WATCH: Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's TGL unveils the behind-the-scenes of designing virtual holes ahead of inauguration

By Lathika Krishna

Modified Aug 21, 2024 19:27 GMT

PGA Championship - Round One - Source: Getty — Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, PGA Championship (Image via Getty)

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy founded TMRW Sports' innovative TGL league is set to make its debut on January 7 next year. The one-of-a-kind golf league will run on simulators and will feature increased stakes to up the competition for the players as well as make it an interesting watch for fans.

TGL will take place at the SoFi Center in Florida. With the construction being set back by unexpected delays, the league is set to start on January 7, 2025. World-renowned golf course designer Beau Welling sat down for an interview with the Golfers Journal to provide a first look into the virtual holes at the TGL Performance Lab in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Welling detailed that "step zero" was to draw a rough layout of the concept on a piece of paper. The drawing would then be digitized with topography via AutoCAD. The idea would then be made a "virtual reality" by Full Swing - TGL's Official Technology Partner.

Watch the video below:

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TGL has given fans a look into two holes on the course. The par five hole called the 'Quick Draw' will play a whopping 720 yards off the back tees and 538 yards off the front tees. The 'ultimate risk-reward' hole plays along the rim of a canyon and features a wide fairway which then takes a great left turn, giving players a difficult time. Players do have an option of reaching the green in two strokes if they were to reach the plateau emerging from the floor of the canyon.

The par three hole, nicknamed the 'Craic On,' will play 175 yards and was designed with a links-style inspiration. Two bunkers are placed to the back of the green while one big sand trap guards the front of the green.

TGL League - Teams and Players Explored

The first season of the TGL league will feature six teams comprising four players each, representing six states. They will compete in a league format for two hours per week at the innovative SoFi Center where points will be rewarded for each hole.

Here's a look at the six teams and their players and investors:

Atlanta Drive GC

Team Owner - Arthur M. Blank

Lucas Glover
Justin Thomas
Patrick Cantlay
Billy Horschel

Boston Common Golf

Investors - Fenway Sports Group, Rory McIlroy, and Niall Horan

Keegan Bradley
Rory McIlroy
Hideki Matsuyama
Adam Scott

Jupiter Links Golf Club

Investors - TGR Ventures and David Blitzer

Tom Kim
Tiger Woods
Max Homa
Kevin Kisner

Los Angeles Golf Club

Founding Investors - Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Alexis Ohanian, and Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.

Investors - Alex Antetokounmpo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kostas Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Alex Morgan, Servando Carrasco, and Michelle Wie West