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Summary Tiger Woods leads a roster of more than 14 male and female pros at launch, including Justin Thomas, Lexi Thompson, Tony Finau, Lydia Ko, Collin Morikawa, Will Zalatoris, Brooke Henderson and more. Players can step into the tee box as one of the pros in Exhibition, multiplayer and Divot Derby play, or go head-to-head with them in a battle ... Read More

• PlayStation 4
• PlayStation 5
• Xbox Series X
• Take-Two Interactive

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PGA Tour 2K23 Review

Bland virtual golfing with limited ways to play is hard to get excited about..

Real golf doesn’t lack thrills – watching a player sink a delicate chip-in generates no shortage of excitement. But in the context of a video game, it needs some extra energy. A pizazz. An added enthusiasm, even if it’s when browsing a menu, just to keep it from becoming something you can sleepwalk through. PGA Tour 2K23 lacks that. It’s silent, it’s calm, it’s bland, it’s so… proper.

PGA Tour 2K23 (and previously, PGA Tour 2K21) was born of HB Studios’ fanatically accurate simulation The Golf Club, and the change in name hasn’t changed much about the underlying philosophy behind it. The actual shot mechanisms, ball physics, and standard frustration when sinking into a bunker retain their dazzling authenticity, and yet, even with a year off between editions to rethink things, HB Studios has produced another plain, stuffy, elitist golf sim with as much personality as a white polo shirt. 2K23 makes minor strides towards loosening up the pomposity, but lands inches from dropping in the cup.

2K brings the points-based FedEx Cup into focus as the central career goal. That’s fine, although the PGA draws more attention for the Masters, US Open, and other high-profile events – the stuff EA licensed in the past for its golf projects. PGA Tour 2K23 doesn’t have those, or their most famous courses, like Augusta National. That means the career mode feels like filler as it works around licensing restrictions and takes us through second-tier courses like the Detroit Golf Club and TPC Southwind. That’s an issue when it’s the primary way to play, and here there aren’t a lot of other options.

Taking to the course, the major publisher influence from 2K becomes evident. There’s an effort to streamline things, including an optional three-click swing system. That’s new, but brutally difficult to master, and not the accessible feature that was expected. This method involves holding the swing button to set power, releasing to begin a spinning meter that needs to be stopped twice to determine swing accuracy. If you’re anything like me you can expect botched shots on the regular before reverting to the smooth, clean, and precise analog stick swing.

Who’s likely to be the breakout PGA rookie this season?

HB Studios mastered this analog method, thankfully. Other golf games have tried – and even succeeded in their own ways – but HB’s quest to mimic the feel and challenge of a real club pays off. It’s an appropriately fragile existence off the tee or from the fairway, as stick speed dictates a slice or hook. Even when well practiced, the possibility always remains to botch a shot – as it should be. Plus, 2K23 adds needed shot types like punches to squeeze the ball under hazards, furthering PGA Tour’s repertoire and strategy.

There’s an attempt to add charisma to this series, but it comes across as half-hearted. Selectable golfers include cover star Tiger Woods and other known PGA names, but also celebrities like NBA stars Michael Jordan and Steph Curry. In the equipment section, a hockey stick is offered as a putter choice, giving necessary nods to Happy Gilmore. That’s it though, and those celebrity players exist only in side modes or versus play. Say what you will about the defunct Tiger Woods PGA Tour series, but maintaining golf’s central appeal while driving with Happy Gilmore’s walk-up swing was a delight, with no gameplay cost.

There’s also TopGolf, a party-esque challenge founded in 2000. Now it’s digital, and a passable substitute for when short on time with friends, if also an uneventful target practice event unlikely to earn any long-term engagement.

Likely, the most time people are going to spend with PGA Tour 2K23 will be with the career, mostly because that’s almost all that’s offered. There’s one goal (FedEx), one play style, and outside of exhibitions, nothing else to do for solo golfers. Brief (usually) one-event rivalries using a Stableford scoring system bring the slightest additional drama. Local and online versus adds small variety like two-on-two match-ups and skins play. That’s something. Between matches the deepening RPG side offers incremental skill upgrades. Some offer easier swing timing, others accuracy, or better work out of bunkers. Leveling requires tiered decision making as each club type is individually boosted, and opportunities grow in tandem alongside the custom golfer’s XP meter.

PGA Tour 2K23 - Release Date Announcement Screenshots

In a reversal of HB Studios’ usual philosophy, clubs themselves matter. Not just the clubs, but every boost to them, which are acquirable after winning events. A +3 club shaft of power matched with a +2 grip of shot shaping can form a credible weapon – err, piece of sporting equipment. Given PGA Tour 2K23’s demanding swing precision, even a tiny boost to accuracy or timing will reduce risks, and that’s appreciated. It’s a notably game-y idea for what is otherwise such a deep simulation though, and purchasing actual clubs makes no difference. Only the part boosts do.

Moving toward the FedEx Cup means dealing with HB Studios’ weak point: The dismal quality of its attempt to recreate the atmosphere of televised golf. It’s not bad so much as utterly broken in places. Commentators make the wrong calls regularly, such as failing to identify when a ball is or isn’t on the green or whether it’s trailing left or right. Attempts to show replays from earlier in the tournament take excessive time to load in this era of SSDs (and chug further when trying to reach the server sometimes), and when they do show up they frequently don’t actually show anything. Rather than following the ball, these snippets stay on the golfer reacting to an unseen shot, but at least the character models justify that lingering attention. Coming from 2K, whose emulation of NBA broadcasts set a best-in-class example, PGA Tour 2K23’s non-functional delivery annoyed more than helped once I got past the first match’s introduction.

As a side note, the orchestral music playing over the menus painfully adds to the idea of golf being a dull, elitist game. There was room for PGA 2K23 to build energy while maintaining its status, but it didn't take a single opportunity to do so.

The recurring course creator lets people give PGA Tour 2K23 the spark if they so want it. That also helps fill in the course selection’s holes – someone will render an accurate Pebble Beach in no time (with titles like, “Pebbles on the Beach Golf Course”), although as I played before release there was nothing available to download yet. That said, trying to build something offers a pleasant, easy-to-use menu system flush with choices. Better, everything is open from the outset, meaning there’s no need to unlock items to fill the spaces. Yes, a crocodile hiding out by hole 9’s green is just as much an option as placing a hotel on 16.

Even after a year off, PGA Tour 2K23 returns offering minimal progress from its preceding, prior-generation edition. A new three-click swing is an unforgiving mess, it’s somehow worse at emulating the look and feel of televised golf, and the few spurts of personality that’ve been layered on can’t counter developer HB Studios’ penchant for preserving pro golf’s elitism above all, or the apparent terror of breaking from that form. At least PGA Tour 2K23 can define itself through the properly challenging golf sim at its heart and the barebones career mode that stands all but alone in its menus.

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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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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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Review: pga tour 2k23.

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

2K and HB Studios have brought back their golf game with PGA TOUR 2K23. After taking a year off, 2K has doubled down to make the most complete PGA Tour game that anyone has seen in almost ten years. While HB Studios continues to develop the series, this is its fifth entry as the core of the series was established with The Golf Club. PGA TOUR 2K23 addresses a lot of what was missing with the previous game while adding even more depth to the series. There are still legacy issues and the fact that microtransactions still dominate the customization portions ultimate holds the new version back from achieving true greatness.

While the series has had the PGA license for the past two releases, it felt minimal. Yes, there were official courses that were seen in the tournament in the game, but the focus was purely on customizing MyPLAYER rather than letting players select real players to play with. This has been rectified as the roster is headlined by Tiger Woods and includes Stephen Curry and Michael Jordan as DLC. Players can choose from fourteen PGA Tour Pros complete with licensed apparel. This also includes LPGA golfers, as well, as the game will mix and match both in the matches. While fourteen isn't a ton, these are some of the bigger name golfers out there. This also allows friends to quickly choose someone rather than having to go with a guest outfit, even though that option is still in the game. This is a much-needed aspect the series desperately needed and 2K and HB Studios delivered on this.

Along with the PGA Tour Pros comes twenty courses with three new ones: the South Course of Wilmington Country Club, The Renaissance Club and St. George's Golf and Country Club. A lot of these don't stand out as amazing, but there are a handful of great courses that stand out. Unfortunately, the likes of Pebble Beach and Torey Pines won't be available until later. Each course is replicated well and provides a solid representation of what's seen on television. The staple also remains for HB Studios with the return of the Course Designer. The game does consist of hand-picked courses from the past to easily download and jump into. The process is more simplified this year for easier approachability for designing courses and this is a whole separate aspect to the game itself.

While adding playable Pros to the game is a huge bonus, the biggest addition to PGA TOUR 2K23 comes with the addition of Topgolf. This is basically an adult putt-putt on steroids that results in hitting different types of shots to accrue points in competition. 2K has nabbed the backdrop of Las Vegas with the official Topgolf in the town being represented. I feel like 2K missed an opportunity by not including an option to see Las Vegas at night, but it's a cool backdrop nonetheless. I recently stayed at The Linq in Las Vegas and you can see it and the ferris wheel in the distance. This is the ultimate couch co-op mode, even though it does have matchmaking. You're provided ten balls to score the highest points by focusing on aiming for zones that provide bonuses. Each target has its own quadrant that provides different points allocations. I went head-to-head with three friends locally and three hours had passed before we knew it. The mode is simple, approachable and inclusive while providing challenge if you seek it. 2K and HB Studios thought outside the box with this much like what was done with adding Divot Derby to previous game.

Another big addition that 2K and HB Studios has added to be more approachable is the inclusion of the three-click swing. This is an aspect that has been missing in the HB Studios games that pre-dates the Swing Stick we see today. Holding down X for power measurement then hitting the timing of the fore swing and backswing allows for more straightforward shots without the risk of being overly precise. The Swing Stick does return and includes a new power meter on the screen to help with better swing mechanics. There are varying difficulty levels in the game and both Beginner and Amateur provide a good bit of fun without incorporating frustration. Once moving to Pro, the speed of the three-click swing becomes faster and more difficult.

The Swing Stick still remains frustrating at times, but seems to allow for more leeway on the shot results. Putting, with either type of swing, is still a tough learning curve as reading the green is more important than providing a perfect shot trajectory. It still feels at times that a mess up with the Swing Stick will pre-determine a penalty such as landing in a sand trap that doesn't feel like it should. The swing feels more fluid, but there's still too much focus on exact precision no matter what the difficulty is. This even gets to the point that you overly focus on how you shoot just to prove a point. Swing speed from start to finish is the biggest culprit as compared to having a straight swing plane. I don't feel like the game is against me, but rather that I can improve my accuracy, but time will tell.

One thing I want to note before jumping into detail on the visuals is the difference between the quality mode and performance mode on current-generation consoles. Quality mode provides better reflections but a worse framerate while performance provides a smooth 60 FPS. It feels like the quality mode tanks even below 30 FPS for some reason. The biggest problem with this is the precision that the game requires. Trying to do this with a lower framerate means the input is much slower. It just doesn't feel right and will have your game tanking, especially if using the three-click button swing. This works better when using the Swing Stick, but I still had better results across the board with the performance mode.

MyPLAYER and MyCAREER are still the hefty part of PGA TOUR 2K23. One thing that was missing was the lack of progression from the previous game as success for the player was based on purchasing and upgrading clubs. While this remains a part, 2K and HB Studios have implemented a much-needed progression system by adding a skill tree for MyPLAYER. Some skills will activate in certain situations to add a boost to the player. Archetypes have also been added to help fully shape the direction of the player. This can all be reset at any time if the build isn't working, but there's a grind to fully unlock the type of player you're looking for. To be fair, the game is designed to improve your golf game if you so desire, so this takes time as golf isn't a patient game. MyCAREER adds the ability to play against a selected rival of your choosing, which is a nice change of pace. There's the choice of the four tours related to the PGA, but the mode is largely unchanged.

What also feels largely unchanged is the presentation of the game. While the menus are much better, the actual television presentation during the game is carried over. There are three announcers now with the addition of a female broadcaster and the broadcast remains solid at best. The cuts and replays are still nice, but the actual graphical overlays feel stale. I am not sure if the PGA has its own broadcast overlays or if its tied to specific courses or networks, but I believe PGA has a TV network. The overall broadcast still provides a good golf atmosphere, it just hasn't meaningfully changed.

Also remaining unchanged for the new game is the inclusion of microtransactions. Everything can be purchased with in-game currency, but there isn't much provided in relation to the amount of time that is invested. Whether it be licensed apparel from Bridgestone Golf, Callaway Golf, Nike Golf, PING, PUMA, etc, it will have you grinding for a new shirt or watch. The goal should be to bolster your golf bag with new clubs. Clubs can also be fitted with different parts and there are unlocks along the way to help out. The Michael Jordan clothes are almost 3,000 VP and I have yet to accrue that to purchase it. At least microtransactions don't power the unlocking of skill points for upgrading your MyPLAYER, but certain golf ball boosts are purchased and lost over time.

The visuals provide an excellent look at the game of golf from a distance. As mentioned above for current-generation consoles, there's a choice of quality and performance modes that provide a variation in FPS and fidelity, but I don't think there's a large jump in fidelity to sacrifice the FPS that's needed. SSAO is also an option that's separate as the focus for this comes on reflections and lighting in the environment. There may be more assets that can be seen, but ultimately the difference isn't superbly noticeable outside of the drop in frame rate.

Player models, even though the faces look real on the pros, feel like a NPC you would see in The City on NBA 2K. There isn't a lot of detail and the created characters do take a bigger hit. The golf environments do look good until you close in on some of the environments. I feel this is largely due to the game being available on previous-generation consoles with the current generation getting a locked 60, but not necessarily being optimized for the hardware.

The overall audio experience for PGA Tour 2K23 still remains above average. Changing up the commentary helps to freshen things up, but it still feels like the Korn Ferry Tour. When the crowd gets into it, the reactions sound great. The soundtrack is still fantastic as some synthwave was dribbled in for the game this year. I will also prefer a game-specific orchestrated soundtrack to the commercial playlists that have been implemented in the last fifteen years. It encompasses the game of golf while modernizing the feel within the menus.

Closing Comments:

2K and HB Studios have made the necessary additions and changes to make PGA TOUR 2K23 the best in the series. The three-click swing option opens play up for everyone while also eliminating the frustration of having to be overly precise with the Swing Stick. Topgolf is that couch co-op golf that everyone has been waiting for while MyPLAYER finally sees a progression arc added to the series. The game does get held back by a lack of meaningful changes to the Online Mode and that includes no cross play, which frankly makes no sense. Connectivity was fine during the pre-launch period for the three-hole rounds, Divot Derby and Topgolf. The option to select a PGA Pro for Topgolf is needed, however, as it currently isn't available. Along with those things and the microtransaction aspect, the positives outweigh the negatives and PGA TOUR 2K23 simply brings back the fun in golf.

PGA Tour 2K23 - Review

Bland virtual golfing with limited ways to play is hard to get excited about..

Real golf doesn’t lack thrills – watching a player sink a delicate chip-in generates no shortage of excitement. But in the context of a video game, it needs some extra energy. A pizazz. An added enthusiasm, even if it’s when browsing a menu, just to keep it from becoming something you can sleepwalk through. PGA Tour 2K23 lacks that. It’s silent, it’s calm, it’s bland, it’s so… proper.

PGA Tour 2K23 (and previously, PGA Tour 2K21) was born of HB Studios’ fanatically accurate simulation The Golf Club, and the change in name hasn’t changed much about the underlying philosophy behind it. The actual shot mechanisms, ball physics, and standard frustration when sinking into a bunker retain their dazzling authenticity, and yet, even with a year off between editions to rethink things, HB Studios has produced another plain, stuffy, elitist golf sim with as much personality as a white polo shirt. 2K23 makes minor strides towards loosening up the pomposity, but lands inches from dropping in the cup. 

2K brings the points-based FedEx Cup into focus as the central career goal. That’s fine, although the PGA draws more attention for the Masters, US Open, and other high-profile events – the stuff EA licensed in the past for its golf projects. PGA Tour 2K23 doesn’t have those, or their most famous courses, like Augusta National. That means the career mode feels like filler as it works around licensing restrictions and takes us through second-tier courses like the Detroit Golf Club and TPC Southwind. That’s an issue when it’s the primary way to play, and here there aren’t a lot of other options.

The career mode feels like filler as it works around licensing restrictions and takes us through second-tier courses.

Taking to the course, the major publisher influence from 2K becomes evident. There’s an effort to streamline things, including an optional three-click swing system. That’s new, but brutally difficult to master, and not the accessible feature that was expected. This method involves holding the swing button to set power, releasing to begin a spinning meter that needs to be stopped twice to determine swing accuracy. If you’re anything like me you can expect botched shots on the regular before reverting to the smooth, clean, and precise analog stick swing.

HB Studios mastered this analog method, thankfully. Other golf games have tried – and even succeeded in their own ways – but HB’s quest to mimic the feel and challenge of a real club pays off. It’s an appropriately fragile existence off the tee or from the fairway, as stick speed dictates a slice or hook. Even when well practiced, the possibility always remains to botch a shot – as it should be. Plus, 2K23 adds needed shot types like punches to squeeze the ball under hazards, furthering PGA Tour’s repertoire and strategy.

Selectable golfers include NBA stars Michael Jordan and Steph Curry.

There’s an attempt to add charisma to this series, but it comes across as half-hearted. Selectable golfers include cover star Tiger Woods and other known PGA names, but also celebrities like NBA stars Michael Jordan and Steph Curry. In the equipment section, a hockey stick is offered as a putter choice, giving necessary nods to Happy Gilmore. That’s it though, and those celebrity players exist only in side modes or versus play. Say what you will about the defunct Tiger Woods PGA Tour series, but maintaining golf’s central appeal while driving with Happy Gilmore’s walk-up swing was a delight, with no gameplay cost.

There’s also TopGolf, a party-esque challenge founded in 2000. Now it’s digital, and a passable substitute for when short on time with friends, if also an uneventful target practice event unlikely to earn any long-term engagement.

Likely, the most time people are going to spend with PGA Tour 2K23 will be with the career, mostly because that’s almost all that’s offered. There’s one goal (FedEx), one play style, and outside of exhibitions, nothing else to do for solo golfers. Brief (usually) one-event rivalries using a Stableford scoring system bring the slightest additional drama. Local and online versus adds small variety like two-on-two match-ups and skins play. That’s something. Between matches the deepening RPG side offers incremental skill upgrades. Some offer easier swing timing, others accuracy, or better work out of bunkers. Leveling requires tiered decision making as each club type is individually boosted, and opportunities grow in tandem alongside the custom golfer’s XP meter. 

In a reversal of HB Studios’ usual philosophy, clubs themselves matter. Not just the clubs, but every boost to them, which are acquirable after winning events. A +3 club shaft of power matched with a +2 grip of shot shaping can form a credible weapon – err, piece of sporting equipment. Given PGA Tour 2K23’s demanding swing precision, even a tiny boost to accuracy or timing will reduce risks, and that’s appreciated. It’s a notably game-y idea for what is otherwise such a deep simulation though, and purchasing actual clubs makes no difference. Only the part boosts do. 

The quality of its attempt to recreate the atmosphere of televised golf is dismal.

Moving toward the FedEx Cup means dealing with HB Studios’ weak point: The dismal quality of its attempt to recreate the atmosphere of televised golf. It’s not bad so much as utterly broken in places. Commentators make the wrong calls regularly, such as failing to identify when a ball is or isn’t on the green or whether it’s trailing left or right. Attempts to show replays from earlier in the tournament take excessive time to load in this era of SSDs (and chug further when trying to reach the server sometimes), and when they do show up they frequently don’t actually show anything. Rather than following the ball, these snippets stay on the golfer reacting to an unseen shot, but at least the character models justify that lingering attention. Coming from 2K, whose emulation of NBA broadcasts set a best-in-class example, PGA Tour 2K23’s non-functional delivery annoyed more than helped once I got past the first match’s introduction.

As a side note, the orchestral music playing over the menus painfully adds to the idea of golf being a dull, elitist game. There was room for PGA 2K23 to build energy while maintaining its status, but it didn't take a single opportunity to do so.

The recurring course creator lets people give PGA Tour 2K23 the spark if they so want it. That also helps fill in the course selection’s holes – someone will render an accurate Pebble Beach in no time (with titles like, “Pebbles on the Beach Golf Course”), although as I played before  release there was nothing available to download yet. That said, trying to build something offers a pleasant, easy-to-use menu system flush with choices. Better, everything is open from the outset, meaning there’s no need to unlock items to fill the spaces. Yes, a crocodile hiding out by hole 9’s green is just as much an option as placing a hotel on 16.

The Verdict

Even after a year off, PGA Tour 2K23 returns offering minimal progress from its preceding, prior-generation edition. A new three-click swing is an unforgiving mess, it’s somehow worse at emulating the look and feel of televised golf, and the few spurts of personality that’ve been layered on can’t counter developer HB Studios’ penchant for preserving pro golf’s elitism above all, or the apparent terror of breaking from that form. At least PGA Tour 2K23 can define itself through the properly challenging golf sim at its heart and the barebones career mode that stands all but alone in its menus.

PGA Tour 2K23

Pga tour 2k23 review.

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PGA Tour 2K23 Reviews

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

PGA Tour 2K23 features tight controls for those who want to master every swing, and does enough to bring players in from the last entry.

PGA Tour 2K23 is a perfectly fine golf sim that manages to neither impress nor disappoint. It's unlikely that you'll hate it, but it's likely that you'll be left wanting more out of it. If you've played a golf sim in the last decade this one will feel very familiar to you, for better or worse.

After a year off, 2K Sports is back on the golf course with a title that deserves a wide promotion. There is still room for improvement regarding the game modes, while the gameplay is perfect for both the most demanding players and those who want to hit a few balls without having to worry about spending too much time between bunker, rough, and water hazards.

PGA Tour 2K23 is by far the best game in the series, with all its gameplay changes improving its accessibility. Being able to pick from a diverse range of professional male and female golfers for the first time is fantastic. The new gaming mechanics and deep customisation is a real testament to the developer's endeavours to give the fans an experience like no other.

PGA Tour 2K23 is more than just the standard annual sports release with minor changes here and there. It’s a two-year project that has added a ton of star power and new features. HB Studios clearly went back to the drawing board on this one and found new ways to make 2K’s golf franchise even more competitive and invigorating. Its realism and immersive qualities easily overshadow some of its weaker moments and make this one of the best sports games, period, and will have you eager to board the birdie train.

But, we came for the golf, and damnit, the golf in PGA Tour 2K23 is fantastic. It’s difficult in all the right ways, satisfying, rewarding, and always entertaining. Off the course, the career mode needs a ton of work to align with the likes of 2K’s in-depth, fleshed-out NBA series. Though, they can now proudly add PGA Tour to their list of sports franchises on which they hang their proverbial hat.

Golf is back and fans of the sport will be thrilled with this new entry in the PGA Tour family. However other general sports fans will feel left out due to the ellitist vibe this game produces.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

PGA Tour 2K23 continues to build on the foundation started in The Golf Club and once again delivers. The MyCareer mode's Rivals feature may not be as fleshed out as it could be, but the addition of the fan-favorite 3-Click control option and the casual Topgolf mode on top of the already stellar gameplay elevate the series to new heights with PGA Tour 2K23.

HB Studios did a good job with PGA 2K23 by adding some new content while improving gameplay and simulation realism.

Overall, PGA Tour 2K23 is bound to find its fans, thanks to its clear love of the sport and strong gameplay. Whether or not 2K will be able to keep hold of the market after the release of EA Sports PGA Tour next year remains to be seen, but in the meantime PGA Tour 2K23 will certainly entertain its players.

At its core, “PGA Tour 2K23” remains a good, solid golf game that has benefited greatly from a lack of competition. I’m not too bothered by not being able to play St. Andrews at the moment because I simply don’t have that option unless I want to dig out “Rory McIlroy PGA Tour” on PS4. But when EA returns to the field, will the most enjoyable parts of “2K23” still hold up? Or will the appeal of those courses I badly miss pull me back to EA?

Some fundamental issues in the swing mechanics mean that PGA Tour 2K23 ends up in the light rough to the side of the fairway. Hopefully, HB Studios can rescue the hole with a recovery shot to the fairway and time will tell if they're able to make par.‍

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PGA Tour 2K23 Review

Continued improvement on the links.

A lot has changed since I covered PGA Tour 2K21 back in August 2020. I went from being someone with no knowledge of golf to someone who has taken baby steps towards playing an actual round. I’m still learning, but I can safely say that I wouldn’t have even attempted it if it wasn’t for HB Studios’ previous release. That title has been a weekly staple of my gaming rotation since release, and I have spent countless hours playing online with friends over the last two years. So, when it was finally announced that PGA Tour 2K23 would be coming, I was interested to see how the series would evolve.

Unlike most sports, golf does not require yearly game releases. Professional golf doesn’t need to worry about major roster turnover or frequent rule changes. This has afforded HB Studios the time to really look at what did and didn’t work from their last release, and how they can adjust while still staying true to the sport itself. When the series made the move from The Golf Club to PGA Tour, there wasn’t too much of a change mechanically. However, this year’s release has introduced some pretty seismic changes.

For the more casual fans coming to the title, PGA Tour 2K23 has added a three-click swing system. This style of swing has been featured in the likes of Everybody’s Golf in the past, but the system used here is a tad more complicated. To begin, you hold down a button to generate how much power you want in your swing. This is depicted as filling up a three-tiered color circle. You are aiming for the white portion of this circle, as that is ideal. Stopping it in the grey means you aren’t generating enough power, while stopping in red means you are over-compensating. From there, you need to complete timing segments to determine swing path and club face. Essentially, these will determine whether your shot will be accurate, or go flying off into a bunker.

On its easier difficulty, the three-click system is much more forgiving for newcomers. It’s easy to get into a rhythm, and you have enough leeway to hit well even if your timing isn’t fully there. However, when playing on a higher difficulty, the system can be brutal to utilize successfully. The meter moves quickly, and if you can’t get the timing down, you’re going to be hitting some pretty ugly shots. I’ve managed to get swinging fairly well, but even now I’m still occasionally botching my path set-up. Regardless of difficulty, I do think that putting with this option feels awkward. The swing stick remains the ideal option when it comes to the short game.

Speaking of the swing stick, the title largely keeps those mechanics as is, but some changes have been made. The most immediately noticeable change is the movement of the swing meter from the bottom of the screen to the side. Not only is this more aesthetically pleasing, but having the meter closer to your golfer makes it easier to focus on correctly timing your swing. It also feels like speed and timing has been slightly adjusted to make for an easier experience. I struggled at times with the previous release with making sure my swing wasn’t too slow or too fast, but I have been having much greater success avoiding that in 2K23. That could just be my experience with the franchise speaking, but I do think it feels better this year.

Is there a proper way to play PGA Tour 2K23? Not at all, and I think both swing styles have their positives and negatives. Whatever style you are most comfortable with will determine how much enjoyment you get out of the game. Besides, with all the other adjustments that go into shot selecting, worrying about whether one swing style is correct or not just seems silly. Having to adjust for club selection, shot style, shot shaping and more remains an integral part of the game that still even gives me fits. As I have mentioned, I am by no means a professional, but having so many ways to approach a hole kind of makes me feel like one.

Although the updated swing mechanics are the most important change, the addition that has gotten the most attention is the presence of playable professional golfers. Real golfers were featured on leaderboards for MyCareer in 2K21, but you couldn’t actually play as them. 2K23 rectifies this by including a slew of both PGA and LPGA stars to select from. Cover star Tiger Woods is the biggest get, but other well-known talents such as Justin Thomas and Lydia Ko are included too. There’s even some 2K Sports cross-over action, as Michael Jordan and Steph Curry are available for use as well. Since this is a PGA branded game, though, there are several notable names not included due their move to the LIV Golf League. This means that familiar faces such as Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau are not featured. It’s definitely disappointing, but with all of the controversy surrounding LIV, it’s not surprising.

These players are ideal for casual play, but the real meat of the game still comes from building up a created player through MyCareer. As with 2K21, MyCareer sees you rising from amateur to FedEx Cup champion. You can choose to start in Q-School, or immediately hop into the PGA Tour field. The goal is to have the most points at the end of the season, and this is accomplished by placing high in the various tournaments you can compete in. If you continue to do well, you’ll unlock new events. You can even swap events in and out so that you can avoid repeats in future career runs. However, if you continuously miss the cut at events, you may find yourself locked out of important matches.

In the previous title, there was not a way for you to level up your golfer. You improved your base stats by unlocking or purchasing better clubs. For PGA Tour 2K23, though, a leveling system has been implemented. When you first start out, you are given the option to select from one of five different archetypes. This serves as your base set of skills, and each archetype has their own area of expertise. I went with rhythm, which provides a boost to my overall swing quality at the expense of power. As you complete events, you’ll also unlock skill points by leveling up. These skills points can be used to upgrade your ability with the types of clubs you carry in your bag. There are seven categories for each of the six kinds of clubs, so it’s important to place these points in areas where you think your game needs a boost.

You do still unlock new clubs while making career progress, but they only really serve as visual updates now. You can even modify the color of the club shaft and grip. Instead of equipping a club with better stats like in 2K21, you now need to unlock fittings to boost the base stats of your clubs. Fittings come in a variety of styles, and like with the skill points, are broken down into specific club categories. They provide boosts in attributes such as shot shaping, power and lie range. The same fitting can be used for all clubs in a specific category as well. You don’t need to unlock separate versions of the same fitting to use across all your irons, you just need to have the one. The downside is that it does cost in-game currency to equip fittings. Not a lot, mind you, but you will need to use your in-game winnings to advance your arsenal.

There was potential here for the character leveling system to really go off the rails. As much as I enjoy the NBA 2K series, the pay to win aspect of that game is a major bummer. However, the fact that you currently can only improve your player by playing through the campaign is a relief. With the in-game Pro Shop already up and running, it wouldn’t have been shocking for fittings to be available through purchase. As of now, though, it’s only for buying new clothes and accessories. Overall, I appreciate the customization afforded through these new systems. The PGA tour is full of professionals with wildly varied skillsets, so it only makes sense that your custom player also has a unique style of play. If you want to drive 300+ yards every time, you can do that. Or if you want to be an ace chipper, that’s an option as well.

One aspect of the leveling system I don’t enjoy is the fact that golf balls now have their own unique traits as well, such as spin and bounce stats. This addition feels like one system too many to keep track of, and I wish they just let you focus on appearance only when it comes to golf balls. Another issue I have with MyCareer is that for some reason, you still need to be online to play through the mode. This is a single-player focused mode, and as far as I can tell, there’s no actual reason for the game to force you to be online for it.

The choice to force you to always be online to access MyCareer is baffling, because the title features a solid slate of online options already. The ability to join online societies is the main source of top competitive play. The official 2K society is where I imagine most players will flock towards, but the option to create private ones for just you and your friends remains a nice touch. Outside of societies, you can choose to just play single rounds of various types as well. Skins, Stroke Play, Match Play and Scramble return, as does the Divot Derby, which was a mode that was added after 2K21’s launch. Finally, there’s an option to play Topgolf as well. Topgolf is a competition where you work to drive the ball into targets of various differing points. Highest score at the conclusion of the match wins. This is something that is more fun to play in real-life than virtually, but it’s still a nice option to have included.

Although the gameplay remains as strong as ever, PGA Tour 2K23 still can’t quite match it in the aesthetics department. Perhaps because pros are now playable, character models do look better, and pretty close to their real-life counterparts. However, the courses themselves continue to look rather uninspired. There doesn’t appear to have been much of a bump from the last gen-only game to this year’s release. The same commentary duo returns, but they are now joined by English broadcaster Henni Koyack as well. The addition of a third person, though, doesn’t fix the issues with the commentary. They are still prone to repetition, and struggle to accurately call the action.

After two years of tinkering, PGA Tour 2K23 is a worthy follow-up to a title I really came to enjoy. The swing stick feels just as good as ever, and the addition of the three-button swing system opens the door for a new audience. Tying character progression to completing the campaign instead of buying new clubs was a smart move for the series as well. It can be tough to keep track of every system involved, but it offers a stronger sense of improvement than just purchasing a better club. It’s a shame that the presentation of the series still feels behind other sports titles. With a lot of carry over from 2K21 when it comes to course availability, I was expecting there to be more visual panache this year. At their current trajectory, though, I expect that whenever the next iteration of the series debuts, they’ll have upped their game.

• Release: October 14, 2022
• Publisher: 2K Sports
• Developer: HB Studios
• Genre: Sports
• Buy it now: Amazon.com
• Also Available On PC PlayStation 4 Xbox One Xbox Series X

PGA Tour 2K23

• PS Plus required for online play
• In-game purchases optional
• Supports up to 4 online players with PS Plus
• Online play optional
• 1 - 4 players
• PS5 Version Vibration function and trigger effect supported (DualSense wireless controller)

Welcome to PGA TOUR 2K23! This edition includes the Standard Edition and dual-gen entitlement plus: • Golden Club Pack: Golden driver, golden putter, and 4 Uncommon tier golf ball sleeves Take your skills on the PGA TOUR and become the next FedExCup Champion as you compete against TOUR pros and establish new rivalries. For the first time, play as male and female pros including Tiger Woods, in online and local play. Also features licensed courses such as East Lake Golf Club, TPC Sawgrass, TPC Scottsdale, and more. Create your own dream course with the Course Designer, which features thousands of customizable objects and cross-platform sharing. Introducing Topgolf with competitive 1-4 player local and online play, bringing the range’s excitement and fun to both casual and seasoned players. Level up your MyPLAYER with new Skills and Archetypes and bring the swag to the green with new licensed gear and apparel. Plus, run your own online societies to manage tournaments and seasons or test your skills against your friends in Divot Derby and Casual mode.

PS4™ Redemption

• PGA TOUR 2K23 for PS4™

Standard Edition

Standard Cross-Gen Edition

• PGA TOUR 2K23 for PS4™ & PS5™
• Golden Club Pack:
• Golden Touch Driver
• Golden Touch Putter
• 4 Uncommon Golf Ball Sleeves

Deluxe Edition

• Michael Jordan Bonus Pack
• Golden Club Pack
• Deluxe Edition Bonus Pack

Tiger Woods Edition

• Tiger Woods Edition Bonus Pack
• Tiger Woods Signature Sunday Pack

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PGA TOUR 2K23 now available worldwide, bringing players “More Golf. More Game.”

Featuring iconic cover athlete and Executive Director Tiger Woods, players everywhere can tee off with authentic playable pros, courses, gear and Topgolf Mode

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“As we launch this next evolution of the franchise, there’s been no better partner to work with for PGA TOUR 2K23 than our legendary cover athlete Tiger Woods,” said Alfie Brody, Vice President of Global Marketing Strategy at 2K. “Throughout his career, Tiger has changed the culture of golf in terms of representation, fashion, prestige and attitude. Those are all qualities espoused by PGA TOUR 2K23 , and the franchise as a whole.”

“We’re very thankful for the supportive and passionate PGA TOUR 2K community,” said Josh Muise, Creative Director for HB Studios. “Their love of the game, feedback and hard work put into our Course Designer have really helped shape PGA TOUR 2K23 for the better and we’re proud to share the game with them today and for years to come.”

PGA TOUR 2K23 features several new additions and improvements sure to delight franchise veterans, dedicated PGA TOUR fans and casual golfers alike:

• Control the Pros – Woods leads a roster of more than 14 male and female playable pros at launch*, including Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele, Lexi Thompson, Tony Finau, Lydia Ko, Collin Morikawa, Will Zalatoris, Brooke Henderson, Jon Rahm, Justin Rose, Rickie Fowler, and more. Players can step into the tee box as one of the pros in Exhibition, multiplayer and Divot Derby play, or go head-to-head with them in PGA TOUR MyCAREER mode. In addition to the pros, the broadcast-style presentation and commentary team also return, with the addition of English golf pro and broadcaster Henni Koyack.
• Earn PGA TOUR Pro Status – A spot atop the leaderboard awaits amateurs and pros alike in MyCAREER. Players can create a custom MyPLAYER, start out in Q-School, earn a spot on the Korn Ferry Tour and work their way up to PGA TOUR pro status, taking on the roster of pros on some of the most challenging and popular courses in pursuit of FedExCup glory. There’s also the option to skip right to PGA TOUR pro status.
• Celebrity Shot! – NBA icons and avid golf aficionados Michael Jordan and Steph Curry are available at launch to bring their skills from the hardwood to the fairway. Jordan is available as part of the Michael Jordan Bonus Pack, while Curry is available as free bonus content for all players on all platforms**.
• Tee Off with Topgolf Mode – The introduction of Topgolf Mode offers a unique single or multiplayer party experience emulating the popular golf entertainment phenomenon, where players can aim for targets and try to earn the highest score.
• Play Your Way – MyPLAYER customization is deeper than ever, with new player archetypes and skill trees. Players choose the style that works best for them, from a long-driving power hitter to a short game expert. Custom club fitting allows a further degree of personalization, allowing for unique but balanced combinations of club attributes. New optional, consumable golf balls offer a boost to certain attributes but are balanced to incur a penalty in others, while players can also opt to use an unlimited number of default balls without unique attributes. In addition to the returning analog stick swing, a three-click swing option is also available for an added level of customization so players can play the way they like.
• Swing With Swag – MyPLAYER personalization returns, and players can equip their MyPLAYERS just like Tiger with Nike Golf, TaylorMade and Bridgestone Golf apparel and gear. Even more apparel options are available from licensed brands, including adidas, Callaway Golf, FootJoy, Malbon Golf, Nike Golf, PUMA, Titleist, TravisMathew and more***. Clubs and balls from brands including Bridgestone Golf, Callaway Golf, COBRA, Mizuno, Odyssey Golf, PING, Scotty Cameron, TaylorMade, Titleist and Wilson are available to deck out players’ golf bags.
• Enjoy True-to-Life Courses or Test Your Creativity – Players can experience 20 licensed courses at launch. New additions include the South Course of Wilmington Country Club, The Renaissance Club, St. George’s Golf and Country Club and more. Pebble Beach Golf Club, Spyglass Hill, Torrey Pines North and South Courses, and more will be available as free bonus content after launch on all platforms. The industry-leading Course Designer also returns, offering players the opportunity to build their dream courses and share them with a global online community****.
• Embodying the Lifestyle – Culturally relevant partners including the largest and most influential digital sports, entertainment and lifestyle multimedia brand Barstool Sports, trick shot video megastars Dude Perfect, and premium lifestyle brand and gaming organization 100 Thieves will be represented in PGA TOUR 2K23 post launch bonus content.
• ‘Tis the Season – The new Seasons live services model ensures players can swing with swag for months to come, offering new gear and goals to achieve. Season 1 features apparel from Black Quail and Hugo Boss.
• See You in the Clubhouse – PGA TOUR 2K23 will also feature the return of Clubhouse Pass, including new gear and apparel rewards from Malbon and TaylorMade. Clubhouse Pass will be available in three tiers: Clubhouse Pass (free), which allows players to unlock free rewards at certain intervals, Clubhouse Pass Premium ($9.99/season), which allows players to earn rewards for every level, and Clubhouse Pass Premium Plus ($19.99/season), which allows players to skip the first 20 levels and receive those rewards.
• Train for the TOUR – Training mode offers multiple ways to develop skills, including swing calibration, lessons, chipping practice, a driving range and a putting green. Tutorials throughout help rookies get into the game, while giving seasoned players reminders and opportunities to work on their skills.
• Have a Tee Party – Online multiplayer features also return for PGA TOUR 2K23 ***** . Online Societies encourage players to compete with friends for custom tournaments and full seasons, with unique rules and entry stipulations.

“The PGA TOUR is excited for the launch of PGA TOUR 2K23 , featuring Tiger Woods, Steph Curry, Michael Jordan and many of the top players on the PGA TOUR,” said Len Brown, PGA TOUR Chief Legal Officer and Executive Vice President, Licensing. “We’re delighted that fans playing the game will be able to experience the PGA TOUR season from our players’ perspective and ultimately compete for the FedExCup.”

PGA TOUR 2K23 is available in multiple editions, each with unique cover art depicting painted portraits of Tiger Woods:

PGA TOUR 2K23 Standard Edition :

• Physical and digital versions for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles, as well as the digital-only version for PC, include the base game;
• Players who purchase the Standard Edition of the game for PS5 (digital version only) or Xbox Series X|S (physical or digital version) consoles which includes cross-generation dual entitlement will also receive the Golden Club Pack for the game on PS4 or Xbox One, respectively ******.

PGA TOUR 2K23 Deluxe Edition :

• For PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles, includes the base game with cross-generation dual-entitlement, as well as the Michael Jordan Bonus Pack , Golden Club Pack, and Deluxe Edition Bonus Pack ;
• The Golden Club Pack includes a Golden Putter, Golden Driver, and four Uncommon consumable golf ball sleeves;
• The Deluxe Edition Bonus Pack includes 1300 VC (Virtual Currency), a hockey stick putter, gold baseball cap, gold glove, and three Rare consumable golf ball sleeves;
• For PC, includes the base game, as well as the Michael Jordan Bonus Pack , Golden Club Pack, and Deluxe Edition Bonus Pack .

PGA TOUR 2K23 Tiger Woods Edition (available in digital format only):

• Includes all the contents of the Standard and Deluxe Edition for the purchased platform;
• Includes the Tiger Woods Edition Bonus Pack – which includes a Tiger Woods TaylorMade wedge set, Nike TW Golf tee shirt, and three Epic consumable golf ball sleeves – plus the Tiger Woods Signature Sunday Pack , which includes a red polo, black pants, black hat, Nike TW Golf shoes, Nike TW Golf belt, and Bridgestone Golf TOUR B XS, Tiger Edition Golf Ball.

PGA TOUR 2K23 is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB. For more information on PGA TOUR 2K23 and 2K, visit https://pgatour.2k.com/2k23/ , become a fan on Facebook , follow the game on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #PGATOUR2K23 or subscribe on YouTube .

*Additional pros and courses will be added as free post-launch bonus content and be available to all players. **Michael Jordan is only available at launch as part of the Michael Jordan Bonus Pack, which is included with PGA TOUR 2K23 Deluxe Edition and PGA TOUR 2K23 Tiger Woods Edition (digital only). Steph Curry is available to all players on all platforms as a free download. PGA TOUR 2K23 required to play content. Terms apply. ***Some cosmetic items and consumables may require unlocking with virtual currency (earned or paid) or via gameplay. ****Online Account (13+) required to access online features. See www.take2games.com/legal and www.take2games.com/privacy for additional details. *****Multiplayer modes can only be played with the same console or across generations within the same console family (PS4 to PS5; Xbox One to Xbox Series X|S). ******Available for PlayStation and Xbox consoles on the same account within the same console family (PS4 to PS5; Xbox One to Xbox Series X|S). PS4 (Physical): PS4 disc and PS5 console with disc drive required to play PS5 version.

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PGA Tour 2K23 Deluxe Edition - PlayStation 4

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About this item

• Take your skills on the PGA TOUR and become the next FedExCup Champion as you compete against TOUR pros and establish new rivalries.
• For the first time, play as male and female pros including Tiger Woods, in online and local play. Also features licensed courses such as East Lake Golf Club, TPC Sawgrass, TPC Scottsdale, and more.
• Create your own dream course with the Course Designer, which features thousands of customizable objects and cross-platform sharing.
• Introducing Topgolf with competitive 1-4 player local and online play, bringing the range’s excitement and fun to both casual and seasoned players.
• Plus, run your own online societies to manage tournaments and seasons or test your skills against your friends in Divot Derby and Casual mode.

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Product details

• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.56 x 5.4 x 6.75 inches; 3.36 ounces
• Our Recommended age ‏ : ‎ 5 - 20 years
• Item model number ‏ : ‎ 281710
• Date First Available ‏ : ‎ August 22, 2022
• Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ 2K
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B9T3715N
• #2,422 in PlayStation 4 Games

Product Description

The Deluxe Edition includes the Standard Edition, plus the Michael Jordan Bonus Pack, Deluxe Bonus Pack, 3-Day Early Access, Golden Club Pack, and dual-gen entitlement. Hit the links with more swagger in PGA TOUR 2K23. Now featuring playable male and female pros, including Tiger Woods, new licensed courses, more control options, an authentic PGA TOUR MyCAREER, Course Designer, and new MyPLAYER Skills and Archetypes! PGA TOUR 2K23. More Golf. More Game.

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PGA TOUR 2K23

• PS Plus required for online play
• In-game purchases optional
• Supports up to 4 online players with PS Plus
• Online play optional
• 1 - 4 players
• PS5 Version Vibration function and trigger effect supported (DualSense wireless controller)

PS4™ Redemption

• PGA TOUR 2K23 for PS4™

Standard Edition

Standard Cross-Gen Edition

• PGA TOUR 2K23 for PS4™ & PS5™
• Golden Club Pack:
• Golden Touch Driver
• Golden Touch Putter
• 4 Uncommon Golf Ball Sleeves

Deluxe Edition

• Michael Jordan Bonus Pack
• Golden Club Pack
• Deluxe Edition Bonus Pack

Tiger Woods Edition

• Tiger Woods Edition Bonus Pack
• Tiger Woods Signature Sunday Pack

Global player ratings

Welcome to PGA TOUR 2K23! Take your skills on the PGA TOUR and become the next FedExCup Champion as you compete against TOUR pros and establish new rivalries. For the first time, play as male and female pros including Tiger Woods, in online and local play. Also features licensed courses such as East Lake Golf Club, TPC Sawgrass, TPC Scottsdale, and more. Create your own dream course with the Course Designer, which features thousands of customizable objects and cross-platform sharing. Introducing Topgolf with competitive 1-4 player local and online play, bringing the range’s excitement and fun to both casual and seasoned players. Level up your MyPLAYER with new Skills and Archetypes and bring the swag to the green with new licensed gear and apparel. Plus, run your own online societies to manage tournaments and seasons or test your skills against your friends in Divot Derby and Casual mode.

PGA TOUR 2K23 MULTIPLAYER OPTIONS

Nothing comes quite as close to replicating the competitive thrill of the golf course as experiencing multiplayer modes on our PGA games. No matter if your console of choice is an Xbox Series S|X, PlayStation®5, Xbox One, Playstation®4, or PC, PGA TOUR 2K23 is packed with unbeatable multiplayer options that allow you to pit your skills against fellow gamers across the globe.

To coincide with the launch of the game, our comprehensive guide will walk you through the fantastic online multiplayer options available and advise on how you can get the most out of this excellent new addition to the PGA TOUR 2K series.

Whether you’re a 2K veteran or a novice, our breakdown will give you everything you need to be familiar with the multiplayer options in PGA TOUR 2K23.

PLAY AGAINST FRIENDS

As with previous releases, PGA TOUR 2K23 benefits from a string of gameplay-enhancing, multiplayer features. These features add an extra competitive spark, allowing you to challenge friends or fellow golf and gaming enthusiasts worldwide.

Our array of multiplayer options allows you to play in numerous ways, including:

• Locally against friends or ‘ghosts’ (a feature that allows you to test your progress by playing against a previous version of your own performance).
• Against other golfers in online ‘matchmaking’ matches, such as Quick Play, Divot Derby, Topgolf, High Rollers, and Teams.
• In a private match 
• In an online society

When playing with your friends, you can either battle it out against each other in a head-to-head match or work together to dominate in competitions. With the option of creating your very own virtual fourball, this element of the game is sure to amplify your competitive edge.

HOW TO SET UP A PRIVATE MATCH

While the fun of playing against gamers worldwide is undeniable, the thrill and camaraderie of going head-to-head with a few close friends can be exhilarating.  

Whether you’re a group of regular golfers used to duking it out on the course, or just committed gamers kicking back with some virtual competition, our private course mode is just what you need. Our comprehensive options allow you to play in multiple formats including stroke, stableford, match play, skins, four ball, alternate shots, and 2-vs-2 scramble. 

With fully customizable settings, you can set everything yourself, from the course to the difficulty level and the conditions.

Our customizable course conditions allow you to play in the ambient confines of a sunshine-drenched course or battle the elements on a rain-soaked green. To amplify the realism, each condition will change the gameplay to match the challenges of a real-life course.

The customization of each course goes further still, allowing you to control everything from the crowd to the type of tees you play from. What’s more, these options are also available on our online society, allowing you to raise the stakes while competing with golfers far and wide.

HOW TO ADJUST THE MULTIPLAYER DIFFICULTY

One of the beauties of golf is how accessible it is to players of all levels. Whether you’re a novice player taking your first swing on the tee, or a tournament player looking to reduce an already formidable handicap, golf is a sport that allows you to progress at your own pace.

It’s for this reason, that we’ve applied this same accessibility to the world of golf gaming. Our multiplayer mode has been designed to simultaneously offer support for newcomers while providing enough challenges to entertain expert players.

With this in mind, we’ve set all matchmaking matches to be played on a Pro difficulty level. The Pro difficulty setting offers a challenging swing, with some additional aids that offer support for newcomers to the game, including instructions on how to putt .

The Pro difficulty level allows us to bring together the best of both worlds, providing gameplay that remains challenging to experienced players without alienating newcomers. This ensures as many people as possible can enjoy the competitive thrill of our online mode.

When playing a private match, you have the option to fully customize the level of difficulty available. Our open difficulty settings allow you to select different levels for different players. This means that a more advanced player can set a higher difficulty level than a less experienced opponent, allowing you to have a competitive match despite the difference in skill.

For the most meticulous gamers, there is the ability to customize individual elements of the gameplay. This feature allows you to set specific difficulty levels for aspects such as swing timing, distance control, and pro vision—an in-game mechanic that highlights changes in elevation, wind impact, and the expected landing point of the ball.

WHAT IS AN ONLINE SOCIETY?

PGA TOUR 2K23’s extensive list of online societies provide you with a plethora of multiplayer options to choose from. From creating your own league with a group of friends to competing with players around the world, our online societies are limitless.

Online societies allow gamers to create their own community of golfers to participate in events. This allows players to compete online in tournaments that would be typically found in the offline career mode.

Those who run the society can customize it however they like. As the founder, you can set your own parameters for entry, such as minimum and maximum handicaps.

The presence of in-game currency adds another dimension to the competition, creating virtual stakes and providing the winner with the braggadocious thrill of taking prize money from their defeated friends. This is a great option for those who want to combine the pressure and excitement of real-life golf, with the drama and tension of player vs player competition play. 

The customizable nature allows you to create societies that are open to anyone, but tournaments work a bit differently. You can either make tournaments open to everyone or they have entry requirements based on performance within the society’s history or current season.

Your society can be set up to mimic the dynamics of a real-life golf season, with points accumulated over the course of a season based on a player’s performance in each competition. 

There is also the option to raise the prestige by scheduling more important events in the calendar, such as championship matches.  

As the admin, you can set events and timescales by which they need to be completed—meaning you do not all need to be playing at the same time to compete against one another. However, all members of your society must be playing on the same console as you, meaning that Xbox players cannot join the same society as those playing on a PlayStation, for example.

And for those who wish to avoid the hassle of starting their own society, there are plenty of existing societies set up by other users that you can join right away. Joining a society allows you to enter a competition on someone else’s terms, competing with other keen golfers and putting your skills to the test.