The second season of TGL is almost here—and it promises to look substantially different than it did this year.
The tech-infused simulator league was moderately successful in its inaugural season as TV ratings on ESPN were unspectacular but still a solid improvement on the network’s previous programming in those time slots (overall average of 500,000 viewers).
TGL has shown it has a high floor because of an advantageous TV contract, the inclusion of Tiger Woods (whose future participation as a player is uncertain due to yet another back surgery) and the financial backing of many titans in the sports world.
The question now is whether it also has a high ceiling.
Early returns were inconclusive. Despite several positive (and viral) moments in 2025, TGL suffered from uncompetitive matches, technology failures, awkward production and overwhelmingly boring virtual golf holes that looked more interesting than they played.
The rules and gameplay continue to evolve dramatically. Making matches more compelling will be an absolute must if the league is going to build on the novelty of its opening campaign.
The folks behind TGL are aware of this and have made some sweeping changes as we head into 2026.
Will they work? Let’s take a look at four of the most interesting alterations and what impact we think they will have.
1. Hole designs have been updated with more risk-reward
Perhaps the most pressing issue for TGL coming out of the first season was to address how the monotonous gameplay.
Offering a virtual world with totally unserious golf holes—lava, temples and island fairways included—the designers still couldn’t manage to make players uncomfortable or force them into awkward decisions.
Most of the time, players automatically pulled driver and hit it to the same spot. Only a couple of holes forced real decisions to be made.
TGL is promising that more of this season’s holes will be highly strategic, enticing players to take on a lot of risk. Each team will also be getting one hole with city/geographic branding.
Effect: This was my biggest frustration with the first season of TGL. I’ll remain skeptical until we actually see some of the new designs in action but I’m glad there is some movement here.
These are the best players in the world. Give them a variety of challenges, like split fairways with safer or riskier routes to the hole. That will make each shot more meaningful and entertaining.
2. There are updated graphics
If you read MGS regularly, you are probably aware of our take on TGL’s technology.
Unfortunately, Full Swing is just not the solution for this type of league where you have a 53-foot-tall screen. We saw many errors last year—and even a scenario where the simulator missed picking up a shot entirely.
We doubt that technology component gets a makeover since Woods has a stake in Full Swing but at least the graphics for the gameplay are getting updated.
This was another sore spot last year as the virtual world looked a little too much like Golden Tee.
Effect: It’s still crazy how the technology component is so shaky. The entire league is based on this technology and it’s not fully reliable.
It will be nice to see better graphics, however. Fans care more about how the product looks and feels than the accuracy of the simulator so this is a smart investment.
3. The playing areas are getting bigger
The putting surface is now 38 percent larger (5,270 square feet) to accommodate 12 hole locations instead of seven. The high point of that green has also been lowered 18 inches to create more natural and gradual slopes, giving the in-person audience a better perspective of the green.
With this change, we will also be seeing larger bunkers (50 percent bigger) and more expansive tee boxes to help with divot management. The chipping areas have also been regraded, which could impact approach shots and short game.
Effect: It’s possible we will see more greens being hit and more putts being holed, which would translate to more entertainment. TGL wants players to feel challenged but still have the opportunity to make a lot of birdies if they execute.
The green complex seemed a little wonky at times last year so hopefully this provides a more consistent surface that acts like a real green.
4. Matches are being played on a wider variety of days
Last year, matches were exclusively held on Mondays and/or Tuesdays.
This year, a few Friday and Sunday matches have been added to that Monday/Tuesday mix.
This includes a Sunday, Dec. 28, opener—an earlier start date than we saw last year—and a Friday, Jan. 2, match. There will even be a Sunday primetime match between Tiger’s and Rory McIlroy’s teams later in the season.
Effect: The downside here is that viewers still can’t get into any sort of a routine with knowing when TGL is going to be played. Even on Monday and Tuesdays, the time slots vary. There will be a lot of scenarios where people stumble upon a match without even realizing it was scheduled for that time.
The upside is that certain weekend time slots are more favorable for ratings. This isn’t a jammed portion of the sports calendar so TGL has to contend mainly with the likes of college basketball, NBA and NHL. It will largely steer clear of the NFL, except for the opening match being at 3 p.m. ET on a Sunday.
Closing thoughts
There is a lot to like about TGL but there are still some warts to sort through.
All of these changes seem like they have potential to be helpful. The improved gameplay with better virtual holes is the most promising development.
TGL will have to show it can be successful without Tiger because there is no guarantee he’ll play ever again.
To do that, the product has to be exciting, funny and a little weird.
That is easier said than done but TGL is making some promising steps with these changes.
Let’s see how things shake out for 2026 now that they have worked out some of the kinks.
How do you feel about these changes? Let us know in the comments.
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