Golf course design firm Pizá Golf has been chosen to design a series of virtual golf holes for TGL presented by SoFi, the new indoor professional golf league that launches in the new year.
TGL presented by SoFi features six teams of top PGA TOUR players competing in a season-long competition that brings golf to US prime time TV on Mondays and Tuesdays. Using a mix of technology throughout SoFi Center’s field of play, teams will face off in two-hour matches across 15 custom-designed holes in a hybrid of virtual and real-life action.
For each match, the course will be comprised of 15 custom-designed holes created by renowned golf course designers. The holes are inspired by authentic golf landscapes such as links, canyons, coastal, deserts, and tropical settings and created to uniquely challenge TGL’s teams.
Speaking about the commission to design three holes, Augie Pizá said: “It’s exciting to be chosen to design a collection of holes for TGL. The opportunity to create thought-provoking and unique golf holes for this innovative league is truly an honour. Starting with a blank canvas presented an exhilarating challenge, free from the constraints of surrounding landscapes or natural elements, which allowed pure creativity to drive the design process.”
Pizá’s holes are called Temple, Plank and Serpent, each of which places different shot-making demands on the players.
TEMPLE
Temple is a hole design inspired by ancient civilizations and based on simplicity, the art form of two triangles facing each other to create a unique risk versus reward with its hour-glass shape. The choice off the tee is whether to carry the narrow intersection where the opposing triangles meet, or to lay up short and run the risk of a 240-yard or longer shot into the green. From the tee box, the fairway reaches its narrowest point at 285 yards before it widens again. The entire hole is surrounded by penalty areas and wind will be a factor within the virtual setting, complicating the decision for teams.
Says Piza: “”Temple is a par 4 playing over 500 yards that we found in the mountains of South America. This is a very special design because it plays with simplicity. With just two forms – two triangles pinched in the centre – it can give us so much excitement and strategy, and we have placed the green in a position to reward the most aggressive shots off the tee. We should be in for a treat with this one.”
THE PLANK
Teams will need to walk ‘The Plank’ as they navigate this uphill hole with tricky diagonal bunkering. For this short 380-yard par 4, it could be tempting for teams to go for the driver, but three pot bunkers narrow the landing area adding risk to the aggressive play. If less than a driver is chosen off the tee, a well-placed tee shot still leaves a short approach and great chance at birdie.
THE SERPENT
This par 5 snakes its way from tee to green, with penalty areas squeezing both sides the entire length of the hole. Getting home in two is in play but requires a gutsy blind shot into the green. With water protecting the front, the safer alternative is to play The Serpent in three.
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