet what it'll be like. I'll give it a chance anyway

paulos53

I have just had a look at the schedule and it is definitely not aimed at the European market. First match is on tomorrow night/Wednesday morning at 2 am which is a non-runner for most us. There are only a handful of matches that start before midnight.

The computer designed holes will make or break it for a lot of people. There are a few hole designs that you could never build in real life. Some people will love the novelty, others will find it silly.

This is a good example. A 720 yard par 5 but it can be reduced to 538 yards if the players aims for a plateau in the middle of a canyon.

Another funky looking par 5 with a pinch point at 300 yards. I have no idea why they decided to add a grandstand around the green.

PARlance

I'm not sure if it'll capture my interest long term, but this did get me looking forward to seeing the pros on it.

https://youtu.be/PEMU-HzSoEE?si=gMyN6Djs4NqadscG

Trampas

As soon as Eldrick tees it up the eyes all over the globe will be on it. That’s just reality

Deeper Blue

The least interesting thing about televised golf is player interviews. Guess what they start the first TGL broadcast with?

PARlance

This is nuts. And not in a good way. I'm dizzy watching it already.

Shane had the honour of hitting the first shot in it. A possible table quiz question for the future.

StevenToast

Absolute scutter. Rich millionaires prìcking around pretending that it matters.

Get the fùck back out on the course in the pìssing rain and wind and earn your corn.

PARlance

Managed to stay up for a fair bit of it. I don't think I'll complain about golf coverage being so slow again! It was way too hectic to be enjoyable for me. I was following online commentary during it and the yanks seem to absolutely love it.

LIV golf on steroids was my take away. That was my main feeling watching it, I would say the Bryson was at home wishing he could be there front and center.

I imagine it'll be huge in Asia, with simulator golf being golf for a much higher percentage of golfers there.

They've probably created something that will have the impact of what LIV wanted to be originally.

Mushy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123032133#Comment_123032133

Not going to comment myself on the content, I've only seem 2 short clips and don't think I'd last long watching it.

As a general comment, I'm surprised sim golf isn't bigger here. No weather considerations, quicker pace of play....would make sense. I see there's a place in Dublin catering for it, seems should be a success

PARlance

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123032146#Comment_123032146

I'm actually booked in to play Sim golf tomorrow night with my fourball. Was extremely surprised to see a venue open up in a relatively small county town (Castlebar) just before Christmas.

It's their second venue so I presume they've done their homework but I'm still getting my head around how it will be sustainable.

https://luascagolf.ie/

Mushy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123032271#Comment_123032271

Maybe hoping for stags/groups to make it work. Would like to see it succeed though, makes sense it could!

spacecoyote

A big problem is still drink-driving.

If people want to do it and bring their own clubs, they have to drive realistically, which means you can't have a few pints and make a night out of it.

For the casual golfer, that's not really a problem, as they'll use whatever is available, but the casual golfer is not going to be a regular customer, so hard to see it as long term economically viable.

I love the idea of it. I've gone out to K Golf World at the K-Club a couple of times. It's a great set up and would be good craic with a group if you're staying at the hotel, or close by, but it's again, a bit too isolated for a night out for a group.

Metro Golf was in town before for a few years, and there was a place on the Long Mile Road too, near the Roller-Skating rink.

Will definitely try out the Pitch place in Dublin City. I also work in town, within walking distance of the place, so if they did some sort of membership deal that was reasonable, I'd contemplate it and could spend a couple of lunch hours practicing

monkeybutter

the team format was horrendous, the teams themselves make no sense. its like they made golf even more douchey

which is some achievement

just let woods use an fing golf cart

bobster453

Really enjoying it.Great craic yet serious especially when the Hammer is thrown.

Good fun.

Russman

Have to say, not a fan of this at all. Just watching it back again now, and really struggling to see how its any more than a glorified chipping and putting contest around a practice green. The full swings are largely irrelevant I think. I get that its totally different and modern and a bit of a laugh, but for me its just too contrived tbh. Slightly embarassed for Rory and Tiger coming up with this, not that my opinion matters a jot !!

Sorbet

Watched it this evening as had recorded - have to say I really enjoyed it. It’s obviously not golf and won’t replace it but found it more entertaining than some mid tier premier league match. Team interaction and messing is a bit of light relief. Pity the match was so one sided. Think they should lay off with some of the commentary. Over time I think it will help viewers identify with players more. Looking forward to the next one.

recyclops

I think the biggest issue today was it was so one sided. It should probably be two games a week every 3 days or so. At least for the first 2/3 weeks. Il have forgetten about it by next week.

Musicrules

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123032422#Comment_123032422

What town was metro golf in?

spacecoyote

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123035823#Comment_123035823

Dublin

Musicrules

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123035835#Comment_123035835

Oh, Dublin city!

benny79

I watched it last night although at first I taught it was a stupid idea. I really enjoyed it and found myself ending up watching all of it. Just dont see how the Pro's would be into it with "Their heavy schedules". Be interesting to see how much there getting paid! I loved looking at their stats. They really need to show more of this especially since they keep going on about it. Yet you only get a glimpse.

There really is some money in the US like to built stadiums just for this! Imagine the cost in that and then to pay the Pro's and for them to fly in for a 2 hour match. I wonder does anyone know would it be open to the public when there,s no matches on?

TXPTGR1

thought it was naff- no real stakes- embarrassing Banter- who knows might take off by I won’t be watching

bobster453

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123036368#Comment_123036368

21 million prize money.

9 million pot for winning team so 2.25 million each.

Nice little earner in your downtime.😆

spacecoyote

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123036368#Comment_123036368

Saw an interesting observation around pitching/chipping side of it.

The surface is artificial and the ball sits up high. So they are hitting them higher up the face meaning less spin. Meant they were running a lot of chips past.

Basically they were saying that they'll have to change their shot choice in this format compared to a course, playing more flop-shots, etc...

coillcam

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123036691#Comment_123036691

This^^ plus lots of them live in Florida so it's not a big commute. I doubt there's much commitment and they're 100% being looked after outside of the prize money.

The scheduling is useless unless you're in the states. I probably won't ever watch it live as a result.

BraveDonut

I enjoyed it as a novelty and thought the way they use the green was amazing. But, I think it could become samey very quickly.