The post 5 reasons why this alternative golf league has staying power appeared first on Golf.

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If you were among the nearly 1 million people who tuned in to the TGL’s debut, you already know: Alternative golf is all the rage right now. From LIV Golf’s music-infused shotgun starts to virtual tournaments like the above-mentioned TGL and even the GOLFZON Tour, a TGL-esque simulator match-play tournament for regular folks, it’s clear there’s an appetite for golf as entertainment that isn’t limited to the rarefied air of the PGA Tour.

The Grass League, the world’s first high-stakes par-3 golf league, is attempting to capitalize on the movement. The Grass League was created by the same group of Phoenix-based entrepreneurs who founded the company Grass Clippings in 2018. The Grass League stages competitive tournaments with both amateur and professional players in team-based formats.

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In December, the Grass League hosted the the Troon Access GL Championship at Grass Clippings Rolling Hills, a city-owned executive course in Tempe that agreed to a 50-year partnership with Grass Clippings to operate the course. A $15 million investment transformed the property into a top-tier entertainment facility, complete with lighting for night play, a lit practice range with Toptracer technology, a new irrigation system, new tee boxes, a clubhouse renovation and more.

At the Troon Access GL Championship, 44 two-person teams competed in a 36-hole scramble over two evenings. The rounds were played under the lights and in front of a gallery of thousands. And for the first time ever, the final round was streamed live on Peacock. The Grass League’s broadcast deal extends into this year with three more events on the docket.

With the Troon Access GL Championship taking place right in my backyard, I decided to check it out in person, and I was pleasantly surprised by what I experienced. Below are five reasons why I believe this league has staying power.

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Golf under the lights

Golf in prime time is a great concept, and one that TGL is banking on too. There’s no denying the allure of watching golf in real time at night. It’s fun! The lights were much better than I expected, too. I could follow shots in the air with ease, and it was bright enough to make my way up and down the hills around the property without a misstep.

Food, drinks and music

As with every nighttime activity, food, drinks and music are of great importance. And not only did the setup at Grass Clippings Rolling Hills have plenty of outposts for libations, there were also a bunch of food trucks serving up delicious fare, and live music being played greenside. My pick: quesabirria tacos. A perfect kickoff to the viewing experience onsite — and a great atmosphere too.

Great access

I’ve been to my share of WM Phoenix Opens over the years, and while the party vibe onsite at TPC Scottsdale is unmatched, there’s something to be said for being able to move freely around the course. The shotgun format on the day I attended at Grass Clippings Rolling Hills meant every hole had action at the same time, and with a few thousand people spread out across all the holes, there was not only plenty of space for viewing, you could also get up close and personal with every competitor on the tees, greens and walks in between. The majority of the tents around the greens were also open to general spectators, so you could enjoy a premium, comfortable and seated viewing experience if you wanted to take a breather from standing.

Team intrigue

Like the TGL, the Grass League operates with a team format, which, in addition to making the viewing experience more exciting, also creates an opportunity for longer-term rivalries, regional allegiances and loyal fan bases (see photo above!). Franchises are also owned or count as investors some of the sports world’s biggest names, like U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark, Los Angeles Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts and Good Good Golf.

Fast pace

A par-3 format is great for spectators. Shots are visible from start to finish, and the pace is brisk. Tee shots offer plenty of drama, and it’s exciting to be on constant hole-in-watch watch. It seems like you’re either watching a tee shot fly close to the hole, or you’re watching an opportunity for a birdie every time a player addresses the ball. The overall experience is great fun — and even when the golf ends, the party continues. What’s not to like?

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Par-3 golf is having a moment. 

And no wonder. 

Short courses are fun, exciting and take less time to play than their full-size brethren; they also occupy smaller footprints and are less expensive to build. Witness the surge of par-3 offerings from A-list destinations like Bandon Dunes and Cabot Links to more local hangouts like 3’s in North Carolina. Or ask the USGA. In a nod to par-3 courses’ growing popularity, the governing body announced earlier this year that courses as short as 750 yards are eligible for ratings, meaning scores at those courses can be included in a player’s Handicap Index. 

In Arizona, one course — and operator — is capitalizing on the short-course movement in an enterprising way. In 2023, Grass Clippings, a company founded in 2018 by a group of Phoenix-based entrepreneurs, agreed to a 50-year partnership with the city of Tempe to operate Rolling Hills Golf Course, an executive course in Tempe. 

Over the last year and a half, a $15 million investment has transformed the experience at what is now known as Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills. The course is outfitted with lighting for night play, has a lit practice range with Toptracer technology, a new irrigation system and new tee boxes. The facility also has an activity lawn and video display, hilltop bar, patio bar, a renovated clubhouse and an entertainment venue.

Perhaps the biggest element of its success, though, is its starring role as the venue for an innovative new competitive format. In December, the course will host the Troon Access GL Championship Presented by GolfNow, a tournament that is part of The Grass League, the world’s first high-stakes par-3 golf league. The Grass League was created by the founders of Grass Clippings and stages competitive tournaments with both amateur and professional players in team-based formats.

Grass League co-founders Jake and Jimmy Hoselton, Pete Wilson and Connor Riley say the Grass League delivers everything a modern sports fan wants — in an engaging and compact par-3 format.

“Par-3 golf is a standalone sport,” said Jake Hoselton, who is Grass League’s CEO. “It’s quicker, it’s more action-packed, but it’s still golf.”

The Troon Access GL Championship will kick off on Dec. 5 with 44 two-person teams competing at Rolling Hills in a 36-hole scramble over two evenings. The rounds will be played under the lights and in front of a party-hardy gallery of thousands. For a $20 admission fee, attendees will have access to a beer garden, hospitality tents, food trucks, live music and a daily after-party. 

And then, of course, there’s the golf; fans will be permitted to stand within a club-length of the competitors and enjoy unobstructed views from start to finish.

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“There’s opportunity here,” Jake Hoselton said. “Par-3 golf, and particularly the format that we use — the two-person scramble — lends itself the ability to have men and women ages 18 to 75 who are competitive. It levels the playing field. And all of golf’s greatest moments happen from 150 yards and in.”

After a successful debut event at Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills in April, the Grass League is looking forward to expanding its tournament schedule. Eleven teams from cities such as San Diego, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Dallas will add a sense of rivalry and intrigue, and there’s plenty of room for expansion. Team owners and investors include the likes of U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark, Los Angeles Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts and Good Good Golf. 

Owners can decide how to fill their rosters. Some offer open qualifying to nab a spot; others hand-pick their squads. Anyone can submit a profile on Grass League’s website to enter the portal in the hopes of getting picked up by a team. Players who make a roster can negotiate compensation with their respective owners and amateurs can explore NIL opportunities. Every Grass League tournament has a purse, which is paid out to the team owner as opposed to the individuals. The owners can then, in turn, compensate their players. In the December tournament, competitors will include LPGA players, YouTube influencers and past PGA Tour winners as well as amateurs.

Part of the Grass League’s allure is its ability to be viewed in prime time. NBC Peacock will air live coverage of the Troon Access GL Championship, as well as three additional Grass League events in 2025. The league already has grown rapidly since its debut event and, given the exposure that’s on the way, seems poised for an even bigger launch in the coming months.

“We believe next year and the years to come, this is going to be a great platform,” Wilson said. “If you’re trying to get on Tour, there’s only so many places you can play. And this could be a great option to just continue to sharpen your game while making money, while getting exposure through social media. If your dream is to play on the Tour, maybe this helps you get there. Or maybe this is just ultimately a better tour to try to make a career on.”

Wilson’s partner, Jake Hoselton, agrees. 

“I don’t think it’s that far away from players being able to make a living playing on the Grass League full-time,” Hoselton said. “That’s our goal.”

For more information on the Grass League and the upcoming Troon Access GL Championship, click here. 

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