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.
Provided that the sport is being performed on a simulator—besides all pictures inside 50 yards—the structure component of the league is an open guide. These holes might 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 over the previous few months have confirmed that this will probably be much more Golden Tee than Augusta Nationwide.
Whereas there are some causes to be skeptical about TGL, it’s potential {that a} league headlined by Tiger Woods (and being broadcast on ESPN) will exceed expectations to attract huge rankings. In case you are thinking about studying extra in regards to the format, check out the story I wrote earlier this yr.
Right here is my response to a couple of the opening designs which have come out to date.
“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 determine 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 computerized 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, however it’s very massive—and there’s a grandstand that horseshoes across the again.
Of notice, there’s one other gap referred to 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 best 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 one of the best gamers on this planet. I don’t suppose they want any extra assist. It actually makes the second shot much more boring.
How would I alter this gap? What if it was only one huge triangle? Begin with the large finish at a 220-yard carry after which have it get narrower so {that a} 320-yard drive must be an awesome shot to remain within the fairway. Take the tough out, take the grandstand out, make the island a bit of smaller.
What grade would you give this design? Perhaps a B-minus. Their coronary heart was in the suitable place—I recognize the idea—however we would like extra danger for the longest gamers on a gap like this.
“Alpine” is all in regards to the velocity slot
It is a beefy par-4 set in a mountainous space with a gorge that runs your entire size of the opening on the left-hand facet.
The 530-yard gap performs uphill to a fairway that’s divided by a gargantuan slope. If gamers discover themselves on the left facet of that slope, they may hit an exaggerated velocity slot that carries their ball down the golf green. Bailing out to the suitable doesn’t have the identical benefit.
𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: 𝗔𝗹𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲 | 𝗣𝗮𝗿 𝟰Set in a mountainous space, Alpine performs dramatically uphill off the tee. Gamers who can hit a tough draw that carries round 300 yards will set themselves up for an inexpensive method to the inexperienced with a have a look at birdie.… pic.twitter.com/lSWLbrC2cV
— 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 velocity slot, it is going to go away 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 end in 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 alter this gap? I’d angle the golf green a bit of extra away from the gamers in order that it’s harder 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 Area.
“Quick Draw” forces a Grand Canyon-sized resolution
In the true world, you would want a bridge to succeed in an island fairway that’s surrounded by a canyon.
Within the digital world, there isn’t a such concern.
𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝘄 | 𝗣𝗮𝗿 𝟱Perhaps our final risk-reward gap. An aggressive method invitations danger, however a profitable shot will probably be rewarded on this desert-style par 5 measuring 720/538 yards. @beauwelling Design pic.twitter.com/4Vc4yan93A
— TGL (@TGL) October 10, 2024
“Quick 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 may be one other line, nonetheless, and I’d anticipate most gamers to take the aggressive route. The block of fairway floating out within the canyon permits the participant to succeed in the opening in two pictures, though the inexperienced just isn’t sitting at a good 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 potential a number of the shorter hitters gained’t tackle that line.
The inexperienced is effectively 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 candy. That is precisely what I used to be imagining from an aesthetic standpoint. It’s additionally cool to have a heroic drive the place any miss will end in a re-tee state of affairs.
What do I dislike about this gap? The golf green island is approach too huge. Except there’s lots of wind, I don’t see how accuracy will probably be a difficulty. It’s only a matter of carrying the canyon.
How would I alter this gap? Make the golf green island so much smaller. Drive gamers to hit an awesome 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 attention-grabbing resolution
Sticking with the theme of risk-reward off the tee, “The Claw” is probably my favourite design I’ve seen to date.
Set in South Florida sandy dunes, the par-4 has a fairway within the form of a claw surrounded by water and sandy areas.
𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘄 | 𝗣𝗮𝗿 𝟰Check out The Claw, a South Florida-based par 4. : Nicklaus Design pic.twitter.com/1YyW1wbDu6
— TGL (@TGL) December 12, 2024
There are three distinct choices off the tee. The primary is to put up in need of every little thing and go away a protracted method into the inexperienced. If you need a bit of shorter shot in, you’ll be able to go up the left-hand facet, taking up extra danger. And if you’d like a good shorter shot in—with one of the best angle—gamers can attempt to hit the finger of fairway reducing out into the water.
That final choice supplies not simply the shortest shot however one of the best view to get it shut.
What do I like about this gap? The chance-reward component may be very clear and apparent. I additionally like that there are three choices and none of them relies on energy. You need to 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 alter 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 a very good drivable par-4. With “Bluebonnet,” TGL designers created one which can be stretched out to play as a conventional two-shotter.
𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝘁 | 𝗣𝗮𝗿 𝟰Welcome to Texas Hill Nation. Relying on the tee field of this Nicklaus Design, Bluebonnet both performs as a risk-reward drivable par-4 or a difficult lengthy par-4. @NicklausCo Design pic.twitter.com/oLNGEAjdFe
— 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 isn’t any small feat because the slender fairway to the left requires a exact shot.
The again tee field will create a troublesome 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 pictures.
What do I dislike about this gap? I nonetheless don’t totally perceive the grandstand behind the opening. Is that this a buffer to keep away from gamers going over the inexperienced? Is that this simply an aesthetic factor? I feel all the holes look higher with out grandstands.
How would I alter this gap? I’d make the layup a bit of 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 varieties of holes would you wish to see in TGL? Let me know under within the feedback.
The put up These 5 TGL Gap Designs Are Completely Insane appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
