Is This Golf Video Game Worth Picking Up?

Golf video games that seek to authentically simulate the mechanics of the sport can flummox players not looking to have a pixelated good walk spoiled. The HB Studios team behind this release got the memo and added a Perfect Swing mode, the way to go for casual fans of the sport who simply want to Zen out on beautifully rendered courses that host tour events from Pebble Beach to Oakmont which is staging this season’s U.S. Open and simply tap birdies in on autopilot and fist pump after the occasional chip-in or bunker save.

If Putting Aint’ Broken

Imagine if the tried-and-true grid with moving dots was scrapped, and
gamers were forced to do an approximation of aim point to assess the slope and decipher breaks on a green—they’d be hurling their controller out the window. If you have any experience coaxing virtual dimpled balls holeward bound this century, basic flatstick gameplay is instantly familiar with putt previews available in the easier skill modes. If you’re lipping out or blowing it past the cup, it won’t take long to dial things in—and probably surpass your IRL self.

Enhanced Swing Mechanics

This is where the gameplay shines. The swing mechanics and the underlying physics that govern them have been fine-tuned and feel more legit. Motion is measured with contact, rhythm, transition and swing path all factoring into your shot—and you’ll see the results. Even the slightest tremor on the analog stick can cause a push or pull. While everyone has their own style, two-thumbing it remains my go-to for maximizing fluidity. On higher skill settings, you need to be locked in to stay consistent—much like real golf—which is a welcome challenge.

Graphical Leap

“For this iteration, we found with our healthy competition in this space with EA, we really wanted to tear everything right down to the studs. So, we went all the way back to our original head scans, we looked at our shaders, our tone mapping, our textures and our lighting was huge. We had a dedicated lighting artist,” Joel Thompson, senior art and animation director, explained.

“All that combined allowed us to take the next step in graphic fidelity that we really wanted to see, to keep us more in line with our competition and in my opinion overtake them.”

Mode Life

For those who love multiplayer, virtual club fittings, avatar customization, or season mode, PGA Tour 2K25 has plenty of options to keep you engaged. A new addition this year is the ability to level up your equipment, unlocking better performance as you progress. Personally, I’m more of a quick-play guy—pick a character and jump right in. While demoing the game, I rotated between Tony Finau, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Brooke Henderson, enjoying how each golfer’s attributes brought different strengths to the course.

Apparel junkies will also appreciate the extensive gear selection, with over 30 brands featured. From golf staples like FootJoy, Cobra, and Odyssey to fresher names like Eastside Golf, Bad Birdie, and Tiger’s Sun Day Red, there’s plenty of customization to flex your style.

Verdict

• Graphics 10/10
• Gameplay 9/10

With a noticeable leap in aesthetics, nuanced swing mechanics that reward precision, and customization options out the wazoo, PGA Tour 2K25 is a key title on any ball and stick game aficionados collection. Whether you’re grinding through career mode, playing a skins game against a friend or simply flexing on fashion by styling your golfer with the latest fits, accessories and equipment from over 30 brands, or just hopping on for a quick solo round the fun factor is first page of the leaderboard. While hardcore sim players and golf sickos might crave even more realism (when are we going to get gators and birds on the course), casual players will appreciate the balance struck between authenticity and accessibility.