Seven days into 2025, TGL’s inaugural season gets underway in West Palm Beach, Florida. Members of the newly minted franchises–from Justin Thomas’ Atlantic Drive, to Rory McIlroy’s Boston Common; Tiger Woods Jupiter Links, Collin Morikawa’s Los Angeles Golf Club, Matt Fitzpatrick’s New York Golf Club, and Ludvig Åberg’s The Bay Golf Club—seemingly drawing inspiration from LIV Golf’s team structure, will take on a new format of golf all together, mixing a virtual, tee-to-green simulator experience with short game shots on a real-grass putting green in the SoFi Centre in West Palm Beach, Florida. It is the most innovative move from the PGA TOUR in years, who partnered with Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Mike McCarley to create an entirely new way to take in professional golf. The name literally means Tomorrow’s Golf League, signifying the founding group’s confidence in the product and the future of golf with the rise of simulator golf.
There are a number of already exceptional golf courses on Trackman and other competing operating systems, but rather than using a Royal Melbourne, Pinehurst No. 2, Old Course, or any of the number of World Top 100 golf courses available for digital play, TGL enlisted Beau Welling, Agustín Pizá, and Nicklaus Design to create thirty new golf holes: fourteen par 5’s, six par 3’s, and ten par 4’s. Without the elements that generally challenge PGA TOUR players like wind, weather, uneven lies, awkward stances, and firm greens, the task of creating a challenging playing field entered the hands of these three gentlemen.
Welling, perhaps best-known for his work under Tiger Woods Design which includes the celebrated Bluejack National and its spin-off Bluejack Ranch, the forthcoming Marcella Club in Utah and Trout National in New Jersey, and most famously, Payne’s Valley at Big Cedar Lodge, worked under Tom Fazio before starting his own practrice in 2007. Under his own firm, PGA Frisco and Pelican in Florida are notable inclusions. Nicklaus Design is not to be confused with Jack Nicklaus designed golf courses following a court battle in 2024, is an 8AM Golf-owned company now operating without Nicklaus himself. Agustín Pizá’s portfolio is largely contained to his home country Mexico. Most notably, Pizá began to explore “Butterfly Golf,” loosely based off the Butterfly Effect that lets golfers chose their own path to create eighteen holes from twenty-four different options.
With the obvious differences in real golf versus simulator golf—especially when the simulator holes are exclusively built for professional golf—the below list is ordered exclusively be interest and uniqueness to the format at hand. With that said, the crazier or unique, the better. There is no consideration for playability or accomodating a variety of skill levels factored into the list, nor is there any thought for “fairness” or “ambiance.” Rather, this is an anticipation list: the thirty holes designed for TGL, ranked from the most intruiging to least, by how entertaining these holes will be to see the best players in the world take on.
1. “The Claw” by Chad Goetz, Nicklaus Design | 436 yards, par 4
Perhaps the weirdest hole of the list and the least likely to be welcomed or celebrated if it was available to play in the South Florida landscape it designed in, the tee shot has an encroaching centreline hazard, splitting the landing area into a left or right prong. This is a more demanding tee shot than an iron shot, but seeing the players have to choose between the different routes with the severe penalty awaiting a mishit is perfect for this venue and the right amount of creativity and practicality.
2. “Sterling” by Agustín Pizá, Pizá Golf | 571 yards, par 5
In an era with drone video and photography, if “Sterling” were ever built in real life, it might cause a similar reaction to the first person who didn’t know what a crop circle was! Equally, players would have fits with the narrow fairway split by a trench bunker influenced by Scottish architecture. On either side, a 23 yard wide fairway: no matter how good these guys are (which they are!), there will be misses that penalize the chance at getting home in two, and for that, it should rank high on everyone’s most anticipated holes to see them play.
3. “Temple” by Agustín Pizá, Pizá Golf | 502 yards, par 4
“Temple” is as if Agustín Pizá built the hole in Minecraft, but that doesn’t mean it is any less interesting or, dare we say, downright weird in the best way possible. The fairway pinches at 285 yards and begins to open up again, allowing long hitters like Rory McIlroy to take full advantage of their length with a straight drive. The green perched on its own island is demanding while also significantly benefitting those with a shorter club in. The TOUR average carry is 282 yards in 2023… buckle up and hit a big, straight tee shot, or pay the price!
4. “Quick Draw” by Beau Welling | 720 yards, par 5
Drawing inspiration from The Lido’s famed Channel Hole—whether intentional or not—Quick Draw is a risk-reward par 5 with its inland fairway rising from the desert abyss below. The direct route plays a whopping 182 yards shorter, but requires a 300 yard carry to get over (note: the PGA TOUR average is 282 yards in 2023, according to Trackman). The long way is unquestionably a three-shot hole even for the longest players in the field, giving a significant advantage to those who can step up and hit a gargantuan tee shot to the island fairway up the right.
5. “Cliffhanger” by Chad Goetz, Nicklaus Design | 240 yards, par 3
If “Quick Draw” is inspired by The Lido, Cliffhanger is almost surely inspired by the famed 16th hole at Cypress Point Club, especially with the hole set into the Northern Californian coastline. Without Mackenzie’s bail-out fairway as an option, this hole asks TGL’s competitors to step up and hit the golf shot over the Pacific Ocean inland to a green tucked between the rocks on the other side. It might not be as interesting as the par 3, 6th at Greywolf in British Columbia that is also named “Cliffhanger,” but this rendition is certainly one of the more interesting golf shots in the TGL repertoire.
6. “Alpine” by Chad Goetz, Nicklaus Design | 535 yards, par 4
It is unclear if altitude will factor into the settings of the hole designs or not—on Trackman, the ball flies shorter at a place like PGA National and longer at The Reserve at Moonlight Basin, as an example. That might complicate it too much to be easily digestible for viewers, but regardless, “Alpine” is an captivating hole in a beautiful setting. Notably, the cliff comes protrudes into the green complexes’ surrounds closer than most other holes for TGL, while the undulating fairway adds another element to an monsterous golf hole. The use of funky undulations is under-utilized among these thirty golf holes, but like elevation, it is unclear if that will have any affect on the TGL or not (like altitude, it does matter in Trackman).
7. “Bonnie Link” by Agustín Pizá, Pizá Golf | 650 yards, par 5
“Bonnie Link” loses obvious points for the grandstands surrounding the green (???), a confusing addition for a simulated golf experience that maybe we’ll see be used to backstop during play? If players can slam the ball off the grandstands left, right, or long—what are we even doing here. Regardless, getting to the green on this hole is not only unique, but a fun addition to the onslaught of holes that overly penalize missed shots. A large hillside divides the tee shot into two routes, while a crater-type depression does the same for the layup. More than any hole on this list, it is the most likely to produce a wide variety of strategies in a single night.
8. “On The Rocks” by Agustín Pizá, Pizá Golf | 178 yards, par 3
Island greens on par 3’s are iconic in tournament golf, and “On The Rocks” looks to mimic that in a digital space. A little longer than the iconic 17th at TPC Sawgrass, and a true island without the walking bridge from the mainland like Pete Dye’s iconic one-shot hole, this is a true do-or-die hole on the edge of the world overlooking the ocean in the distance.
9. “Straight Up” Chad Goetz, Nicklaus Design | 464 yards, par 4
It would be better if TGL’s holes were so over-the-top that it seemed impossible to build in real life, while being overstimulating and overwhelming for the players to figure out. Alas, that is not the case at most of these: the design trio played it surprisingly safe given the ability to create literally anything they wanted. Nonetheless, there are good holes that could likely be built in real life, with “Straight Up” being a quality par 4 that would be a suitable hole in person, too (though it would likely be the hardest hole on most golf courses). Rather than a hole shaped as a sword or the desert canyon surrounding an island fairway, this is just interesting, realistic golf: a bunker out to the right hides the safe route fairway, while further left water comes into play. Given the TGL is using their own putting surface in the SoFi Centre, it seems likely the green complexes are a secondary thought to the ballstriking design elements which is the only thing missing from an otherwise exciting golf hole here.
10. “Hang Loose” by Chad Goetz, Nicklaus Design | 609 yards, par 5
Another Lido-esque hole, or perhaps more of a George Thomas influence with the Barranca running through the middle akin to his Southern Californian masterpieces. All the same, those electing to play up the left island fairway cut off enough distance to make it worth it. Another weird stadium in virtual golf that is downright perplexing and is very close to the green… does the TOUR want these guys taking TIO in a simulator?
11. “Flex” by Agustín Pizá, Pizá Golf | 528 yards, par 4
The most video game-esque hole that could be the grand finale of a Mario vs Bowser fight, “Flex” is a lot like the other multiple route options already discussed. The difference, though, is this is a par 4: anyone trying to make birdie will more-than-likely have to take the straight route up the middle, though it requires a 325 yard carry to get to the fairway.
12. “Serpent” by Agustín Pizá, Pizá Golf | 627 yards, par 5
In the latest addition to the category of “potential holes that could built in real life,” “Serpent” is a longer par 5 with its fairway zig-zagging around a slew of bunkers and native grasses at every turn. There is nothing too complex or adventurous here, which is a shame considering the creativity possible in the digital space, but still, one can see this hole producing its fair share of drama given the abundance of hazards to avoid and potential for heroic recovery shots.
13. “The Plank” by Agustín Pizá, Pizá Golf | 380 yards, par 4
“The Plank” is just a good, solid golf hole one could expect at a golf course in real life, though it is beautiful and the bunkering is dynamic, cutting in on either side of the fairway in a true Stanley Thompson-Banff Springs way. This won’t be the most interesting hole to watch players on, but the graphic work is among the most stunning and will likely be very visually pleasing on the broadcast.
14. “Boomerang” by Chad Goetz, Nicklaus Design | 622 yards, par 5
Maybe drawing some inspiration from Whistling Straits’ controversial par 5, 5th, “Boomerang”‘s green sits separate from the fairway across a water hazard. With the fairway jutting to the right abruptly around a sandy bunker complex, those who can cut the corner will automatically gain an advantage into the green with a shorter club, but the narrow nature of this hole and the lack of width will require precious from everyone, regardless of distance.
15. “Set In Stone” by Chad Goetz, Nicklaus Design | 210 yards, par 3
Perhaps there are limitations in how extreme a par 3 can be in not just real life, but on a simulator too, but the offerings presented for TGL are not exactly the most interesting holes ever. “Set In Stone” is, as the name suggests, wedged into a limestone rock wall, but there’s not much going on here other than it is an attractive looking hole. There is some obvious Valhalla influence here, especially with the Nicklaus moniker!
16. “Loot On The Line” by Agustín Pizá, Pizá Golf | 391 yards, par 4
Agustín Pizá seemed to be the only one of the three up to the task of creating truly awe-inspiring digital golf holes, and “Loot On The Line” is another in a line of wacky, unique offerings. The big bunker, aptly named “Gaurdian,” obstructs the view of the direct route to the fairway that’s a measly 37 yards wide, surrounded by water short, left, and right. Granted, the middle fairway collects into the middle with its half-pipe shape, but if TGL competitors are uncomfortable, the left fairway is double the size of the middle fairway and offers a sufficient bail out, with attention needed to keep the tee shot up the right to avoid a blind approach coming in from a lower collection area. If there is one complaint, the right fairway is probably irrelevant in the hole’s strategy.
17. “Pinery” by Beau Welling | 601 yards, par 5
The narrow, demanding reachable par 5 is a white-knuckle tee ball, sandwiching between the bunkers and water left, and the sandy abyss up the right. With a separate fairway divided by the water hazard cutting across the line of play, The simplistic nature of this hole makes this a sleeper candidate to produce fireworks.
18. “Navigator” by Beau Welling | 606 yards, par 5
Of particular interest, “Navigator”‘s tee shot features water jutting into the fairway in a way that will cause headache for shorter hitters, while the three bunkers longer and up the left will pinch the longer hitters—equal pain for all! There is truly no way out of this pinched tee shot, but by now, the “island green” concept is so overplayed and redundant to be any higher in this hole ranking.
19. “The Spear” by Agustín Pizá, Pizá Golf | 604 yards, par 5
“The Spear” loses points for being a near-replica of “Temple” above, and even further, it deserves more shame for the grand strands surrounding the green complex that protects balls from going into the water—what are we doing here! Regardless, the concept of pinch points between severe penalty is perfect for this kind of format, and there’s little doubt “The Spear” will be a good watch.
20. “Bluebonnet” by Chad Goetz, Nicklaus Design | 343 or 450 yards, par 4
Nothing about “Bluebonnet” is bad, but there’s also just a lack of interest in its design. The split tee option is a fun addition, but it’s such a vanilla hole that if feels somewhat mailed in, especially compared to some of the most acid-induced holes from Pizá.
21. “Oh Chute” by Beau Welling | 271 yards, par 3
Immediately, Orlando’s Islesworth jumps to mind with its on long par 3 ovber water through its own chute. It is hard to fathom fans and the TGL competitors see much appeal to a golfer ringing a shot off a tree 40 yards off the tee, but it does force them to hit a specific shot and showcase they can do that… so it might be interesting in that regard? Overall, though, this is just a long, brute of a par 3 over water—bleh.
22. “Hang Low” by Chad Goetz, Nicklaus Design | 488 yards, par 4
Doubling up on concepts for both par 4’s and par 5’s is indolent, and in “Hang Low”‘s case, the George Thomas/Lido-style divided fairway works better as a gambling par 5 than a middle-length par 4. It is, quite literally, the exact same hole as “Hang Loose,” just 120 yards shorter.
23. “Hatchet” by Chad Goetz, Nicklaus Design | 448 yards, par 4
Given the surplus of holes that reward distance in this list, one would think TGL would see value in flipping this fairway and tempting competitors to lay up. Alas, not the case. In the above and better options, the reward for distance is not so abrupt and obvious, if you hit it further, you get rewarded yes, but on “Hatchet,” the widened fairway at 270 yards, this is sure to be a snoozer as every single person in the field will be able to fly it to the widest part of the fairway.
24. “Sidewinder” Chad Goetz, Nicklaus Design | 622 yards, par 5
It is hard to tell if Welling, Pizá, and Nicklaus Design all worked together as a unit to create these holes or not, but if they didn’t, having “Sidewinder” be a direct copy of “Serpent” is a wild coincidence. Unfortunately though, this version is described as a “more forgiving foe” of the two on TGL’s website—what’s the appeal in that when they are playing a video game?
25. “Riptide” by Chad Goetz, Nicklaus Design | 609 yards, par 5
There is nothing unappealing about “Riptide,” but at the level every competitor of TGL can play to and in a controlled environment, having a split fairway seems rather simplistic. The more direct and widest fairway is the right, and even though it is closer to the ocean, it is hard to see anyone going up the left side.
26. “Pick Yer Plunder” by Agustín Pizá, Pizá Golf | 590 yards, par 5
The sibling hole to “Loot On The Line” works better as a par 4, but the concept is still enjoyable as a par 5 where the direct line sets up a realistic chance at eagle. Even so, the laziness of just duplicating a concept into a par 4 and a par 5 is mildly annoying, overdone, and worth a knock down a spot or two (or five).
27. “Fallen Pine” by Chad Goetz, Nicklaus Design | 240 yards, par 3
A pretty simple hole lacking any creativity, especially because Nicklaus Design already did the exact same hole, at the identical length, at “Cliffhanger,” above. The TGL website boasts it can play as short as 130 yards, but the green shape is not nearly interesting enough for the short length, but at least it has a back left position tucked around a bunker. It is hard to think anyone would run out of ideas in this creative medium, but it seems we reached that!
28. “Pin Oak” by Beau Welling | 636 yards, par 5
It wouldn’t be hard to imagine this hole fitting in to 12,000 golf courses around the world, give or take. How many island greens are we going to design for this single event?
29. “Craic On” by Beau Welling | 175 yards, par 3
“Craig On” is supposed to be a homage to links golf, but if this bland rendition is Welling’s tribute to the old country… we got some issues.
*Editor’s note: the thirtieth will be ranked upon its release date.*
