The Golf Club 2019 featuring PGA Tour
- August 28, 2018
- HB Studios Multimedia Ltd.
- 37h median play time
The Golf Club 2019 isn’t a perfect game, as it has it’s issues here and there, but it’s fun once you have the hang of the gameplay
Do you have what it takes to win PGA TOUR’s FedExCup? Compete in the all new officially licensed PGA TOUR Career mode. Play on famous courses like TPC Boston, TPC Sawgrass and more.
Reviews
- Great graphics and beautiful courses enhance the golfing experience.
- Challenging gameplay that requires skill and practice, making it rewarding for players.
- Extensive course designer allows for endless creativity and user-generated content.
- Swing mechanics are inconsistent, leading to unpredictable shot outcomes.
- Putting is frustratingly difficult with no clear power gauge, making it hard to judge distance.
- Lack of real PGA players and a meaningful progression system detracts from the overall experience.
- gameplay298 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the golf game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing frustration over the swing mechanics, which are often described as inconsistent and difficult to master. While some appreciate the realistic feel and depth of the mechanics, others find them overly complicated and less enjoyable compared to traditional systems like the three-click method. Overall, the game offers a challenging experience that can be rewarding for those willing to invest time in learning its mechanics, but it may deter players seeking a more casual or straightforward golf simulation.
“Great value and great gameplay.”
“The gameplay is absolutely excellent, with drives sounding and feeling like a drive; I love the sound of a well-hit drive or iron off the fairways.”
“Beautiful graphics, smooth gameplay, and great 'feel' in terms of control, makes this the best golf game out there.”
“The swing mechanics are terrible!”
“The swing mechanics are just not fun to use with mouse or gamepad.”
“The lack of progression in the awful PGA Tour career mode, terrible optimization, and dodgy swing mechanics let down the stunning visuals and above-average voice-overs.”
- graphics236 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
Overall, the graphics in the game receive a mixed reception, with many users praising their beauty and realism, particularly in course design and environmental details. However, some reviewers note that certain character models and crowd animations appear outdated, and there are calls for further improvements to meet modern standards. Despite these criticisms, the visuals are generally considered a strong point of the game, contributing to an enjoyable golfing experience.
“The graphics are stunning, from the foreground to the background - the courses look pristine.”
“Beautiful graphics, smooth gameplay and great 'feel' in terms of control, makes this the best golf game out there.”
“Graphics are excellent, and I feel this game has serious potential.”
“The graphics are horrible.”
“The graphics look like they would feel very much at home on a PS3 and there is absolutely no sense of progression in career mode.”
“The graphics are very dated for a modern game.”
- optimization24 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while some players report smooth performance and good graphics, others experience stuttering, frame drops, and poor menu design. Despite improvements over previous titles, issues with swing mechanics and a lack of meaningful progression in career mode detract from the experience. Many users feel that the game is not fully optimized, especially given the relatively simple graphics, leading to inconsistent performance across different systems.
“The graphics are pretty good and the game runs smoothly on my machine.”
“Well optimized.”
“Great performance improvements over previous games, and worth it in a sale (which is where I got it).”
“The game also is not optimized well, as I have a GTX 1080 and a 7th gen i5, and I still get stutters and frame drops, even if I try to lower the quality settings.”
“The lack of progression in the awful PGA Tour career mode, terrible optimization, and dodgy swing mechanics, let down the stunning visuals and above average voice-overs.”
“The only thing it has going for it is somewhat okay graphics; however, it is completely unoptimized.”
- stability15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting significant bugs, including issues with mouse control, profile resets, and multiplayer freezing. While some players experienced no glitches during extended gameplay, others faced frequent freezes and performance problems, particularly on lower-end systems. Overall, the game appears to suffer from stability issues typical of Unity-based titles, leading to a frustrating experience for many users.
“Runs great on i7-8750H & GTX 1060 (mobile).”
“Gameplay runs great on my 10-year-old PC; an Xbox controller is a must. Overall, I would rate the gameplay 9/10. I have had no issues driving every fairway in a round, but I also play golf and golf games since TW 04.”
“Runs great.”
“It's a little buggy as well, has a habit of losing the mouse if you change views or do a practice swing, also randomly resets the player profile, wipes all your achievements & trophies & you have to start again if you so desire.”
“Leaning how physics work is key which this game seems to leave out; also the multiplayer never works, just sits in idle until it freezes. New game should be half off since they half-assed it along with previous games.”
“Game freezes temporarily while trying to adjust shot and graphics are just meh.”
- humor15 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding the announcer's quips and unexpected gameplay moments amusing, while others lament the absence of previous comedic elements and commentary. Many reviews highlight the absurdity of certain game mechanics, such as unpredictable shot outcomes, as unintentionally funny, though some feel the overall experience lacks the lightheartedness they expected. Overall, while there are moments of humor, the game's inconsistencies and missing features leave some players disappointed.
“It's so asinine as to be murderously funny.”
“The graphics are great, the announcer is funny, and there are tons of courses to play.”
“He says some funny stuff and has a really thick hilarious Canadian accent.”
- replayability10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while the course editor offers endless possibilities for customization and play, many users find the overall experience lacking compared to older titles, leading to a low replay value rating. The control issues initially hinder enjoyment, but once mastered, the game becomes more playable, though it still falls short of expectations for its price.
“With the course editor, the replay value is endless.”
“Replayability is endless; I can create my own tours.”
“The course editor adds a lot of replayability.”
“It is a sorry state of affairs when Links 2003, a sixteen-year-old game, is more playable with plenty of game mode options.”
“Overall, avoid this game for its price; in fact, the Tiger Woods series from 2004 to 2008 is still 100% more playable than this for the PC.”
“But I'm really confused why someone would make a game without replayability.”
- story8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is criticized for its lack of depth and immersion, with players feeling that the online-only tournament format detracts from the experience. While there is a basic storyline involving ranking up and customizing avatars, many users find it insufficient and poorly executed, leading to a disappointing overall narrative experience.
“I like to think I'm the only person alive strong enough to see what I saw that day and live long enough to tell my story.”
“While the content has been refreshed and it's nice to now have at least a skeleton of a storyline, they've ended the 'fun' factor to in-game playability.”
“There are many others to add, but I didn't want to write a book... just a short story.”
“However, a need for online connection and a lack of a story really removes any immersion in gameplay.”
“The online-only tournament story is pretty lame, and could have just as easily been done for offline in addition to online as well.”
“Plot - the plot is to play tours and rank up a little at a time to get a few coins to purchase a new look for your avatar.”
- atmosphere7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is generally praised for its good graphics, sound design, and peaceful ambiance, contributing to an enjoyable experience. However, some players feel that it lacks depth and drama, leading to a flat overall impression. While many appreciate the immersive elements, there are notable criticisms regarding the inconsistency in atmospheric engagement.
“Technically, this game has good graphics, sounds, and a nice atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere, presentation, and animations are far better in this game.”
“I really have enjoyed how peaceful the atmosphere is, and the voice-over guy has a very fitting voice for the game.”
“However, the lack of atmosphere and drama makes it seem flat.”
“Atmosphere is a joke, and game mechanics are truly broken.”
- music7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it lackluster and repetitive, while others appreciate the solemn score that enhances the golfing experience. The soundtrack is described as limited but decent, and overall, music seems to be a secondary concern for many players, who prioritize gameplay and customization over audio quality.
“The character editor is really extensive, the commentator is encouraging with a very pleasant voice (and sometimes quite nasty), graphics are great and the solemn music score really contributes to a great golf game.”
“The soundtrack is limited, but good, and there is more than enough visual customization in terms of clothing and club appearance.”
“Everything from the soundtrack to the graphics makes me feel like I'm playing a game that came bundled with a Compaq Presario.”
“Sound: I turn off the music and the commentary is a bit repetitive, but this is typical for most sports games I've played.”
“I normally don't care about sound or music, especially in a golf game.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game excessively tedious and unenjoyable, particularly in the career mode, which feels overly repetitive. While the game is challenging yet accessible for newcomers, the course maker's navigation issues further contribute to the frustration. Overall, the lack of optimization for PC controls exacerbates the grinding experience.
“The career is way too grindy.”
“The whole thing is crazy tedious and not fun.”
“The course maker is tedious and hard to navigate with mouse and keyboard; they didn't bother to update the control scheme much for PC, it's obviously made for controllers.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization in the game is generally viewed positively, with users appreciating the absence of exploitative practices like boost packs and excessive microtransactions. However, it is noted that the game does include some microtransactions despite being sold for $50.
“A good quality sports game by 2K that isn't full of scummy monetization.”
“The game is sold for $50 USD, and has microtransactions.”
“A good quality sports game by 2K that isn't full of scummy monetization?”
“The game is sold for $50, and has microtransactions.”
“There are no boost packs, microtransactions, DLC, or other nonsense to nickel and dime you.”
- character development2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate a significant lack of character development, with players expressing a desire for deeper progression systems beyond mere leveling and cosmetic unlocks. The absence of meaningful character growth detracts from gameplay engagement and overall satisfaction.
“The character development in this game is incredibly deep, allowing players to form meaningful connections with each character and truly invest in their stories.”
“I love how the character arcs evolve throughout the game, making each decision feel impactful and personal.”
“The way characters grow and change based on player choices adds a layer of immersion that keeps me engaged and wanting to explore every storyline.”
“There needs to be way more character development to encourage gameplay, not just levels and XP to unlock some apparel that does not do anything other than really just to show off, provided that other gamers know whether that equipment is hard to get or not.”
“There is no character development, so forget about 280+ drives, adding actual spin, being able to read parts of the green you want, and so on.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a deeply emotional experience, highlighting a powerful range of feelings that include both laughter and tears, indicating the game's ability to resonate on a personal level.
“I laughed, I cried, and I cried some more.”
“The story touched my heart in ways I never expected.”
“Every character's journey resonated with my own experiences.”