Golf Fan? The Indoor TGL League and Its SoFi Center Make for a Great Trip

Golf is officially a team sport. It’s also now being played in an arena (the SoFi Center) in front of fans encouraged to shun the sport’s “library voice” ethos and hole-to-hole meandering in favor of engaged viewership on a big screen, all while remaining seated in one place. That’s thanks to, of all people, pro golf legends Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, who in 2022 partnered with sports executive Mike McCarley to form TGL, short for Tomorrow’s Golf League, with the goal of endearing the sport to a younger, tech-savvy audience.

What’s up TGL and how is it different from the PGA Tour?

 

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The idea for a new, indoor, and tech-focused golf league came from conversations between Woods, McIlroy, and McCarley about the need to modernize golf for a wider, more diverse audience. This convo led the trio to devise a league that would shun the traditionally expansive golf course in favor of a compact play area that incorporate the natural features of a course with digital elements. TGL plays indoors, primarily at the SoFi Center in south Florida. The league consists of six place-based teams, each comprised of golfers from the PGA Tour:

• Atlanta Drive GC
• Boston Common Golf
• Jupiter Links Golf Club
• Los Angeles Golf Club
• New York Golf Club

Those who follow golf are aware that golf is historically an individual sport – one player wins, not one team. The new format makes the sport closer to professional cycling events where individual performance is tracked and celebrated (and legends are born on their own performance, not their team’s) but ultimately, it’s a team effort and each player has a role to fill. The league’s first season wrapped up in March with Atlanta sweeping New York two games to none in a best-of-three series, claiming the first SoFi Cup. The next season tees off in January of 2026. Seasons are designed to avoid big PGA events and matches are broadcast on ESPN.

Matches consist of two three-team players and take two hours to complete. There are singles (one-on-one) segments and team play. Matches consist of six holes, with team play being best ball formant and one-on-one following a traditional format. Total points from Triples and Singles segments are combined with the lowest score winning, and if it’s a tie, a “closest to the pin” tiebreaker round decides the winner.

Players hit drives and long wedge shots into a simulator, but putting and short chips take place on and around an actual green with varied contours and features depending on the hole (so there’s no blaming a missed put on the computer).

How to plan a trip to SoFi Center

Photo courtesy TGL

The SoFi Center is brand new – and it stands out, as it’s located on the Palm Beach State College campus in Palm Beach Gardens. The nearest airport to the SoFi Center is Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), located approximately 10 miles south of the SoFi Center. PBI offers a variety of domestic and international flights, making it a convenient choice for travelers. Upon arrival, rental cars, taxis, and rideshare services are readily available to transport you to your accommodation or directly to the arena.

The arena being located in a college area works to your benefit as a traveler. First, there are ample residential neighborhoods around with a variety of Airbnbs on offer. The beach is nearby, as is Downtown Palm Beach Gardens, which features shops both local and well-known chains, restaurants, and entertainment. The area is largely suburban, but native wildlife thrives at Frenchman’s Forest Natural Area and the Philip Hulitar Sculpture Garden, both of which offer short hikes. If you’re bringing the family, head to Downtown Carousel and the nearby Rapids Water Park. The Society of the Four Arts in nearby Palm Beach offers art exhibitions, live performances, lectures, and botanic gardens.

Golf courses near SoFi Center

Whether intentional or not, SoFi Center is effectively surrounded by golf courses. Right on the beach to the east of the arena is the Lost Tree Golf Club. The most renowned course in the area is the PGA National Resort, located just two miles away. Here you’ll find five championship courses, including the famous Champion Course, home to the PGA Tour’s Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches. Its challenging “Bear Trap” is legendary among golfers. Other notable courses at the resort include the Palmer Course, designed by Arnold Palmer; the Fazio Course, the Match Course, emphasizing strategic play; and the Staple Course, a quick nine-hole par-3 layout.

Other courses nearby include the Sandhill Crane Golf Club, about 6 miles from the SoFi Center. Owned by the city, this public course offers a unique experience with its natural wetlands and a recently added par-3 course called “The Nest.” To the north, Abacoa Golf Club in Jupiter offers a scenic, player-friendly public course. Private options include Old Palm Golf Club, known for its Raymond Floyd-designed championship course, and Frenchman’s Reserve, with its luxurious Arnold Palmer layout. North Palm Beach Country Club, a public course redesigned by Jack Nicklaus, is also available.