These 5 TGL Gap Designs Are Completely Insane

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

The brand new simulator league is beginning to ramp up its media efforts together with the discharge of a number of gap designs that gamers will encounter as soon as play will get began Jan. 7.

Provided that the sport is being performed on a simulator—besides all photographs inside 50 yards—the structure factor of the league is an open e-book. These holes could be something. There doesn’t must be any consideration for playability or equity provided that these are digital designs being performed by professionals in a match-play format that’s strictly for leisure.

Our first seems to be over the previous few months have confirmed that this shall be much more Golden Tee than Augusta Nationwide.

Whereas there are some causes to be skeptical about TGL, it’s attainable {that a} league headlined by Tiger Woods (and being broadcast on ESPN) will exceed expectations to attract massive scores. In case you are eager about studying extra concerning the format, check out the story I wrote earlier this 12 months.

Right here is my response to a couple of the opening designs which have come out to date.

“The Spear” is provocative

I’m fairly positive I drew this gap whereas doodling in my fifth-grade geometry class.

Piza Golf designed this digital par-5 that options two large triangles and an island inexperienced, surrounded by water in all instructions. The thin a part of every triangle connects close to the touchdown zone at about 300 yards from the tee so gamers must determine whether or not to tackle that threat or lay again.

Size is a giant benefit right here as any drive past 310 yards or so has a a lot wider touchdown space the place the second a part of the triangle widens out. Laying up into the primary triangle makes it an automated three-shot gap whereas entering into the second triangle makes for a simple resolution to go for it in two.

The inexperienced is technically an island, nevertheless it’s very giant—and there’s a grandstand that horseshoes across the again.

Of notice, there may be one other gap referred to as “Temple” that’s nearly an identical to this one.

What do I like about this gap? It’s extremely bizarre which is what I hoped to see. The drive will seize everybody’s consideration. It instantly forces the participant to decide off the tee.

What do I dislike about this gap? The longest gamers have the simplest shot. There also needs to be no tough in any respect on a gap like this. Let’s create extra threat. And why is there a grandstand across the inexperienced? It is a enormous island and these are one of the best gamers on the earth. I don’t suppose they want any further assist. It actually makes the second shot much more boring.

How would I alter this gap? What if it was only one large triangle? Begin with the huge finish at a 220-yard carry after which have it get narrower so {that a} 320-yard drive must be an awesome shot to remain within the fairway. Take the tough out, take the grandstand out, make the island a bit smaller.

What grade would you give this design? Perhaps a B-minus. Their coronary heart was in the best place—I admire the idea—however we wish extra threat for the longest gamers on a gap like this.

“Alpine” is all concerning the velocity slot

It is a beefy par-4 set in a mountainous space with a gorge that runs your complete size of the opening on the left-hand aspect.

The 530-yard gap performs uphill to a fairway that’s divided by a gargantuan slope. If gamers discover themselves on the left aspect of that slope, they are going to hit an exaggerated velocity slot that carries their ball down the green. Bailing out to the best doesn’t have the identical benefit.

The second shot is harmful because the inexperienced is almost surrounded by the gorge and there’s no tough across the inexperienced. If gamers miss the velocity slot, it’s going to go away a 230-yard shot into the inexperienced which is a few 50 yards or extra longer than those that tackle extra threat off the tee.

The “Golden Tee” facet of this gap is concerning the magnificence that surrounds it and the dramatic fairway slope.

What do I like about this gap? It’s a magnificence with the slopes and the way it’s framed by the gorge. The tee shot is enjoyable as a result of hitting a draw across the nook will lead to much more distance because the ball goes bounding down the hill. Not having any tough additionally helps make the second shot extra harmful.

What do I dislike about this gap? Longer gamers are getting rewarded once more, provided that the carry to achieve the green on the speed-slot line is about 300 yards. The longer you hit it, the much less threat you tackle.

How would I alter this gap? I might angle the green a bit extra away from the gamers in order that it’s tougher to hold the bunkers on essentially the most aggressive line, forcing gamers into hitting a draw or being very correct off the tee.

What grade would you give this design? A-minus. I like this gap for essentially the most half. It’s a cool tee shot, as Tiger displayed right here in his go to to SoFi Enviornment.

“Fast Draw” forces a Grand Canyon-sized resolution

In the true world, you would want a bridge to achieve an island fairway that’s surrounded by a canyon.

Within the digital world, there isn’t any such concern.

“Fast Draw” is a par-5 that stretches so long as 720 yards on the conservative line. Which means going manner out to the left along with your drive and taking part in it as a three-shot gap.

There’s one other line, nonetheless, and I might anticipate most gamers to take the aggressive route. The block of fairway floating out within the canyon permits the participant to achieve the opening in two photographs, though the inexperienced isn’t sitting at a positive angle to be receptive for long-iron approaches.

It’s a few 305-yard carry off the tee to achieve the island so it’s attainable a few of the shorter hitters gained’t tackle that line.

The inexperienced is nicely protected by bunkers however in any other case doesn’t have an excessive amount of chew.

What do I like about this gap? It simply seems to be candy. That is precisely what I used to be imagining from an aesthetic viewpoint. It’s additionally cool to have a heroic drive the place any miss will lead to a re-tee scenario.

What do I dislike about this gap? The green island is manner too massive. Until there may be lots of wind, I don’t see how accuracy shall be a problem. It’s only a matter of carrying the canyon.

How would I alter this gap? Make the green island so much smaller. Drive gamers to hit an awesome drive to get the reward.

What grade would you give this design? B-plus. I’ll give it factors only for the feel and appear.

“The Claw” forces an fascinating resolution

Sticking with the theme of risk-reward off the tee, “The Claw” is probably my favourite design I’ve seen to date.

Set in South Florida sandy dunes, the par-4 has a fairway within the form of a claw surrounded by water and sandy areas.

There are three distinct choices off the tee. The primary is to put up in need of the whole lot and go away a protracted method into the inexperienced. If you need a bit shorter shot in, you may go up the left-hand aspect, taking over extra threat. And if you need a good shorter shot in—with one of the best angle—gamers can attempt to hit the finger of fairway slicing out into the water.

That final possibility supplies not simply the shortest shot however one of the best view to get it shut.

What do I like about this gap? The chance-reward factor may be very clear and apparent. I additionally like that there are three choices and none of them relies on energy. You must be correct right here or else it will likely be hassle.

What do I dislike about this gap? If I’m nitpicking, I want the inexperienced had extra slope.

How would I alter this gap? Nothing actually. That is an impressive gap design for TGL.

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

“Bluebonnet” is 2 holes in a single

I’m a sucker for an excellent drivable par-4. With “Bluebonnet,” TGL designers created one which will also be stretched out to play as a standard two-shotter.

The entrance tee field could have gamers swinging away on the inexperienced which sits atop a sandy ridge/cliff. There’s a slope proper of the inexperienced that can assist transfer balls left towards the inexperienced. It’s a few 300-yard carry to achieve land.

Laying up is not any small feat because the slender fairway to the left requires a exact shot.

The again tee field will create a tricky tee shot alongside the left fairway. Getting nearer to the canyon edge permits for a greater angle into the inexperienced.

What do I like about this gap? The slope proper of the inexperienced is a small goal with an enormous reward. I additionally love how a lot slope there may be on this inexperienced. I’m hoping for some awkward short-game photographs.

What do I dislike about this gap? I nonetheless don’t absolutely perceive the grandstand behind the opening. Is that this a buffer to keep away from gamers going over the inexperienced? Is that this simply an aesthetic factor? I believe all the holes look higher with out grandstands.

How would I alter this gap? I might make the layup a bit extra inviting so gamers suppose twice about going for it.

What grade would you give this design? A. That is actually charming.

So these are 5 of the craziest designs you will notice subsequent month when TGL will get began.

What forms of holes would you prefer to see in TGL? Let me know beneath within the feedback.

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