There was, at one point in time, a period when EA Sports dominated the golf green with the Tiger Woods PGA Tour series. But then controversy struck, and the company opted to do away with it for a while. It did come back a little while with a new star – Rory McIlroy – and an innovative approach on Xbox One and PlayStation 4. However, just like that, it faded back into
obscurity, allowing 2K to try and dominate with its PGA Tour series.
Now EA returns once more, attempting to re-take the links with EA Sports PGA Tour this month. But instead of focusing on a big cover star or imaginative courses from other franchises (remember Battlefield’s?), it instead will do what EA had done so many years ago – it’ll bring the gameplay and options we need to simply enjoy golf once again.
Driving Onto the Green
The game will feature a number of courses this time around – 30 to start, and more likely to be added as time goes on. These include iconic favorites such as Augusta National Golf Club, Pebble Beach Golf Links, Southern Hills Country Club, The Old Course at St Andrews Links and others, including many being used with this year’s majors tournaments. (They’ll likely be provided in a free update.)
That said, only a handful of pros will be available, including Jordan Spieth, Lexi Thompson, Nelly Korda and others, though this will likely expand as well over time. Or, hey, you could always create your own and dress them like you’re John Daly.
All of this will revolve around a new MyCareer mode, in which you’ll be able to work your way up to The Masters. This includes improving a number of skills across 20 different shot types, as well as improving your strength and accuracy when it comes to play. Do you have what it takes to reach The Players Championship and the coveted FedEx up? It’s time to find out. The game will also feature the LPGA, including a number of female superstars competing for the Amundi Evian Championship. And, yes, you can create female players as well.
How Will It Look and Play?
As we noted before, EA Sports is going all out to assure that the courses look as photo-realistic as ever, right down to the divots and the sandtraps. It’ll also feature accurate animation of the golfers, as well as their skill sets, right down to their actual players. The create-a-players should look pretty cool as well.
You’ll also notice some of the Trackman data information utilized in your golf swing as well, including how you pull back on a club, your follow-through and what have you. You’ll be able to fine tune these to get the utmost performance from your golfer.
Finally, along with soothing music for the menus and sound effects straight from the game, the Golf.com commentary team will include Rich Lerner, Frank Nobilo, Notah Begay III, Iona Stephen and Nick Faldo. This should bring some interesting talk with each shot you take.
A Hole In One?
Only time will tell if EA Sports PGA Tour can live up to the legacy of the titles that preceded it. But as PGA Tour 2K23 proved, there’s room for improvement; and if any game has any chance of dominating the links when it arrives on March 24th, it’s this one.
Check out the gameplay trailer below!
Want a new console to play EA Sports PGA Tour on? We’re giving one away!
