What Is The Hammer In TGL?

As golf's latest invention navigates its way through the opening season, fully understanding how TGL works and the nuances involved from week to week will take a bit of time.

But, in layman's terms, the rules are fairly simple. Two teams of three golfers (chosen from a squad of four) face off against each other in two-hour matches across 15 holes on primetime TV.

Long-range shots are taken into a giant screen at the purpose-built and incredibly advanced SoFi Center in Florida before players move over to the adaptive short-game area to finish out the hole.

For the first nine holes, teams will compete in alternate-shot golf. The final six holes will be one-on-one for two holes per player.

Each hole is worth one point as standard, but there are no half-points or double points if a hole is halved. The team with the most points at the end of the 15 holes wins two points towards their season tally. If a side loses in overtime, though, they collect one point - similar to NHL rules.

The four teams with the most points at the end of the season - where each team plays the other once - moves into the playoffs for the chance to lift the SoFi Cup.

Where TGL matches begin to become slightly more complicated relates to the tactical tools available to the squads and elements which are not a standard part of every other format.

For example, TGL have implemented a shot clock, which forces players to hit within 40 seconds of it being activated or face a one-stroke penalty. If the shot clock is running out of time too quickly, teams can use one of their four timeouts (two per session). They can also be called if teams wish to "ice" their opponent and force an anxious wait ahead of a difficult shot.

The referee - who has rarely been seen so far - is in charge of enforcing the shot clock and blowing the whistle for a timeout, as well as upholding the usual Rules of Golf.

THE HAMMER RULE IN TGL

But perhaps the most intriguing tactical element is 'The Hammer' which allows teams to up the ante and increase the number of points available on a hole.

This might be done if a team feels like they have an advantage, want to add pressure to their opponents, or is in a desperate situation where points are badly required.

At this stage, we should say that 'The Hammer' isn't actually a resilient stick of metal often associated with DIY at all. It is, in fact, a bright yellow cloth flag which appears very similar to those thrown by NFL referees every Sunday. But we digress.

Teams begin every match with three chances to use The Hammer throughout the 15 holes. It can be thrown at any time on a hole but only once per team. Both clubs can toss down The Hammer on the same hole, but the maximum number of points a hole can be worth is three.

If The Hammer is thrown before the start of a hole, it must be accepted and the hole's value is automatically increased.

However, if The Hammer is played after someone has teed off, it can be declined. But, should the opposing team turn down the tactical play by their rivals, they will automatically lose the hole (a bit like folding a hand in Poker).

The rules involving The Hammer were changed ahead of the Presidents Day triple-header early in the inaugural season after feedback from fans and players pointed to a significant flaw in the tactical tool.

Previously, once a team utilized The Hammer, they handed possession over to their opponents. This led to 'Hammer hoarding' where the side in front simply chose to forget the yellow flag existed and carry on trying to eek out a lead as their opponents were unable to significantly or efficiently close the gap. In two of the first five games, The Hammer failed to appear at all.

Officials hoped the rule tweaks would lead to tighter and more entertaining contests in the two-hour made-for-TV fixtures shown live on ESPN each week.