When PGA TOUR 2K21 was released, golf fans had been deprived of a PGA TOUR video game since Rory McIlroy PGA TOUR was released in 2015.  The game was a major step in the right direction for the future of golf video games, but needed work.

PGA TOUR 2k23 has improved it’s product in the two years since the 2K21 version was released. But are the improvements significant enough to justify buying the new game?

New Swing/New Game Modes

The game begins with a tutorial and allows you to choose a “3-Click swing requires you to hold and release the X button (PS5), and then tap the button twice to line up your swing path and club face angle. This new option doesn’t feel as realistic as swinging the club with the joystick, but it offers an easier method for more casual gamers.

PGA TOUR 2K23 also offers some new gaming options, highlighted by the “Top Golf” mode. The mode is fun in short stints and truly does replicate the feel of being at a “Top Golf” in real life. It’s a solid option for a player who wants to hit some golf shots without grinding in their My career mode for hours at a time.

MyPlayer

As we’ve grown accustomed to with the 2K franchise in NBA, MyPlayer is the focal point of the game. There are massive changes to MyPlayer in 2K23 as they’ve added both Archetypes and Skills to the mode. The Archetype allows you to build your player around a certain skill set such as player who bombs it off the tee or a player who does tidy work around the greens. Different “Skills” options are given in a progression tree and can be triggered during rounds to help improve your play. There are also “Momentum Skills” that can be earned mid-round through consistently accomplishing tasks such as hitting consecutive fairways.

MyCareer

The MyCareer mode allows you to start at Q School, the Korn Ferry Tour, Korn Ferry Tour Finals, or PGA TOUR. There are 17 courses in career mode that return from 2K21 along with three new courses, Wilmington Country Club, The Renaissance Club and St. George’s Golf. MyCareer builds off of the rivalry system it used in 2K21 and eventually requires you to defeat Tiger Woods in a rivalry once you’ve defeated the other pro’s. MyCareer also enables you to unlock different clubs and gear for your player, but it’s all cosmetic. The only changes with your player on the course are attributed to your Archetype and Skill in your MyPlayer.

The Verdict

The game certainly improves on it’s 2K21 predecessor. The changes in MyPlayer and MyCareer are significant and enhance the gaming experience. PGA TOUR 2K23 is undoubtedly the most realistic golf simulation video game ever made and it’s truly impressive how authentic being on the course feels while playing the game. Chipping and putting requires timing and precision, the lie you get in the rough is incredibly predictive of the shot you need to play, a ball above your feet will hook to the left and a ball below your feet will slice to the right. Just about everything on the course is authentic as can be imagined by hardcore golf fans. The graphics of the game are much smoother and more realistic than 2K21.

There are plenty of improvements to the game, but some of the additions fall flat. The “playable pro’s” are a welcome addition, but there is little to do with the players that is meaningful to the game. You can play a casual round with Tiger Woods at TPC Sawgrass, but after doing so a few times, the rounds feel a bit empty. Not being able to play against the pro’s is something I hope changes in future generations. The rivalry system is a little better than the previous version, but still feels a bit meaningless when all is said and done. Having to beat the player in match play or actually be able see their shots against yours in a tournament setting would do wonders for the franchise.

Additionally, the lack of major championship courses and licensing hurts the game. Not being able to play in The Masters, PGA Championship, The Open Championship, or PGA Championship makes the MyCareer mode feel unfulfilling.

Ultimately, the realism and authenticity of the on-course gaming makes the game worth buying. With competition now coming in the form of EA Sports PGA TOUR, the 2K product will unquestionably improve in future years.

Score: 7.3/10