Many of the following games are considered the best because they offer the most realistic experience. However, some golf games are more whimsical and are played purely for fun. Synonymous with golf, Tiger Woods has headlined many of the top golf video games. Let’s see which ones landed on the green and which sank in the bunker.

Updated on May 17th, 2022, by Jack Pursey: If a non-gamer was asked which sports they thought would be the most popular among the gaming community, it’s unlikely that they’d put the notoriously slow-paced golf highly, and would likely assume that extreme sports like snowboarding would be more prominent in the industry.

However, golf and video games have gone hand in hand for decades, as the medium allows gamers to bypass the legwork of golf and simply focus on the skill and strategy side of the sport. There have been countless excellent golf releases over the years, so we’ve updated this list to include a few of the best golf games.

13 Let’s Golf! 2

Let’s Golf! 2 differentiates itself from the other entries on this list by being a mobile-only title. The game was released in 2010 and turned heads with its visuals, which were among the best available on mobile devices at the time.

The visuals were so impressive, in fact, that the game was featured in advertisements for the iPhone 4 to show off the smartphone’s capabilities. Let’s Golf! 2 was a huge hit with critics, exemplified by its whopping 91 Metascore.

12 Mario Golf (N64)

Mario Golf on the Nintendo 64 was released in 1999 and was the first entry in the Mario Golf series. Nintendo’s mascot character is well known for his sporting ventures today, though Mario gathering his friends and enemies for some friendly competition was still a relatively new concept in the late ’90s, so many people were doubtful that a Mario golf game would be a success.

Fan concerns were soon alleviated, however, when they finally got their hands on the game. It’s hard to deny that Mario Golf’s visuals have aged poorly, though the gameplay has held up tremendously well, to the point where it’s still the go-to golf game for many players.

11 Hot Shots Golf 3

Hot Shots Golf 3 (also known as Everybody’s Golf 3) was developed by Clap Hanz and was first released in 2001 in Japan before arriving in North America the following year. The game offered an arcade alternative to the simulation-style Tiger Woods PGA Tour series, which was thriving in the early 2000s.

Like Mario Golf on the N64, players shouldn’t let Hot Shots Golf 3’s released date put them off trying the game today, as it’s still great fun to play with friends.

10 What The Golf?

For golf enthusiasts and people who just don’t like golf, What The Golf? is a must-play! It’s not your typical golf game as What The Golf? will surprise you at every hole. The ridiculous physics of the game provides a hilarious experience. Expect to hit objects that are not golf balls.

For the record, this is not for players looking for the usual golfing experience. It follows the premise that “everything is golf.” You can even build levels with the game’s level editor.

9 PGA Tour 2K21

Finally, there is a recent golf game that lived up to its expectations. It features prominent golfers Sergio Garcia and Justin Thomas. Although the game has 2K Sports’ name on the cover, it was entirely developed by HB Studios. 2K Sports was merely a publisher for PGA Tour 2K21.

The bottom line is if you’re looking for a recent golf game with the best graphics and refined gameplay, PGA Tour 2K21 is a smart choice.

8 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters

EA Sports is one of the biggest developers around the golfing scene. Although Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters is not the quintessential example of an excellent golf game, it does have solid gameplay that rarely disappoints. It contains an ingenious caddie system that adds to the experience.

This is a game that had a favorable aggregate score of 80 on metacritic.com.Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters is a masterful entry in the series.

7 Mario Golf: World Tour

Mario Golf: World Tour was released exclusively on the Nintendo 3DS in May 2014.

Some players were on the fence about how a golf game would transcend to the 3DS, though Nintendo did a fantastic job of implementing the quintessential Mario Golf style onto the handheld system.

6 Links 2003

Avid golf gamers likely remember the Links franchise. Links was a part of the original Xbox and PC platforms, but arguably the best game in the series was the 2003 PC exclusive. Developed by Microsoft, it offered some of the most realistic golfing seen in years.

The level of golfer customization seen in Link 2003 was awe-inspiring. This is a game without the most robust selection of professional golfers, but it had unrivaled stellar gameplay.

5 The Golf Club 2019 Featuring PGA Tour

Developer HB Studios has been a prominent name in rugby, cricket, and golf video games. The developer’s most excellent entry is undoubtedly The Golf Club 2019 Featuring PGA Tour. Hone your golfing skills as you participate in championships like the FedExCup.

A solid career mode is why The Golf Club 2019 Featuring PGA Tour is considered among the best golf games. Earn sponsors and rewards as you improve a custom golf character.

4 Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour

Released for the Nintendo GameCube, Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour is the best Mario Golf game. Mario Golf: World Tour could be viewed as superior because of the downloadable content that adds additional courses and characters.

However, Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour has a superior range of motion for golfers and a more intuitive feel. Playing on a handheld device has limitations, which is why Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour edges out its competitors.

3 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003

One of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003 most acclaimed features is the Tiger Challenge, a mode in which the player faces off against real golfers. There is also a mode that puts you in fifty different scenarios that challenge your all-around skill in the game.

Winner of numerous awards, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003added polish to the franchise in a way never seen before.

2 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10

Since beginning in 1999, the PGA Tour gaming series has released numerous hits. It’s not a secret that Tiger Woods is one of the most prominent names in golf. His name has been attached to the PGA Tour gaming franchise for most of the series.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14 was the last name to have Tiger’s name attached to it. For being a standout title, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 deserves recognition.

1 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005’s gameplay was vastly superior to its predecessors. You could hit various strokes, including chips and flop shots, and adjust the area you strike the ball.

Legends Mode was undoubtedly the game’s best feature. It allowed you to unlock various legendary golfers and courses, as well as face-off against them. For having one of the most robust golfer lineups and for being feature-rich, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005 wins the green jacket.

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