The First Call Inbox

TGL — boom or bust?

Now that the highly anticipated TGL has launched, readers of The First Call offer their early opinions — likes and dislikes — of the indoor simulator league that was co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy

Question of the week [January 6-12]: What are your opinions on the new TGL, which Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy helped create, that debuted on Jan. 7? 

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The new TGL further muddies what currently is the murky water we now know as professional golf. What is next? Players trying to score a hole-in-one by hitting multiple balls over their house to a manufactured green in their backyard?  

Oh, wait ...

PJ Vicary
The Villages, Florida
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I have zero interest in watching some simulator league with a bunch of overpaid whining pro golfers. It almost makes watching Nickelodeon golf — oops, I meant LIV Golf — interesting. Getting paid to play in the Ryder Cup, lousy golf disguised as "The Match," team golf in LIV and now simulator golf? My interest in all of this is at an all-time low. I think we'd all be better golfers if we skipped this noise and nonsense, and just played at our favorite muni instead. 

Mark Koszyk 
Prospect Heights, Illinois
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While I never personally watched it, but the increasing popularity of golf simulators in general will aid in its popularity. I do believe, however, it would take off better if it was played during a traditional silly season that no longer really exists. If golf didn’t exist for a few months and this was played during this, it would find viewership just due to individuals looking to get a golf fix.

Brian Bartsch
Grande Prairie, Alberta
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I think reaction will be different depending upon generation. For the younger generation, they may like it since they’ve been raised playing video games. Older generations, like myself, won’t bother with it at all mainly due to not being into simulation, but also due to being sick of the insufferable Tiger Woods and the sanctimonious Rory McIlroy.

I don’t see this venture being successful.

Vinny Mooney
Poughkeepsie, New York
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It sounds like fun, but it won’t be my go-to. It helps that it’s being televised on a Tuesday when there’s nothing else to watch. It will never replace stroke play on the weekend for me. I am intrigued, however, and am looking forward to the team atmosphere.

In my opinion it’s just another “hit-and-giggle” event. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Sheri Molyneaux
Salem, Oregon
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They added drive-drive to putt-putt.

Charlie Jurgonis
Fairfax, Virginia
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I like the pace of play, the banter and the antics. I also like "the hammer" provision. I think we will see it kick up a notch when Tiger Woods participates.

Bob Norris
Cincinnati, Ohio
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I personally enjoyed the new concept and look forward to watching the rest of the season, and hope it gains popularity and grows. 

I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, the candid interactions with the players, the technology for the simulator and especially the greens. It seemed like the players were really having a good time with no stress like you normally see watching live tournaments. 

I look forward to the next match.

Branham Stovall
Wilmington, North Carolina
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After watching the first match of the new league I was very impressed with the course layout and format. I am looking forward to watching the remainder of the matches to see how it turns out. From my perspective I saw some opportunities to enhance the Ryder and President Cup formats. Time will tell.

Mel Howsmon
Vancouver, Washington
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I saw some of the broadcast [on Jan. 7] and found it to be unwatchable. It's like LIV Golf, but indoors, complete with a Golden Tee video game vibe. I took the over at 14 for the number of times "growing the game" would be cited. But the target demographic is not someone who likes to play actual golf in the real world. What a colossal joke.

Tom Klabunde
Tempe, Arizona
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I'd have to say the TGL was a home run. Fast paced, engaging and a tech marvel. The elite players Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy brought to the table, coupled with an ESPN partnership, make it sustainable for prime-time TV. 

On a personal level, I grabbed five of my golf buddies, we each picked a team and threw some cash in the kitty. Our version of fantasy golf.  With skin in the game we'll be watching and texting until a winner is declared. Hammer!!!

Kenny Venezio
Fort Worth, Texas
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Not impressed. Only good thing was the shot clock. All sports have shot clocks except golf. Wake up PGA Tour.

John Martin
Washington, Pennsylvania
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I liked it a lot and, more surprisingly, my wife, who won’t watch regular golf at all, stayed and watched most of it. She even talked about it when it was on instead of concentrating on her phone or her word-search puzzle book.

Chris Gent
Grand Prairie, Texas 
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This may take off with younger non-golfers and/or mat golfers, like Topgolf. Probably will not be popular with older traditional turf golfers. I have been digging it out of the dirt, outdoors in the cold and heat on a real golf course for 40 years.

I am one who will not watch as it is not real golf.

Rick Garrison
Port Saint Lucie, Florida 
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The First Call invites reader comment. Write to editor Stuart Hall at shall@buffalogroupe.com. Your name and city of residence is necessary to be considered for publication. If your comment is selected for publication, The First Call will contact you to verify the authenticity of the email and confirm your identity. We will not publish your email address. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and brevity.

Front: Rendering of the Pick Yer Plunder hole that is used in TGL matches. 
Illustration: TGL


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