Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's TGL takes major step with new Topgolf agreement

Topgolf is bringing the innovative indoor golf format created by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy to everyday golfers after announcing a major new partnership with TGL and its women's equivalent, WTGL.

The multi-year agreement with TMRW Sports will give players the opportunity to experience some of the custom-designed holes featured in the leagues, with Topgolf venues and Toptracer Range facilities set to host competitions, watch parties and exclusive fan experiences.

It is an interesting development for TGL, which is preparing to begin its third season, and WTGL, which is about to make its debut. 

Both indoor golf leagues are designed to offer a different take on traditional professional golf, combining technology, team formats and fast-paced match play.

• Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler discover opponents for huge December showdown

However, there are two particularly notable absentees from the leagues' player line-ups. Neither reigning men's World No.1 Scottie Scheffler nor women's World No.1 Nelly Korda has signed up to compete in TGL or WTGL.

That has not stopped organisers from looking to expand the appeal of the competitions, with the Topgolf partnership potentially introducing a much wider audience to the format.

The first initiative will be the Topgolf WTGL Challenge, which launches on November 8 to coincide with the women's league's opening match.

Players visiting participating Topgolf venues will be able to take on custom-designed holes featured in WTGL competition, effectively giving amateurs the chance to tackle the same challenges as the professionals.

There is also an incentive to get involved, with three participants selected at random to receive a $500 gift card for official WTGL merchandise. The competition runs until December 23, with full terms and conditions available through Topgolf.

Beyond the playing challenge, the partnership will introduce WTGL and TGL watch parties at selected venues, alongside discounts, special programming and opportunities to win some impressive prizes.

These include greenside tickets, VIP Clubhouse access, suite experiences and behind-the-scenes passes at the leagues' home venue, the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

TMRW Sports president of golf Rufus Hack believes the agreement will allow supporters to become more involved with the competitions rather than simply watching them on television.

Topgolf CEO David McKillips also highlighted the opportunity to use technology to make golf more accessible, particularly for casual players and those new to the sport.

The timing is significant, too. WTGL's inaugural season begins on November 8, with five teams competing at the SoFi Center. TGL will then return for its third season on December 27, with Boston Common Golf taking on expansion side Motor City Golf Club in the opening match.

Topgolf's involvement is particularly relevant because its Toptracer technology already plays a role in both leagues, providing the ball-tracking technology used during broadcasts.

The technology is also familiar to millions of recreational golfers, with Toptracer available at more than 1,450 locations across 38 countries.

For TMRW Sports, the partnership represents another opportunity to grow the leagues beyond their television audiences. For Topgolf, it provides a fresh way to encourage people to try golf through a format that is increasingly geared towards entertainment as well as competition.

Whether playing a virtual version of a challenging TGL hole or watching the professionals compete during a night out, the aim is to make the leagues more accessible.

And while some of golf's biggest names, including Scheffler and Korda, will not be involved in the competitions, the partnership could help TGL and WTGL build a following among a much broader audience.