8 Observations From a Live TGL First-Timer

Before I dive in with my point-by-point observations from an evening spent at the SoFi Center for the February 25th TGL match between The Bay and Jupiter Links, I need to get a few things off my chest.

When the TGL was initially proposed, then delayed, then renounced with more details, then ready to kick off - I was a skeptic. As a classically entrenched golfer and golf fan who loves watching great players play great courses, I was not hopeful that an indoor golf league would be able to hold my attention for two hours, let alone after the first 20 minutes. But, when you’re wrong, you’re wrong and I’m willing to admit it because beyond a few blowout matches, I’ve been locked in to watch every chance I get.

Even before the golf nerd in me started to dig into the details of wedge play and launch monitor tech, I simply enjoyed it as a fan watching pros hit shots. Do I believe that changes could be made to make certain shots more interesting? Yes—but I also appreciate that this is the first year of an entirely new concept and for that, I commend what everyone at TGL has created.

So with this appreciation in mind here are my takeaways from my first in-person experience.

It’s an Arena in a Warehouse

Now yes this is an oversimplification of the infrastructure, but with only a year to get everything up and running after the original dome collapse, walking into the SoFi Center felt like walking into a pop-up sporting event. Of course it's not going to feel like walking into an intimate old-timey arena, and nor should it, but before you find your seats it feels like a lot of white space - which in my mind creates so much potential from what the already solid fan experience can continue to expand on.

The Operations Are Dialed

Whether it be walking into the building, asking a question to security, or watching the choreographed behind-the-scenes action, every staff member I observed or interacted with was on top of their game. With such a small in-person audience, It makes the whole thing feel very well organized and like any other professional sport.

The Arena is Impressive to see

I love live sports as much as the next person but rather than just enjoy the game that I’m at, I love looking around to try and better understand the systems in place that make everything run. With the multiple cameras, large video screens, a drone, and even a crane system to move the plates of real grass around, seeing the whole thing work in unison is a sight to behold.

Roger Steele Needs More TV Time

Seeing Roger Steele work with the crowd, interact with players, and commentate during the match in-person just made me want to have that experience when I’m watching from home. Roger is great and what he does and knows golf - as as someone who has watched a lot of matches on TV. I think the TGL needs more Roger on TV plain and simple.

TGL is Fast!

Compared to watching "normal" live professional golf, TGL feels like an F1 race. Players move quickly from the teeing area to the green zone once shots land, and from there they look things over, maybe talk with their team, and then boom - the next shot is hit.

The only thing slowing down the TGL "product" is the commercial breaks you experience in the stadium, and if those didn't exist it would easily run under 90 minutes.

The speed and accessibility is where the TGL truly separates itself from traditional golf on TV or in-person. The TGL offers the opportunity to watch one of your favorite players in a much more intimate environment where the focus is on just a handful of players, not chasing players in a triple digit field over the 100+ acres of a golf course over the span of a 72-hole golf event.

The GreenZone is the Star of the Show

With most of the consequential shots taking place on or around the GreenZone, it is by far the most exciting part of the experience to be able to watch the elite shot games of TOUR players. It's rare to see that kind of shotmaking up close and in so many different scenarios live, without leaving your seat. The one knock from seeing it all IRL is that if you're in the lower level and close to the scene, it can be impossible to see anything if that 360 green turns to an angle so that the large mound obscures the view. Not a huge deal but something to keep in mind if you are looking at seats - plan around the GreenZone.

The Ball Needs to Roll More (In the Game)

The standout shot of last nights match was Min Woo Lee's approach to the 9th hole from over 250 yards away that settled to around 6-feet. As soon as the ball hit the slope on the green and it inched towards the hole the crowd lit up.

Just like how a rolling golf ball creates excitement on firm and fast golf courses as you wait for it to stop, I hope TGL incorporates a bit more ground movement in the game play to create more shots like Min Woo's. Maybe it will be something they do for the playoffs, or add a little bit of wind variability, because the less expected a simple outcome the more engaging it is—and that goes for TGL and PGA TOUR golf alike.

Is seeing the TGL live perfect? No, but it truly is a lot of fun!

It's hard to argue with the what the league and the people behind it have been able to create in such a short period of time and that to me is one of the most impressive things about the whole experience. If you have the opportunity and are looking for a fun way to spend a couple of hours watching some of the best golfers on the planet compete - then it is 100 percent worth the trip.