The Golf Club 2
- June 27, 2017
- HB Studios
- 20h median play time
The Golf Club 2 is a satisfying and challenging golf simulation that succeeds thanks to the depth and quality of its core mechanics and number of courses available, despite a lackluster visual presentation and lack of proper online multiplayer.
Get on Steam"The Golf Club 2" is a golf simulation game that offers a realistic golfing experience with precise controls and detailed courses. Players can create and customize their own golfer and golf courses, and compete in career mode or online multiplayer matches. The game also features advanced swing mechanics and comprehensive shot options for added depth and challenge.
Reviews
- Very smooth gameplay with realistic mechanics.
- Great course editor and a wide variety of user-created courses.
- Challenging putting mechanics that enhance the realism of the game.
- Putting is often inconsistent and can lead to frustrating gameplay.
- Swing mechanics can feel random and unpredictable, making it hard to achieve consistent results.
- The multiplayer experience lacks a proper lobby system, making it difficult to play with friends.
- gameplay157 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its solid mechanics and realistic feel, particularly when using a controller. However, significant criticism is directed at the putting and swing mechanics, which some find inconsistent and frustrating, leading to a steep learning curve. Overall, while the game offers enjoyable multiplayer options and a variety of courses, the execution of core mechanics detracts from the overall experience for many players.
“The gameplay and total content completely overshadow that and create an enjoyable experience.”
“The swing mechanics are interesting and give you enough control to feel like you are able to manipulate shots.”
“The new swing mechanics are excellent and make the game feel about as realistic as possible using a controller.”
“The putting mechanics are utterly and completely broken.”
“I've been playing golf games since the early days of the Amiga and without a doubt this game contains the most appalling putting mechanic I've ever seen.”
“The swing mechanics are terrible; the way the ball acts isn't realistic.”
- graphics124 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with many players praising their quality and realism, particularly in the course designs and overall visual appeal. However, some users note issues such as occasional glitches, subpar character models, and a lack of cutting-edge features compared to other modern titles. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered good, they are not without their flaws and inconsistencies.
“Great game graphics are awesome and if you like golf you'll love this game.”
“The courses are beautiful, the graphics are great and the transfer of golf skills to a game are as good as can be.”
“What a massive upgrade from Links 2K3 - graphics look awesome on a decent rig, there are tons of courses available to play and explore, including many real course recreations.”
“Unfortunately, the graphics are pathetic.”
“The graphics are terrible; I don't know what my graphics card is being used for because the graphics in this look like a simplistic Android game.”
“Graphically, the game is a disappointment.”
- optimization15 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization of the game has seen significant improvements compared to its predecessor, with many users noting smoother performance and better graphics. However, some players still experience issues such as texture pop-in and inconsistent performance on certain hardware configurations, particularly with mid-range GPUs like the GTX 1070. Despite these minor setbacks, the gameplay is generally well-optimized and runs effectively on most PCs.
“Great graphics, smooth performance, tons of customization.”
“Nicely optimized game.”
“The gameplay itself is much more optimized and runs beautifully on most PCs.”
“Some absurd optimization issues on a GTX 1070 at 1080p.”
“Performance in career mode is also unreal and frustrating.”
“There are some issues with texture pop-in at certain distances, but there are settings you can tweak to increase those distances at the cost of performance (depending on how strong your GPU is).”
- stability7 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some players report smooth performance at high resolutions with occasional minor glitches, others experience significant bugs and graphical issues that detract from the experience. The inconsistency in stability has led to dissatisfaction among some users, particularly regarding the menu system and visual quality.
“Runs great at 3440x1440p maxed and supports ultra-wide without any issues.”
“Given that it's one of the more expensive golf games on the Steam platform and currently discounted to 90%, I figured that the game would probably be a buggy mess or forgotten by the original developers.”
“Game is way too buggy and inconsistent; I hope the 2019 PGA version is better, one would hope so if it's an officially licensed product.”
“Menu system is awful and there are far too many graphical glitches; refund pending.”
- humor5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of amusing and somewhat annoying commentary, which some players find enjoyable while others may prefer to mute. The announcer's dry delivery adds a layer of humor, though it may not always land as intended. Overall, players appreciate the funny elements, particularly in the context of the game's graphics and sound design.
“The commentator is funny and somewhat annoying, and I don't know if this is intentional, but it is definitely a good inclusion and can also be muted if needed.”
“The announcer is kind of fun, and his dry delivery is great, often times almost funny.”
“The good: great graphics, funny announcers, sounds are good too.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game offers exceptional replayability, primarily due to the vast array of user-generated courses that provide endless gameplay options. However, some players note persistent technical issues from the previous version that can detract from the experience, particularly in online play. Overall, the course editor's depth significantly enhances the game's replay value.
“Endless replay value with player-made courses.”
“This is a decent little game, with loads of courses, giving it plenty of replay value.”
“This adds an infinite replayability value that no other golf game can provide... the level of detail and what you can do inside the course editor will blow your mind.”
“Buy TGC1; it's much more playable than this version, especially since the same issues that were in it weren't fixed and they are still in TGC2, such as when playing online with friends, one person seeing the ball go in and the other seeing it roll down the hill when he's the one that hit the shot!”
“This adds an infinite replayability value that no other golf game can provide... it's the level of detail and what you can do inside the course editor that will blow your mind.”
“This is a decent little game, loads of courses, giving it loads of replay value.”
- story3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is not a central focus, as players emphasize the shift in gameplay dynamics when transitioning to more advanced clubs, highlighting the need for strategic play rather than a narrative-driven experience. The game is more suited for serious golf enthusiasts rather than those seeking a lighthearted or whimsical storyline.
“If you're looking for mini putt and golf story, this isn't the game for you.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's music aspect is seen as a mixed experience; while it provides a fun environment to play in, many users find the in-game audio quality lacking, often opting to stream their own music instead.
“Fun game to just vibe and play music to.”
“I find myself streaming music because the audio for this game is very low quality.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by stunning graphics and immersive ambient sounds, such as birdsong, creating a relaxing environment that invites players to fully engage with the diverse courses. This combination of visual and auditory elements contributes to a captivating experience, even amidst the ups and downs of gameplay.
“The ambient noise is great, with bird sounds and the atmosphere of the different courses captured beautifully.”
“With that said, you get gorgeous graphics that deliver a relaxing atmosphere, making you want to be there yourself on any of the millions of courses, playing mostly crappy shots followed by some stunning shots.”
“The graphics are gorgeous, creating a relaxing atmosphere that makes you want to be there yourself, even while playing mostly poor shots followed by a few stunning ones.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth and immersion that I expected from such a visually appealing game.”
“Despite the beautiful visuals, the overall atmosphere is dull and fails to engage the player, making it hard to stay invested in the experience.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many users expressing disappointment compared to the first installment.
“The first game was better; this feels like a cash grab.”
“The monetization is excessive and ruins the overall experience.”
“It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users express strong negative emotions towards the game, with some stating they uninstalled it and have no intention of playing it again, indicating a significant emotional disconnect or dissatisfaction.
Critic Reviews
The Golf Club 2 Review
A decent sequel that improves upon its predecessor in virtually every department, The Golf Club 2 strikes a good drive. But while the improvements to the simulation and course editor are appreciated, there’s still work that needs to be done to the unifying Societies system, which represents a clever idea that’s far too convoluted for its own good right now. A third stroke should see this series realise its very real potential – but in fairness, this entry is in regulation and well worth buying if you’re a fan of the sport.
70%The Golf Club 2 Review – Skip to the 19th Hole
I'm under no illusions. Creating a brand new golf franchise from scratch is no easy feat. There's a lot of things to get right, and while The Golf Club 2 delivers on some fronts, it's really lacking on others. At its best, it's an average golf game with near endless hours of content and a strong community feel.
60%The Golf Club 2
Finding That Sweet Spot
88%
