If you’re new to TGL presented by SoFi, you’ve probably noticed it is very different from traditional golf. From the state-of-the-art indoor arena (SoFi Center) to the rotating turntable and undulating Green, TGL is team golf with a twist (or several of them).

One of the most important parts of understanding how a TGL match works is knowing how it’s structured. Every match is split into two sessions: Triples and Singles, and each session brings its own unique style of play, strategy, and excitement.

RELATED: Breaking Down The Basics of TGL from the Regular Season to Playoffs

Whether you’re tuning in for the first time or just want to get deeper into the strategy, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about Triples and Singles.

TGL Match Format Overview

Each match is played over 15 holes, and the action is split into two sessions:

• Triples (Holes 1–9)
• Singles (Holes 10–15)

Scoring is simple:

• Each hole is worth 1 point.
• The team with the most points at the end of 15 holes wins the match.
• Teams can throw the Hammer to increase the value of a hole by one point. Each team has three Hammers to use over the course of the match. Teams can only throw one Hammer each per hole.
• If teams tie a hole, no points are awarded and they move on to the next hole.
• If the match is tied after 15 holes, teams head to overtime for a 3-vs-3 closest-to-the-pin competition.

The format ensures that momentum can shift quickly—even a team trailing by several points can mount a comeback in the second session, as we saw throughout Season 1.

Triples Explained

Triples is team-focused. It’s a 3-vs-3 alternate shot format played over the first 9 holes of the match. All three players from each team are involved, and they rotate shots for their team during each hole.

How it works:

• Player 1 tees off.
• Player 2 hits the second shot.
• Player 3 hits the next shot.
• The order continues to rotate until the hole is finished.
• From hole to hole the lineup order rotates, ensuring each player hits every type of shot.

Triples isn’t just about hitting great shots—it’s about chemistry. Teams have to think strategically about who plays what shot, and when. One player may thrive off the tee, while another is lights-out with a wedge. The best teams use these strengths to their advantage when they set their lineups.

Teamwork Is Everything

Triples is where team dynamics and communication come into play the most. One misstep or mistimed decision can swing an entire hole. In Season 1, we saw several examples.

The Bay Golf Club dominated Triples, often jumping out to early leads thanks to tight coordination and smart shot selection.

One standout moment? Against Atlanta Drive, The Bay's Min Woo Lee had the ball just off the green and an opportunity to win the hole with a putter in hand. But teammate Wyndham Clark called a timeout to discuss club selection and urged Lee to use a wedge instead. Taking a beat to think it over, Lee agreed with his teammate and swapped club. From there, he chipped in and Dr Chipinski was born.

Singles Explained

Once Triples wraps up, it’s time for Singles—six holes of one-on-one match play.

Each player competes head-to-head for two holes against a member of the opposing team. It’s a short window, but high stakes. These matchups are where players get to shine individually and often where matches are won or lost.

How it works:

• Players compete 1v1, head-to-head against an opponent.
  
• Each matchup plays two holes.

Because there are only two holes per matchup, there’s no time to ease into it—it’s straight into pressure-packed competition.

Big Moments from Season 1

Billy Horschel was an absolute star in Singles during the regular season, racking up 8 points—more than any other player. His precision and ability to perform under pressure made him a go-to closer for Atlanta Drive.

With the match on the line in the Finals, Horschel was in a prime position on Hole 14 to help his team win a key Hammer hole worth 2 points. Trailing 3-2 at the time, it was a massive opportunity to flip the scoreline and the match in Atlanta's favor. The rest is history...

Singles brings out a different energy—storylines build around one-on-one rivalries and every shot matters.

Key Differences Between Triples and Singles

Here’s a quick comparison of the two formats:

Triples sets the stage. Singles decides the winner.

RELATED: TGL Explained

How Do Teams Select Their Lineups?

Lineups in TGL aren’t drawn out of a hat—they’re strategic decisions made by each team ahead of match day.

As outlined in the official rules, each TGL team starts a match with Honor a minimum of two times during the regular season. In the fifth and final match of the regular season, the team higher in the SoFi Cup Standings starts the match with the Honor and selects first during the lineup order selection process. In golf, 'Honor' is the right to tee off first. In TGL, the team starting with Honor also selects first during lineup selection.

The teams are sent the Course of 15 holes to be played in their match and from there, they choose their three players. For example, New York could choose Matt Fitzpatrick, Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele, while The Bay selects Wyndham Clark, Shane Lowry and Ludvig Åberg.

At that point, there is a lineup meeting between the teams to pick their hitting orders. Let's pretend The Bay holds the Honor for this match.

Lineups example from Season 1.

1. Honor team (BAY) picks their player in the 1 position: 1. Lowry
2. Non-Honor team (NY) picks their player in the 1 position: 1. Lowry vs Fowler
3. Non-Honor team (NY) picks their players in the 2 & 3 positions: 1. Lowry vs Fowler 2. Fitzpatrick 3. Schauffele
4. Honor team (BAY) picks their players in the 2 & 3 positions: 1. Lowry vs Fowler 2. Clark vs Fitzpatrick 3. Åberg vs Schauffel

For Triples, teams consider:

• Player strengths (e.g. long drives, short game, putting under pressure)
• Who plays well together
• Which players fit the course setup

For Singles, it’s all about the matchups:

• Maximize favorable head-to-head pairings
• Assign closers who can handle pressure
• Match players to specific holes on the course

LAGC's Collin Morikawa strategizes with teammate Tommy Fleetwood.

Players and fans alike are enjoying the team mentality and environment. After defeating The Bay Golf Club 5-3, LAGC's Collin Morikawa shared his philosophy on team strategy.

"Look, with the team, you just get in a rhythm. When I see these guys chip in, I want to play well. I want to hit good shots. You just feed off that energy. I've seen it in other team events that I've been a part of. But this is very, very fun because it's just the three of us inside SoFi Center and essentially like golf, every shot matters."

Season 1 Takeaways

Looking back on Season 1, some key patterns emerged when comparing Triples and Singles:

• The Bay Golf Club dominated in Triples, regularly building early leads with smart rotations and top-tier teamwork.
• Billy Horschel became a Singles powerhouse, often swinging matches in Atlanta's favor in the final six holes.
• Some teams struggled in Singles, unable to convert leads into wins. Others used the format to stage comebacks, proving just how vital it is to finish strong.

Keep Up, It's Golf.

TGL’s match format blends the best of golf—strategy, individual brilliance, and high-stakes drama—all in 15 holes. Whether it’s the team strategy of Triples or the clutch showdowns in Singles, every hole brings something new.