These 5 TGL hole designs are absolutely insane

We’re less than three weeks away from the start of TGL’s inaugural season.

The new simulator league is starting to ramp up its media efforts including releasing some models of the holes players will encounter once play begins on January 7th.

Given that the game is played in a simulator — except for all shots inside 50 yards — the architectural element of the league is an open book. These holes can be anything. No playability or fairness should be considered, given that these are virtual models played by professionals in a match format that is strictly for fun.

Our first glimpses over the past few months have confirmed that this will be much more golden than Augusta National.

While there is some reasons to be skeptical regarding TGL, a league headlined by Tiger Woods (and airing on ESPN) is possible will exceed expectations to attract huge reviews. If you are interested in learning more about the format, take a look at the story I wrote earlier this year.

Here is my reaction to some of the hole designs that have come out so far.

“Spear” is provocative

I’m pretty sure I drew this hole while doodling in my fifth grade geometry class.

Pisa Golf designed this virtual par-5 featuring two massive tees and an island green, surrounded by water in all directions. The weak part of each triangle connects near the landing area about 300 yards from the tee, so players must decide whether to take that risk or lay it out.

Length is a big advantage here as any drive beyond 310 yards or more has a much wider landing zone where the second part of the triangle expands. The layup on the first triangle makes it an automatic three-putt hole, while the layup on the second triangle makes it an easy decision to go for two.

The green is technically an island, but it’s huge—and has a horseshoe stand all around.

It is worth noting that there is another hole called “The Temple” which is almost identical to this.

What do I like about this hole? It is very strange what I was hoping to see. The car will attract everyone’s attention. It immediately forces the player to make a decision off the tee.

What’s not to like about this hole? Taller players have the easiest shot. There should also be no roughness at all in a hole like this. Let’s create more danger. And why is there a stand around the green? This is a big island and these are the best players in the world. I don’t think they need extra help. It really makes the second shot a lot more boring.

How would I change this hole? What if it was just a massive triangle? Start with the wide end on a 220-yard drive and then narrow it down so that a 320-yard drive would have to be a great shot to stay on the fairway. Take out the roughness, take out the grandstand, make the island a little smaller.

What grade would you give this design? Maybe a B-minus. Their hearts were in the right place – I appreciate the concept – but we love more danger to taller players on a hole like this.

“Alpine” is about the speed slot

This is one Slaughterhouse par-4 set in a mountainous area with a gully running the entire length of the hole on the left side.

The 530-yard hole plays uphill on a fairway that is split by a giant slope. If players find themselves on the left side of that sword, they will hit a spot with exaggerated speed that takes their ball down the fairway. Saving to the right does not have the same advantage.

The second shot is dangerous as the green is almost surrounded by the fairway and there is no rough around the green. If players miss the speed slot, it will leave a 230-yard shot on the green, which is about 50 yards or more than those who take more risk off the tee.

The “Golden Tee” aspect of this hole is all about the beauty that surrounds it and the dramatic slope of the fairway.

What do I like about this hole? It is a beauty with the slopes and how it is framed by the gorge. The tee shot is fun because hitting a draw around the corner will result in even more distance as the ball goes bounding down the hill. Not having any rough also helps make the second shot more dangerous.

What’s not to like about this hole? Longer players are again rewarded, given that the carry to get to the fairway at the speed slot line is about 300 yards. The longer you hit it, the less risk you take.

How would I change this hole? I’d move the fairway back a bit further from the players so that it’s harder to hold the bunkers on the more aggressive line, forcing players to make a par or be very accurate off the tee.

What grade would you give this design? A-minus. I like this hole for the most part. It’s a fantastic shot, as Tiger showed here on his visit to SoFi Arena.

The “quick draw” forces a decision the size of the Grand Canyon

In the real world, you’d need a bridge to get to an island freeway that’s surrounded by a canyon.

In the virtual world there is no such concern.

The Quick Draw is a par-5 that stretches to 720 yards to the fairway. This means going out to the left with your drive and playing it as a three-putt hole.

However, there is another line, and I would expect most players to take the aggressive route. The fairway block that floats out into the canyon allows the player to reach the hole in two shots, although the green is not set at a favorable angle to be open for long iron approaches.

It’s a 305-yard putt to get to the island, so it’s possible that some of the shorter hitters won’t get that line.

The green is well protected by bunkers but otherwise doesn’t have much bite.

What do I like about this hole? It just looks sweet. This is exactly what I was imagining from an aesthetic point of view. It is also interesting to have a heroic move where any mistake will result in a re-tee situation.

What’s not to like about this hole? The freeway island is very large. Unless it’s very windy, I don’t see how accuracy will be an issue. It’s just a matter of holding the canyon.

How would I change this hole? Make the freeway island much smaller. Force players to hit a big car to get the reward.

What grade would you give this design? B-plus. I will give it points for look and feel alone.

“The Claw” forces an interesting decision

Sticking with the “risk reward” theme, The Claw is probably my favorite design I’ve seen so far.

Located in the sand dunes of South Florida, the par-4 has a fairway in the shape of a claw surrounded by water and sandy areas.

There are three distinct options off the tee. The first is to lay bare and leave a long approach to the green. If you want a slightly shorter shot, you can go up the left side, taking on more risk. And if you want an even shorter shot – with the best angle – players can try to hit the toe of the fairway into the water.

This last option offers not only the shortest view, but also the best view to get close to.

What do I like about this hole? The risk-reward element is very clear and obvious. I also like that there are three options and none of them are power based. You have to be precise here or you will have problems.

What’s not to like about this hole? If I’m teeing off, I’d like the greens to have more slope.

How would I change this hole? Nothing really. This is an outstanding hole design for TGL.

What grade would you give this design? A-plus. The designer understood the task.

The Bluebonnet is two holes in one

I’m a stickler for a good drivable par-4. With the Bluebonnet, TGL’s designers created one that can also be stretched to play as a traditional two-shot player.

The front tee box will have players driving to the green which sits on top of a sandy ridge/cliff. There is a slope to the right of the green that will help move balls left onto the green. It is about a transport of 300 meters to reach the ground.

The stretch is no small feat as the narrow fairway on the left requires an accurate shot.

The back box will create a strong shot along the left lane. Getting closer to the edge of the canyon allows for a better angle to the green.

What do I like about this hole? The green slope to the right is a small target with a big reward. I also love how much slope there is on this green. I’m hoping for some nasty shots in the short game.

What’s not to like about this hole? I still don’t quite understand the stand behind the hole. Is this a buffer to avoid players going off the green? Is this just an aesthetic thing? I think all the holes look better without stands.

How would I change this hole? I would make the layout a bit more attractive so players would think twice about doing it.

What grade would you give this design? A. This is really fascinating.

So these are five of the craziest designs you’ll see next month when TGL rolls around.

What kind of holes do you want to see in TGL? Let me know below in the comments.

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