It’s estimated that around 80 million people play golf every year. Whether you’re unable to get to the course or are looking to get your fill of golf in the evenings, there are a ton of top-quality golf games available on mobile, PC, game consoles, and VR, and even in tabletop board game format. While none of them can truly match up to the excitement of getting a round in real life, they do a very good job of simulating the thrills.

Golf games are available on PC, console, mobile, and even VR, although realistic virtual reality sims are difficult to come by without visiting a training centre. The sport is also a popular theme at European, US, and Australian casino sites where, according to iGaming writer Ciaran McEneaney, slots are among the preferred games of the country’s many gamblers. Below, we’ve curated a list of 13 of the best golf games across all formats.

Birdy Bucks

Birdy Bucks is a 3-line slot game found on many popular real money online casino sites. It’s a simple slot machine with wild and scatter symbols that increase players’ winning opportunities, while a progressive jackpot means there’s usually big money to play for. The game’s easy to pick up and play and will be popular with golf lovers.

Hole In Won

Rival Gaming’s Hole In Won offers a five-reel slot machine but still uses golf as its main theme. The game is very thematic with symbols including golf bags, balls, and club-carrying eagles, and, as with most five-line slots, multiple win lines mean enhanced winning opportunities for players.

Gold Trophy 2

The final casino slot machine game to make the list is that of Gold Trophy 2, from Play’n GO. It is a sequel to the original Gold Trophy game and improves the original. Particularly enjoyable is hitting the scatter symbol and getting 15 free spins. The game also has a gold trophy wild symbol to increase your chances of winning.

Golf+

Golf+ is one of few virtual reality golf games that run on headsets like the Meta Quest, but even including the Quest headset Golf+ costs a fraction of a proper simulator. It can’t accurately portray your exact swing or strike position on the ball, so it won’t necessarily improve your game like a full virtual reality experience, but it is fun and unlike most golf games, it gets you out of your chair to play.  

History Maker Golf

History Maker Golf is a modern roll-and-write board game. Think of it as a simple golf-themed D&D-style game that pits you against players representing pro golfers on a global tour. Everything from nerves to momentum is accounted for and attributed at the roll of a dice, and it is a great way to encourage a family of golf lovers around the table for a game.

APBA Professional Golf

APBA Professional Golf is another golf-based board game. It is a classic, having been published in 1962. While it uses similar roll and write mechanics to History Maker Golf, it is more simplistic, so if you like your board games light and golf-themed, this will prove a popular choice.

EA Sports PGA Tour

EA Sports has long reigned supreme in the world of golf and sports video games. It is available on next-gen consoles and PC, and as well as offering single-player gaming, players can also get online and play a round with friends or challengers from around the world. The career mode sees you start as an absolute amateur and aim to work your way to the top of the PGA tour, playing at some of the most famous golf courses along the way. 

PGA Tour 2K23

EA Sports PGA Tour might be the most up-to-date version of EA’s golf title, but many still prefer PGA Tour 2K23, and with good reason. In truth, the gameplay itself feels very similar and because it is a little older, 2K23 is available for a lower price so what’s not to love?

What The Golf?

What The Golf? is available in various formats but is especially popular on Apple devices, including mobile, and the Switch. The Switch version even has party mode, which is a 2-player variant, so you can put yourself against a friend. The game is golf-themed although the levels and games feel more like puzzles than gold.  

Mario Golf: Super Rush

Mario Golf: Super Rush is another Switch golf title that offers various modes, and while reviews suggest it isn’t as good as previous Mario Golf games, it is worth it if only for the Speed Golf variant that is included. In Speed Golf, it really is all about how long you take, not only in playing your shots and sinking your ball but in getting to your next shot too.

Golf Story

Golf Story offers something different from the rest of the games on this list. It is a pixelated 2D RPG that puts players in a host of different scenarios. Occasionally, those scenarios include playing golf, although this certainly isn’t true of them all. If you like the idea of being a pro golfer and living in a fantasy world, but you aren’t overly bothered with actually playing golf, Golf Story is a surprisingly enjoyable game on Nintendo Switch.

WGT Golf

WGT Golf uses the traditional power bar to determine shot distance, but it offers players a host of ways to alter their shots. It aims to be as realistic as possible, pitting it against the likes of EA PGA Tour games, rather than Mario Golf. And, it does well, in this regard, but it lacks a little character so is one for the die-hard golf game lovers out there. It is available on PC and mobile.

Golf With Your Friends

Golf With Your Friends is a mini-golf game that is meant to be played, online, between groups of friends, although it also offers the opportunity to tee up against unknown opponents. It is available on Xbox, PlayStation, PC, and Switch, and is a good golf game for those that like their putting a little more light-hearted, rather than realistic.