pga tour 2k23 help

PGA Tour 2K23: Beginner Tips Guide

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You don't need to be an expert to golf, learn the clubs, customize your clubs in the locker, grind xp and coins, allocate skill points to the essential clubs, tweak the settings, experiment with the archetypes.

Tiger Woods has once again revived the world of virtual golf with PGA Tour 2K23 , the latest installment to the universally acclaimed sports saga. Like before, players are invited to swing for stardom as an up-and-coming pro golfer over a series of dynamic courses, tournaments, and global events in its ever-evolving MyCareer mode.

PGA Tour 2K23: The 10 Best Golfers

Luckily, PGA Tour 2K23 has a litter of in-depth tutorials and starter challenges to help you take your first steps out on the green. Learning to master the sport, though, is another story, and one that involves a fair amount of trial and error backhand swings, putts, and tee-offs. But where do you begin in a world like PGA, and how exactly do you build up a certain repertoire that puts you on par with the poster children of the sport?

Updated November 21, 2023, by Sean Murray: These PGA 2K23 Tips are sure to get your golfing career off to a great start. We've tweaked this guide's formatting slightly and also given it more links to other helpful PGA 2K23 topics.

PGA Tour 2K23 does a remarkable job at accommodating both newcomers to the series and seasoned veterans who've followed it since its 1990 debut. Because of this, it's fair to say that you don't need to be an expert with all the answers to hit the grass running.

Of course, previous experience is a major plus in a series like PGA Tour, especially if you're looking to challenge others in its online multiplayer mode. That said, you can learn all there is to learn without having an existing wealth of knowledge already stowed away under your belt.

If this is your very first rodeo with PGA Tour, then rest assured that 2K doesn't expect you to be an elite golfer to make a mark on the green.

It's no secret that a lot of newcomers to the series fail to make their shots because of the clubs they choose to bring to the course. Make no mistake that missing a shot can boil down to a number of factors, but selecting the wrong club is a definite no-no in PGA Tour , and can consequently cause you to struggle to make par.

Therefore, before you hit the green, be sure to experiment with each of the varied clubs until you've grasped the basics.

PGA Tour 2K23 offers a generous selection of clubs, all of which come loaded with their own purpose. The good news here is that your caddie will determine which club you need whenever you're about to tee off.

That said, just because the caddie hands you a club doesn't mean you should always follow up with it . The more you learn about the clubs and their capabilities, the more you can test your caddie's knowledge out on the green by switching up the defaults.

You can change your club by pressing up or down on the D-Pad .

PGA Tour 2K23: All MyPLAYER Archetypes, Ranked

Your default clubs will only take you so far in a game like PGA Tour 2K23, which is precisely why you should build up enough coins to shop for upgrades . These upgrades come in the form of Fittings , which can be applied to any of your clubs in the Locker section.

You can only apply up to three Fittings for each club , and each one is scaled by rarity .

It goes without saying that adding just one of these Fittings to a club can boost your game when out on the green. Each Fitting has a number of attributes, including shot power , timing , swing path , and shaping .

Applying only the rarest will definitely give you the upper hand when fending off opponents in any of the game modes.

To make it anywhere in MyCareer , you're going to need a lot of top-shelf cosmetics . Unfortunately, cosmetics come at a price, and unless you've stashed away a whole treasury of coins, you won't be able to equip them to help triple your A game.

Therefore, you're going to want to grind XP and coins , which can be done by competing in global events and challenges .

Of course, taking part in any round will help you gain a foothold on the ladder, but to truly make an impact, you're going to want to win events and challenges . Like in PGA Tour 2K22, the higher the difficulty setting, the more XP you will acquire on completion .

Claiming consecutive wins will rack up your XP Multiplier , which will, in turn, fast-track your character to superstardom.

As you shovel your way through MyCareer, you will earn XP from beating events, which can be used to unlock a variety of perks for each of your acquired clubs . However, if you dump XP into skill trees for clubs that aren't used all that much, then you're only shooting yourself in the foot.

It's always best to prioritize allocating points to the essential clubs .

When it comes to building up your skill trees, you will want to focus on the driver , irons , wedge , and putter . As these are the clubs you'll be using the majority of the time, it's best to cram as much XP into developing their attributes and leveling up the tiers.

There is a total of 126 skills to choose from in PGA Tour 2K23, only 50 of which can be collected by leveling up your character. When it comes to picking skill trees to evolve, try and aim for the clubs you favor the most on the green .

PGA Tour 2K23: The 10 Best Courses

It may seem obvious at this point, but changing your settings to suit your personal preferences can definitely help you out in the long run. Although it is recommended that you play on a higher difficulty to maximize your chances of netting more XP, it doesn't mean you should never settle for something a little less threatening as and when needed.

If you navigate to the MyCareer Presets , you will find three adjustable sliders: Opponent Difficulty , Conditions Difficulty , and Rounds Per Event . If you're still learning the basics and aren't quite ready to dive into the deep end, then you can change the top two sliders to Very Easy , which will give you more leeway when playing rounds.

You still acquire XP for completing global events and challenges on the easier difficulties .

PGA Tour 2K23 lets you choose from five different archetypes , all of which come preloaded with their own abilities and perks. You can alter your character to accommodate any of these archetypes for free in MyCareer, and doing so can help you get a feel for each respective skill tree.

For example, the Powerhouse archetype is better suited for players wanting to drive the ball with speed and power, whereas the Greensman archetype favors putting over drive .

Before diving into any global event, you should aim to experiment with each of the five available archetypes, which are Powerhouse, Greensman, Rhythm, Sculptor, and Woodsman .

You can change your archetype between events by going to the MyPlayer menu and selecting Golfer . From here, scroll over to the Archetypes tab and pick the one that you would like to equip.

Next: Best Golf Games On PS4 And PS5

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PGA Tour 2K23: Beginner’s guide to driving & shooting – Controls, tips, and more

It’s a new time for the PGA Tour 2K franchise, as PGA Tour 2K23 has gone live worldwide. This new title brings back a lot of features for 2K21, but that information might mean much to newcomers. Much like with PGA Tour 2K21, 2K23’s gameplay can be a bit trepidatious to navigate around at first. If you’re new to the franchise and want on improving your driving/shooting game, we can help. Let’s go some info newcomers to golf in general should know, as well as relevant controls and tips on how to drive and shoot better.

Related: How Endorsements w ork in PGA Tour 2K23

What to know about golf

Before you get to the green, you’ll need to drive the ball off the tee and begin the play. In most cases, players will need a driver in order to start the round. However, there will be instances where you will instead start with either a Wood or an Iron. The latter two come in handy on drivers for par-3 and short par-4s.

Drivers yield the most distance in PGA Tour 2K23, followed by Woods. Hybrid, Iron, and Wedges have shorter distances, and are used in short distances towards the greens, as well as to get out of bunkers and the rough.

The directions

For PGA Tour 2K23, there are three different ways to shoot: the Left Stick, the Right Stick, and a 3-Point system using the buttons. Let’s go over the last one first.

The 3-Point system uses a meter that looks significantly different than the other two. To start the meter, press and hold A/X, and then let go once the meter covers all of the white space. Then, you’ll see two hands show up on the meter. It will look awfully similar to a clock, and the hands move counter-clockwise.

To stop the first hand, press A/X. The first hand, which handles the direction of the shot, needs to be either on, or right near the small white space on the top-part of the meter. The second hand also must be stopped with A/X, and it also needs to land on the white space that falls on the bottom of the meter. This latter part affects the distance of the shot.

Now, let’s go over the analog stick method. To enter your backswing, shift and hold the stick down. To move to your downswing, which will be when you actually hit the golf ball, shift the stick up once you have finished with the backswing. However, you have to push the stick straight up in order for the ball to go in the correct direction. If you don’t, the shot could veer to the left or the right.

Now, let’s go over some tips for how to improve your game in PGA Tour 2K23:

It might be best to turn off Swing Timing…at first

If you plan using the sticks to shoot, it might be best to turn off the Swing Timing at first. You will need to have Swing Timing to play on, but there is somewhat of a benefit of turning it off for newcomers: it can help with working with those stick skills. Instead of focusing on worrying about the timing and how fast or slow you move with the stick, this will allow you to first work on keeping shots straight.

Try calibration

Before you do anything in PGA Tour 2K23, spend time in Practice mode. Not only will you be able to mess around and get a good feel for the controls, but players can also calibrate their swing. Calibrating your swing will give you a better idea as to how you should time your swing, but it will also let the game calibrate perfect downswing timing based upon your shot. We’ll get more into why that’s important in a bit.

Shape the shot

If you want to improve your game, it’s vital that you use the shot shaping capabilities. There are a number of different ways to shape a shot.

For starters, players can add more top or backspin by shifting the left or right stick — depending on shot method — up or down. Shifting down will add more backspin, whereas moving it up adds topspin. Backspin is actually pretty important, as it adds distance to a shot, but also makes it easier to stop a ball right at the landing spot.

The other stick controls the loft of the shot. If you move the non-shooting stick up, it will lead to a lower loft and lead to the ball flying lower. Move it down, and it leads to a higher loft and a higher flight path. Keep in mind that higher lofts reduce carry distance, and increase the impact wind can have on a shot. Lower lofts have the opposite effect: those lead to a reduced distance.

Practice, practice, practice

PGA Tour 2K23 features a lot of different courses, and can be tough to get the hang of at first. Good form requires practice, especially for quirky courses. MyCareer is a great way to get your feet wet, and can also help with getting some free rewards and money .

Note: There are reports circulating that the calibration for Xbox consoles are not working properly, as of this writing. Keep that in mind.

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Hit the links with more swagger in PGA TOUR 2K23 . Welcome to the next chapter of golf.

AUTHENTIC PGA TOUR MyCAREER

Take your skills and your swag on the PGA TOUR to become the next FedExCup Champ. Compete against other pros with your MyPLAYER and establish new rivalries.

PGA TOUR PROS AND LICENSED COURSES

For the first time, play as male and female pros including Tiger Woods! Step onto one of the multiple licensed courses, including East Lake Golf Club, TPC Scottsdale, and TPC Sawgrass, to name a few!

CREATE YOUR OWN DREAM COURSES

Build your own fantasy fairway with the industry-leading Course Designer, featuring thousands of customizable objects and cross-platform sharing.

TOPGOLF HAS ARRIVED

Head to Topgolf solo or with your crew, in competitive 1-4 player local and online play.

LEVEL UP YOUR MyPLAYER

New archetypes and skills level up your MyPLAYER while new licensed gear and apparel from top brands like adidas, Callaway, Titleist, Malbon, and more, bring the swag to the green. 

MORE CONTROL OPTIONS AND ACCESSIBILITY  

Choose between the new 3-click Swing System and the traditional analog stick swing. Accessible features include real-time tutorials, tips, shot suggestions, the TrueShot System, and Lie Management.

YOUR SOCIETY, YOUR RULES

Control your Clubhouse with Online Societies. Manage tournaments and full seasons. Set up entry rules as well as event options.

ONLINE AND LOCAL MULTIPLAYER

Hit the links with your crew in local and online matches, including Alt-Shot, Stroke Play, Skins, and 4-Player Scramble. Plus, the frenzied multiplayer mode Divot Derby is back!

RELEASE DATES

October 14, 2022

OFFICIAL SITE

PGA TOUR 2K23

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How to Level Up Fast in PGA Tour 2K23

It won’t take any astute video game player very long to realize that leveling up can help you out a great deal in PGA Tour 2K23 . The biggest reason to want to soar through the levels as quickly as possible is that you can gain a skill point every time you ascend to a new level. These skill points can unlock advantages during a round that become both better and easier to unleash as you get to the higher levels. There are also the nice level rewards of apparel, equipment, and fitting rewards to be obtained through the clubhouse pass. Those who pay for the premium pass will receive some sort of reward for every level unlocked.

How To Level Up Fast In PGA Tour 2K23

So how can you get all the way to level 50 as quickly as possible? The easiest answer is a boring one: play the game. With XP being gained through completing objectives on the course and at the end of every 18 holes you play, there’s no shortcut around grabbing your golf bag and hitting the links. That said, there are a few ways that you can get the most XP bang for your buck if you’re smart about how you spend your time within the game. Here are some methods to consider if you’re short on time with the game and want to move through levels in a hurry.

Difficulty Multiplier

Because the main way that you’ll accrue the XP needed to climb levels is through playing the game, you’ll want to ensure that you’re getting as much XP as possible per round. This largely involves finding what difficulty you’re able to handle while still putting up decent scores. If you spend some time in the difficulty settings manipulating all of the ways that you can make the game harder or easier, you’ll see that with nearly every one you toggle, the XP multiplier to your right will change.

The setting that will affect this XP multiplier the most will be the swing difficulty, as it will have the biggest impact on how precise you need to be with your input. You’ll probably want to eventually settle on either pro or master, making the leap to the latter when you start to find yourself getting scores well below par on the former. You should be able to find some less impactful aids in settings that can give you a small XP boost. Think carefully about whether you really need things like a full wind readout or even a swing meter.

Course Challenges

During every round, you’ll be made aware at the outset of holes when there’s the possibility of completing a challenge on that hole for a little bit of extra XP. These typically won’t be anything too challenging either, often consisting of hitting the green in regulation or scoring par or better on a hole with one putt or fewer. It may not seem like a big deal to collect 10 or 25 XP on a hole, but if you can complete all of the challenges presented to you, they will add up when you see your XP gains following the round. As the cherry on top of your XP sundae, you can expect a handful of VC for simply not going off the rails and invoking the stroke limit during the round.

Short And Easy Courses

While the game can be relied upon to dole out XP to you at the end of every round that you complete, there’s no stipulation about how long a course actually needs to be. You can use this to your advantage by finding community courses that have nothing but short holes. Without wanting to single any of them out and potentially have courses pulled from the game, let’s just say that a search for “XP” will yield some of the easiest and fastest courses to play that you can find. Even though these won’t get you as much XP as harder courses, despite inevitably putting up some ludicrous scores, you will be able to play through them in a flash with little to no effort. If you play these repeatedly, it will likely become tedious and mind-numbing (maybe try watching some Netflix to keep yourself entertained), but you’ll be able stack XP in a hurry.

If you’re looking to collect some apparel, equipment, or fittings when starting out, the best place to head is probably MyCareer. In addition to receiving XP for the rounds you play during events in your career, you can also get rewards for completing objectives, including those involving rivals and sponsors. When you’re solely seeking to improve your MyPlayer and aren’t interested in any sort of challenge, you’ll want to make some important adjustments to your MyCareer settings in order to make everything as easy as possible for you. By adjusting the opponent and conditions difficulty to very easy, you won’t be affecting the amount of XP you’ll receive for a round. However, you will make meeting any objectives that much easier by making your opponents as bad and your conditions as forgiving as possible.

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How to Improve Your Player Fast in PGA Tour 2K23

There are only a few ways you can improve your player in PGA Tour 2K23 because most of the gameplay relies on your mechanical skills and knowledge of the game.

You can have all the best skills, perks, clubs, shafts, and balls, but you still have to make the right decisions and hit all the perfect timings on the fairway.

For this post, we’ll show you how to improve your player fast in PGA Tour 2K23, whether it is through skills, clubs, technique, and everything in between.

Ways to Improve Your Player

Choosing the right archetype for your playstyle is one way of improving your player.

Greensman – strong putting skills, but weak with recovery shots

Powerhouse – strong driving distance, but weak with timing/accuracy

Rhythm – strong with timing or accuracy, but weak with driving distance

Sculptor – strong with shot shaping, but weak with distance control

Woodsman – strong on recovery shots, but weak with putting skills

Every archetype gives a different playstyle for your player. The only noticeably weak archetype here would be the Woodsman.

You don’t need to be strong on recovery shots if you always find the green or the fairway. Since it also puts a damper on your putting skills, the archetype is horrible.

In the main menu screen, you can go to “MyPlayer” and press the “Locker” icon. From here, you can see four different tabs – Golf Bag, Collection, Fittings, and Apparel.

Under Golf Bag, Collection, or Fittings, you can equip a head, shaft, and grip on your clubs. Each club can be fit with one head, shaft, and grip. All of these fittings have different rarities and stats.

The higher the rarity, the better the boost. However, you would want to choose stats that can be beneficial to you.

For example, if you are using a Powerhouse archetype, you would have some slight problems with swing difficulties. You can compensate for that specific weakness by adding swing path and timing bonuses.

In a way, it would pretty much be the same if you are using a Rhythm archetype and you are adding fittings that increase your power.

However, it is important that you can increase your drive distance, as finishing 5-par holes will always give you a chance for an eagle. If you can carry upwards of 310 yards on your driver, you can make the green with two strokes and go for the eagle.

You can have custom clubs with fittings that are built specifically for accuracy and timing, while other clubs are built to carry more power.

For example, you can add more timing and swing path to your 6-iron while adding more power to your 5-iron. You can have better recoveries on the rough with the 5-iron, and you can use the 6-iron for more accuracy.

You can even opt for using a bigger club if that club has more timing and swing path fittings. You can just reduce the power on the swing.

It is also worth noting that equipping fittings on your clubs will have a fit fee. The higher the rarity, the higher the cost.

You can replace the fitting any time you want, but it will cost you coins every time you switch. The fittings do not disappear if you change them.

Skills add a lot of bonuses to your player. These skills are categorized by clubs. Each club has its own skill tree, and they will all have separate bonuses.

It is best to focus your skill points on clubs that are used the most. These are the putter, irons, driver, and wedge.

Most of the good skills take a while to unlock because you need to allocate skill points before unlocking the next tiers. On the bright side, you can unlock the best skills for a club even if you allocate some of your early skill points to the other clubs.

How to Unlock Fittings

To unlock fittings, you can get them through leveling reward bonuses, rivalry challenges, winning events, and sponsorships.

All of them are tied to just playing the game, performing well, and winning. However, when you get sponsorships , you can choose the brand that can give you rare or epic fittings.

How to Gain More Skill Points

To earn skill points, you need to level your player. Each level gives you one skill point, and the maximum number of SP is 50.

There are 126 skill points needed to allocate all the skills in the game, so you need to choose your skill points wisely. You can reset all your skill points, but it will cost you 500 coins.

Final Thoughts

All of the things mentioned are ways you can improve your player, but most of the improvements need to come from decision-making and mechanical skills.

The best tip to improve your play is to notice everything involved that can alter your shot accuracy.

Things like wind, shot timing, terrain, lie, swing path, shot types, spins, loft, and everything in between need to be noticed. Learning how to spin the ball can save you a lot of points.

You can find more guides for PGA Tour 2K23 on our site as we continue to produce content to help players get better at the game.

More PGA Tour 2K23

• PGA Tour 2K23 Review
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• How to Putt in PGA Tour 2K23
• How Long is the PGA Tour 2K23 Career Mode?
• 11 PGA Tour 2K23 Tips for Beginners
• How to Chip the Ball in PGA Tour 2K23
• How to Earn Coins Fast in PGA Tour 2K23
• The Best Archetype in PGA Tour 2K23
• How to Spin the Ball in PGA Tour 2K23
• How to Get Sponsorships in PGA Tour 2K23
• Is the PGA Tour 2K23 Tiger Woods Edition Worth It?

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.

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.

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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.

More Reviews by Matt Paprocki

Ign recommends.

PGA TOUR 2K23 FEATURES

Get on the dance floor.

Compete as the best or against the best in PGA TOUR 2K23. Headlined by a roster of first-time playable pros and all-new game modes, you’ll find PGA TOUR 2K23 has more features and improved gameplay than ever before.

PLAY AS THE PROS

For the first time, compete as some of the biggest names in golf, including Tiger Woods! Play as the pros and challenge the AI or your friends online. PGA TOUR 2K23’s diverse cast of elite talent features Tiger Woods, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Jon Rahm, Lexi Thompson, Lydia Ko, Brooke Henderson, and more!

PARTY AT TOPGOLF

The world’s most popular golf hangout "Topgolf" has arrived and is available in PGA TOUR 2K23! Aim for bright neon targets to earn points and charge your way up the leaderboard. Grab your friends and head to Topgolf in-game for some friendly competition and colorful fun you won’t find anywhere else.

CREATE YOUR MyPLAYER

Build your ideal golfer with a handful of new Archetypes to choose from and five new Skills to fine-tune your MyPLAYER’s area of expertise. With enough rewards to fill the biggest bunker imaginable, you can deck out your MyPLAYER with all-new gear from your favorite brands: Callaway, Wilson, TaylorMade, 100 Thieves, Jordan, and more.

SET RECORDS ON CHAMPIONSHIP COURSES

PGA TOUR 2K23 adds to an already extensive library of globally recognized courses with the addition of some lavish and iconic locations. Experience stunning cliffside greens, rugged desert terrain, and winding woodland regions with challenging conditions for even the best golfers. Travel the globe competing against friends and foes on world-renowned PGA TOUR 2K courses designed by legendary architects.

SWING CONFIDENTLY WITH NEW CONTROLS

PGA TOUR 2K23 introduces a 3-Click swing system for a more precise swing, in addition to the classic analog swing stick, so you can grip it and rip it with confidence. With plenty of tutorials and a variety of difficulty settings, you can play as casually or as competitively as you like. Whatever you decide, PGA TOUR 2K23 offers unrivaled authenticity and realism for golfers new to the game or those with a low handicap.

DESIGN YOUR MASTERPIECE

If you can dream it, you can build it in PGA TOUR 2K23. The Course Designer is back, and the tool chest has been restocked with more objects and content to choose from so you can bring your full vision to life. Art is meant for all, so share your creations with players around the world!

JOIN THE MULTIPLAYER FRENZY

Link with friends locally or online, where you’ll find unlimited tee times and a variety of game modes. Smash and dash your way from the tee box to the green in Divot Derby, join an Online Society and participate in season-long tournaments, or get wild with a four-player Scramble. Whether you’re competing against yourself or others, welcome to the leaderboard!