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.
On condition that the sport is being performed on a simulator—besides all pictures inside 50 yards—the structure factor of the league is an open e-book. These holes could be something. There doesn’t need to be any consideration for playability or equity on condition that these are digital designs being performed by professionals in a match-play format that’s strictly for leisure.
Our first appears to be like over the previous few months have confirmed that this can 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 massive rankings. If you’re thinking about studying extra concerning the format, check out the story I wrote earlier this yr.
Right here is my response to a couple of the outlet designs which have come out thus far.
“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 large 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 need to resolve whether or not to tackle that threat or lay again.
Size is a giant 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 automated three-shot gap whereas stepping into the second triangle makes for a straightforward determination to go for it in two.
The inexperienced is technically an island, nevertheless it’s very giant—and there’s a grandstand that horseshoes across the again.
Of be aware, there may be one other gap known as “Temple” that’s virtually similar 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 threat. And why is there a grandstand across the inexperienced? This can be a enormous island and these are the most effective gamers on this planet. I don’t suppose they want any further assist. It actually makes the second shot much more boring.
How would I alter this gap? What if it was only one large triangle? Begin with the broad finish at a 220-yard carry after which have it get narrower so {that a} 320-yard drive must be a terrific shot to remain within the fairway. Take the tough out, take the grandstand out, make the island a little bit smaller.
What grade would you give this design? Possibly a B-minus. Their coronary heart was in the correct place—I recognize the idea—however we would like extra threat for the longest gamers on a gap like this.
“Alpine” is all concerning the pace slot
This can be a beefy par-4 set in a mountainous space with a gorge that runs all the size of the outlet on the left-hand aspect.
The 530-yard gap performs uphill to a fairway that’s divided by a gargantuan slope. If gamers discover themselves on the left aspect of that slope, they may hit an exaggerated pace slot that carries their ball down the green. Bailing out to the correct doesn’t have the identical benefit.
The second shot is harmful because the inexperienced is almost surrounded by the gorge and there’s no tough across the inexperienced. If gamers miss the pace slot, it’ll go away a 230-yard shot into the inexperienced which is a few 50 yards or extra longer than those that tackle extra threat off the tee.
The “Golden Tee” side of this gap is concerning 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, on condition that the carry to succeed in the green on the speed-slot line is about 300 yards. The longer you hit it, the much less threat you tackle.
How would I alter this gap? I might angle the green a little bit extra away from the gamers in order that it’s tougher to hold the bunkers on probably 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 probably the most half. It’s a cool tee shot, as Tiger displayed right here in his go to to SoFi Area.
“Fast Draw” forces a Grand Canyon-sized determination
In the actual 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 any such concern.
“Fast Draw” is a par-5 that stretches so long as 720 yards on the conservative line. Which means going manner 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 might anticipate most gamers to take the aggressive route. The block of fairway floating out within the canyon permits the participant to succeed in the outlet in two pictures, though the inexperienced will not be sitting at a positive angle to be receptive for long-iron approaches.
It’s a few 305-yard carry off the tee to succeed in the island so it’s potential a few of the shorter hitters received’t tackle that line.
The inexperienced is nicely protected by bunkers however in any other case doesn’t have an excessive amount of chunk.
What do I like about this gap? It simply appears to be like 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 scenario.
What do I dislike about this gap? The green island is manner too massive. Until there may be a whole lot of wind, I don’t see how accuracy can be a difficulty. It’s only a matter of carrying the canyon.
How would I alter this gap? Make the green island loads smaller. Pressure gamers to hit a terrific 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 fascinating determination
Sticking with the theme of risk-reward off the tee, “The Claw” is probably my favourite design I’ve seen thus far.
Set in South Florida sandy dunes, the par-4 has a fairway within the form of a claw surrounded by water and sandy areas.
There are three distinct choices off the tee. The primary is to put up wanting every part and go away an extended method into the inexperienced. If you need a little bit shorter shot in, you possibly can go up the left-hand aspect, taking up extra threat. And in order for you a fair shorter shot in—with the most effective angle—gamers can attempt to hit the finger of fairway chopping out into the water.
That final choice gives not simply the shortest shot however the most effective view to get it shut.
What do I like about this gap? The danger-reward factor may be very clear and apparent. I additionally like that there are three choices and none of them is predicated on energy. It’s a must 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 an excellent drivable par-4. With “Bluebonnet,” TGL designers created one which can be stretched out to play as a conventional two-shotter.
The entrance tee field can 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 few 300-yard carry to succeed in land.
Laying up isn’t any small feat because the slim fairway to the left requires a exact shot.
The again tee field will create a tricky 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 may be 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 outlet. Is that this a buffer to keep away from gamers going over the inexperienced? Is that this simply an aesthetic factor? I believe all the holes look higher with out grandstands.
How would I alter this gap? I might make the layup a little bit extra inviting so gamers suppose twice about going for it.
What grade would you give this design? A. That is actually fascinating.
So these are 5 of the craziest designs you will notice subsequent month when TGL will get began.
What sorts of holes would you wish to see in TGL? Let me know under within the feedback.
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