The first tee shot in WTGL history traveled 301 yards, a number that looks too good to be true. Rose Zhang’s drive on Sunday at the SoFi Center went viral, yet many in the game now question if the simulator inflated the distance. Two-time LPGA champion Zhang hit the ball on the 337-yard par-4 first hole, but the tech used to measure it may have lied.
Joseph LaMagna, a contributor for Fried Egg Golf, did not hold back his thoughts on the broadcast. On The Shotgun Start podcast, Brendan Porath was informed by him that the technology is clearly off, according to EssentiallySports. LaMagna pointed out that the LPGA site lists Zhang’s average drive for the year at 258 yards. The jump to 301 yards on a simulator feels like a stretch that no human can make.
The Numbers Do Not Add Up
LaMagna called the situation an open secret where the technology is really bad. He noted that the system tracks the ball in the air to the screen, but the results seem flawed. The match notes stated Zhang hit 301 yards on the hole named Cut the Sails during the inaugural match. That distance is far beyond her normal power, even with a downhiller wind.
Porath, the content head of Fried Egg Golf, agreed with the assessment. He added that the whole display feels manufactured at this point. The broadcast showed the number 301 and made a big deal out of it. Why not go for the impressive stat if the system allows it? The concern is that the virtual game prioritizes hype over reality.
Other Players Notice the Glitches
Michelle Wie West also faced issues with the virtual system during the event. She hit a 98-yard wedge shot that landed near the hole but spun away from the target. West remarked that it wasn’t a spinning shot, but rather a long shot. The simulator failed to register the spin correctly, which frustrated the veteran player.
Despite the initial criticism, West later admitted the tech seemed pretty accurate when asked about it. She acknowledged that adjusting to virtual golf on shorter shots and in the rough was a learning curve. The inaugural WTGL season kicked off Sunday with New York Golf Club losing 3-1 to Los Angeles Golf Club. The match notes and player reactions confirm the tech struggles remain a talking point.
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