The SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., is getting ready to host the first WTGL matches in November. Twenty-five LPGA players make up five teams that will compete in the same format as the men’s TGL. Top-ranked players and some of the most popular women in pro golf will be playing, including Charley Hull, Megan Khang, Jeeno Thitikul, Michelle Wie West, Lexi Thompson, Brooke Henderson and Lydia Ko. At the media day kicking off the new season, I got to not only see many of the players play at the SoFi Center, and they even let me hit a few. Here are some things I noticed during my day on the turf.
It’s massive
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The television doesn’t do it justice. The screen is towering; the arena feels cavernous. There weren’t any fans present while I was there because it was media day, but I could imagine it being a fun scene when the seats are full.
The rough isn’t casual
The teeing area is real grass that gets pulled in and out via this massive crane and trolley system. I spotted other flats of turf growing in the parking lot, ready to be hoisted in. There are two grass areas to hit off of on the teeing area: the fairway and the rough. And I was surprised by how tough of a lie you can get in the rough. The ball can really sit down in it.
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The feel of the greens surprised me
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Stepping on the green—when it wasn’t rotating, because I don’t have the strongest stomach and almost got motion sick just watching it spin—I was surprised by how soft it felt underfoot. Hitting into it, the green was responsive, and even little chips were checking up nicely. Usually, when you’re playing outside, when greens feel soft, it means they’re slow. But this green was fast, despite what my feet were telling me.
That shot clock is serious
The shot clock is 40 seconds long, but when it gets down to 15 seconds, the sound changes into a loud heartbeat. The shot clock itself gets your back up. But the heartbeat is so thunderous, you can feel it vibrate in your ribs. It’s daunting and adds real pressure.
The WTGL’s first match will be played on Nov. 8t, with the Los Angeles Golf Club of Aki Iwai, Alison Lee, Gaby Lopez, Kiara Romero, and Michelle Wie West taking on the New York Golf Club, with Linn Grant, Danielle Kang, Lydia Ko, Yana Wilson and Rose Zhang.
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