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If the words like “Tomorrow Golf League,” “simulator golf” or people like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlory have no meaning to you, let me give you some background. Golf began back in the 15th century in Scotland… ok, not that kinda background.
If you know anything about golf, you likely know that it’s a game played outside, on real grass, and usually when it’s blisteringly hot out. Although the PGA Tour, (Professional Golf Association) is played all year round, its biggest championship is in May. Other golf majors (majors are the golf equivalent to the Super Bowl, but there are four of them) such as the U.S. Open, The Masters, and The Open Championship are also played during the summer months. These summer months are golf’s “peak season,” conversely, golf’s natural off-season is during the winter months. This off season is crucial for players to develop their game and become stronger. This is also how golf has traditionally been. However, what happens to the game when companies stray away from traditionalism and break into something not only modern… but futuristic?
The Tomorrow Golf League (TGL), a simulator golf league created by world famous golfers, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, has received positive reception since its debut. Simulator golf is played on a simulator– a huge screen that mimics what it’s like playing on a real course. A video game but with prizes ranging up to $9 million.
When I first heard about TGL, two things came to mind: traditionalism and content overload. But before I get into that, I want to look at the drawbacks of simulator golf. According to various sources, there was one moment that created some confusion among fans when Tommy Fleetwood’s ball only traveled 39 yards when it should have traveled much more. He was given the chance to hit the ball again but this so called “awkward mistake” not only by TGL but by ESPN for trying to cover it up received some push back by fans. Sources said that despite the hefty price for these simulators, they’re not the best quality sims out there. Technology issues are a natural part of trying anything new. Take soccer and VAR. How many fans out there say that VAR is inaccurate, unreliable, or unnecessary? I don’t need numbers.
But apart from the natural conversation of tech mistakes, I wanted to look at two other conversation points on the matter.
Traditionalism in golf
Golf is rooted in traditionalism. While other sports have modernized alongside technology, fashion, outreach, and rules, golf stays immensely similar in its old ways. In basketball, various rule changes have changed the course of the game. Like when the three-point line was integrated in the late 70s and when hand checking became illegal in the 2000s. These two additions vastly changed the course of the game into what we have today.
Those who work in golf management and golf journalists often cite that it’s one of the more “slow moving” sports when it comes to new and modern ideas. When the TGL debuted, I immediately thought about how the indoor and video game environment goes against the largest fundamental rules in golf: that it has to be played outside. Well, it doesn’t have to be played outside, but that’s how it’s always been! That’s how it’s supposed to be enjoyed. What I admire about the TGL is that they took one of these rules and essentially ignored it.
To be clear, the concept of simulator golf isn’t new. Especially in cities, golf simulators can be a great way for players who don’t live near a course or don’t have a private membership to enjoy the game. However, simulator golf in the competition realm has never been done at the level where two world class players decide to take matters into their own hands.
What I admire about TGL is that it is played in a relaxed environment. The league has encouraged fans to cheer for their favorite players and teams and music is played during breaks. This goes against another fundamental rule of golf: if you’re a spectator, be quiet!
TGL is copying similar methods of traditional sports in which each team pertains to a city in the United States. To me, this is a pseudo-fan base where players can even take a quiz to find out which team they should support is somewhat artificial and too manufactured.
Because golf is a traditional game people are often wary when it branches out from its perfectly trimmed tree. TGL received mixed feedback on social media with some people praising it for “filling the void” of a lack of football and others criticizing it for its difference. Some faceless users on X are saying that TGL will only last two years, that it’s dumb, or that it’s fake golf.
Content overload
Much of my journalism schooling has tried to prepare us for how much content and news there is in the world. Even if we don’t see it, recognize it right away, or even know about it first hand, there is so much happening that journalists need to cover. That’s why, the other thing that I thought of when I heard about TGL was: Do fans need this?
They definitely do not need it. With four majors, over 100 PGA tournaments, and even LIV Golf throughout the year, there is no reason as to why fans need yet another league to follow and participate in. I don’t think TGL is evil. It’s great when golf breaks away from its deep-seeded traditionalism and conservative outlook on the game. When sports modernize, especially a sport like golf, it brings a new set of eyes to the game that historically wouldn’t have been interested.
However, I also wholeheartedly believe that if the NBA played fewer games, more people would want to watch. If an MLB team didn’t play up to eight games a week, players wouldn’t get injured so often. Even soccer players, which I believe don’t play as much as they think they do, still complain!
To me, the creation of TGL makes me wonder what path we’re on for a new version of golf and how audiences interact with content. Obviously, TGL wasn’t created just to throw money at something new, (Right?!) There is an audience for this and the audience is now intrigued. I think this is the beginning of a change and modernization in golf that will change the future of the game. I’m not sure if we’re going to get a shot clock at the Masters any time soon, but I’m hopeful that it will bring some new conversations to a traditional game.