First, Rickie Fowler said, “We’re not on a real golf course.” Then, Tom Kim gets visibly frustrated with his putter read during the fourth match at SoFi Center. The all-new, tech-savvy TGL is supposed to be the future of golf, but right now, it’s getting roasted for all the wrong reasons. The latest issue? The simulator apparently went down.
The Fore Play Podcast took to X with a concerning update, and golf analyst Rick Gehman added to the frustration, writing, “The TGL nightmare: the simulator didn’t pick up Tommy’s approach. Ugh.” That’s where the conversation really kicked off. Fans aren’t thrilled about these frequent glitches.
As one user put it bluntly, “They HAVE to change simulators. The league has no chance with an inaccurate simulator.” Gehman didn’t hold back in agreeing, “The ball physics are bad enough, but missing shots is worst-case scenario.” And that’s the thing—fans love the idea of TGL. But when your whole league is built around technology, that technology has to deliver.
Oh no… SIMULATOR DOWN.
— Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) February 5, 2025
One fan summed it up perfectly, “Love the TGL, and technology shit happens, but when it’s based around the technology it has to be perfect.” Hard to argue with that. If you’re selling innovation, you’ve got to get it right. Another fan didn’t mince words, “The simulator portion is so awful.”
Now this this isn’t even a new complaint. Back in the first week of TGL, Golfweek reported that the simulator seemed to exaggerate movements on shots multiple times during the debut match featuring Tiger Woods. At the time, Golfweek put it down to growing pains, writing: “Mishits will happen in a simulator, especially in an arena setting that players are not used to at all.” That’s right, except now four weeks have passed. Players should have adjusted by now. But if they haven’t, then who’s really to blame?
Some fans took a more pragmatic approach, acknowledging that no system is perfect:“ It’s gonna happen. Not a single sim in the world picks up every single shot.” Fair point. But when Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy are behind this thing, fans are expecting a whole lot better. If TGL can smooth out these issues, it could find its place with a new golf audience. But for all the backlash, TGL isn’t just about glitches. It’s also bringing some fresh ideas to golf.
TGL has improved many things in the golf scene
With the right influence, the entire scene has the power to change for the better. And that’s exactly what TGL is doing. It introduced the shot clock, and voila—everyone was talking. The implementation of a shot clock made many realize how much better golf flows with a good pace.
Then, there’s the viewership. Fans are tuning in, and the numbers back it up. The debut match pulled in nearly a million viewers—not too shabby for a brand-new league. Clearly, people are curious about this tech-driven twist on golf.
And let’s talk about the weather. Traditional golf? Always at the mercy of Mother Nature. But TGL is fully indoors. No rain delays, no wind messing with shots, and no last-minute cancellations. Just golf, no matter what.
For all its hiccups, TGL is doing some things right—and that’s worth paying attention to. Have you been tuning in for TGL?
