Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a total beginner, golf video games have been a great way to experience the best of the sport in the comfort of your own home. With a range of different titles available, it can be difficult to know which ones are the best.
To help you out, we’ve put together the definitive ranking of the 13 best golf video games ever created. From classics like Golden Tee to more recent titles like The Golf Club 2, these are the games that every fan of the sport should have in their collection. Read on to find out which ones made the cut!
Everybody’s Golf (PS4)
This is the definitive golf game for PlayStation 4 and the latest installment in the long-running Everybody’s Golf series.
With its cartoon aesthetic and simple control scheme, it’s perfect for new players and veterans alike. You can create your own custom golfer and hit the course with up to three friends in local or online multiplayer.
The game also features a deep and varied career mode for those who want to take their game to the next level.
Mario Golf: World Tour (3DS)
Mario Golf: World Tour takes the tried and true Mario golfing formula and updates it with tons of content and options.
Play on a variety of courses, create your own custom character to take on the game’s many tournaments or challenge your friends to a match.
With classic Mario characters like Mario and Luigi joining the fray, you’ll never run out of opponents to take on. Despite its cartoony visuals, Mario Golf: World Tour is a surprisingly deep golfing experience.
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters (Xbox 360, PS3)
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters takes you to the most prestigious golf course in the world—Augusta—as you play as Tiger Woods and compete on your way to the coveted Green Jacket.
With over 20 courses, you can hone your skills on a variety of terrains, while the “Road to the Masters” mode will put your virtual golfing career to the test.
You’ll also be able to create your own golfer and compete in tournaments to improve your rankings. All these features, plus the realistic graphics and gameplay, make this one of the most enjoyable golf video games ever.
Links 2003 (PC)
Links 2003 is a classic PC golf game, and it’s still one of the best. It’s designed to be as realistic as possible, with accurate physics and detailed courses.
You can play as one of several professional golfers, or create your own, and the game even includes a course designer to make your own courses.
The graphics are still quite good, and the course design, along with the ball physics, make Links 2003 a game that’s still worth playing.
Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour (GameCube)
Sometimes you just need a classic and that’s exactly what Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour brings to the table. Not only does it feature the beloved cast of Mario characters, but it also has some of the best golfing mechanics of the era.
From creating your own custom golfer to the light-hearted but challenging career mode, this is one golf game that still stands the test of time.
Links LS 1998 (PC)
Links LS 1998 is the pinnacle of golf gaming for many PC gamers. It was the first golf game to feature a full 3D golf course, with all the hazards, bunkers, and trees that you would expect.
It also featured extensive course customization and a challenging AI, making it perfect for a round or two of virtual golf.
The impressive ball physics was especially praised, as Links LS 1998 was the first game to use actual recorded ball data for its golf simulation.
Golf Club 2
Developed by HB Studios and published by Maximum Games, the Golf Club 2 was released in 2017 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
One of the standout features of The Golf Club 2 is its Course Designer, which allows players to create their own golf courses using a wide range of tools and assets. The Course Designer is incredibly robust, allowing players to sculpt the terrain, place objects and hazards, and even design their own clubhouses.
The Golf Club 2 also features a deep Career Mode, where players can create their own golfer and compete in a variety of tournaments and events. The Career Mode is designed to be challenging, with realistic AI opponents and a focus on improving your skills over time.
The game also includes a robust online multiplayer mode, where players can compete against each other in custom tournaments, or even team up to create their own golf societies.
Golden Tee Golf (Arcade)
This arcade classic was released all the way back in 1989 and it’s still going strong today. The game is simple and easy to pick up, with smooth controls, great course design, and plenty of power-ups and bonus items.
The bonus items in particular make this game stand out from the crowd. They also make some of the courses more challenging, which is always a plus.
Mario Golf (Game Boy Color)
If you’re looking for a classic game of golf with a Mario twist, look no further than Mario Golf. This Game Boy Color title lets you play as your favorite Mushroom Kingdom characters as you hit the links.
The game’s simplistic layout and graphics help to keep the game’s focus on fun, and the unlockable characters and courses will keep you playing for hours.
Mario Open Golf (NES)
Mario Open Golf first appeared on the NES in 1991 – so it’s officially a classic in the world of golf video games.
The game features incredibly simple controls and a top-down view of the courses, and it’s still one of the best golf experiences around.
There’s also the added bonus of being able to play as Mario, Luigi, or Princess Toadstool, so it gets extra points for nostalgia.
Jack Nicklaus 5 (PC)
Say ‘Fore!’ to Jack Nicklaus 5, one of the most respected golf games of all time. Released in 1992, this classic game is still a fan favorite. Players can enjoy spectacular 3D graphics and realistic swing mechanics as they take on some of the top courses in the world.
Plus, the game also offers a two-player option as well as multiple levels of difficulty, so everyone can join in the fun. Nicklaus 5 is an oldie but a goodie for sure.
Top Spin 2 (Xbox 360)
This game allows you to customize your own golfer and play against the pros like Phil Mickelson. With its intuitive controls and realistic physics, it makes you feel like you’re actually playing golf.
The courses are beautifully detailed and you can even customize the weather for a more realistic experience.
Outlaw Golf (Xbox, PS2)
Outlaw Golf is an outrageous golf game that breaks the boundaries of realism and takes the sport to a whole new level. Players can choose from a cast of characters with over-the-top personalities and wacky golf courses.
Outlaw Golf is fun and challenging, and the visuals are surprisingly good for an early 2000s game. This is a great choice for gamers looking for some light-hearted fun.
Conclusion
Golf video games are a great way to enjoy the sport from the comfort of your own home. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or a beginner, there are a wide variety of golf video games to that offer unique features and options that make for an enjoyable gaming experience.
Each of the games on this list is worthy of consideration, depending on what you’re looking for in a golf game. So go ahead and pick one up and see if you can master the virtual links!
