One of the key features introduced in the inaugural season of TGL presented by SoFi is the shot clock, a 40-second timer aimed at maintaining a brisk pace during matches. The rule was implemented to enhance the fan experience by minimizing downtime in the 15-hole games.
The shot clock starts when it’s a player’s turn to hit. Failing to play within this period results in a one-stroke penalty, with no exceptions. Each team is allowed two timeouts per session, meaning they must manage their time strategically to avoid penalties.
The introduction of the shot clock aligns with USGA’s pace-of-play guidelines, which recommend that players take no more than 40 seconds per stroke. This approach seeks to deliver a faster and more dynamic version of golf at SoFi Center.
Derrick Stafford and booth official Mark Russell oversee enforcement of the shot clock. It is prominently displayed on screens at SoFi Center and during broadcasts, visible to both players and fans. When only 15 seconds remain, an auditory cue—a heartbeat sound—signals increasing pressure.
Each match allows four timeouts, split between sessions. These pauses provide an additional 60 seconds for planning or resetting shots but do not carry over from Triples to Singles.
In Season 1, the shot clock had a noticeable impact from the outset. Matches proceeded swiftly, with teams averaging well below the 40-second limit per shot. New York Golf Club led as the fastest team with an average of 18.6 seconds remaining per shot.
Matt Fitzpatrick of New York Golf Club remarked on his experience: “I didn’t feel rushed at all…It was much faster than I thought, but…I felt like I had time to choose my shot.” Wyndham Clark from The Bay Golf Club added that combining “the artificial heartbeat” with personal nerves accentuated pivotal moments.
A notable violation occurred during a match between Jupiter Links Golf Club and Boston Common Golf when Tiger Woods exceeded the time limit, incurring a one-stroke penalty. Woods commented afterward: “Normally I slow my heart rate down before I pull the trigger…As I told these guys, it’s on me. I should have called timeout.”
