Brennan Asplen/TGL/TGL Golf via Getty Images
Tuesday night saw the debut of the new TGL golf league, and with it a host of innovations not seen on the PGA Tour. From shot clocks, to an enormous simulator and a triples format, viewers were treated to a new-look form of the ancient game. Did we mention it all took place indoors?
But one of the most interesting quirks featured in TGL’s inaugural match was “the Hammer.” Here’s everything you need to know about the new rule.
Physically, the Hammer is a yellow-orange piece of cloth shaped like a Thor-like hammer. But here we’re most concerned with what it represents and how it’s used.
The team in possession of the Hammer is permitted to throw it down on any hole. When it’s thrown and accepted, the point total of the hole increases by one. While holes normally count for 1 point, the Hammer increases the points to 2.
If the Hammer is thrown before the start of the hole, the opposing team must accept it. However, if it’s thrown on any other shot, the opposing team has the option to reject it, but if they do they also forfeit the hole.
You can imagine a situation in which a team knew they would lose the hole, so by rejecting the Hammer they limit their opponents to 1 point instead of 2.
Either way, once it is thrown, possession of the Hammer automatically switches to the other team.
Though we didn’t see it happen during the inaugural TGL match, in rare cases the Hammer can be thrown multiple times on a hole.
“>
The official first use of the Hammer occurred on the 3rd hole of the debut match between the Bay Golf Club and the New York Golf Club.
The Bay Golf Club began the match with the Hammer after winning on a coin toss, and when TBGC player Wyndham Clark had a seven-footer for birdie on Hole No. 3, he threw down the Hammer hoping to earn his team an extra point. And he did. Clark drained the birdie improving his team’s lead from 1-0 to 3-0.
When the teams reached the 7th hole, NYGC, now losing 6-0, still had possession of the Hammer. TBGC’s Shane Lowry set up to hit his tee shot, but before he could, NYGC’s Xander Schauffele threw the Hammer at his feet. You can see the moment below.
Lowry accepted the Hammer challenge, but both teams finished with a par, so no points were awarded, and the score remained 6-0.
The city-owned Ironwood Golf Course has undergone several improvements in recent months, with more on the way.According to a press release from the city of Gain
Paul Liberatore is the founder of Golfers Authority, which reviews the world's best golf products and gear. This post contains affiliate links, where we may re
Why LIV Golf captains see team golf as future for the sportBryson Dechambeau and Bubba Watson detailed the future of team golf in a press conference with Jon Ra