12 unforgettable golf video games!

1. Golf!

Console: Magnavox Odyssey

Released: 1979

The first golf platform game appeared, appropriately enough, on the first commercial home video games console. If you’re old enough to remember this, you’re almost old enough for the Champions Tour…

2. Leaderboard

Console: Amiga, Amstrad, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum

Released: 1986

The first in a successful series of games, Leaderboard featured four different water-based courses and was critically acclaimed. Leaderboard Tournament, Leaderboard Executive and World Class Leaderboard (featuring St Andrews) followed soon after.

3. Golf Grand Slam

Console: Nintendo Entertainment System

Released: 1991

A popular game on the NES, the eight-bit pre-cursor to the immensely popular Super Nintendo (or SNES), Golf Grand Slam had three gaming options: tournament mode and two training modes. It was one of the most detailed games ever made for the NES.

4. Greg Norman’s Golf Power

Console: Nintendo Entertainment System

Released: 1992

This was the final golf title published for the NES and other than bearing the name and likeness of Aussie Norman, the game was distinguished from most other golf games by providing a ‘Hole Design’ mode, where you could create and customise your own course.

5. Tiger Woods PGA Tour ‘99

Console: PlayStation

Released: 1998

The PGA Tour golf game series had actually been around for eight years by the time it added Tiger’s name to its title. It has subsequently become the most successful golf game of all time and, in 2012, featured Augusta National for the first time.

6. Jack Nicklaus 6: Golden Bear Challenge

Console: PC

Released: 1999

For the first time ever, you could play either alongside or as the Golden Bear himself, with voice tips from the man himself on how to best attack the courses and how to perform advanced shots. You could also design your own courses with the powerful Course and Hole Editors – and then trade them with your friends.

7. SimGolf

Console: PC

Released: 2002

A golf-based variation on the outrageously popular Sims video game, SimGolf challenged players to design their own golf courses and play them with the in-built PGA pro, Gary Golf.

8. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004

Console: PlayStation 2, Xbox, PC, Nintendo Gamecube, PSP, Nintendo DS

Released: 2003

This was arguably the most-liked game in the Tiger Woods PGA Tour series – going above and beyond what had previously been used. EA nearly perfected the analog swing stick, a function still used today, and added more courses to the game. Online play was thrown in, while a host of new game modes were also added.

9. Super Swing Golf

Console: Nintendo Wii

Released: 2006

The world went Wii crazy when Nintendo released its game-changing console in 2006. Designed to be used with a controller that detects the user’s movement in 3D, it was perfectly set up for a golf game. Super Swing Golf was one of the earliest attempts. A bit ‘kiddish’ for most taste, it was nonetheless a fun introduction to the Wii universe.

10. John Daly’s Pro Stroke Golf

Console: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC

Released: 2010

Wait, John Daly had a golf game? In 2010, you could Grip It and Rip It like Long John in a game which allowed you to craft and control real golf shots like never before. Sam Torrance and Peter Kessler provided lively commentary across 12 varied and challenging courses, populated with interactive spectators to bring a rich match-day atmosphere to life.

11. Tiger Woods PGA Tour ‘12

Console: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PC

Released: 2011

This was one of the most hotly anticipated golf games in history. Why? Because, for the first time, you could play Augusta National! Rickie Fowler, Bubba Watson and Zach Johnson also made their debuts in the series, while the multiplayer aspect with ‘pro-tracer’ meant you could have hours of fun playing with your mates.

12. Rory McIlroy PGA Tour

Console: PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Released: 2015

After being placed on hiatus in 2013, the PGA Tour video game series returned last year with Rory McIlroy taking Tiger Woods’ place on the title. Despite its impressive graphics, however, the game received mixed reviews and was criticised for its ‘lack of content and features’.

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Golf video games :: What is your favourite?

What is your favourite golf video game? One of the above? Or one we’ve left out? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.