TGL’s distinctive layout garnered attention from various companies with innovative technology and shot-tracking capabilities. The league, established by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy and owned by TMRW Sports Group, then assessed all potential candidates and selected the one that claims to have the “leading range technology in golf.” Toptracer, whose technology has been tested for nearly two years at TGL performance labs, was announced on Monday as TGL’s official partner for tracing balls. Several of the 24 PGA Tour players who have joined the league have visited the lab in West Palm Beach, Florida, to test the technology they will use when the league launches early next year. Full Swing Golf will also be part of TGL’s technology mix.
According to TGL Chief Technology Officer Andrew Macaulay, Toptracer is the technology that enables them to operate on such a large scale. No other company was able to figure out how to implement this technology on such a grand scale. Toptracer claims to have traced more balls in more bays at more driving ranges in more countries than any other range technology in the world.
Toptracer executive Ludvig Jansson expressed excitement about showcasing their golf technology through TGL. He believes that TGL enables unique golf experiences through the infusion of technology, which aligns with Toptracer’s goals.
TGL will debut on January 7th at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Toptracer will be used to track ball flights on tee and approach shots. If you’ve watched the PGA Tour, a major championship, or the Ryder Cup, or if you’ve had your own shot tracked at a Topgolf venue or a driving range, you’ve likely seen Toptracer technology in action.
The indoor setting of this project presents a new challenge for Toptracer. The company constructed an indoor driving range in Stockholm, Sweden, two years ago to simulate TGL’s vision. TGL executives spent ten days there to evaluate Toptracer’s technology.
Each TGL match will begin with world-class golfers like Woods, McIlroy, Shauffele, Cantlay, and Thomas hitting their tee shots off a platform into a large screen 35 yards away. Approach shots will be hit from an area 21 yards from the screen. Once the ball is 140 yards from the green on the simulator, a forward platform is used. The venue will seat 1,500 spectators and will feature a screen that is 64 x 53 feet, nearly 24 times the size of a standard golf simulator. The platforms consist of real fairway grass and sand, with each tee box measuring 23 x 11 feet and containing three hitting areas of fairway grass, rough grass, and sand, each measuring 7 x 7 feet.
After the ball reaches the green area, a spotlight will shine on the spot where the ball must be placed. The players will then chip and putt as if playing on a regular course. Under the green are 600 actuators that will adjust the undulations for each hole, as well as a turntable that changes the position of the green and the three real bunkers that surround it. The green area is located at the opposite end of the arena from the screen.
TGL will incorporate 30 different holes designed by renowned golf course designers from the U.S. and Mexico. The holes are inspired by various authentic landscapes, such as links, canyon holes, water-surrounded holes, desert holes, and tropical locations.
During each match, teams will play alternate shot. While one team is hitting, the three members of the other team will gather around a simulator or ‘digital caddie’ to analyze distance, hazards, slopes, and other features to plan their next shot. Players will be mic’d up for these conversations.
Every shot will be tracked by eight sensors attached to four poles, two on each side. This allows for the most accurate trajectory and shot analysis from the fairway, rough, and sand.
“With the flexibility, accuracy, and reliability of Toptracer’s ball-tracing technology, we’re collecting a vast amount of data on each shot to seamlessly transition into the virtual landscapes of our custom-designed holes,” said Macaulay.
The league will consist of six teams, each comprising four PGA Tour stars. Two teams will compete in 15-hole two-hour matches with three players each week during the regular season. These primetime matches will be televised by ESPN.
