Andy DevaneyThere’s something wonderfully optimistic about watching the world’s best golfers and convincing yourself you could probably manage that approach shot.
Admittedly, the television doesn’t show the three practice swings, the nervous glance at the water or the inevitable conversation with your ball as it heads somewhere unfortunate.
But this November, golfers will have a chance to put that confidence to the test.
Trackman has launched its 2026 Trackman Fan Challenge, bringing Tiburón Golf Club’s Gold Course in Naples, Florida, into its virtual golf platform ahead of the CME Group Tour Championship.
And while playing a digital version of a championship venue is appealing enough, there’s an additional twist: golfers will eventually be able to tackle the very same tee and pin positions used during the tournament’s final round.
Play Tiburón Without Booking a Flight to Florida
The experience began on 29 October, when Trackman released Tiburón’s Gold Course across its Range and simulator platforms.
That gives golfers access to a virtual recreation of the venue hosting the LPGA Tour’s season-ending championship, scheduled for 19–22 November.
Rather than simply watching the professionals navigate their way around the course, players can familiarise themselves with its layout and take on the challenge themselves.
It’s an interesting addition to the usual tournament viewing experience, particularly for golfers who enjoy comparing their own decision-making with the shots they see on television.
Of course, tackling a course on a simulator and playing it under championship conditions are two rather different propositions. But being able to experience the layout adds another dimension to following the tournament.
Trackman Fan Challenge Adds a Closest-to-Pin Competition
There’s a competitive element, too.
From 16–29 November, Trackman will run a Closest-to-Pin tournament, giving participants the opportunity to compete against LPGA Tour professionals for exclusive prizes.
The competition spans the championship itself and continues for another week after the final putt drops at Tiburón.
For recreational golfers, that’s arguably one of the more interesting aspects of the initiative. You don’t need to produce four rounds of tournament-standard golf to get involved. The challenge comes down to a particular shot and how close you can finish to the target.
Trackman CEO Klaus Eldrup-Jørgensen explained the thinking behind the event: “The LPGA players are going to put on a great show at Tiburón,” said Trackman CEO Klaus Eldrup-Jørgensen. “We want to give fans a chance to be part of it, too. Whether you’re competing in one of the tournaments or just seeing how you’d handle the course, there’s something here for every golfer.”
The Real Test Arrives After Championship Sunday
Perhaps the most intriguing part of the Trackman Fan Challenge arrives on 23 November, the day after the CME Group Tour Championship concludes.
Trackman will release an exclusive Sunday Setup version of Tiburón’s Gold Course for its simulators, featuring the tee and pin positions used during the championship’s final round.
That means golfers can return to the course and tackle the same hole locations faced by the LPGA players when the title was decided.
It’s a clever way to extend the tournament beyond the television broadcast.
Trackman’s involvement with the LPGA goes beyond virtual golf. The company is also playing a larger role in LPGA broadcast technology in 2026, including expanded shot-tracing coverage.
The Sunday Setup won’t recreate every element of championship pressure, but it offers something more specific than simply playing the same course: the opportunity to consider the shots, angles and targets presented to the professionals on the final day.
And anyone who’s ever watched a seemingly straightforward approach finish nowhere near the flag will appreciate that distinction.
Trackman Fan Challenge 2026: Key Dates
- 29 October: Tiburón Gold Course released on Trackman Range and simulators.
- 16–29 November: Closest-to-Pin competition featuring LPGA Tour professionals.
- 19–22 November: CME Group Tour Championship at Tiburón Golf Club.
- 23 November: Sunday Setup released on Trackman simulators, featuring final-round tee and pin positions.
The initiative gives golf fans another way to follow the LPGA’s season-ending championship, with a chance to move from spectator to participant.
And when the Sunday Setup arrives, those watching the final round might want to pay particular attention to where the flags are positioned.
It’s one thing to question a professional’s club selection from the comfort of your sofa. It’s quite another to stand over the virtual equivalent yourself.
Further details about the event and participation are available on the official Trackman Fan Challenge website.
