The landscape of professional golf is shifting, and it’s doing so under the lights. The Grass League, the world’s first team-based par-3 golf league, just closed a $2.75 million funding round to supercharge its nationwide expansion. That figure is significant not only in dollar terms but in what it represents: a bold bet that golf’s future is shorter, louder, and more community-driven.
Formed in 2023, the league has quickly found footing by targeting a younger demographic and a more immersive style of competition. It combines the accessibility of par-3 golf with the entertainment value of live events, food trucks, music, and high-production broadcasts. With this new round of funding, Grass League is now poised to grow from a promising disruptor to a full-scale professional sports property.
“This fundraising round will be used to build a strong foundation for long-term league growth,” said CEO and co-founder Jake Hoselton. “Specifically, we’re expanding our media team to elevate and expand content production capabilities. The fundraise will also be used to expand the executive team hiring a seasoned front office and commissioner.”
Where the Money Goes: Infrastructure, Expansion, and Exposure
This Series A funding round, led by Creator Sports Capital and Old Tom Capital, provides the Grass League with the financial muscle to aggressively pursue several strategic goals. Chief among them is infrastructure–specifically the creation and renovation of lighted par-3 courses designed for night competition and media-ready events. The flagship facility, Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills in Tempe, Arizona, has already become a prototype of what modern golf entertainment can look like.
Additionally, the league plans to introduce up to two new franchises in 2026. With 11 city-based teams already operational–including the Los Angeles Roses, Tampa Bay Turfs, and New York City Mowers—the new funding will allow for careful market selection, player recruitment, and local branding efforts in regions showing high engagement.
But expansion isn’t limited to physical locations. A significant portion of the capital is also earmarked for enhancing media capabilities. This includes bolstering in-house broadcast production, expanding livestream coverage, and refining social content. With a format built for digital consumption, the league wants to own the space where traditional golf has fallen short–TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and real-time fan interaction.
Not Your Grandpa’s Game: The Grass League Format
At the core of the Grass League is a fundamental reimagining of what competitive golf can look like. Instead of four-day, 72-hole grinds with hushed crowds and buttoned-up etiquette, the Grass League offers fast-paced matches under lights, team uniforms, walk-up music, and an atmosphere more akin to street basketball than the PGA Tour.
Fans can expect players wearing mics, drone camera coverage, and matches that start after dark–ideal for working professionals, young fans, and those more interested in entertainment than birdie averages. In between rounds, live performances and food vendors help create a festival feel that’s redefining what a golf event can be.
There’s also an important point about the players: many of them are elite amateurs or mini-tour professionals, giving them a stage to showcase their skills to a wider audience. It’s part talent incubator, part lifestyle brand, part pro sport.
The Franchise Play: Ownership and Revenue Strategy
Unlike most golf formats, the Grass League is built on a franchise model. Each city-based team operates with partial ownership by local investors, athletes, and celebrities. Notable stakeholders include Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark, whose involvement has brought both capital and visibility to the league.
Revenue-wise, the league is diversifying early. In addition to ticket sales and merchandise, Grass League sees major upside in hospitality suites, local partnerships, media rights, and event sponsorships. The unique nature of its format also opens doors for creative advertising–from sponsor-named holes to branded team merchandise and in-game activation zones.
The success of similar team-based formats in other sports, like TGL and LIV Golf, has shown that team allegiances can drive long-term fan loyalty. Grass League is betting on that same principle, hoping that regional pride and player charisma can convert casual fans into diehards.
The Risks and Rewards Ahead
For all its momentum, the Grass League still has challenges to navigate. Golf purists may scoff at the entertainment-first model. Ensuring consistent quality across expanding venues is another hurdle. And as with all fast-scaling ventures, the pressure to show profitability will be intense.
Yet the league’s appeal lies in its timing and its willingness to break rules. In a post-pandemic world, younger fans are gravitating toward sports that are short-form, social, and inclusive. With a structure that rewards both competition and content creation, the Grass League may be the first golf product built for a TikTok generation without sacrificing authenticity.
“The brilliance of The Grass League lies in its transformation of a universal pastime into a compelling, creator-driven sport,” Co-Managing Partner of Creator Sports Capital, Brian Kabot, said. “What impressed us most is how they’ve built more than just a league; they’ve cultivated a vibrant digital community where passion and creativity are the main event.”
The $2.75 million vote of confidence from investors signals that this is more than a gimmick. It’s a blueprint for the future of niche professional sports, and a test case for how to build community, visibility, and value from the ground up.
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