TGL presented by SoFi, the primetime, team golf league in partnership with the PGA TOUR, today announced the first round of enhancements to create more entertainment and drama for fans, and reinforce TGL’s unique competition in advance of Season 2. The second season of TGL tees off on Sunday, Dec. 28 at 3 p.m. ET, marking the league’s broadcast network debut on ABC in a rematch of Season 1’s thrilling Finals between New York Golf Club and defending champion Atlanta Drive GC.
Based on data, analytics and player feedback from Season 1, enhancements include:
- Renovation of the GreenZone with larger green, different slopes, more hole locations and larger bunkers
- Updated holes elevating exciting risk-reward challenges
- Customized hole designs for each of the six TGL teams
- Improved graphics within virtual holes
- Larger hitting boxes
- Relocated ball-tracking camera towers for improved sightlines for fans
“After a successful inaugural season, we conducted a comprehensive review of data and learnings from all aspects of competition with players, teams and our broadcast partners to elevate the fan experience, enhance gameplay and create even more excitement for Season 2 of TGL presented by SoFi,” said Andrew Macaulay, Chief Technology Officer, TMRW Sports, parent company of TGL. “These updates are part of our continued effort to increase drama, intrigue and dynamic moments while further challenging TGL’s teams within SoFi Center’s one-of-a-kind environment.”
Key Elements of the GreenZone Renovation:
- Putting Surface:
- The putting surface has increased by 38% from 3,800 to 5,270 square feet, closer to the average green size on the PGA TOUR (5,701 square feet).
- Larger putting surface now features 12 hole locations, up from seven.
- Two Full Swing Virtual Greens under the turf are now 1,250 square feet in total with 608 actuators to morph the putting surface (up from 1,215 square feet, 567 actuators). The larger Virtual Greens add 60 square feet of adjustable putting surface to bottom tiers.
- Inside the Turntable:
- The knoll at the highest point of the GreenZone is 18 inches lower, allowing for improved viewing for fans and more natural slopes on the upper portion of the putting surface.
- The slope of a section of the chipping area has been regraded, allowing for a greater variety of shot-making on approach shots (bump-and-run, lower or higher shots, etc.).
- Bunkers:
- The smallest bunker has been removed while the two remaining bunkers are 50% larger. The bunkers now include revetted layers of turf to create distinct vertical, greenside walls.
Hole Design Updates:
- New for Season 2, six holes from Season 1 will have a new look with localized backdrops and terrain and will serve as official Team Holes for all six teams.
- TGL and Full Swing upgraded the game engine software to Unity 6, which leverages the engine’s HighDefinition Render Pipeline (HDRP) to deliver more realistic and immersive virtual golf environments.
- Several of TGL’s custom-designed holes have been updated in advance of Season 2.
- New tee boxes, angles and features added to impact strategy and risk-reward decisions.
- Updated holes will be unveiled on TGL’s social and digital channels leading up to Season 2.
Front and Back Boxes
- The ScreenZone hitting boxes have been enlarged to provide more space and to improve divot management.
- Enlarged sand trays allow for a larger bunker lip that can be raised or lowered at the front of the bunker, increasing difficulty for fairway bunker shots.
Improved Sightlines:
- Two towers were removed from the field of play, relocating two sets of ball-tracking camera sensors into the SoFi Center ceiling. • Removal of the towers improves fans’ sightlines from the lower bowl, greenside seating.
TMRW Sports worked with Beau Welling Design on the GreenZone renovation; Full Swing on hole redesigns and building of two new Virtual Greens; and SYNLawn on the synthetic playing surface reinstallation.
- For more information on Season 2 enhancements, visit TGLGolf.com.
- Still photography of the new GreenZone can be found on TGL’s Media Hub. • TGL’s full schedule and ticket information are available at TGLGolf.com.
