Picture: Golf+, PGA Tour

Golf+ has grown from a small putting simulator to a full-fledged VR golf game. In February 2023, even the PGA Tour will be added.

Golf+ is an ever-evolving VR sports success story. In May 2020, the licensed virtual reality practice center launched for Meta Quest (2). Then he had the bulky name “Pro Putt by Topgolf”. Minigame updates and multiplayer support followed. In November 2021, the title finally changed to “Golf+” with full-fledged golf courses.

Realistic gameplay and physics convinced even the organizer of the most important American tournament series. Golf+ becomes the PGA Tour’s exclusive VR golf game in February 2023. The Florida-based organization announced a long-term partnership bringing real-world tournament courses to virtual reality. The Tournament Players Club (TPC) of Scottsdale and TPC Sawgrass will kick off.

The PGA Tour comes to the Quest 2

The Austin, TX-based development studio shouldn’t be limited to implementing real-world events. Likewise, the partners are planning “exclusive and interactive content tied to real-life PGA Tour events.” Details on this are not yet available.

Those who prefer to join the PGA Tour with more real courses will apparently have to be patient. “More tournament courses will be added in the coming years,” according to the announcement. To optimize their own game, users can access the Shotlink statistics system (supported by CDW Data), trajectory visualizations and highlight videos of real tournaments.

Golf+ backers include sports greats such as Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Tom Brady, Steph Curry, Mike Trout and Ben Crenshaw (World Golf Hall of Fame). Spieth is primarily excited about the immersive experience of playing in VR.

“As a kid, it was always my dream to go to the PGA TOUR and test my game on the ropes against the best players in the world,” added Jordan Spieth. “It’s great that fans and future TOUR pros can use this platform to get a taste of what it’s like to compete on the PGA TOUR.”

VR Golf with a six-figure player count

There are no exact sales figures for Golf+, but the PGA Tour reveals at least some statistics. Since the app name change, “hundreds of thousands” of players had played more than six million revolutions.

Golf+ is available for $20.99 for Quest systems. Quest 1 owners will have to do without the full courses and other features listed in the store. Real courses like Pebble Beach, Pinehurst #2, The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, Valhalla, and Wolf Creek come with paid add-ons.

In the field of traditional flat-screen games, Take-Two’s PGA Tour 2K23 currently holds the official license – including Tiger Woods and the best mini golf games. Despite more variety and content, playing with the gamepad might not feel as intuitive as with the VR controller. Various golf club accessories for the Quest 2 controller make the typing experience more believable.

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