ESPN’s Matt Barrie talks TGL, and golf followers ought to really feel pumped

(Editor’s Observe: This story initially ran on Dec. 19, 2024)

When ESPN’s Matt Barrie first arrived on the SoFi Heart for broadcast rehearsals this fall, he couldn’t assist however let loose an audible gasp in disbelief.

“Holy sh*t,” the SportsCenter anchor muttered to himself.

“This place is totally unimaginable.”

This new state-of-the-art facility in South Florida will host each Tomorrow Golf League (TGL) match, which begins on January seventh at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.

The matches will work like this: two TGL groups will sq. off in opposition to one another in a 15-hole match. The format is sort of distinctive, too. Solely three gamers per workforce will play in a given match. The primary 9 holes will function a 3-man alternate shot, during which all individuals rotate out and in relying on their sequence. It might show troublesome for some gamers, as a result of having three gamers concerned might make it laborious for somebody to get right into a rhythm. Alternate shot with two gamers is already troublesome. Oh, and there’s a 40-second shot clock, thus implementing tempo of play and making issues a little bit tougher. Sure, shot clock violations have already occurred throughout rehearsals.

The format then adjustments over the ultimate six holes. Holes 10 by way of 15 are all particular person matches, which means three video games throughout the sport will happen directly. Every gap is price one level, and whoever has the bottom rating earns mentioned level after placing out. Ties aren’t price something. Whoever has probably the most factors on the finish of the 15 gap match wins.

However probably the most spectacular function of this new enterprise is the SoFi Heart itself. It’s a outstanding setting with a taking part in space akin to the dimensions of a soccer subject. At one finish, an enormous display screen stands 64 toes broad and 53 toes tall. Gamers will hit their drives and approaches off actual grass, actual tough, and actual sand—relying on their lie—into this big digital wall. The display screen then produces outstanding accuracy and ball shapes—a lot in order that these photographs come near resembling the true factor. Rory McIlroy even mentioned so himself. Keegan Bradley couldn’t imagine how correct the whole lot was throughout a current follow session.

As soon as a participant’s strategy finds the placing floor, their consideration turns to the Inexperienced Zone, an almost 23,000-square-foot quick sport space reverse the display screen. An actual-life bunker additionally sits beside the inexperienced so gamers can hit real-life sand photographs.

“The inexperienced is not like something I’ve ever seen; it spins 360 levels and is the dimensions of a basketball court docket,” Barrie defined to SB Nation.

“The know-how beneath the holes undulates the inexperienced in real-time, and also you don’t even discover. You may’t even inform. They have been rolling fairly quick the final time I used to be there, however the rolls are true.”

To make this futuristic gameplay much more lifelike, a ‘Greenskeeper’ will preserve the inexperienced all through the match and alter the pin location as wanted, like at any golf course across the nation. Their instruments are even comparable too. However on some events, the inexperienced will rotate to cater to the structure of the subsequent gap. Even the slopes and undulations will typically conform, one thing that’s troublesome to visualise however is true. Regardless, this transformative course of occurs whereas the opponents tee off on their subsequent gap on the different finish of the taking part in space.

Talking of the holes themselves, TGL and three design corporations have created 30 holes for play. All of them begin within the digital world by way of the display screen and finish in actuality on the inexperienced contained in the SoFi Heart. When you have performed simulator golf earlier than, you realize the one holdback to it’s with the quick sport. Placing is not possible. Chipping much more so. There’s good purpose why gimmes are awarded from inside 15 toes on most simulators. However this is not going to be the case right here because of the Inexperienced Zone.

Throughout every match, 15 holes will likely be chosen and the sequence order will likely be random. Some holes are lifelike whereas others aren’t, however that’s part of the attract of TGL.

“They’re a combination of normal holes the place you’ve gotten tee-box, fairway, water on the suitable, after which there are holes the place you gotta carry it over 300 yards to recover from lava,” Barrie added.

“It goes from lifelike golf to a fairway formed like an hourglass, in order that’s what I like about it. There are some golf holes you’ll see anyplace else, after which there are some holes the place you assume, ‘This can’t be lifelike,’ and that’s what makes it stunning.”

The digital caddy is one other dynamic that will likely be vital to the TGL expertise. It’s basically a big contact display screen that sits adjoining to the opening, and gamers will use their fingers to assist align themselves. The caddy will present gamers with correct yardage—meters for the Europeans—for the place they need their photographs to go. Gamers could have full freedom to make use of this function to hit wherever and no matter shot they please. Viewers will be capable to see gamers strategize and decide utilizing this digital caddy as effectively.

TGL

By the point the gamers return to the teeing floor, the caddy has calibrated the system to align with the specified shot. It’s a outstanding idea.

Higher but, each participant will likely be mic’d up. Followers will hear every golfer and every workforce stroll and discuss by way of their processes, not not like the conversations you hear between Jordan Spieth and caddy Michael Greller throughout main championships.

The tv viewers will hear the whole lot else too, together with trash discuss, decision-making, and on when every workforce ought to name a timeout. Some groups will use them to ice a participant who faces a putt, not not like NFL coaches icing a kicker on the finish of the sport.

“I feel that’s going to be one of many extra fascinating components is to see how they match as teammates and the way they determine to make selections throughout the match,” Barrie mentioned.

“You’re going to see who’s going to be the alpha on the workforce, who’s going to be making a variety of selections, who’s going to be calling the trip, and can discuss probably the most trash.”

Barrie expects Kevin Kisner to be the mouthiest, which comes as no shock. Kisner, in fact, simply signed a cope with NBC Sports activities to be its new lead analyst. The South Carolinian made his broadcasting debut final 12 months, which acquired vital acclaim. His humorousness, cadence, and data in regards to the sport itself are only a few explanation why so many followers—and community executives—cherished Kisner on the mic.

As for the TGL broadcast, Barrie will function the play-by-play announcer for each match reside from the SoFi Heart. He’s a well-versed announcer, having known as school soccer video games each week on ESPN for years. The Arizona State graduate has been on extra school campuses than he can depend over the previous few years, typically working six or seven days per week, a problem in and of itself, however calling TGL will likely be an entire completely different ball sport.

“I feel the largest problem goes to be discovering that steadiness to carry house to the viewer,” Barrie mentioned.

“I’ve to allow them to discuss amongst themselves and get right into a cadence. I additionally want to know what sure gamers like what sure gamers don’t like. We’ve already had some gamers say I wish to hear the whole lot, preserve it open in my ear the entire time. Some gamers have mentioned that they wish to hear solely their workforce or either side. So I feel it’s gonna be studying every participant’s specs on how they, they wanna ship it. However in the end the largest problem will likely be staying out of the best way and nonetheless doing the job of delivering an excellent present to the viewers.”

Barrie has expertise calling golf, too. He has served because the lead announcer for featured protection at each the PGA Championship and The Masters.

However this will likely be a lot completely different.

“Everybody hears play-by-play and asks, ‘So are you gonna be calling golf?’ Effectively, sure and no,” Barrie added.

“I’m nearly going to be the ringmaster: weaving out and in of listening to the perfect gamers on the planet compete. As I mentioned, I simply have to remain out of the best way and that may hopefully carry out the perfect in these guys when their aggressive juices are flowing.”

Who is aware of how aggressive gamers will really be when the league launches in the course of the first full week of January. However this new enterprise not less than presents one thing completely different, a singular idea that may cater to youthful, newer golf followers. And contemplating all the unimaginable know-how concerned, you’ll have to tune in to test it out your self. Whether or not or not you want it’s your choice, however you can’t toss apart all the spectacular nuances. It’s merely outstanding, particularly contemplating the setback TGL confronted a 12 months in the past, when the SoFi Heart collapsed on itself in November 2023. However that bump within the highway translated into an unimaginable comeback, one which in the end has {the golfing} world feeling curious and intrigued. It ought to really feel pumped too.

Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By way of. Comply with him on X @jack_milko.