As we come closer to the end of the year, many interesting events are happening, which golf fans eagerly wait for. ‘The Showdown’ and TGL are among the top anticipated events. While TGL would have been witnessed by fans last year, but due to technical issues, the event did not happen. However, after a year of delay, now to kick-start the 2025 season, the tech golf event is all set, with some of the prominent names participating in it. Tiger Woods and Rory Mcllroy, the mastermind behind it, will also be featuring the event along with other professionals.

Apart from the viewership rating and an impressive list of players, there have been some concerns about the game and how it will be played. This event is going to be a unique experience for both fans and players. With a great mixture of new-age tech and traditional techniques of golf, this could be the future of golf. However, there have been many instances where the players shared their thoughts about the event, which wasn’t the way expected.

Recently, one player featuring TGL, Rickie Fowler, joined the Smylie Show as a guest and had a brief conversation with the panel about the tournament. He earlier made some statements that got him criticism. When he was asked about the expectation from TGL, he stated, “I’m looking forward to it. In a way, we don’t fully know what to expect until it really gets going.” The statement of being a part of the tournament raised concerns for fans and even players.

This time too, there has been a new statement that came in from him that left fans uncertain about the event. The Smylie Show host questioned him about his visits to the SOFi center, the event’s venue. He replied that he had been there twice and had a SIM match along with other players. However, interestingly, he continued to answer while stating about the event, “It is not real golf, but it’s not, you know, hitting balls in your bedroom simulator or office simulator. It’s somewhere kind of in between.” The statement coming from a player featuring event raises concern for fans who are paying more than the average ticket price.

While further sharing about it, he said, “There are all new holes, there are holes that you haven’t seen before, they are designed just for this. So there is a little bit of adjusting to do between hitting on the monitor and how the ball reacts there and how it is chipping there in the synthetic there.” In reality, other than Fowler, who is actually part of the tournament, there are many, including experts and fans, who have been criticizing the event.

Fans and experts take on Tiger Woods’s TGL

Rickie Fowler isn’t alone in thinking deeply about the event, as many others have joined in. Even fans are criticizing the ticket price for the event. While the major concern is, the experts say. LIV Golf has been criticized for deviating from the traditional setup of golf, and this continues for the tech golf event, TGL, too.

Chris Mckee, Golf Radio show host, shared his thoughts about the tournament on X, where he wrote, “Golf ‘purists’ talked s**t about LIV ‘ruining the game’ for 2 years because of a shotgun start & some Tiesto bumping in the background.” Additionally, he also shared, “At least they play golf outside on actual golf courses with grass & the elements, unlike this complete farce we’re about to see come Jan 7.” Until the tournament has been witnessed by everyone, these questions seem valid. However, in the case of LIV Golf, it is not the major concern as, within 3 years, it has become the biggest competitor of the PGA Tour.

Apart from the experts, the revenue and experience offered to the fans will help determine the success of the event. While the fans are showing a fierce side for the ticket price, this might be a concern for the team of TGL. The average cost for a golf event ticket is $125, as per the Tee Times Press. The tech event has $160 as the base entry price. Fans are being vocal about the high price and have been sharing their comments like, “What are we doing charging anything over $40? Nobody is asking for this let alone for $160.. I’d rather go play real golf.” Even others joined saying, “They’re charging to watch SIM golf?”

The great television viewership rating might not be the only factor contributing to the success of the event. Fans, media and experts are also really curious to know about the factors being considered for success being a fresh kind of event in golf. The TGL team will have to overcome the criticism and deliver the best experience outside of the traditional golf setup to succeed. What do you think about TGL’s approach? Will this tech-infused event be successful? Share your opinion with us in the comments section below.