Woods & McIlroy's new Tech Golf League (TGL) debuting on Jan. 7th; The beginning of the PGA/LIV Merger? Or just another bland Tour attempted by the PGA

[The TXBexar]

Woods & McIlroy's TGL League debuting on Jan. 7th

Brief explanation of what the League actually is: "TGL presented by SoFi is a new golf league, combining advanced technology with teams of top players from the PGA TOUR for two-hour weekly competitions in prime time starting in January 2025. Six TGL teams representing six different cities will go head-to-head in a season-long competition at SoFi Center, a first-of-its-kind venue built specifically for TGL on the campus of Palm Beach State College. Matches will air on ESPN and ESPN+ in the U.S. with every shot live and all the players mic'd up, bringing unprecedented access to the competition for golf fans."

This is some pretty conspicuous timing when just the other week Rory said he felt the merger would be finalized by the end of the year between the PGA & LIV, and then this new tour lead by himself & Tiger Woods (that at the surface level seems to compete with LIV on the same sort of faster-paced & lively golf atmosphere) is announced as debuting at the start of the next calendar year as well. This got me thinking that this might be part of the required steps the PGA take & process before the LIV merging can be finalized. Or if its the PGA hedging their bets because they are worried they could lose any new fans by going from the LIV format, back to the current PGA tournament format, with the completion of LIV merger in the future. 

Or, is this just the PGA trying to compete with the style of LIV golf by making the game more fan-interactive, lively (in the sense of team play and, potentially, trash-talk with the players being mic'd up), and faster-paced to make the sport seems more like other modern major league sports. I will say, the 2-hour games and the fact that it's indoors so it can be played during the evening time frame, will definitely make it potentially something that I'll plan to watch instead of just stumbling across it and settle on watching it. 

Either way, I honestly don't knw how I feel about this new League style of Golf Play; I enjoy seeing some of the greatest in the game currently going at it Head-to-Head in competition and seeing a different side of them potentially where the game feels more intense (is a decent way to put I guess) and lively with each shot hit. But I truly do wonder what this will potential play out as, and if this will be as fun & exciting as I hope it seems to currently, or if it'll jus tend up another lackluster PGA Tour that doesn't really move the needle for me. 

 

Edited October 22 by The TXBexar
Title wording

[jayyarr]

I mean this was supposed to launch a year ago but the roof of the building collapsed no?  The timing seems like it took them this long to repair all the damage I still don’t thing we are anywhere near the PIF deal actually being completed. 

[The TXBexar]

1 hour ago, jayyarr said:

I mean this was supposed to launch a year ago but the roof of the building collapsed no?  The timing seems like it took them this long to repair all the damage I still don’t thing we are anywhere near the PIF deal actually being completed. 

Yeah now that you mention it, I do remember their being something about the facility on the University Campus this is going to be played at did have the inflatable roof damaged beyond repair due to a power outage mixed with strong wind gusts, I believe it was.

Still not sure if this new tour venture will be a stroke of genius or just a flash in the pan, but honestly, anything that can make golf more exciting to watch and pay attention too again is better then nothing at this point.

[ShimmyCocoBop]

[jolter1]

I see this basically as a golf computer game played by the pros. It will be a unique experience for those who go but like any other fad, it will quietly disappear.

[Josh Parker]

The technology is going to be amazing from what I have read on it.  The putting green has thousands of actuators and will be able to mimic any green they play to the T.

However, I don't think it will last long personally.  Yes, you get to hear the banter and trash talk between all of them and see them hit the ball but as for an entertainment factor...... not sold.

[GolfSpy_APH]

Just like LIV I will give it a watch and if I like it great, I will continue to watch. Or it will be like LIV and just not interest me and I won't need to watch it again. 

[Shrek74]

That's a hard pass from me.

[jayyarr]

20 hours ago, The TXBexar said:

Yeah now that you mention it, I do remember their being something about the facility on the University Campus this is going to be played at did have the inflatable roof damaged beyond repair due to a power outage mixed with strong wind gusts, I believe it was.

Still not sure if this new tour venture will be a stroke of genius or just a flash in the pan, but honestly, anything that can make golf more exciting to watch and pay attention too again is better then nothing at this point.

I am intrigued. Its seems like an interesting concept. From what i was reading online. They had several course architects create 30 holes that they will rotate through in different orders and like 30 yards and in are played off sim on this crazy electronic green. I’ll at least give it a chance. The logo we got for boson was pretty solid. 

[The TXBexar]

2 hours ago, jayyarr said:

I am intrigued. Its seems like an interesting concept. From what i was reading online. They had several course architects create 30 holes that they will rotate through in different orders and like 30 yards and in are played off sim on this crazy electronic green. I’ll at least give it a chance. The logo we got for boson was pretty solid. 

Yeah, I think I'm in the same boat. The concept of it seems very interesting, and honestly I think could lead to a new interest in the sport if they are able to turn this venture into something that has local arenas as well eventually. Plus, might be a boon to a new type of indoor golf that could be more technically challenging then the current TopGolf-style play, but still have the same atmosphere & feel. 

[The TXBexar]

8 hours ago, Josh Parker said:

The technology is going to be amazing from what I have read on it.  The putting green has thousands of actuators and will be able to mimic any green they play to the T.

However, I don't think it will last long personally.  Yes, you get to hear the banter and trash talk between all of them and see them hit the ball but as for an entertainment factor...... not sold.

Yeah, i'm incredibly interested in the Tech side of it, and what this could bring to a new style/type of golf that is available, possibly.

I hope it doesn't end up this way, but I feel like I'd agree with you currently. There hasn't been much hype or marketing about this, and currently there is barely even any localization draw as, while yes there are regional teams, unless I'm mistaken there is only one arena for this tour currently, and they aren't travelling to play the different teams in different locations. Seems like this is a good recipe for this to be a great idea but not executed in any fashion to really grow strong roots and take hold for the long run.

[The TXBexar]

6 hours ago, Shrek74 said:

That's a hard pass from me.

Why's that? 

[Shrek74]

1 hour ago, The TXBexar said:

Why's that? 

I feel no need to watch guys bash balls into a screen or watch yet another money grabbing series that holds no real value in my estimation.

[Rob Person]

Golf as an arena sport?  I like it!  A new hybrid style of golf, talent vs tech, but live. 

The only question is will you have to pay to watch from home? Offered on premium streaming options only?

Ticket prices for in person attending will probably be exuberant at first. 

But, could be lucrative for legitimate charity and corporate events. 

Curious how it will play out though!

[jayyarr]

10 hours ago, Rob Person said:

Golf as an arena sport?  I like it!  A new hybrid style of golf, talent vs tech, but live. 

The only question is will you have to pay to watch from home? Offered on premium streaming options only?

Ticket prices for in person attending will probably be exuberant at first. 

But, could be lucrative for legitimate charity and corporate events. 

Curious how it will play out though!

From the initial schedule offered its on espn so hopefully comes with cable. Ticket prices i haven’t seem yet.