pga tour game vs 2k23

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EA Sports PGA Tour vs PGA Tour 2K23 Compared: Which Is Better and Which Should You Buy?

Golfers have long clamored for an authentic and exhaustive golf video game to let them explore their sport virtually. With EA Sports PGA Tour and PGA Tour 2K23 both on the market, which is the best and which you should you buy?

EA Sports PGA Tour vs PGA Tour 2K23

We’re kicking off our comparison with what we consider the most important aspect: the gameplay. Put simply, which plays better, feels better and resembles golf better? In our opinion, the point here goes to EA Sports PGA Tour .

It’s not that PGA Tour 2K23’s gameplay is poor; in fact, it’s good. We find it smooth and comprehensive as well as intuitive and easy to learn. However, it can feel a little too easy to learn. Within hours of picking up 2K23 I was able to sink chips frequently, whip my tee shots around obstructive trees to find the middle of the fairway and easily get within inches of the pin regardless of the hole, conditions and clubs. It’s a slightly truncated version of golf, simple and quick (which does have its bonuses) but not exhaustive and granular.

That’s why EA Sports PGA Tour takes the point here. There’s countless shot types to piece together, a wealth of information to take into account on every shot and ball physics that feel realistic. PureStrike technology makes nearly every shot (see our criticism of pitches and chips) feel rewarding or punishing depending on how you played the shot. Anyone who’s played real golf knows that’s how the sport goes: within seconds of playing your shot you’ll know whether it’s on the right tracks or headed for disaster. That can lead to EA Sports PGA Tour feeling difficult and even merciless – but that is golf.

Golfers, Licenses, Courses & Modes

This round comes out as a tie for us. EA Sports PGA Tour, proudly ‘The Home of the Majors’, brings 28 brilliantly realized golfing environments to life and will bring more in the future. It also lets players try their hand in countless tournaments, from the rookie to the top level. These have official licenses and branding, adding to the ultra-realistic gameplay to emulate various tournaments excellently.

2K23 can offer the same in terms of the presence of the PGA Tour and over 20 officially licensed courses, but its courses aren’t quite as refined as EA’s. However, its community-built courses are certainly a counter. Players can create environments based on whatever they like — just the other day I enjoyed a full 18 holes set at Hogwarts. Another personal favorite is a post-apocalyptic Seattle course that’s straight out of The Last of Us.

Away from courses and licenses, there’s a plethora of ways to play in each title. From Career Mode to Quick Play and competitive matches online, both ensure you can play the way you want to. EA Sports does feel like a deeper dive, especially in Career Mode. I felt more like myself – with better character design options and swing customization – when I entered into tournaments. Hence, if you’re wanting to build your dynasty and cement yourself as the best golfer of all time, it probably edges 2K here — but that’s not to say you can’t do the same with their title.

In terms of golfers, it’s a mixed bag for both. There’s exclusive big names in each, but there’s also noticeable absences. 2K is the only one that has Tiger Woods. It also brings eclectic and enjoyable presences like Michael Jordan and Steph Curry, but EA Sports holds it own with the presence of stars like Jordan Spieth and Nelly Korda. Both games are clearly designed for players to use their own creations as much as possible.

Finally, a word on in-game stores and microtransactions are pertinent. We’re disappointed with both in this regard. Unsurprisingly given their track record with FIFA and Madden, the EA Sports PGA Tour store is thrust on players so egregiously it’s actually difficult to avoid in the average session. There’s real-life brands – TaylorMade, Ping, etc – front and center and there’s no denying that being willing to throw real-life money at the game will benefit you significantly.

This is when we’d love to be able to say 2K is the exact opposite; a utopia free of microtransactions. Unfortunately, 2K’s foray into golf also takes a leaf out of its NBA 2K book and incorporates large numbers of microtransactions, encouraging players to plough more money into the game. It feels cynical (as it does in EA’s title) so, with both disappointing in this regard, we’re chalking this entire round up as a draw.

Here, there’s a clear winner, and it’s PGA Tour 2K23. It’s certainly not a surprise given the newness of EA Sports’ PGA Tour, which only released in April of 2023. As a result, it’s down from its launch price ($79.99 / £69.99) and available for around $59.99 / £49.99 depending on the platform, version and retailer.

In contrast, PGA Tour 2K23 is available for as little as $19.99 / £14.99 depending on the platform and chosen retailer. We know this round is probably unfair on EA Sports’ game. 2K23’s release back in fall 2022 guaranteed it’d be cheaper at this point, and will probably stay that way for a while. Regardless, cost is undoubtedly a major factor for most players when buying a game, so it’s only natural to rank it on this basis. Point to 2K.

Each game has one round in the bag and the other’s a tie, so we might be at a crossroads. However, we do have advice for you. The game you choose should be dictated by how you intend to play and what you want out of your golf video game.

If you’re searching for a realistic and immersive golf game that is difficult, rewarding and exceptionally detailed, then it’s EA Sports PGA Tour that you want. It’s as faithful a golf game as there’s ever been, giving you a wealth of customization tools, truly remarkable commentary and beautiful courses.

If you’re after a simpler, quicker and downright easier golfing experience, then it’s PGA Tour 2K23 you’ll want to purchase. It’s the ideal title to play with friends as a social event, being able to get in a quick eighteen and see who comes out on top in what feels like arcade golf. You can even use the money you’ve saved to purchase Michael Jordan and play as basketball’s GOAT in the golfing world.

Hopefully, this guide on EA Sports PGA Tour and PGA Tour 2K23 has helped you decide where to invest and what you can get out of them. We can summarise it simply: EA Sports is better if you’re a golfer who wants to game, 2K is probably better if you’re a gamer who wants to golf.

PGA 2K23 Vs EA Sports PGA Tour: Ultimate Comparison

Golf fans and gamers alike are eagerly awaiting the release of PGA 2K23 and EA Sports PGA Tour, the two leading golf game franchises. With both games promising immersive gameplay, stunning graphics, and a plethora of features, it’s time to dive into the ultimate comparison of these two golfing experiences.

Overview of PGA 2K23: Features, Gameplay, and Graphics

PGA 2K23, developed by 2K Sports, continues to impress golf enthusiasts with its realistic gameplay and attention to detail. The game offers a wide range of exciting features, including a robust career mode, extensive course library, and improved graphics that enhance the overall visual experience. Players can enjoy precise shot making with the innovative Pro Stick mechanic and feel the excitement of competitive multiplayer modes.

Overview of EA Sports PGA Tour: Features, Gameplay, and Graphics

EA Sports PGA Tour, a renowned franchise in the gaming industry, aims to deliver an authentic golfing experience. Known for its realistic graphics and smooth gameplay, the game offers a wide range of courses, including iconic locations like Augusta National Golf Club. With advanced swing mechanics, players can feel the precision in their shots and immerse themselves in various game modes, including an engaging career mode that allows for progression and customization.

Comparing Gameplay Experience: Mechanics, Realism, and Control

When it comes to gameplay, both PGA 2K23 and EA Sports PGA Tour offer unique experiences. PGA 2K23’s Pro Stick mechanic provides players with precise control and gives a sense of realism in executing shots. On the other hand, EA Sports PGA Tour’s swing mechanics offer a more intuitive approach, allowing players to feel the rhythm of their swings. The choice between these two ultimately depends on personal preference and playstyle.

Graphics and Visuals: Aesthetics, Immersion, and Realism

In terms of graphics and visuals, both games strive for realism and immersive aesthetics. PGA 2K23 showcases enhanced details on players, equipment, and courses, creating a visually stunning experience. EA Sports PGA Tour, with its use of cutting-edge technology, recreates iconic golf courses with breathtaking accuracy and impressive environmental effects. Players are truly transported to the greens and fairways of their favorite courses.

Course Selection and Design: Variety, Realism, and Accessibility

When it comes to the variety and realism of courses, both games excel in their own ways. PGA 2K23 offers a vast library of real-life and fictional courses, allowing players to explore a wide range of golfing environments. EA Sports PGA Tour, with its realistic course recreations, allows players to play on legendary courses like Pebble Beach or St. Andrews. Both games ensure accessibility by providing a balance between challenging courses for seasoned players and beginner-friendly options.

Game Modes and Career Options: Customization, Progression, and Longevity

PGA 2K23 and EA Sports PGA Tour offer compelling game modes and career options to engage players in long-term challenges. In PGA 2K23, players can create and fully customize their own golfers, progressing through a career filled with tournaments, sponsorships, and rivalries. In EA Sports PGA Tour, players can experience the excitement of competing in the prestigious PGA Tour, striving to become the next golfing legend. Both games provide depth and longevity for players seeking immersive experiences.

Online Features and Multiplayer Experience: Competitiveness, Connectivity, and Community

Online features and multiplayer experience play a significant role in the popularity of golf games. PGA 2K23 offers a robust online community, allowing players to compete against others, create and join societies, and participate in online tournaments. Similarly, EA Sports PGA Tour provides online multiplayer modes, fostering competitive gameplay and enabling players to connect with fellow golfers around the world. The multiplayer experiences in both games add an extra layer of excitement and replayability.

Licensing and Authenticity: PGA Tour Official License and Player Representation

When it comes to licensing and authenticity, EA Sports PGA Tour holds the advantage. With an official license from the PGA Tour, the game features real-world players, tournaments, and official courses. This authenticity enhances the overall immersion and adds a layer of realism to the gameplay. Despite PGA 2K23’s fictional courses and players, it compensates with a comprehensive player customization system, allowing players to create unique golfers and tailor their in-game experience.

Player Feedback and Reception: Reviews, Ratings, and Community Response

As with any game comparison, player feedback and reception are crucial indicators of success. Both PGA 2K23 and EA Sports PGA Tour have received positive reviews from critics and players alike. Each game has its dedicated fan base, praising different aspects such as gameplay mechanics, graphics, or online features. Ultimately, it boils down to personal preferences and playstyle.

Conclusion: The Future of Golf Games and the Prospects for PGA 2K23 and EA Sports PGA Tour

The battle between PGA 2K23 and EA Sports PGA Tour showcases the incredible advancements in golf gaming. With each game offering unique strengths and features, it ultimately comes down to personal preferences and playstyle. Both games cater to the passion and excitement of golf enthusiasts, providing immersive experiences and hours of entertainment. As the future unfolds, golf games continue to evolve, promising even more realistic gameplay and innovations for players to enjoy.

Robert Akin

EA vs 2K: Who Made the Better PGA Tour Golf Game?

Now that we have two developers creating golf games again, we can compare the two: Between EA Sports and 2K, who made the better PGA Tour?

Franz Christian Irorita

Now that we have two developers creating golf games again, it's time to compare the two: Between EA Sports and 2K , who makes the better PGA Tour golf game?

Well, if you're just basing it on our review scores for both games, then you'd think that EA Sports PGA Tour is better than PGA Tour 2K23. While EA Sports PGA Tour objectively offers the higher quality package, there are a few distinctions between the two, and a couple of aspects that would make you pick one game over the other. There are a lot of pros and cons in picking one game, and they're different enough that you can have the best of both worlds and actually play both games. In this article, we take a look at what would be the reasons why you'd pick one game over the other.

Tale of the Tape: EA Sports PGA Tour vs. PGA Tour 2K23

Here are some statistics between the two that are relevant to this discussion:

Why Pick EA Sports PGA Tour?

EA Sports PGA Tour simply is made of better quality material. Although that doesn't make it perfect, it does have a better presentation and deeper, more strategic gameplay features. It also has a more exciting Career Mode, and has undoubtedly more famous courses as it has exclusive rights to the Masters courses, including the Augusta Masters course. It also boasts a more technologically-advanced backend system for its golf ball physics with the Shotlink Trackman, which, although not in your face, definitely is felt throughout the game. Here are the pros of picking EA Sports' golf game:

• Better Career Mode
• Deeper Gameplay
• A lot of Quickplay Game Modes
• Better Ball Physics
• More Licensed Courses at launch
• More Pros at launch
• Better Graphics and Presentation
• Has all four Majors

Why Pick PGA Tour 2K23?

PGA Tour 2K23 also has good features that could make people consider it over EA's version. For starters, its controls are much more intuitive, and it has a more fun progression system with its unique skill tree. It also has way better player customization, better online features, and has crossovers with the other 2K games. It's also more intuitive and has many ways to help out newbies to get better at the game. Also, it has Topgolf and Course Designer! Here are the pros of picking PGA Tour 2K23:

• Closer likeness for its pro player character models
• Deeper player customization and more customization options
• Has crossover guest pros like John Cena (WWE 2K23), Michael Jordan (NBA 2K23), and Stephen Curry (NBA 2K23)
• More online gameplay features and game modes
• Has Topgolf
• Easier to get into
• More interesting design in character skills and club customizations
• More brand apparels
• Better UI and Menus
• Course Designer

And that's it for our comparison between the two games. Again, while EA Sports PGA Tour is technically the better game between the two, there are still good reasons why you'd like PGA Tour 2K23 more. For more on gaming, stick with ClutchPoints Gaming .

Franz Christian Irorita has been writing about esports and video games for a decade and has been with ClutchPoints since 2020. He also has a background in esports events project management. In his free time, he also makes video game and pop culture-related content as Neutral Gaming.

EA Sports PGA Tour vs. PGA Tour 2K23: A Detailed Comparison for Golf Enthusiasts

EA Sports PGA Tour vs PGA Tour 2K23: The Ultimate Golf Game Showdown

Golf simulation games have always been popular among fans of the sport, and two titles currently dominate the market: EA Sports PGA Tour and PGA Tour 2K23 . Both games strive to deliver an authentic golfing experience, but each has its unique strengths and weaknesses. In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll dive into the details of graphics, gameplay mechanics, character customization, and more to help you decide which golf game best suits your preferences.

Graphics and Visuals: EA Sports PGA Tour’s Stunning Graphics vs PGA Tour 2K23’s Realistic Visuals

The graphics and visual presentation are a critical aspect of any golf simulation game. EA Sports PGA Tour sets the bar high with its breathtaking visuals, meticulously detailed courses, and dynamic weather conditions that contribute to a truly immersive experience. However, the crowd animations leave something to be desired.

In contrast, PGA Tour 2K23 offers realistic visuals, but they don’t quite match the level of detail found in EA Sports PGA Tour. Nevertheless, the game’s course environments and character models are well-designed and visually appealing.

Gameplay Mechanics: EA Sports PGA Tour’s Accessible Gameplay vs PGA Tour 2K23’s Intricate Simulation

When it comes to gameplay mechanics, EA Sports PGA Tour delivers a satisfying and challenging experience, balancing simulation and accessibility. Precision-based swing mechanics and various visual cues help players improve their skills, although the absence of a proper tutorial can be a hurdle for newcomers.

PGA Tour 2K23, on the other hand, leans more towards simulation, with advanced swing mechanics and intricate ball physics that cater to hardcore golf enthusiasts. The game offers three control schemes, giving players the flexibility to choose the one that best suits their play style.

Character Customization and Career Mode: EA Sports PGA Tour’s Limited Options vs PGA Tour 2K23’s Robust MyPLAYER Mode

Character customization is an essential feature for many gamers, and in this area, PGA Tour 2K23 has the upper hand. Its MyPLAYER mode offers a wide range of options for physical appearance, clothing, and equipment, allowing players to create a unique golfer. The skill tree system in the game’s Career Mode adds depth and progression to the experience.

EA Sports PGA Tour, unfortunately, falls short in character customization, providing limited options for players to create their golfer. The Career Mode does offer long-term progression and a sense of achievement, but starting characters are significantly weaker than the pros available in Quick Play mode.

Additional Features and Community Engagement: EA Sports PGA Tour’s Challenge Modes vs PGA Tour 2K23’s Comprehensive Course Designer and Top Golf Feature

EA Sports PGA Tour offers engaging challenge modes that test players’ abilities and encourage them to experiment with different strategies and techniques. These modes add replay value and keep players invested in the game.

PGA Tour 2K23, however, outshines its competitor with its versatile and comprehensive Course Designer mode, which allows players to create and download community-designed courses. This feature significantly enhances the game’s replayability and keeps the community engaged. PGA Tour 2K23, unlike its competitor, includes a free play mode and a driving range, allowing players to practice their skills and improve their gameplay without the pressure of participating in full events.

Moreover, PGA Tour 2K23 introduces the exciting Top Golf feature, an innovative game mode that combines the challenge of hitting targets on a driving range with the fun of earning points based on accuracy and distance. This unique addition sets PGA Tour 2K23 apart from EA Sports PGA Tour and appeals to a broader audience, including casual gamers and those looking for a more social golf experience.

The Verdict: Which Golf Game Comes Out on Top?

Ultimately, the choice between EA Sports PGA Tour and PGA Tour 2K23 depends on your preferences. If you prioritize stunning graphics and a more accessible gameplay experience, EA Sports PGA Tour might be the game for you. On the other hand, if you prefer intricate gameplay mechanics, robust customization options, and engaging community features, PGA Tour 2K23 is likely the better choice.

Overall, PGA Tour 2K23 appears to have a slight edge over EA Sports PGA Tour due to its well-rounded offerings and versatility. The inclusion of a free play mode and driving range, along with its robust Course Designer feature, allows players to practice and refine their skills in a more relaxed environment. Additionally, the online multiplayer component and variety of control schemes cater to a wider range of player preferences and skill levels. The MyPLAYER mode in PGA Tour 2K23 also offers more customization options than its counterpart, enabling players to create a unique golfer that truly represents their desired persona.

Both titles have their strengths and weaknesses, but they deliver enjoyable experiences for golf fans. Whichever game you choose, you can look forward to countless hours of virtual golfing fun on some of the world’s most iconic courses.

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Brad April 27, 2023, 5:57 am

There definitely ain’t no competition here EA Sports are the clear winners in this battle. Well let’s face it their competitor is a JOKE. the only thing 2k have got that is good is tiger woods. Hopefully he will see sense and go back to EA. 2k and HB studios know NOTHING about golf, there gameplay is embarrassing, not enough REAL pga tour courses, too many fake rubbish ones, what is the point of being in partnership with the pga tour if your only concern is that awful course creator. They might as well just make a golf game WITHOUT any deal with the pga tour. Just call golf 2k. so do us all a favour 2k and STOP making golf games! stick to Nba and Wwe.

GamingLyfe.com April 27, 2023, 9:54 am

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EA Sports Vs 2K: Which PGA Tour Game Is Better?

With the release of EA Sports PGA Tour back in April 2023 , there was finally serious competition among golf simulation video games. While PGA Tour 2K23 and its predecessors had been dominating the space since the series was known as The Golf Club and 2K wasn’t even involved, the release of the EA game suddenly gave golf fans a choice again. Since both games were released in partnership with the PGA Tour, the two came complete with the kind of credentials to make it clear that realism would be a top priority. The companies involved in EA and 2K left little doubt that this was a heavyweight gaming bout too, the kind of head-to-head battle the companies haven’t had to wage with their other sports games since the days of NBA Live and NFL 2K .

EA Sports Vs 2K: Which PGA Tour Game Is Best?

The inevitable question then when considering the two current golf titles has to be: which game is better? As is so often the case though when considering the world’s biggest questions, the answer is complicated and not nearly as black and white as you’d hope. EA Sports PGA Tour is a newer and shinier toy, complete with better graphics than 2K’s golf game and a gorgeous rendering of the difficult Augusta course. The gameplay is also easier and therefore more accessible, but because of this comes with less of a skill gap that makes hitting the best of shots so rewarding in PGA Tour 2K23 . The courses may look prettier in EA Sports PGA Tour , but there’s a limited number of them thanks to the lack of the kind of course creator boasted by PGA Tour 2K23 , which continues to see stellar tracks regularly churned out by the course design community.

Now that we’ve looked at the overhead view of the two games, let’s go ahead and zoom in closer to get a better perspective of what each of the two games do well and where one might be lagging behind the other. If we aren’t able to fully declare one game to be the better of the two at the end of the comparison, then we should at least be able to help you to decide which golf game might be the best for your own personal preferences.

Player Creation And Customization

The creation suite for your golfer is a little more extensive and detailed in PGA Tour 2K23 than EA Sports PGA Tour , as you’re able to mold a few more specifics on the face to make it as unique as possible instead of choosing from a variety of presets. It’s disappointing though that when it comes to body type, neither game allows you to make someone in the mold of a John Daly with an impressive gut. Both games offer a nice selection of clothes, accessories, and equipment to make sure your golfer is looking good when you hit the course.

Player Progression

As for your golfer’s skills, the 2K title leans heavily on having you choose an archetype , each of which comes with its own particular strengths and weaknesses. As you play more and more rounds, you’ll be be able to unlock skills for your various club-sets that will provide boosts when you meet certain criteria on the course. This component is a little too arcade for my tastes, but it doesn’t tend to influence a round as much as your abilities with your controller. You can also customize your clubs from a cosmetic standpoint as well as use fittings that you unlock from playing rounds to improve the attributes of your clubs.

EA Sports PGA Tour has you upgrading your abilities on the course by using points that you gain by playing rounds to spend on whatever areas of your game you feel are most in need of attention. As you improve in these areas, you’ll also be able to unlock new types of shots that can make your life easier in situations, such as using a pick shot to stop the ball on a dime coming out of the bunker. Unfortunately, there’s an aspect of improving your clubs that relies somewhat on microtransactions, as you can purchase specs from the store to add power or precision.

It probably has to be declared a dead heat between the games with regards to player progression, as they both take slightly different approaches and are mostly successful albeit with a questionable decision or two that are vulnerable to criticism.

Graphics And Presentation

When it comes to a comparison of the graphics and presentation between the two games, it’s pretty easy to declare that EA Sports PGA Tour performs better in almost every way. That starts with your golfer, who appears larger and moves more fluidly than any of the rigid swing animations you’ll find in PGA Tour 2K23 . The courses in the EA game are more vibrant as well, popping off the screen with the location’s atmosphere in a way that won’t be seen in 2K’s title. The visuals to set the scene during rounds are just a notch better from EA throughout rounds, including fly-overs prior to each hole that not only showcase the game’s graphic capabilities with every blade of grass but also provide insight into the best way to play the hole. Perhaps the only aspect of PGA Tour 2K23 that is superior is the sound and that’s mostly just because the smack of the club hitting the ball in the EA game sounds so far off from the real thing.

Perhaps the most important aspect of both games, the question of which of the two options plays better when you’re out on the course is also likely to be the most divisive. Although they each have difficulty settings to make hitting the ball where you want it to go as challenging as you like, the EA title is the more accessible option. While dialing in the proper distance for your shots can be a tad tricky, finding the right tempo to keep the ball traveling straight doesn’t require all that much effort. This makes it incredibly rare to see shots, especially those off the tee, that veer extremely off-target in any one direction. Even with an amount of RNG involved on your shots, there won’t be a lot of deviation from your target if the attributes of your player are decent. You’d also expect to see more punishment on shots from the rough or the sand, but these surprisingly won’t cost you much in the way of either distance or accuracy.

PGA Tour 2K23 requires more precision on the sticks (or buttons if you prefer 3-click) if you want to avoid the rough and those pesky bogeys, especially on higher difficulties like master. It’s increasingly rare on those higher difficulties that you’ll be able to achieve perfect tempo, and you’ll often be content to have slightly slow or fast feedback so your ball ends up at least close to where you were aiming. If you’re not careful and consistent though, it’s likely that you’ll have shots where your tempo is very slow or very fast. These will invariably lead to errant strikes that are short or long on distance and head wildly in a direction that you were not planning. Because you’ll suffer so severely for the slightest of issues in your swing (and be severely hampered on any shots from the rough and sand), it makes it feel more like real golf than the EA game and is more satisfying when you’re able to pull off amazing shot.

Career Mode

The career modes in the two games are relatively similar in that they both see you climbing the ranks by competing in events to win prize money and points on the leaderboard. Some vital differences exist within the customization offered in 2K’s game that won’t be found, at least at the time of this writing, in the EA title. Perhaps the most significant one of these is the ability change the number of rounds for events in the 2K game all the way down to a single round if you like while events in the EA game can’t be reduced down from the full 4 that real pros play. To be fair, you are able to play quick rounds during events in the EA game that will have you making shots on key holes only during rounds, but this is a poor substitute for putting you in control of every shot in fewer rounds altogether. To allow even more flexibility, you can also swap out the courses for certain events in the 2K game, helping to keep things fresh every season.

The most succinct way to summarize a comparison between the available courses in the two golf games is to say that PGA Tour 2K23 has more courses, however the courses in EA Sports PGA Tour are better. The fact that both games boast some of the same courses makes it a little easier to look at a famous locale like Pebble Beach in the two titles and draw the conclusion that EA’s recreation has a level of detail that 2K can’t match. The area where EA’s game comes up lacking though is with the absence of a course creator. The course creator in 2K’s game has allowed the community to both recreate real courses in remote towns from across the world and invent some wildly imaginative ones that would be nearly impossible to build in real life.

Online Modes

If you’re wanting to play rounds with friends, then the 2K game is probably going to be a better bet, at least until a patch adds the kind of turn-based functionality to the EA game that’s being offered by 2K. As it stands now, you’re able to play a round alongside a friend but with no opportunity to stand and watch your friend play his shots like you would in real life (and in PGA Tour 2K23 ). The 2K game has a more elaborate ranked system when stacking your skills up against others too, plus it has the casual option of playing different types of matches like skins, alt shot, and scramble.

The EA game does have some neat ideas with challenges and online tournaments, the former of which has you trying to recreate the feats of real golfers in recent events while the latter has you posting scores against the community to earn rewards based on where you finish among the fierce competition. PGA Tour 2K23 has a similar good thing going with online societies that allows the community to create seasons of events that can be customized to your own specifications in terms of rounds, courses, and difficulty level.

Bottom Line

The real truth is that both EA and 2K have created uniquely solid golf games, and if you’re trying to decide on only one of them to purchase, the choice will come down to what you personally want from a golf game. If you need the game to look as good as possible, then you’ll likely prefer the EA game. If you’re after more challenging and rewarding gameplay, you’ll probably want to opt for the 2K game. 2K’s course creator allows for its game to have an unlimited number of layouts to play, but the limited number (32) of recreations simply look and feel better in the EA game. The online realm is significantly better in 2K’s game at the moment, but there have been indications from EA that turn-based play (and more) is coming and that would go a long way towards improving their online offerings. If you’re a die-hard fan of golf though and you want the best of both worlds, there’s nothing wrong at all with picking up both games and enjoying the fact that competition between these companies has caused both EA and 2K to up their game.

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The Two New Golf Video Games Are Awesome, But One Is the Clear Winner

• Author: Nick Menta

It’s been nearly a month since EA Sports PGA Tour made its long-awaited return during Masters week on April 7. That means gamers have had ample time to compare and contrast EA’s newest offering with the series that rose up in its eight-year absence: PGA Tour 2K . Having spent the last few weeks bouncing back and forth between both titles, I’m excited to offer this look at how EA Sports PGA Tour and PGA Tour 2K23 stack up.

EA’s producers and marketers spent considerable time hyping their game’s visual fidelity — and they delivered. As you’d justifiably expect from a brand-new, next-gen title that took nearly four years to develop, PGA Tour is far and away the best looking golf sim that’s ever been brought to market. Thanks to EA’s Frostbite engine, LIDAR scans, drone flyovers, Augusta National agronomic data, and old-fashioned conversations with course superintendents, the game’s more than 30 venues provide a genuine sense of place. Because each course has been engineered to play in a slightly different way — with St. Andrews sporting 100-yard rollouts and Harbour Town offering the chance to flag approach shots on spongy bermuda greens — each course has its own identity. These features shine through thanks to the game’s array of shot types, making a round at Bandon Dunes a markedly different experience than one at TPC Sawgrass.

Right now, 2K23 doesn't compete when it comes to how these courses look side by side.

It’s true that 2K’s real strength is in its vast library of user-generated courses, but that’s a credit to the users themselves. Judging studio against studio, the same officially licensed courses present in both games look nothing alike.

Winner: EA Sports PGA Tour

I’ve been playing golf video games dating back to Tiger Woods ’99 , and EA Sports PGA Tour is the first golf sim to ever make me think my way through a round.

PGA Tour features 20 different shot types, allowing players to chart their own way around a given track and to employ some creativity in the process. For years, golf sims have featured standard shots — drive, approach, pitch, chip, putt, usually a flop, maybe a punch — and most every shot in most every round has felt more or less the same. But PGA Tour finally makes a virtual round of golf feel like a real round of golf.

During one of my first rounds at Augusta National, my ball settled over the back of the green at the par-3 4th and I found myself actually thinking through the different ways to save par. Rather than aiming straight at the pin and employing as much spin as possible — as I would in any other golf game I’ve ever played — I opted to aim left, check a low runner into the slope, trundle the ball over the fringe, and watch it work its way sideways toward the hole. As nerdy and granular as this sounds, it’s revolutionary for a golf game and a massive step forward in terms of what it means to be a sim. That, and scorching a 290-yard stinger with a 2-iron is just plain fun.

If there’s a drawback, it’s that PGA Tour isn’t challenging enough. You can win a major in career mode on the hardest settings, with the AI scoring turned all the way up, well before you ever max out your player’s stats and abilities. In part, this is because you’re never really going to hit the ball very far offline. Odd as it sounds, PGA Tour is really a game about shot selection and course management; the execution is a little too baked in.

While 2K23 is a more straightforward experience with fewer options and less in the way of creativity, it will allow you to blow the ball off the planet with a poor swing. The perfect golf video game would likely be found in pairing EA’s shot types with 2K’s swing stick.

Short of that ever coming to pass, EA would benefit from making its own swing mechanic more sensitive and more subject to operator error. Considering PGA Tour ’s arcade mode still features the old-school, button-mashing mechanics players will remember from the Tiger games, it makes sense to greatly dial up the difficultly on the harder levels for those interested in an elite sim experience. Introducing wider misses, more scrambling, and more in the way of risk would make PGA Tour’s already significant gameplay advances even more meaningful.

Online Play

PGA Tour features daily, weekly and seasonal tournaments on varying difficulties from Arcade to Pro to Tour, giving players a range of competitive experiences. Then there’s head-to-head matchups and social outings, which support live play from up 16 users at once. You can actually see other players on the course and watch their shots in real time. This was a feature in EA’s Rory McIlroy title in 2015, and it returns eight years later, while 2K23 ’s ranked matchmaking mode still features just one player and one shot at a time.

That said, EA doesn’t offer anything in the way of 2K’s “Online Societies,” which allow groups of users, large or small, to run their own tournaments. You could set up a quick tournament or a short season with a few of your friends, or you could join TGCTours , an online hub for thousands of 2K users that organizes 18 weekly events, organized by settings and skill level. The site features daily leaderboards, a promotion and relegation system, and its own world ranking.

As it stands, EA’s initial online tournament experience is a little too detached. You play on your own, you post a score, and you earn some rewards; but it never really feels like you’re part of an event, playing against other users. In addition to giving users the opportunity to organize their own events, EA would be wise to consider recreating a TGC Tours-like experience on its own servers — grouping the wider community of players by flights. EA will never be able to offer the sheer quantity and variety of courses available available in 2K, but an online career arc would give players something to work toward and a reason to keep playing week after week.

Winner:  PGA Tour 2K23

Course Offerings

Those of your who have read these columns in the past know about my affinity for 2K’s custom course designer. The 2K series was born out of a niche game originally called “The Golf Club,” built solely around golf-course design. Over time, that game evolved, secured the PGA Tour license, changed its name, and eventually put Tiger Woods on the cover.

While 2K has gotten bigger and better over time as a golf sim, the course designer is still the primary reason to pick up this game and to keep playing. Individual users have produced a staggering number of real-world recreations and original designs.

Having spent a month with both games, I feel comfortable telling you — if you’re looking for a PGA Tour sim — to go play PGA Tour over 2K23 . And if you’re only comparing what the studios themselves have produced on a course-by-course basis, EA comes out ahead, thanks to superior graphics and gameplay.

But if you’re looking to play Pine Valley or Cypress Point or Royal County Down or whatever course you can think of — you’ll be shocked at what you can find on the game’s servers — you’ll still want 2K23 .

Winner: PGA Tour 2K23

Product roadmaps and future releases

Both PGA Tour and 2K23 release periodic updates with new courses, features and fixes.

2K23 recently added Payne’s Valley and Spyglass Hill to its official stable of courses and will soon debut Pinehurst No. 2.

PGA Tour , meanwhile, will roll out the year’s three remaining major venues — the PGA Championship at Oak Hill, the U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club (North), and The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool — in addition to Olympia Fields (North), site of the 2023 BMW Championship, and Marco Simone, home to 2023 Ryder Cup . The producers are also currently working a Ryder Cup gameplay experience, but they are tight-lipped on details.

As for what comes next? 2K has been working on a two-year product cycle, which would theoretically point to a potential PGA Tour 2K25 . EA’s producers, separately, took four years to get to this point and are not yet committing to a future timetable. For now, they’ll be updating this version of the game based on gameplay data and player feedback.

Big Picture

EA Sports PGA Tour has set a new bar for graphics and gameplay. The question is whether the game is deep enough and challenging enough to keep players around after they’ve bested career mode and maxed out their golfer’s RPG progression. My above suggestions related to EA creating its own online career arc and dialing up the difficulty would go a long way to extending this game’s ongoing replay value.

As for PGA Tour 2K, what was the only PGA Tour sim on the market now feels like its been lapped in relatively short order. Sooner or later, the graphics engine is going to need a serious upgrade to even approach what EA is offering.

More to the point, the HB studios team would be well served to focus on what it really means to be a golf sim. Too much of the ongoing development of this game is related to features that either alienate the game's most ardent fans - consumable golf balls - or don’t add gameplay value . Relationships with influencers  may be good for marketing and social media presence, but this doesn't matter much for the players at home who already own the game. Too often with PGA Tour 2K , it feels like the users are creating the content and value.

Hopefully, with EA back in the market and two Tour titles available, each studio will push the other to up its game. 

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EA Sports PGA Tour vs PGA Tour 2K23

Can EA Sports PGA Tour de-throne PGA Tour 2K23?

Published: 05 Apr 2023 8:12 AM +00:00 Updated: 05 Apr 2023 9:31 AM +00:00

A new player has entered the golf gaming space with EA Sports PGA Tour now available to fans. 2K's PGA Tour title has had a clear run at being the best golf game for many years, but now some competition has emerged.

It is still early days for EA Sports PGA Tour , but the early signs are promising with incredible graphics and exclusive access to The Majors, not to mention some of the world's most iconic courses.

Table of Contents

However, PGA Tour 2K23 is still a brilliant game and has certainly set the benchmark high. With Tiger Woods on their side, 2K will be confident of retaining the top spot among golf games.

The gameplay in both 2K and EA's games is definitely realistic enough for die-hard golf fans to enjoy. PGA Tour 2K23 currently offers two swing mechanics (Analog and three-click ), while the latter is coming later in EA Sports PGA Tour, with both games set to offer players the choice of how they want to play.

2K's gameplay feedback is much more intuitive and appears less cluttered on the screen, allowing you to easily see feedback on your input and rectify weak areas in your game. After playing EA Sports PGA Tour, you will get used to the different feedback it offers, but it doesn't appear to affect your game in such an obvious way.

However, that is where 2K's advantage ends in this department, as EA's title brings course characteristics to life. Different courses will play in a unique fashion, with firmer greens, harder fairways, and longer rough areas! This requires you to alter how you approach shots, thus no round feels the same on EA Sports PGA Tour.

PGA Tour 2K23's gameplay remains fairly consistent regardless of the settings you choose, but EA's game offers a bit of variety to allow gamers to enjoy golf the way they want to.

The option to add spin/roll to the ball by pressing buttons in the flight, or the animation that accompanies a perfect drive may feel gimmicky to those searching for a realistic experience, but these features can be switched off. The choice in EA's game allows players to tailor their experience to their needs.

One downside we have seen during our first impressions of EA's title is the swing meter can be obscured by the background. The optimal swing bar can be very difficult to spot if there are trees or darker colours in the background, making it difficult to nail your swing!

Aesthetically speaking, EA Sports PGA Tour is stunning. The technology used in recreating the courses has done a sensational job of bringing them to life, it really is excellent.

The crashing waves at Pebble Beach and blossoming trees at Augusta National have been highlights of ours so far. The graphics in PGA Tour 2K23 are by no means bad, but the level of detail in the various courses does not match that of EA's title.

Player likenesses are fairly well-matched in the games with no obvious advantage either way. Golf's top stars have been brought to life, although EA does seem to have a better handle on each player's unique swing.

While there may not be much in it, the level of detail in EA Sports PGA Tour elevates the graphics to a level not seen before in golf games.

EA Sports PGA Tour has The Majors , PGA Tour 2K23 has Tiger Woods. The draw of Tiger Woods alone is overwhelming, just look at the crowd for his practice rounds at Augusta before this year's Masters event!

2K also has an array of top golfers available to use in the game, along with other sporting superstars like Michael Jordan, Steph Curry, and John Cena ! The list of courses available in PGA Tour 2K23 is extensive too, so there are plenty of options.

EA's biggest draw this year is The Majors, specifically The Masters, and the inclusion of Augusta National. As previously mentioned, Augusta has been brought to life in the game and will be the destination for plenty of fans upon playing the game for the first time, as will the Home of Golf, St. Andrews.

As licenses go, it is difficult to look past The Majors in EA Sports PGA Tour, although the allure of Tiger Woods does make it a close-run thing. One player who is yet to feature in either game is Rory McIlroy, and the Northern Irishman may be something of a golden goose for either franchise.

EA Sports PGA Tour is still in its infancy, but as shown above, it does appear to have the edge over its rival game PGA Tour 2K23 in several key areas. Career Mode is one area of the game we are yet to truly test, and 2K's MyCareer sets the bar high for the game mode.

Read our first impressions EA Sports PGA Tour Review

Read our full PGA Tour 2K23 Review

The Ryder Cup is also set to be added to EA Sports PGA Tour, offering players the chance of glory in golf's most coveted team event. EA looks to have made the most of their year-long delay for the game, but so far, it has been worth the wait!

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PGA Tour 2K23 is Elden Ring for golf, somehow

Thrilling golf marred by frustrating swinging mechanics and career progression

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I don’t spend much time playing video games whose difficulty is a selling point; if it’s anything like a Soulslike, I’m likely to avoid it. So it’s been a long time since a game has made me swear as much as PGA Tour 2K23 has. I’m not proud that one of those instances occurred when my wife came downstairs to see how things were going, just as I shanked a tee shot — for perhaps the 50th time? I’ve lost count at this point — into a thicket of trees on the left side of the fairway.

From wayward drives that end up in the drink to gimme putts that somehow don’t drop, the analog stick swing mechanic is my greatest frustration in PGA Tour 2K23 . After all, swinging is the main thing you do in this game; it takes 60 to 80 shots, on average, to complete a full 18-hole round.

But after taking thousands of swings across hundreds of holes of golf, I still don’t feel like I have a great handle on my virtual clubs in PGA Tour 2K23 . In other words, I don’t feel like I’m improving — an issue that is compounded because I’m also not getting a meaningful sense of progression for my created golfer in the game’s MyCareer mode.

PGA Tour 2K23 defaults to a control scheme that’s common in golf video games: To swing, you pull down on the right stick and then flick it upward. Here, though, the timing of the second motion (the downswing) is crucial — you’ll pull the shot to the left if you flick too quickly, and push it to the right if you’re too slow.

Downswing timing is the bane of my existence. I’ve enabled many of the assists available in the game’s settings, and have been hoping I’d eventually be able to wrap my head around the swing system. But even on the second-easiest difficulty setting, swinging feels like something of a crapshoot. No matter how many practice cuts I take, I’m liable to hook a shot when I swing for real.

There’s another option now: Fulfilling a long-standing request, developer HB Studios has added a traditional three-click system in PGA Tour 2K23 . It’s much less analogous to a real-life golf swing than, well, the analog stick scheme, but it’s good that an alternative is available.

This is HB Studios’ second effort under 2K Sports, a mass-market publisher. As such, I’m surprised that PGA Tour 2K23 doesn’t feel substantively more accessible than its predecessor, 2020’s PGA Tour 2K21 . Even the three-click swinging is implemented in a way that feels like it’s different for the sake of being different. Rather than simply pressing the button three times, you first hold it down to determine power, and then tap it twice to fine-tune the accuracy. I tried this system and quickly reverted to analog controls, despite my issues with them.

PGA Tour 2K23 ’s MyCareer mode also ends up feeling overcomplicated, although its foundation is solid. When creating your MyPlayer character, you choose one of five archetypes. For instance, Powerhouse players can drive the ball farther than anyone else, but they struggle with accuracy and putting. I’ve stuck with Woodsman because, frankly, I miss so many fairways and greens that I need all the help I can get when recovering from a bad lie in the rough. It’s nice that I can change my archetype if I ever want to, at no cost.

Here, HB Studios’ design works beautifully: The archetypes are meant to offer packages of strengths and weaknesses to support and complement your personal play style. My shots may often land on pine straw or in a fairway bunker, but thanks to the Woodsman archetype and its shot-shaping benefits, I don’t feel like all is lost when they do — and in fact, I’ve managed to save par in many of those cases.

The same customization-based design philosophy applies throughout MyCareer, but it’s less successful outside the realm of archetypes. The experience points you earn by playing tournaments aren’t used to directly upgrade your player’s attributes, like in a typical role-playing game (or in, say, a standard career mode in a sports game). Instead, you get a single skill point every time you level up, and you use the points to unlock and upgrade skills.

To avoid getting too far into the weeds (or woods) here, I’ll just say that almost all of the skills take effect only on a situational basis: They’ll either activate when you’re struggling and deactivate once you regain your form, or activate when you’re doing well and deactivate if you don’t keep it up. And as you level up a skill, it activates more easily and stays active for longer.

While the concept is sound, this setup makes the entire skill system feel inert. The first skill for hybrid clubs, Gusto, seems eminently valuable: When you’re mired in heavy rough, your shots will fly farther. But at level 1 of the skill, it only takes effect if you happen to be hitting into a headwind of at least 15 mph — an exceedingly rare combination of circumstances, in my experience. Because it takes a while to earn skill points, I’m not inclined to waste my precious few points on a skill that I don’t expect to get much use out of, even if there are more desirable ones locked farther along that branch of the tree.

Personalization is also the driving force behind club fittings, the most significant (and concrete) method of improving your performance in PGA Tour 2K23 . Fittings are parts of a golf club — head, shaft, or grip — that you can equip to magnify its attributes. Each one has a level of rarity attached to it, as with loot in a game like Destiny 2 ; the more rare it is, the stronger its effects. Attaching an “uncommon” head to a wedge might boost its power rating by 6 points while also dropping its timing attribute by 2.

Unlike in PGA Tour 2K23 ’s basketball sibling, NBA 2K, you can’t spend real-world money to power up your athlete, thankfully — at least not by buying fittings, since you receive them only as random drops. Virtual Currency, 2K Sports’ real-money currency (called “coins” here), is used primarily to purchase items like licensed clothes and gear from companies such as Adidas and Mizuno, none of which affect gameplay.

However, a pay-to-win element does creep into the game with respect to fittings: It costs coins to equip them to each club. The charge for attaching a legendary shaft to an iron is 150 coins, so I had to spend 900 coins to outfit all six of the irons in my bag. Considering the slow rate at which you earn coins through play — something like 250 coins if you can manage to finish in one of the top spots of a tournament — you may end up staring longingly at a collection of fittings that you’ve unlocked but can’t afford to equip.

The real bummer here is that I’ve had to spend so many words analyzing all that ancillary stuff, because once I’m playing a hole in PGA Tour 2K23 , most of those nuisances fade away. This is a true-playing golf game — I had a devil of a time with the steep greens at Los Angeles’ Riviera Country Club, and I’ve found it tremendously satisfying to craft and execute shots . The unforgiving difficulty of the swing mechanics, coupled with the game’s complicated system of fittings and skills, can lead to more frustration than fun. But when it all comes together, and I manage to pull out a birdie just when I need one to hold off a challenger on the leaderboard, it makes for thrilling moments of fist-pumping glory.

Perhaps I’m just too much of a casual gamer for the PGA Tour 2K series. To wit: I played many hours of PGA Tour 2K21 and didn’t remember having trouble with its swing mechanics — but when I booted up that game to check the options, I realized that I had disabled the downswing timing setting. At some point, I must’ve gotten frustrated enough to give up on the challenge (and the associated boost to the rate at which you earn XP). I’d also love to be able to save-scum, but that’s not an option: Due to the integration of VC, this is an always-online game by default, so it saves your progress with each stroke, with no allowances for mulligans.

It seems like my best bet — if I want to more fully enjoy my time with PGA Tour 2K23 — would be to turn off downswing timing. Either that, or it might be time to put this franchise on my personal “I don’t need this stress in my life” list, right next to Elden Ring .

PGA Tour 2K23 was released Oct. 14 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. The game was reviewed using on PS5 using a pre-release download code provided by 2K Sports. Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. You can find additional information about Polygon’s ethics policy here .

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PGA Tour 2K23 review: "A top game for realistic golf play – with some caveats."

GamesRadar+ Verdict

PGA 2K23 is a fine golf game that builds on its predecessor in every way, with fabulous gameplay, shot craft, and depth.

Great, realistic swing mechanics

Variety of career additions and improvements

You can (finally) play as Tiger

Broadly looks and sounds the same as 2K21

Lack of finesse and irritating golf game-isms still remain

Limited pros, courses, and tournaments

Why you can trust GamesRadar+ Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.

There is nothing like the feeling of pulling off a well-planned shot in golf when the margins for error are so fine, and each strike balances risk and reward. Good news, then: PGA 2K23 nails these swing-happy fundamentals. Building on 2K21, HB Studios' latest greatly improves the career mode, adds a bunch of playable stars, and refines the series' great golf swing mechanics.

Release date: 14 October 2022 Platform(s): PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, PC Developer: HB Studios Publisher: 2K Games

That golf swing and shot-making excellence is still the shining star – though with alterations to what came before. The swing meter now arcs around your player, mirroring their swing path. This cleverly enables you to focus on both golfer and swing as one entity, rather than focus on a linear power bar. The shot feedback graphic remains, showing your swing path and tempo after each shot, while the shot-making button allows you to fade, draw, loft, deloft, and control the amount of spin. A new added extra to the system is the introduction of a three-click swing which offers an extra way to play the game.

MyCareer Goals

With all these shot-crafting tools acquired, you'll have the most enjoyment by putting them to practice in the MyCareer mode – and it is here that the biggest improvements are found. After creating your player, you can assign an archetype that determines your overall 'style', and also begin plotting routes up a skill tree. Instead of learning a new shot or club use, these are actually shot bonuses that get passively activated during rounds when you play sub-optimally. Skills are bought with XP received from competing in tournaments – about 30 per season – which also earns you in-game money for upgrades, balls, or licensed clothing. (Or so that you can try and recreate your entire real-life bag. Like I did.) While the tournaments feature some well-known courses, there are still notable absences, such as the majors.

The game's focus on realism not only sees you master the craft of shotmaking but also teaches you that you don't have to perfect every swing. You can successfully navigate holes if you slice a shot, or undercook one, and whole tournaments if you're not playing that well. 'It's fine, you got away with it', the swing feedback tells me, 'you still have a shot from there'. I've heard world-famous golf tutor Pete Cowan tell his students to just "go up and hit it like you're messing about" – i.e. don't try to perfect absolutely everything. After a while, 2K23's shot-making tools and swing feedback system told me a similar thing; learn, but then relax.

While you can perform the basics with the set you start with, you gradually pick up gear that enhances your clubs: fittings. These are attachments with loot-like tiers that can be added to your clubs as new heads, shafts, and grips. This is a robust new layer of player building and gear management, but there is a frustration: it costs you in-game currency to actually apply these, and as you won't earn lots of this it's likely that you'll be priced out of great upgrades.

Sponsors regularly offer to cover your apparel, clubs, or ball, and provide bonuses and rewards for completing rounds and winning tournaments. There’s also a more tangible point to player rivalries now, such as extra XP or unlocking clubs. Beyond this I'm still yet to work out why these are a core part of a golfer's season, especially as they repeat identically across subsequent campaigns.

Away from MyCareer, the Top Golf mode is an excellent one and successfully recreates the golf-meets-night-out feel, enabling you to have mad fun against friends hitting targets at an illuminated driving range. It’s perfect for couch co-op. You can also take your efforts online in the form of Online Societies to test your skills against other players and also compete in custom tournaments. The strong course designer returns too and will keep the community busy and occupied with recreating world-famous courses and crafting their own hard-as-nails ones. And fixing a flaw from last time out: it's a joy to be finally able to play as a pro, and as none other than Tiger Woods himself – though you can only play as him, or the other pros or celebs, in the casual modes.

Overall, there's way more game here than in PGA 2K21. MyCareer is the main attraction and is hugely improved offering a deep player-building experience (though not without its own foibles), and the other modes provide plenty to get your teeth into after you've finished a season or are after something different.

Yet for all its aces and hole-outs, PGA 2K23 lacks the finesse and slickness of EA's best outings. First, there's the visual aspect: it basically looks the same as 2K21 and sometimes appears off. The crowds, courses, and landscape features feel identical, and golfer's wrists look particularly strange at address, almost dislocated. Animations are lackluster, repeated frequently, and often don't even relate to the shot (my player regularly pumps his fists and goes wild after holing a double bogey putt). Replays are slow to appear and annoying, sometimes even failing to track the ball or have a player totally block the view. As for the sound… I heard bad commentary repeated within 20 minutes of starting up the game. "Wow! That almost went in the hole!" cries the commentator as my chip rolls literal yards wide – and the contact noises between club and ball are weak and strange too.

There's a lot here that gives off the 'EA Golf Game' feels, and the shot craft is still excellent and moreish. Yet the lack of real generation-embracing features – no DualSense witchcraft on PS5, no spectacular visuals – hold PGA 2K23 back from that fifth star. When I reviewed 2K21, I said that the series was on the right trajectory. That remains that case, and while this doesn’t have everything that the best EA golf games had, it's improved greatly from its own predecessor. Whether you own '21 or not, 2K23 is well worth an extended swing.

Reviewed on PS5 with code provided by the publisher.

Rob is the Deputy Editor of sister site, TechRadar Gaming, and has been in the games and tech industry for years. Prior to a recent stint as Gaming Editor at WePC, Rob was the Commissioning Editor for Hardware at GamesRadar+, and was on the hardware team for more than four years, since its inception in late 2018. He is also a writer on games and has had work published over the last six years or so at the likes of Eurogamer, RPS, PCGN, and more. He is also a qualified landscape and garden designer, so does that in his spare time, while he is also an expert on the virtual landscapes and environments of games and loves to write about them too, including in an upcoming book on the topic !

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WHAT'S NEW IN PGAT 2K23

PGA TOUR 2K23 is bursting with brand new content! Stay up to date with the latest features and content dropping in game including Clubhouse Pass rewards, newest additions to the Playable Pros roster, and new courses.

CHOOSE YOUR EDITION

Compete against golf’s finest and take your place on the leaderboard.

Show your stripes and attack the green with the Deluxe Edition.

See your destiny come to life in the Tiger Woods Edition.

FEATURED COURSE

PGA TOUR 2K23 features some of the PGA TOUR’s most notable courses, ranging from TPC Scottsdale to the Riviera Country Club and more, each boasting well-manicured greens, fairways, and bunkers. Throughout the PGA TOUR season, we’ll feature one of the many historic courses you'll find perfectly replicated in-game. Before you decide to attack the spotlighted course, take a moment to learn more about its dastardly hazards, serene setting, mind-bending dog-leg turns, and the mastermind behind the masterpiece.

UP YOUR GAME

Up your gameplay experience in PGA TOUR 2K23 with detailed guides and breakdowns from members of the HB Studios team. Learn how to become an expert putter, the mechanisms behind the game’s lifelike ball physics, and the must-know tips for generating spin, among other things. Up Your Game is the perfect place for new and experienced players to expand and improve their skills in MyCAREER and online.

CLUBHOUSE PASS

Clubhouse Pass Seasons are here for PGA TOUR 2K23!

Each Season, earn XP and claim new rewards and content as you climb your way up the Clubhouse Pass tier ladder! Clubhouse Pass is the best way to acquire new gear for your bag, boosts for your game, and new fits for your wardrobe. Learn how now!

CLUBHOUSE REPORT

PGA TOUR 2K23 CLUBHOUSE PASS: SEASON 7

Ring in the New Year with the PGA TOUR 2K23 Season 7 Clubhouse Pass, filled with the best items from every Season and all-new Smerf challenges to complete.

PGA TOUR 2K23 CLUBHOUSE PASS: SEASON 6

Tee it up in Season 6 and climb the leaderboard as you claim all-new rewards and compete against fellow players around the world in PGA TOUR 2K23.

PGA TOUR 2K23 CLUBHOUSE PASS: SEASON 5

The FedExCup Playoffs are officially underway! The top golfers on the PGA TOUR have fought for coveted FedExCup Points all year long, but who will be crowned champion?

PGA TOUR 2K23 CLUBHOUSE PASS: SEASON 4

Race to the top of the leaderboard and the Clubhouse Pass in Season 4 of PGA TOUR 2K23, and earn all-new rewards from Titleist and FootJoy.

PGA TOUR 2K23 CLUBHOUSE PASS: SEASON 3

Season 3 of PGA TOUR 2K23 is loaded with new rewards from PUMA and Cobra, competitions and challenges, and some notable names as playable characters.

PGA TOUR 2K23 PASS CLUB HOUSE: SEASON 2

Season 2 of PGA TOUR 2K23 welcomes prestigious new courses and rewards from your favorite brands!

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PGA Tour 2K23 Review - Links To The Future

• First Released Oct 11, 2022 released

PGA 2K23 vastly improves on an already great foundation with refined golf gameplay, customization, and an expansive suite of modes.

By Steven Petite on October 13, 2022 at 4:10PM PDT

From a pure golfing perspective, PGA Tour 2K23 is the best simulation golf game ever made. With realistic ball physics, precise shot-shaping, and an emphasis on rhythm and swing path, 2K23 delivers on the many idiosyncrasies of the beautiful game that is golf. Combine the refined golfing mechanics with deeper levels of customization, and I can safely say that PGA Tour 2K23 is a meaningful upgrade over its predecessor. And hey, it also marks the return of Tiger Woods to the virtual links, which is a big deal for those who grew up playing Tiger Woods golf games.

PGA Tour 2K23 is the first new entry in the series in two years. That's unusual for sports games, as most have annual entries. After spending more than a dozen hours with 2K23, I'm starting to feel like this release model--where developers have more time to make improvements--would go a long way toward fixing many of the issues that plague long-running sports series. It doesn't offer minor, iterative changes. Instead, PGA 2K23 is a marked improvement on its predecessor–a rarity in the sports sim genre.

The PGA 2K series--previously called The Golf Club before 2K acquired HB Studios--has always done a remarkable job with swing mechanics. Emphasizing timing and rhythm more than popular golf games of yesteryear, the series makes each swing feel critical--just like the real sport. PGA Tour 2K23 follows that tradition and improves on it with a couple of new core features: a revamped swing meter and a three-click swing system.

The swing meter for analog controls has moved from below to next to your golfer. It's shaped like an arc that mimics the swing plane. Though largely a presentational difference at first glance, it's actually pretty clever. By redesigning the meter, it's far easier to observe the path of the club during your backswing and stop it in the sweet spot. In turn, this helped create a smoother swing and allowed me to really get to know the swing path of my created golfer as well as the playable pros in the game. It's also slyly teaching you how to achieve perfect timing without the meter. For dedicated players, the best results come from "feel." Some competitive online tournaments in previous entries have banned the meter altogether, so now it's easier to make that transition to playing from muscle memory instead of the swing aide.

Though the analog stick controls are still the way to go for an authentic experience, HB Studios added an innovative three-click system. This type of shot mechanic has been featured in many golf games, including old EA Sports Tiger Woods titles, Mario Golf, and Everybody's Golf (Hot Shots). Typically seen as more of an "arcade" mechanic, the system here is unconventional but works exceedingly well.

The three-click system utilizes the circle in the bottom-right corner that typically shows shot feedback. You press and hold the action button and watch the fill to determine distance. After releasing the button and (hopefully) stopping it in the white ring, a line spins counter-clockwise toward the top of the circle. There, you have to once again press the button to stop it in the white area. Finally, another line goes down counter-clockwise toward the bottom of the circle, where you have to stop it in the white one more time. These three actions--just two for putts--create the distance, accuracy, and rhythm of each shot.

Many three-click swing systems really only have two meaningful button presses (top and bottom), so the design here is more nuanced, which is fitting considering the analog stick swing system is more complex than your average golf sim.

What's really great about both systems is that they are adaptable to your skill level. Both swing styles have six different difficulty levels to choose from, so beginners can hit awesome shots and turn in low scorecards with either method. The three-click system can get intense on higher difficulty levels, so it can certainly still be used by "serious" players.

The fine-tuned swing system is what makes PGA Tour 2K23 really hum, but it's bolstered by many other smaller features that elevate the overall golfing to a realistic level, including ball alignment for altering trajectory, shot-shaping, and numerous shot styles. You're given full control over your pre-shot setup, which is just about as important as the swing itself. But again, if you just want to play casually and don't want to worry about any of this stuff, the many customization options allow you to tailor the experience to be as straightforward as you like.

The smaller issues I had with 2K21's on-the-course gameplay are gone in 2K23. Putts with proper speed seemed to drop into the hole more often, which is great because there were too many lip-outs that didn't really make sense in the last entry. Hitting out of the rough also feels more realistic this time around. Previously, the penalty for an off-line teeshot was often immense, with short rough and especially "heavy rough" making the ball react like you were hitting it out of weeds up to your knees. Wayward shots can--and will--hurt you at times, but I found that it's more possible to pull off a great recovery shot that has the higher ball flight you'd expect.

MyCareer has a slew of improvements. Here, you work your way up from the Korn Ferry Tour to the PGA, earning points toward your season-long ranking as well as in-game cash, other items, and the attention of sponsors. Up until now, the only way to customize your stats was to purchase and add new clubs to your bag from major brands like TaylorMade, Titleist, Callaway, and Mizuno. Now there are multiple meaningful progression systems, including an overarching Archetype choice, further club customization via Fittings, and skill points.

Archetype drastically alters your strengths and weaknesses. You can choose to be adept at putting, bombing teeshots, shot-shaping, recovery shots, or swing rhythm. You can change your Archetype at any time, and it's beneficial to choose an area to boost that you're weak at. You can even be clever and adjust your Archetype based on the course you're playing.

When you buy new clubs in real life, you often get a club "fitting," to see what works for you. In 2K23, fittings are essentially modifications to specific clubs to alter your stats--they can make a big difference. You earn these by defeating your "rivals" in tournaments, but you can also buy them in the in-game marketplace. Yes, this has the potential to mimic NBA 2K's MyPlayer system in which you can pay to get a better player. That said, I've earned plenty of fittings through the solo career mode and feel as if my golfer is gradually getting better. Paying to have the best stats right away doesn't appeal to me, but it could make playing online somewhat annoying down the line. Overall, I see the Fittings as a way to incentivize playing through multiple seasons of MyCareer.

There are also skill trees for each club type. You earn skill points through play that add bonuses to your attributes throughout the round based on performance. These activate/deactivate based on set conditions and offer minor boosts to aspects like timing, lie conditions, flight, and swing path. They can be reset and tinkered with at any time. I didn't notice any big differences from these skill trees, but it combines with Archetypes and Fittings to give you more control over your created golfer outside of just picking their clubs and outfits.

I'm not as sold on the new golf ball features, as they generally feel like something that are designed to get you to spend money. Your golf ball has the name and look of popular real-world golf balls like Titleist Pro V1 or Bridgestone B XS TW, but the stats are tied to consumables. Golf balls have four stats: spin, flight, bounce, and roll. "Ball Types" alter these stats, and these consumables even come with rarities ranging from common to legendary. Sounds like most sports games these days, right? Yes, sadly it is.

Bought in packs of 3, 6, or 12, they aren't yours to keep. You use one up every round. Thankfully, you can purchase these with virtual currency earned simply by playing (even solo mode). You can, however, buy currency with real money to pick up these consumables. I would never do this, but it's worth noting that the stat changes are immense with some of the pricier and "rarer" options. You can alter a stat up to 60 points over the free, no stats-boost ball type.

I could envision this becoming an issue for someone who plays a lot of rounds online. Courses can have firm greens, rainy conditions, lengthy layouts, or any number of quirks that set up better for longer carry distances, more spin, more roll, etc. You could theoretically use up all of your stat boosts and consider spending real money if it helps you enough. Unlike fittings, this new feature doesn't feel aligned to gradually making your golfer better--it's just one of the annoyances that plagues modern sports games with online communities. It's still too early to say if these consumables will contribute to a pay-to-win model, but they feel at odds with PGA Tour 2K23's dedication to realism. After all, your golf ball attributes should be connected to the brand and model of ball.

Though PGA 2K21 technically had real pro golfers, they were only your competition; you couldn't play as them, which felt weird. PGA 2K23 remedies that. Led by cover star Tiger Woods, 2K23 has a bunch of well-known PGA golfers, including Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Tony Finau, and Will Zalatoris. It also has LPGA stars like Lexi Thompson and Lydia Ko. And hey, it even has golfers who defected to the controversial LIV Golf League like Open champ Cameron Smith. 2K has already stated that it won't remove any LIV golfers from the game, but it's still a bit funny since they are banned from PGA Tour events. At least those guys can still compete at The Players Championship and in the FedEx Cup… just not in real life.

The addition of playable pros is particularly great for casual rounds of golf. Sometimes you don't want to play as a created golfer; you'd rather step into the shoes of Tiger Woods and swing the club just like him. It's nice to see swings that look ripped from real life from these pros, too.

PGA 2K23's official course list has expanded as well, but not by a whole lot. There are three new courses at launch: Wilmington Country Club (South Course), The Renaissance Club, and St. George's Golf. The latter pair are particularly cool, as they are the first in the series outside of the United States. The Renaissance Club is a links-style course, which offers a welcome change of pace. Several iconic courses will be added at a later date, including Pebble Beach and two Torrey Pines tracks. The returning courses and the new ones don't look much different than 2K21. The graphics in general are quite similar to PGA 2K21. Swing animations are more fluid, but the actual scenery didn't receive a big bump despite the two-year gap between releases. Courses are still rendered in more than enough detail, though, so this isn't really a concern to me. If you were expecting a huge makeover on the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, however, you're not going to find that here. If you own a new-gen console, you will appreciate the faster load times, though.

The lack of a more robust course list means that the career mode still utilizes user-created courses for a bunch of the tournaments during the season. Many of the courses made within the in-game course creator are wonderful, though. There are even faithful recreations of other real courses. The only time throughout the season where I wished there were more courses was when I played the Major Championships. PGA 2K23 has the season-long FedEx Cup, the playoffs, and the "fifth major" that is The Players Championship, but it doesn't have the four most important tournaments of the year: The Masters, US Open, PGA Championship, The Open. This may have bothered me more this time around because we now know that EA Sports is bringing back its golf series next year--without Tiger Woods, who is with 2K now, of course--and already showed off a glimpse of Augusta National, the hallowed site of The Masters.

But at the end of the day, the easy-to-use course creator and growing library of user-created courses gives PGA 2K23 a seriously vast library of layouts that outweighs its lack of iconic real-world courses. After spending two years with 2K21, I still regularly found new courses I loved, and I'm sure that will be the case with 2K23 as well.

PGA 2K23 is great for solo mode against the CPU pros in MyCareer, but Online Societies is what will likely keep golfers on the course. It's hard to say much about Online Societies in 2K23 since the game is in its infancy, but 2K already has its official society up and running with active tournaments. You can create your own societies–basically clubs–to play alongside your friends, or join one of the many other societies that cater to all skill levels. Online Societies offers an easy way to compete on the course against other golfers without having to actually go head-to-head at the same time. Playing in tournaments is a good way to earn virtual currency from purse prizes.

Everyone should try the Online Societies mode, but you can also play head-to-head against friends online or with local multiplayer. In addition to playing 18 holes, you can also face off in Topgolf. The party game asks you to aim at targets to rack up the most points across ten shots. Topgolf is a lot more fun in real life, unsurprisingly, but it's still a nice little bonus for when you want to play against friends but don't have time for a full round.

It's worth noting that there's also a Clubhouse Pass--the golf equivalent of a battle pass--that'll be available at launch for $8. Owning this pass lets you work toward unlocking premium cosmetics--purely cosmetics. It wasn't live yet so I can't add any insight here, but it's good that it's tied to cosmetics and not stat-changing items. There is a free tier as well, so you'll earn cosmetics with the pass regardless if you pay for the premium version or not.

With retooled swing mechanics, including an inventive three-click system, PGA Tour 2K23's on-the-course golfing is the best yet, not just in the series, but in the history of the simulation golf genre. Mostly smart improvements to MyCareer mode make you feel more in control of your created golfer's trajectory–even if the new consumables have the slight potential to become pay-to-win. Finally being able to play as real pros again is a joy, but the minimal real-life course additions put a slight damper on the fun. Nevertheless, it's not lacking in content in the slightest thanks to the engaging Online Societies mode and the endless possibilities provided by user-created courses, many of which could be mistaken for layouts designed by well-known course architects. PGA Tour 2K23 continues the series tradition of being welcoming to new players while offering an authentic, challenging golfing experience for those who desire it.

• Leave Blank
• New swing meter feels more natural
• Three-click swing system innovates on the standard formula
• You can finally play as Tiger Woods in a new golf game again
• More customization options for your created golfer
• The official course list is very similar to 2K21
• Golf ball "consumables" don't gel with other progression systems
• Not much of a visual upgrade on new consoles

About the Author

Steven Petite

• @steven_petite

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Is PGA 2K23 better than 2K21? A golf expert‘s in-depth comparison

As a veteran golf gamer and sim enthusiast who has extensively played both PGA Tour 2K21 and the new 2K23 release, I can confidently say that 2K23 is a better, more polished game overall. However, the upgrades are more iterative refinements rather than game-changing revolutions. If you already enjoy 2K21 and aren‘t dying for new rosters and features, waiting for a price drop is reasonable. But for those ready to tee off with the latest offering, 2K23 is absolutely worth paying full price to upgrade your virtual golf experience.

Let‘s dive deep into the key improvements 2K23 brings over its predecessor:

Visual Presentation – Remarkably Realistic

The most immediately noticeable upgrade in 2K23 is the visual presentation – it simply looks more like actual golf on TV than ever before. Player models are far more realistic with enhanced textures, lifelike skin tones and authentic gear/apparel physics that elegantly move and react. Emotive facial expressions and fluid celebrations also help bring the pros to life. Environments are richer too – foliage density is increased for thicker natural settings and on-course objects have finer detail. Most impressively, lighting generates true-to-life shadows and reflections across dawn, daytime and dusk settings. When you combine all these gains with buttery smooth 60fps gameplay, no golf video game has ever achieved this level of visual realism.

Comparatively, 2K21‘s visuals now look dull and dated even just 2 years later. Trust me, once you see your first replay in 2K23, you‘ll be blown away by how much better it looks. The visual jump is akin to the tech progression seen in sports games between generations of consoles.

Refined Core Gameplay – More Skill Rewarding

Veteran players will be happy to know that 2K23 retains the same intuitive and responsive swing and shot mechanics core to the series. However, subtle enhancements to ball physics, club dynamics and player skill boards make the on-course action more authentic and rewarding of proper play.

The ball reacts more like the real thing, checking and releasing on greens based on factors like backspin, temperature and elevation in nuanced ways. Club face angle and impact point also influence launch angle and curve shape in a more accurate simulation. Player attributes like power and putting ability now have greater influence on shot outcomes to reward honing skills. Overall, the refined gameplay enhances the skill gap by demanding proper swing tempo, smart shot shaping, and expert reading of lies and wind. Casual players may struggle with the added realism, but for golf purists 2K23‘s refinements offer a heightened simulation experience.

Two Fun New Modes – Topgolf & Course Designer

2K23 intelligently expands the variety of play options with two new modes that provide engaging new experiences:

The popular driving range/mini golf hybrid has been authentically recreated in 2K23, offering a fun arcade-style competitive mode supporting up to 4 local/online players. The rules play out just like real-world Topgolf, with points awarded for accurately aiming shots at different color-coded targets. This fast-paced and social game mode is a great way to take a break from traditional golf and enjoy the 2K23 physics and skills in a casual environment against friends. After sinking hours into career and sim rounds, Topgolf is a welcome addition.

Course Designer

For players who want to try their hand at crafting their own dream course layouts, the Course Designer tools provide impressive depth and freedom. From sculpting fairways to dotting greens, the terrain shaping and object placement options enable stunning custom creations. While the learning curve is steep, the ability to build and share courses adds infinite replay value. I‘ve already enjoyed fantastic user-made courses exceeding EA‘s old PGA Tour offerings.

Upgraded Career Mode – More Progression Depth

MyCareer mode is expanded in 2K23 with greater depth for building up your custom pro golfer. A branching sponsorship system allows signing with brands like Adidas, Callaway and TaylorMade for perks and cash. Rivalries also develop organically with pros who challenge your ascent. And new side activities like taking on generated scenarios, playing practice rounds with coaches, and participating in pro-am events with celebrities provide fun new ways to hone skills and earn rewards. Combine the boosted career progression with enhanced training mini-games and 2K23 does a much better job keeping MyCareer engaging.

Expanded Roster – 14 Playable Pros

In terms of name recognition, 2K23 has a clear edge over 2K21 thanks to its expanded roster of 14 playable pros:

• Tiger Woods
• Justin Thomas
• Rickie Fowler
• Brooke Henderson
• Will Zalatoris
• Collin Morikawa
• Lexi Thompson
• Justin Rose
• Xander Schauffele
• Matt Fitzgerald

Cover athlete Tiger Woods rightfully gets top billing, with fellow stars like former #1 golfer Justin Thomas and fan favorite Rickie Fowler also making the cut. Furthermore, women‘s golf gets better representation with the inclusion of top 10 ranked pros Lydia Ko and Brooke Henderson. While the 2K21 roster wasn‘t bad with 8 pros, 2K23 adds both quantity and star power that‘s appealing for any golf fan.

As fun novelties, NBA greats Michael Jordan and Steph Curry are now playable as bonus legends in 2K23. Unfortunately, their presence seems more like an attempt at crossover promotion with the NBA 2K series than meaningful additions. Neither basketball icon offers any unique skills or storyline purpose. Frankly I‘d rather have seen other real golfers like Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau or Dustin Johnson instead, but the core PGA roster is still quite strong.

Multiplayer Enhancements – Online Societies

Those wanting to take their skills online will appreciate 2K23‘s improved offerings. Private online societies allow groups of players to organize scheduled events, tournaments and full seasons while tracking stats. It‘s a great addition that enables playing consistent rounds with friends and rivals. Casual matchmaking is still available for quick pickup games too. As a big online player, I‘m thrilled by the added league and tournament options. The only thing missing now is a proper spectator viewing mode to watch other matches in progress.

In closing, I can wholeheartedly recommend PGA Tour 2K23 as a must buy for golf gaming fans, especially those who have been patiently waiting for a true next-gen experience. The combination of visual leap, added content and incremental improvements make 2K23 definitively superior to its already solid predecessor. While $70 is still steep, you get plenty of extra gameplay value over 2K21. Customization lovers can also purchase bonus DLC player packs and courses.

However, more casual players who still enjoy playing 2K21 with buddies or solo shouldn‘t feel compelled to immediately upgrade. 2K23 is undoubtedly better, but not radically different. Waiting for a discount down the road is reasonable if you aren‘t dying for the latest rosters and refinements. Regardless, with its exclusive licensing of the PGA Tour and its namesake stars, the 2K golf franchise remains the undisputed champion of virtual golf. 2K23 extends that dominance to current hardware and will satisfy both veterans and newcomers to the fairway.

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PGA 2K23 Review: Pros, Cons, Should You Buy It?

Nothing beats being out on the course, but I was pleasantly surprised when I played PGA 2K23. The game builds on the success and addicting gameplay of its predecessor PGA 2K21, released in 2020.

Is the PGA 2K23 worth it? PGA 2K23 is a fun golf simulation game with a realistic, immersive experience. It features 20 courses, new PGA stars and Career mode, and more custom options, making it a good choice for casual and hardcore golf fans. However, it’s not the best choice for gamers looking for an easy-to-learn or arcade-style experience.

In this PGA 2K23 review, I will look at how this game differs from the past version and competitors like EA Sports PGA Tour.

You’ll learn:

• Pros and cons
• Our verdict
• How does the 3-click system work
• Which new PGA stars are added?
• How does it compare to PGA 2K21?
• How does it compare to EA Sports PGA Tour?

Innovative Three-Click System

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• Realistic swing mechanics: In PGA Tour 2K23, the game exclusively uses swing-stick mechanics. HB Studios chose this to make the game more realistic by simulating real-life golf swing mechanics. Ultimately, this recreates your full motion during a golf swing.
• Career Mode is Way More Fun Now: I found the detailed customization options an incredible upgrade since the last game. Create a new character and work your way through the ranks as you compete against the best on the circuit. Different starting points offer you different challenge levels, which is good for seasoned players and beginners.
• New PGA Stars Added to the Game: This includes the likes of Tiger Woods, Steph Curry, Matt Fitzpatrick, John Cena, and Michael Jordan. You can only play those players in the side modes or versus play—the casual modes.
• Redesigned Swing Meter: The swing meter sits next to your golfer instead of sitting below the golfer like in past games. The developers shaped it to mimic the arc on a swing plane. Due to this change, you can better observe the path of your golf club and stop for the strike right at the sweet spot for the maximum distance.
• The Presentation Needs Work: HB Studios attempted to recreate the atmosphere you’d see at a televised golf event. You wouldn’t call it outright bad, but it was horribly done at points. Commentators regularly make the wrong calls and fail to identify when the ball was on or off the green. The graphics, also for a new-generation console game, leave much to be desired.
• Microtransactions: Over the years, 2k games have earned a reputation for its intrusive microtransactions. They especially did that in NBA 2k, but it’s not quite as bad in PGA 2K23. With that said, many gamers will dislike the microtransactions, which don’t add much to the game. They just become another greedy cash grab.
• Limited Courses, Pros, and Tournaments: Unfortunately, Career Mode loses some appeals due to licensing restrictions. They managed to get 20 licensed courses. They focus more on the FedEx Cup in Career Mode because they don’t have the licensing for the US Open or the Masters.

PGA 2K23: Features & Benefits

When you look at the PGA Tour 2K23 reviews, most of them highlighted the innovative three-click system. I don’t want to oversell this as original because other popular golf games like Hot Shots, Mario Golf, and old Tiger Woods games used them. Typically, gamers thought of it as more of an arcade gameplay style.

The three-click system differs because it uses the bottom-right corner for feedback on golf shots.

• Press the action button and hold it to determine distance.
• After you let go of the button, you want to release it in the white part for the optimal shot.
• Next, you will see another line going counterclockwise toward the bottom of the circle.

That highlights the three-click system and how it works for shots. Important to note you only need to take two clicks for putts on the green. The featured stick-swing mechanics add more nuance to the game than other golf simulators.

Understand how you can choose 6 difficulty levels from casual to hardcore players.  The system adds extra realism, but if you play tournaments on the highest difficulty, you may need to reduce the target ones slightly. The extra difficulty requires even better timing. You can play the game either with the three-click system, or you can play it with the analog swing stick mechanics. You can adapt both systems to fit your skill.

In 2K23 golf, the developers at HB Studios added more PGA Tour golfers than ever before.

In total, golf 2K23 licensed 19 male and female PGA Tour pro golfers for the game. This includes Justin Thomas and Tiger Woods. Many gamers disliked in the past how the game left out Tiger Woods , but they added him to the new game. You just need to buy the right edition.

You can buy the game in 4 versions that include:

• PGA Tour 2K23 Tiger Woods Edition
• PGA Tour 2K23 NBA 2K23 Bundle
• PGA Tour 2K23 Standard Edition
• PGA Tour 2K23 Deluxe Edition

For gamers with an older console, I would recommend the PGA Tour 2K23 Deluxe Edition  because how it gives you a free upgrade from the PS4 to the PS5 or from the Xbox One to the Xbox Series X/S.

Related article: The Best Online Golf Lessons: Improve Your Swing !

PGA Tour 2K23 vs PGA Tour 2K21

For this PGA 2K23 review, I found how many of the minor issues that I experienced in PGA Tour 2K21 were ironed out in PGA Tour 2K23.

For example, the issues with the on-course gameplay they had in 2K21 vanished in the latest version. Putts made at the right speed dropped into the hole more frequently. That makes sense because in the past version, they had too many lip-outs that were exasperating to say the least.

In the last game, when you made an offline teeshot, the penalty was immense. The short and heavy rough were a struggle to hit it out of, and it often felt like you were struggling to hit it out of the weeds.

I loved the improvements that HB Studios made to My Career. You start with the Korn Ferry Tour and battle your way through to the PGA Tour. Along the way, you earn points to go toward your season-long rankings. Before PGA Tour 2K23, the progression system was limited. You had to buy to customize your stats and add from popular golf brands like Callaway, TaylorMade, Mizuno, and Titleist.

Now, you can progress in multiple ways. For example, they have the overarching Archetype choice. This allows you to add through skill points and fittings. Let’s say that you choose Archetype. This lets you dramatically change your strengths and weaknesses. For example, you can choose skillfulness at bombing teeshots, swing rhythm, recovery shots, or shot-shaping. Some golfers adjust this based on the course that they play.

In PGA Tour 2K21, you could play that game for a solid 20 hours, and for the time being, it was one of the most enjoyable golf games. In PGA Tour 2K23, it will take you about 22 hours and 4 minutes to get through all the play styles, so they didn’t differ much in overall play time.

For this 2K23 golf review, I would say that while they did improve the Career Mode in PGA 23, they could still broaden out further improvements to the overall gameplay.

Most gamers will spend the most time on Career Mode because that offers the most value. You only get one goal with this with the FedEx Cup. You can’t do much outside of the exhibitions if you play solo. You can do a bit more online.

Related article: Best Xbox One Golf Games

PGA 2K23 vs EA Sports PGA Tour?

PGA 2K23 and EA Sports PGA Tour are two of the most popular golf simulation games on the market. Both games offer realistic gameplay, beautiful graphics, and a variety of courses and game modes. However, there are some key differences between the two games.

PGA 2K23 is known for its more arcade-style gameplay with the 3-button click controls.  The controls are more forgiving, and the game is more forgiving of mistakes. This makes it a good choice for more casual golfers who are looking for a more accessible experience.

EA Sports PGA Tour, on the other hand, is known for its more realistic gameplay.  The controls are more challenging, and the game is less forgiving of mistakes. This makes it a good choice for serious golfers who are looking for a more immersive experience.

In terms of courses, PGA 2K23 has a wider variety of courses, including some that are not licensed by EA Sports. However, EA Sports PGA Tour has the exclusive rights to the Augusta National course, which is one of the most famous golf courses in the world.

In terms of game modes, both games offer a variety of modes, including career mode, multiplayer mode, and a practice mode. However, PGA 2K23 has a more robust career mode, which allows players to create their own golfer and progress through the ranks of the PGA Tour.

Overall, both PGA 2K23 and EA Sports PGA Tour are great golf simulation games. The best game for you will depend on your individual preferences. If you are looking for a more arcade-style experience, then PGA 2K23 is a good choice. If you are looking for a more realistic experience, then EA Sports PGA Tour is a good choice.

Here are some additional thoughts on the comparison of PGA 2K23 and EA Sports PGA Tour:

• PGA 2K23 has better graphics and sound than EA Sports PGA Tour.
• PGA 2K23 has a more robust career mode than EA Sports PGA Tour.
• EA Sports PGA Tour has the exclusive rights to the Augusta National course.

Ultimately, the best way to decide which game is right for you is to try both of them out. Both games are available on various platforms, so you should be able to find one you can play.

Like most games nowadays, online multiplayer matters as much as solo play, which remains true in PGA Golf 2K23. The PGA Tour 2K21 had disappointing multiplayer, but they appear to have fixed that in PGA Tour 2K23. The multiplayer includes the Divot Derby  where up to 20 players compete in a fun and chaotic gameplay. You compete in a race to finish. Everyone competes simultaneously, and you play as different colored lines on the map. The winner reaches the 9th hole before anyone else.

You can also join or create an online society where you can play in events and competitions over the season. This gives you about as close to what you’ll get with a leaderboard. Remember, not all online societies will play the same way. They run some better than others. Some may require you to interact daily, but they did design others for more casual gamers.

The online multiplayer for the 2K23 PGA Tour has a good system overall. You can do Match Play and Stroke Play, which they had in the 2K21 PGA Tour.

PGA 2K23 undoubtedly made a much more realistic simulation than PGA 2K21, but both games were great titles that received an overall positive response. You can’t go wrong with either title, but PGA 2K23 is the newer version, which builds upon what PGA 2k21 lacked.

Especially if you compared it to PGA Tour 2K21, the gameplay on PGA 2K23 offers a much greater challenge. The swing mechanics, especially on the Xbox, can be a bit laggy, which makes the gaming experience a bit harder for the wrong reasons. To make it easier, start with amateur mode rather than playing it on pro.

This game is one of the most realistic golf games that you will play, and they made plenty of improvements to it since the last game. PGA 2K23 consistently received good scores; when you look at a 2K23 PGA review, they usually scored well.

PGA 2K23, released in 2022, uses plenty of real golfers from the PGA Tour, such as Tiger Woods, Justin Thomas, and others. They included over 19 male and female real PGA Tour players in the game.

Rory McIlroy doesn’t appear in PGA 2k23 for all the same reasons that Tiger Woods didn’t make an appearance in the past. To do this, they must get a license, and since they never got licensing, he wasn’t featured in the game.

Because they didn’t get the right licensing to feature the Masters in PGA Tour 2K23, they only featured the FedEx Cup. They did not feature the Masters, the US Open, or other major golf tournaments.

Whenever you play or win events, you earn coins. They base this on your performance, the difficulty setting and finishing the course challenges. To maximize your experience points, you need to play on the hardest difficulty.

Related article: The 7 Best PS4 Golf Games

Overall, in this PGA 2K23 review, I would say it is a game worth checking out because it has improved since its predecessor PGA 2K21. It’s good for all ages, and the game requires 12 GB of space. Anyone who loves the game of golf would do well to try this one. This is one of the most realistic simulation golf games, and being able to play as the pros makes it even more fun. It does have its downsides, but overall, it’s an improvement since the last game.

Matt Gallus

Matt travels the world as a professional writer and blogger trying out different golf courses in exotic spots like the Philippines. He loves the challenge and tranquility in the sport of golf. Golf, for him, is a way of relaxing and enjoying life. You can connect with him on LinkedIn .

• Matt Gallus https://www.golfspan.com/author/mattgallus Nike Irons by Year: Nike's Failed History in Golf Clubs
• Matt Gallus https://www.golfspan.com/author/mattgallus Mizuno Drivers by Year: 100+ Years of History
• Matt Gallus https://www.golfspan.com/author/mattgallus Mizuno Irons by Year: +90 Years Of Forging Blades
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PGA Tour 2K23

OpenCritic Rating

Top Critic Average

Critics Recommend

PGA Tour 2K23 Trailers

"A DOWNRIGHT BLAST!" | PGA TOUR 2K23 Official Accolades Trailer | 2K

The Invitation | PGA TOUR 2K23 Official Launch Trailer | 2K

Unleash Your Game | PGA TOUR 2K23 Official MyCAREER Trailer | 2K

PGA Tour 2K23 Screenshots

Critic reviews for pga tour 2k23.

There's not much to be excited about in PGA Tour 2K23, with poorly presented golfing on second-tier courses. It's fiercely accurate to the real sport but lacks personality and variety.

Read full review

GamesRadar+

PGA 2K23 is a fine golf game that builds on its predecessor in every way, with fabulous gameplay, shot craft, and depth.

Metro GameCentral

The basics of gameplay work tremendously well, but the game is bogged down by too many niggling faults and the sense that it'll take until at least next year to fulfil its potential.

PGA 2K23 vastly improves on an already great foundation with refined golf gameplay, customization, and an expansive suite of modes.

TheSixthAxis

PGA Tour 2K23 is a good improvement over its last iteration, making things more accessible with the 3-Click system and the Topgolf mode. There's still areas for improvement, but this is definitely a step in the right direction.

Thanks to a few, well done innovations, PGA Tour 2K23 confirms itself as the best golf simulation available nowadays.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Hardcore Gamer

2K and HB Studios have made the necessary additions and changes to make PGA TOUR 2K23 the best in the series.

Attack of the Fanboy

If you're willing to devote the time needed to this title, you'll find one of the most exciting sports games around. It's not going to hold your hand, but it's going to do what it needs to help shape you into the next face of the PGA Tour. The endless frustration of a barely missed putt, versus the excitement of a hole-in-one that you finally nailed is exhilarating.

EA Sports Vs. 2K: Which PGA Tour Game Is Better?

W ith the release of EA Sports PGA Tour back in early April , it meant that there was finally serious competition among golf simulation video games. While PGA Tour 2K23 and its predecessors had been dominating the space since all the way back to when the series was known as The Golf Club and 2K wasn’t even involved, the release of the EA game suddenly gave golf fans a choice again. Since both games were released in partnership with the PGA Tour, the two came complete with the kind of credentials to make it clear that realism would be a top priority. The companies involved in EA and 2K left little doubt that this was a heavyweight gaming bout too, the kind of head-to-head battle the companies haven’t had to wage with their other sports games since the days of NBA Live and NFL 2K .

EA Sports Vs 2K: Which PGA Tour Game Is Better?

The inevitable question then when considering the two current golf titles has to be: which game is better? As is so often the case though when considering the world’s biggest questions, the answer is complicated and not nearly as black and white as you’d hope. EA Sports PGA Tour is a newer and shinier toy, complete with better graphics than 2K’s golf game and a gorgeous rendering of the difficult Augusta course. The gameplay is also easier and therefore more accessible, but because of this comes with less of a skill gap that makes hitting the best of shots so rewarding in PGA Tour 2K23 . The courses may look prettier in EA Sports PGA Tour , but there’s a limited number of them thanks to the lack of the kind of course creator boasted by PGA Tour 2K23 , which continues to see stellar tracks regularly churned out by the course design community.

Now that we’ve looked at the overhead view of the two games, let’s go ahead and zoom in closer to get a better perspective of what each of the two games do well and where one might be lagging behind the other. If we aren’t able to fully declare one game to be the better of the two at the end of the comparison, then we should at least be able to help you to decide which golf game might be the best for your own personal preferences.

Player Creation And Customization

The creation suite for your golfer is a little more extensive and detailed in PGA Tour 2K23 than EA Sports PGA Tour , as you’re able to mold a few more specifics on the face to make it as unique as possible instead of choosing from a variety of presets. It’s disappointing though that when it comes to body type, neither game allows you to make someone in the mold of a John Daly with an impressive gut. Both games offer a nice selection of clothes, accessories, and equipment to make sure your golfer is looking good when you hit the course.

Player Progression

As for your golfer’s skills, the 2K title leans heavily on having you choose an archetype , each of which comes with its own particular strengths and weaknesses. As you play more and more rounds, you’ll be be able to unlock skills for your various club-sets that will provide boosts when you meet certain criteria on the course. This component is a little too arcade for my tastes, but it doesn’t tend to influence a round as much as your abilities with your controller. You can also customize your clubs from a cosmetic standpoint as well as use fittings that you unlock from playing rounds to improve the attributes of your clubs.

EA Sports PGA Tour has you upgrading your abilities on the course by using points that you gain by playing rounds to spend on whatever areas of your game you feel are most in need of attention. As you improve in these areas, you’ll also be able to unlock new types of shots that can make your life easier in situations, such as using a pick shot to stop the ball on a dime coming out of the bunker. Unfortunately, there’s an aspect of improving your clubs that relies somewhat on microtransactions, as you can purchase specs from the store to add power or precision.

It probably has to be declared a dead heat between the games with regards to player progression, as they both take slightly different approaches and are mostly successful albeit with a questionable decision or two that are vulnerable to criticism.

Graphics And Presentation

When it comes to a comparison of the graphics and presentation between the two games, it’s pretty easy to declare that EA Sports PGA Tour performs better in almost every way. That starts with your golfer, who appears larger and moves more fluidly than any of the rigid swing animations you’ll find in PGA Tour 2K23 . The courses in the EA game are more vibrant as well, popping off the screen with the location’s atmosphere in a way that won’t be seen in 2K’s title. The visuals to set the scene during rounds are just a notch better from EA throughout rounds, including fly-overs prior to each hole that not only showcase the game’s graphic capabilities with every blade of grass but also provide insight into the best way to play the hole. Perhaps the only aspect of PGA Tour 2K23 that is superior is the sound and that’s mostly just because the smack of the club hitting the ball in the EA game sounds so far off from the real thing.

Perhaps the most important aspect of both games, the question of which of the two options plays better when you’re out on the course is also likely to be the most divisive. Although they each have difficulty settings to make hitting the ball where you want it to go as challenging as you like, the EA title is the more accessible option. While dialing in the proper distance for your shots can be a tad tricky, finding the right tempo to keep the ball traveling straight doesn’t require all that much effort. This makes it incredibly rare to see shots, especially those off the tee, that veer extremely off-target in any one direction. Even with an amount of RNG involved on your shots, there won’t be a lot of deviation from your target if the attributes of your player are decent. You’d also expect to see more punishment on shots from the rough or the sand, but these surprisingly won’t cost you much in the way of either distance or accuracy.

PGA Tour 2K23 requires more precision on the sticks (or buttons if you prefer 3-click) if you want to avoid the rough and those pesky bogeys, especially on higher difficulties like master. It’s increasingly rare on those higher difficulties that you’ll be able to achieve perfect tempo, and you’ll often be content to have slightly slow or fast feedback so your ball ends up at least close to where you were aiming. If you’re not careful and consistent though, it’s likely that you’ll have shots where your tempo is very slow or very fast. These will invariably lead to errant strikes that are short or long on distance and head wildly in a direction that you were not planning. Because you’ll suffer so severely for the slightest of issues in your swing (and be severely hampered on any shots from the rough and sand), it makes it feel more like real golf than the EA game and is more satisfying when you’re able to pull off amazing shot.

Career Mode

The career modes in the two games are relatively similar in that they both see you climbing the ranks by competing in events to win prize money and points on the leaderboard. Some vital differences exist within the customization offered in 2K’s game that won’t be found, at least at the time of this writing, in the EA title. Perhaps the most significant one of these is the ability change the number of rounds for events in the 2K game all the way down to a single round if you like while events in the EA game can’t be reduced down from the full 4 that real pros play. To be fair, you are able to play quick rounds during events in the EA game that will have you making shots on key holes only during rounds, but this is a poor substitute for putting you in control of every shot in fewer rounds altogether. To allow even more flexibility, you can also swap out the courses for certain events in the 2K game, helping to keep things fresh every season.

The most succinct way to summarize a comparison between the available courses in the two golf games is to say that PGA Tour 2K23 has more courses, however the courses in EA Sports PGA Tour are better. The fact that both games boast some of the same courses makes it a little easier to look at a famous locale like Pebble Beach in the two titles and draw the conclusion that EA’s recreation has a level of detail that 2K can’t match. The area where EA’s game comes up lacking though is with the absence of a course creator. The course creator in 2K’s game has allowed the community to both recreate real courses in remote towns from across the world and invent some wildly imaginative ones that would be nearly impossible to build in real life.

Online Modes

If you’re wanting to play rounds with friends, then the 2K game is probably going to be a better bet, at least until a patch adds the kind of turn-based functionality to the EA game that’s being offered by 2K. As it stands now, you’re able to play a round alongside a friend but with no opportunity to stand and watch your friend play his shots like you would in real life (and in PGA Tour 2K23 ). The 2K game has a more elaborate ranked system when stacking your skills up against others too, plus it has the casual option of playing different types of matches like skins, alt shot, and scramble.

The EA game does have some neat ideas with challenges and online tournaments, the former of which has you trying to recreate the feats of real golfers in recent events while the latter has you posting scores against the community to earn rewards based on where you finish among the fierce competition. PGA Tour 2K23 has a similar good thing going with online societies that allows the community to create seasons of events that can be customized to your own specifications in terms of rounds, courses, and difficulty level.

Bottom Line

The real truth is that both EA and 2K have created uniquely solid golf games, and if you’re trying to decide on only one of them to purchase, the choice will come down to what you personally want from a golf game. If you need the game to look as good as possible, then you’ll likely prefer the EA game. If you’re after more challenging and rewarding gameplay, you’ll probably want to opt for the 2K game. 2K’s course creator allows for its game to have an unlimited number of layouts to play, but the limited number (32) of recreations simply look and feel better in the EA game. The online realm is significantly better in 2K’s game at the moment, but there have been indications from EA that turn-based play (and more) is coming and that would go a long way towards improving their online offerings. If you’re a die-hard fan of golf though and you want the best of both worlds, there’s nothing wrong at all with picking up both games and enjoying the fact that competition between these companies has caused both EA and 2K to up their game.

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2024 U.S. Open tee times, pairings: Complete schedule on TV, groups in Round 1 on Thursday at Pinehurst

The third major championship of the season will get underway early thursday morning with a number of star-studded groups.

The 124th U.S. Open is set to kick off Thursday at Pinehurst No. 2 with 156 of the best players in the world vying for the third major championship of the season. Many of those big-name players will be paired together as the first round will feature a number of star-studded groups for fans to watch.

Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa and Brooks Koepka get things going at 7:40 a.m. ET off the first tee. With nine major championships between the three of them, the Ryder Cup teammates will hope to draft off one another over first two days and straight into contention come the weekend.

On the other side of the golf course, Tiger Woods will begin his U.S. Open slotted in the early-late wave. The 15-time major champion goes off alongside Matt Fitzpatrick and Will Zalatoris at 7:29 a.m. on the 10th tee. Another star-studded group of Tony Finau, Ludvig Åberg and Dustin Johnson will tee off a few moments later at 7:51 a.m.

The afternoon tee times are highlighted by the top three players in the world: Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy. The three will begin their quest for the U.S. Open at 1:14 p.m. off No. 1. Scheffler and Schauffele are eyeing their second major championship of the season, while McIlroy seeks his first in a decade.

Also in the late wave are Brian Harman, Nick Dunlap and reigning champion Wyndham Clark at 1:25 p.m. While they tee off on No. 1, Bryson DeChambeau, Max Homa and Viktor Hovland will tee off on No. 10 at the same time.

The full list of Round 1 tee times and pairings for the 2024 U.S. Open can be found below, and be sure to check our 2024 U.S. Open TV schedule and coverage guide for a complete breakdown of how to watch all four rounds of the year's third major. You can also dig deeper Thursday with U.S. Open live leaderboard updates and coverage of Round 1.

All times Eastern

2024 U.S. Open tee times, Thursday pairings

• 6:45 a.m. — Michael McGowan, Carter Jenkins, Logan McAllister
• 6:56 a.m. — Frederik Kjettrup, Chris Petefish, Parker Bell
• 7:07 a.m. — Omar Morales, Max Greyserman, Casey Jarvis
• 7:18 a.m. — Corey Conners, Stephan Jaeger, Emiliano Grillo
• 7:29 a.m. — Ryo Ishikawa, Francesco Molinari, Sergio Garcia
• 7:40 a.m. — Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Brooks Koepka
• 7:51 a.m. — Rickie Fowler, Adam Hadwin, Phil Mickelson
• 8:02 a.m. — Min Woo Lee, Sahith Theegala, Nicolai Hojgaard
• 8:13 a.m. — Si Woo Kim, Matthieu Pavon, Sungjae Im
• 8:24 a.m. — Nico Echavarria, Robert Rock, Neal Shipley
• 8:35 a.m. — Takumi Kanaya, Stewart Hagestad, Mac Meissner
• 8:46 a.m. — Isaiah Salinda, Bryan Kim, Jim Herman
• 8:57 a.m. — Carson Schaake, Charlie Reiter, Colin Prater
• 12:30 p.m. — Jason Scrivener, Brandon Robinson Thompson, Brendan Valdes
• 12:41 p.m. — Santiago De la Fuente, Sam Bairstow, Eugenio Chacarra
• 12:52 p.m. — Kurt Kitayama, Taylor Moore, Christiaan Bezuidenhout
• 1:03 p.m. — Jason Day, Harris English, Tom Kim
• 1:14 p.m. — Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Scottie Scheffler
• 1:25 p.m. — Brian Harman, Nick Dunlap, Wyndham Clark
• 1:36 p.m. — Hideki Matsuyama, Jackson Suber, Jordan Spieth
• 1:47 p.m. — Shane Lowry, Keegan Bradley, Martin Kaymer
• 1:58 p.m. — Akshay Bhatia, Eric Cole, Erik van Rooyen
• 2:09 p.m. — Brendon Todd, Taylor Pendrith, Alex Noren
• 2:20 p.m. — Thomas Detry, Brian Campbell, Jackson Buchanan
• 2:31 p.m. — Taisei Shimuzu, Gunnar Broin, Maxwell Moldovan
• 2:42 p.m. — Sung Kang, Riki Kawamoto, John Chin
• 6:45 a.m. — Rico Hoey, Tom McKibbin, Matteo Manassero
• 6:56 a.m. — Dean Burmester, Rikuya Hoshino, Seamus Power
• 7:07 a.m. — S.H. Kim, Justin Lower, Tom Widing
• 7:18 a.m. — Lucas Glover, Sam Burns, Cameron Smith
• 7:29 a.m. — Will Zalatoris, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tiger Woods
• 7:40 a.m. — Patrick Cantlay, Matt Kuchar, Russell Henley
• 7:51 a.m. — Tony Finau, Ludvig Åberg, Dustin Johnson
• 8:02 a.m. — Justin Rose, Gary Woodland, Webb Simpson
• 8:13 a.m. — Daniel Berger, Ryan Fox, David Puig
• 8:24 a.m. — Byeong Hun An, Sam Bennett, Edoardo Molinari
• 8:35 a.m. — Austin Eckroat, Adrian Meronk, Cam Davis
• 8:46 a.m. — Aaron Rai, Davis Thompson, Zac Blair
• 8:57 a.m. — Willie Mack III, Richard Mansell, Ashton McCulloch
• 12:30 p.m. — Greyson Sigg, Grant Forrest, Wells Williams
• 12:41 p.m. — Chesson Hadley, Mark Hubbard, Adam Svensson
• 12:52 p.m. — Beau Hossler, Victor Perez, Adam Schenk
• 1:03 p.m. — Robert MacIntyre, Nick Taylor, Mackenzie Hughes
• 1:14 p.m. — Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, Tom Hoge
• 1:25 p.m. — Bryson DeChambeau, Viktor Hovland, Max Homa
• 1:36 p.m. — Sepp Straka, Peter Malnati, J.T. Poston
• 1:47 p.m. — Gordon Sargent, Jake Knapp, Cameron Young
• 1:58 p.m. — Chris Kirk, Billy Horschel, Adam Scott
• 2:09 p.m. — Ben Kohles, Denny McCarthy, Benjamin James
• 2:20 p.m. — Frankie Capan III, Andrew Svoboda, Luke Clanton
• 2:31 p.m. — Harry Higgs, Hiroshi Tai, Brandon Wu
• 2:42 p.m. — Joey Vrzich, Chris Naegel, Otto Black

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