In less than three months, the brain𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy under TMRW Sports will be inaugurated at the Palm Beach SoFi Centre. The top 24 golfers from the PGA Tour will be teeing up in a match play as they’re divided into six teams. From the get-go, TGL sparked hype around it but there were also speculations and doubts. What could a simulator league do for golf fans? Will it be entertaining and competitive?
On 7th January, the fans will certainly get an answer to all these questions. But amidst the plethora of question marks, TGL has faced some mockery too. Initially, because of the team concept and shotgun starts, TGL was compared with LIV Golf and criticized and accused of hypocrisy, how Tiger Woods picked up the concept from them despite being against it. However, now the different holes concept of the tech-infused league was made fun of. On the recent episode of the No Laying Up podcast, the hosts, Tron Carter, Big Randy, and DJ were talking about how TGL has added a new hole, called the ‘Alpine‘.
This is one of the six holes designed by Nicklaus Design for TGL. The par-4, 535-yard hole is said to be set among the mountain peaks with a gorge and a cliff on its left side, as the hosts noted. As it is an uphill hole, they suggested that TGL could “adjust the launch monitors to be three or four thousand feet elevation,” which would be sick for fans and the pros. Amidst this discussion, DJ brought up another hole designed by Nicklaus Design, the Hatchet. Joking about the concept of this hole, he mockingly said, “The Nicklaus people had, like, superimposed like, there were houses on the hole like they’re fake holes like these are fake holes like that exist in a fake world.”
DJ was highlighting how, despite everything being simulated on a screen, TGL and Nicklaus Design were so adamant about bringing a realistic experience for the golfers so that the fans are equally enjoying it. But is it worth it? It will only be seen when the pros tee up in January. And amidst the criticism for TGL’s screen or holes, the fans have complained about more things than just that.
Fans are enraged about TGL’s ticket prices
If you thought that the Ryder Cup selling a ticket at $750 each was outrageous, although it is historic and iconic, then you will surely be offended by ticket prices of TGL matches despite it being a simulator match. Before you guessed it, a ticket for one at a TGL match can cost between $160 to even $195. That’s not what everyone expected and it fumed the fans.
TGL will be providing a stadium-like feel to the fans and that’s why certain tickets are expensive according to the seat arrangement, but it is not going lower than $160. Thus, the fans asked why they were charging so much for simulator golf and another noted that they would rather play real golf than pay so much for TGL. Soon, social media users declared that TGL might tank because of high ticket costs as there will be low demand for it.
However, the tech-infused league has sold out the tickets for its first two matches. On the other hand, the fans were unsatisfied with the team concept too as the players didn’t belong to the city or states of particular teams they were part of. TGL spokesperson gave a fitting reply to that criticism, but that doesn’t mean fans’ skepticism for the league would be gone. With uncertainty surrounding TGL, it remains to be seen how successful reception will be in the 2025 season.
