EA Sports PGA Tour Review

By: Liam Moore | Fri 14 Apr 2023

After an eight-year hiatus, EA Sports have officially released their latest golf game to the masses.

The game was announced back in 2021 and after two delays, EA Sports PGA Tour released to the public on April 7th to coincide with The Masters.

Fans of the franchise will be thrilled to know that the wait was absolutely worth it, and that EA Sports have nailed the design of this magnificent game.

Controls

EA Sports have captured the frustration of the golf swing perfectly, with the player feeling nerves associated to pressurised moments.

A slight push or pull during the swing will correctly mimic what we can expect out on the course - a golf ball that is in BIG trouble.

The same can be said for putting, with any minor misjudgement likely ending in a missed opportunity on the greens.

Shaping the ball is effortlessly easy but you must be wary of the wind, as missing fairways and greens can result in disastrous outcomes.

Another big positive is the variation you have from potential shots - whether that be from the fairway or around the greens.

Flop, pitch, chip, runner and spinner are all options to help hone your short game, whilst approach, drive and finesse are tools to ensure you remain on the green.

EA Sports PGA Tour

Customisable Golfer

To level up in EA Sports PGA Tour, you have to compete in tournaments - who would’ve guessed(!)

After each round, you will gain experience points and each time you level, you will obtain two Skill Points.

Skill Points enable you to strengthen your golfer, where you can select to improve your ability off the tee, from the fairway, around the greens or putting.

Whilst you may perceive yourself as being weak to begin with, you’ll quickly gain the power to compete with the stars of professional golf.

We advise to take careful consideration around spending Skill Points, try to avoid bloating one category and favour an all-round game - you’ll thank us in the future!

Challenges & Practicing

EA Sports have delivered again when it comes to challenges, which are interactive games that issue Reward Points.

Reward Points can be spent on equipment such as apparel or even golf clubs, but they will also require Premium Points (in-game currency).

As an additional bonus, you can also partake in sponsorship challenges, where notable professional golfers will challenge you in certain circumstances.

From an immersive perspective, this is a fantastic inclusion that allows you to get side-tracked before continuing your bid to become the world’s #1 player.

Despite all the positives, there is no driving range for practicing available, which feels like a missed opportunity from EA Sports.

The first thing I tried to access was the driving range, which would have allowed me to become comfortable with the controls before starting Career Mode.

Hopefully this is something that EA can incorporate later down the road as a driving range should be a prerequisite for a golf game.

Career Mode

EA Sports PGA Tour

For anyone who has played FIFA previously, you’ll know that Career Mode is often the difference between an enthralling game and one that falls a little flat.

I can confidently say that the Career Mode experience in EA Sports PGA Tour could be the greatest of any sports game ever.

When you begin career mode, you are asked a rather important question: where will you start your career from?

You can either begin as an amateur, on the Korn Ferry Tour or as a PGA Tour player - the choice is up to you!

We highly recommend immersing yourself fully and starting from the amateur standings, which will task you in competing in one of five notable amateur events.

These include the U.S. Amateur Championship, Augusta National Women’s Amateur, The Amateur Championship, Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship and the Latin America Amateur Championship.

If you are victorious in your chosen event, you will be invited to compete at The Masters and The Open Championship before progressing to Korn Ferry Q-School.

If successful at Q-School, you will earn your Korn Ferry Tour card and compete in an eight-event season where the top 30 progress to the PGA Tour.

This will act as perfect preparation as you become adjusted to the calendar whilst keeping a careful eye on the Order of Merit.

Once the season concludes and you’re in the top 30, congratulations, the PGA Tour and a gruelling schedule - that includes all four major championships - awaits!

Career Mode Settings

EA Sports PGA Tour

On the hardest difficulties, this can be a very tough game. Thankfully EA Sports have included several tools to help you adjust before increasing the difficulty.

The game can read putts for you, and this doesn’t mean you’ll sink every effort as pace is vitally important for successful putts.

Additionally, the game will also factor the wind and downhill/uphill lie, offering a guidance blue line which indicates where your ball should pitch if you execute the shot correctly.

You can adjust the scoring rate of the rest of the field; anything under 40 should enable you to compete occasionally.

EA Sports have also offered the ability to play full or quick rounds. The former will allow the golfer to complete 18 holes per round, which can become quite lengthy across an entire season.

If you select the quick option, then you will play a ‘feature’ of holes that typically ranges between 3 - 6.

I’ve found this to be really convenient and it enables you to move along with the season at a quicker rate.

You are also able to toggle between the quick and full round setting, dependant on what tournament.

For example, for regular events I utilise the quick setting, whilst during major championship, The Players Championship and the FedEx Cup playoffs, I will play the full tournament as they are all extra special.

This type of customisation cannot be overlooked, and it is a fantastic inclusion into what is a sensational experience.