These 5 TGL Hole Designs Are Absolutely Insane

We are less than three weeks from the beginning of the TGL’s inaugural season.

The new simulator league is starting to ramp up its media efforts including the release of several hole designs that players will encounter once play gets started Jan. 7.

Given that the game is being played on a simulator—except all shots within 50 yards—the architecture element of the league is an open book. These holes can be anything. There doesn’t have to be any consideration for playability or fairness given that these are virtual designs being played by professionals in a match-play format that is strictly for entertainment.

Our first looks over the past few months have confirmed that this will be a lot more Golden Tee than Augusta National.

While there are some reasons to be skeptical about TGL, it’s possible that a league headlined by Tiger Woods (and being broadcast on ESPN) will exceed expectations to draw big ratings. 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 a few of the hole designs that have come out so far.

“The Spear” is provocative

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

Piza Golf designed this virtual par-5 that features two massive triangles and an island green, surrounded by water in all directions. The skinny part of each triangle connects near the landing zone at about 300 yards from the tee so players have to decide whether to take on that risk or lay back.

Length is a big advantage here as any drive beyond 310 yards or so has a much wider landing area where the second part of the triangle widens out. Laying up into the first triangle makes it an automatic three-shot hole whereas getting into the second triangle makes for an easy decision to go for it in two.

The green is technically an island, but it’s very large—and there is a grandstand that horseshoes around the back.

Of note, there is another hole called “Temple” that is almost identical to this one.

What do I like about this hole? It’s incredibly weird which is what I was hoping to see. The drive will capture everyone’s attention. It immediately forces the player to make a decision off the tee.

What do I dislike about this hole? The longest players have the easiest shot. There should also be no rough at all on a hole like this. Let’s create more risk. And why is there a grandstand around the green? This is a huge island and these are the best players in the world. I don’t think they need any additional help. It really makes the second shot a lot more boring.

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

What grade would you give this design? Maybe a B-minus. Their heart was in the right place—I appreciate the concept—but we want more risk for the longest players on a hole like this.

“Alpine” is all about the speed slot

This is a beefy par-4 set in a mountainous area with a gorge that runs the entire length of the hole on the left-hand side.

The 530-yard hole plays uphill to a fairway that is divided by a gargantuan slope. If players find themselves on the left side of that slope, they will hit an exaggerated speed slot that carries their ball down the fairway. Bailing out to the right doesn’t have the same advantage.

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

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

What do I like about this hole? It’s a beauty with the slopes and how it’s 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 do I dislike about this hole? Longer players are getting rewarded again, given that the carry to reach the fairway on the speed-slot line is about 300 yards. The longer you hit it, the less risk you take on.

How would I change this hole? I would angle the fairway a little more away from the players so that it’s more difficult to carry the bunkers on the most aggressive line, forcing players into hitting a draw or being 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 cool tee shot, as Tiger displayed here in his visit to SoFi Arena.

“Quick Draw” forces a Grand Canyon-sized decision

In the real world, you would need a bridge to reach an island fairway that is surrounded by a canyon.

In the virtual world, there is no such concern.

“Quick Draw” is a par-5 that stretches as long as 720 yards on the conservative line. That means going way out to the left with your drive and playing it as a three-shot hole.

There is another line, however, and I would expect most players to take the aggressive route. The block of fairway floating out in the canyon allows the player to reach the hole in two shots, although the green is not sitting at a favorable angle to be receptive for long-iron approaches.

It’s about a 305-yard carry off the tee to reach the island so it’s possible some of the shorter hitters won’t take on that line.

The green is well protected by bunkers but otherwise doesn’t have too 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’s also cool to have a heroic drive where any miss will result in a re-tee situation.

What do I dislike about this hole? The fairway island is way too big. Unless there is a lot of wind, I don’t see how accuracy will be an issue. It’s just a matter of carrying the canyon.

How would I change this hole? Make the fairway island a lot smaller. Force players to hit a great drive to get the reward.

What grade would you give this design? B-plus. I’ll give it points just for the look and feel.

“The Claw” forces an interesting decision

Sticking with the theme of risk-reward off the tee, “The Claw” is perhaps my favorite design I’ve seen so far.

Set in South Florida sandy dunes, 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 up short of everything and leave a long approach into the green. If you want a little shorter shot in, you can go up the left-hand side, taking on more risk. And if you want an even shorter shot in—with the best angle—players can try to hit the finger of fairway cutting out into the water.

That last option provides not just the shortest shot but the best view to get it close.

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 is based on power. You have to be accurate here or else it will be trouble.

What do I dislike about this hole? If I’m nitpicking, I wish the green had 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 assignment.

“Bluebonnet” is two holes in one

I’m a sucker for a good drivable par-4. With “Bluebonnet,” TGL designers created one that can also be stretched out to play as a traditional two-shotter.

The front tee box will have players swinging away at the green which sits atop a sandy ridge/cliff. There is a slope right of the green that will help move balls left toward the green. It’s about a 300-yard carry to reach land.

Laying up is no small feat as the narrow fairway to the left requires a precise shot.

The back tee box will create a tough tee shot along the left fairway. Getting closer to the canyon edge allows for a better angle into the green.

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

What do I dislike about this hole? I still don’t fully understand the grandstand behind the hole. Is this a buffer to avoid players going over the green? Is this just an aesthetic thing? I think all of the holes look better without grandstands.

How would I change this hole? I would make the layup a little more inviting so players think twice about going for it.

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

So those are five of the craziest designs you will see next month when TGL gets started.

What types of holes would you like to see in TGL? Let me know below in the comments.

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