5 Ways TGL Can Improve Its Design
Teams That Represent Their City
As creative and whimsical as the current crop of virtual architects have been—crafting courses reminiscent of a Bob Ross painting crossed with a 90’s Sega dreamscape—why are we sticking to the rigid framework of traditional golf course architecture? TGL has a golden opportunity to break the mold and do something truly provocative. Imagine golf courses built into the very fabric of the cities they represent: a hole that plays along the Golden Gate Bridge, or a shot from the Top of the Rock to another Manhattan skyscraper. It’s time to make city pride a visual and interactive experience.Home Advantage
If TGL can establish golf holes that directly tie to their respective cities—featuring iconic sites that resonate with local pride—we could build in a unique “home ground” advantage. Here’s how: teams would have exclusive practice access to their own city-themed holes, creating a distinct edge over visiting opponents. To add even more nuance, teams could also select the pin placements for their home matches. It’s a small but meaningful touch that would deepen the connection between teams and their cities.A Rolling Ball Isn’t That Interesting
Let’s face it—part of the thrill of watching golf is the suspense leading up to the ball's landing. But once it hits the virtual fairway and starts rolling endlessly, that tension dissipates. Even if it’s heading toward a virtual water hazard where it’s about to get swallowed by a CGI shark, it just doesn’t make for riveting television. To keep audiences engaged, we need more dynamic reactions and visual storytelling even after the ball has landed. Let’s keep the action alive, even when gravity takes over.The Voided Space
One of the most glaring differences between TGL and traditional tour golf is the voided space around the players when they hit their shots. On tour, we’re used to seeing fans up close, reading their faces as they react to a great or disastrous shot. During the pandemic, we learned just how much fans contribute to the energy of the game. So why not bring spectators closer to the action in TGL too? Integrating the crowd visually and spatially would add a much-needed layer of excitement and authenticity.Boring Bunkers
Let’s be honest—tour players are bunker maestros. The current TGL bunkers showcase their talents but don’t offer much in terms of jeopardy. To shake things up, why not introduce a shallow bunker that provides unique camera angles to highlight technique and precision? And on the flip side, how about a 21st-century cousin to the infamous Devil’s Hole bunker—something small, sinister, and virtually unplayable? A shot landing there could spell disaster, adding tension and drama to every approach.