TGL is a promising product thanks to its star power, fast pace of play and more intimate look at how players break down shots and interact with their buddies during a money game. The foundation is in place for a successful, long-term venture, but inferior technology is holding TGL back from its full potential.
The launch monitor technology used at TGL is from Full Swing Golf, a San Diego-based company that isn't on the same level as Trackman and other top-tier simulators. The chief reason Full Swing is involved with TGL is that Tiger Woods, a founding member of the indoor golf league, has a partnership with the company that dates to 2015.
There have been dozens of instances of players hitting what they thought was a perfect shot, but the simulator screen shows their ball soaring off line or flying 30 yards shorter or farther than the target. Just look at Patrick Cantlay's reaction to this shot he hit during Monday night's match between Atlanta Drive Golf Club and The Bay Golf Club.
Cantlay club twirl and… in the bunker ☠️
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) February 17, 2025
pic.twitter.com/D9MP8HE0vl
Cantlay looked confused throughout the match as his drives consistently missed to the right of his target, but he wasn't the only one miffed by simulator glitches. Justin Thomas made a similar face after he hooked a short iron 20 yards left of the flag, as did Hideki Matsuyama when he flew the green from 150 yards.
Thomas and Matsuyama are two of the best iron players on the planet. They know exactly how far their irons carry after countless hours of measured practice reps, especially in a controlled environment with no wind.
Earlier this month, Tommy Fleetwood hit a solid iron shot from 167 yards, but the simulator showed his ball rolled only 40 yards before coming to a rest. The weekend warrior can relate to a topped iron shot, but Fleetwood probably hasn't done that in a decade.
Even Woods has been a victim of his own creation. In his opening match, the 15-time major champion launched a wedge 30 yards over the green and into the water on a 101-yard par 3. If you gave Woods 1,000 100-yard shots from a tee box, he wouldn't hit a single one 30 yards long.
Players are starting to get noticeably annoyed by the technology glitches. These are competitive athletes, and they don't want faulty technology to decide the outcome of a match.
There's a simple solution here, but Woods can't switch to a new launch monitor system because of his financial stake in Full Swing Golf. These glitches may be here to stay, meaning the players and fans may not be for the long haul.
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