I take pride in my placement.
In fact, I’ll brag that I can beat most players I’m paired with.
My 18-footer for birdie Thursday afternoon agrees. With 331 rounds logged, I average less than two putts per hole.
How did I get there? PGA Tour 2K23.
That’s right, folks. You read it right. A video game helped me become the best amateur gamer west of the Mississippi.
Since the start of 2024, I have reduced my handicap to 11.7 from 20.9. It’s no coincidence that the winter of 2023 is the approximate time I started playing PGA 2K more often. You may not believe me, but my 347 hours spent in the game tell the real story.
Putting should be simple, and for some it is, but there are many golfers who would benefit from some virtual putting practice.
How PGA 2K will help you
The PGA 2K uses a grid system with each section of the grid highlighting the speed and direction the shot will go on that specific portion of the green.
When you play PGA 2K long enough, you start to see patterns and know how hard you can hit it and which line offers the highest likelihood of a putt being made.
For example, you can take a more direct line and give it more rhythm. Alternatively, you can take a wider line and give it a different speed to let it lag towards the hole. PGA 2K gives you every scenario and makes your brain think that way on the actual golf course.
When I’m standing on an eight-footer, I look at each part of the “net” and pick my line based on the patterns I’m used to seeing on PGA 2K. Don’t get me wrong. You still need to practice your swing and stroke, but PGA 2K will solve some of the problems most people face.
It’s kind of like a driving simulator. If you’re behind the wheel practicing in an atmosphere that’s meant to feel immersive and real, you’ll be a better driver when you hit the road.
If you break every foot of the putt in front of you, your accuracy will increase. Most people aren’t as deliberate as they should be with their putting, but I’m a firm believer that reducing your putts is the fastest way to solid golf.
Where PGA 2K can’t help you
PGA 2K is not a substitute for practicing your putting.
For example: you need to learn how to keep the club face centered during your swing. PGA 2K cannot do this for you. The only way to improve this aspect of your putting game is through dedicated practice with proven drills.
Additionally, you need to understand how to read the speed of the greens you are playing and how hard/soft to hit your shots. The game shows you speed, but, again, you can’t improve on the course without practice.
I have noticed two things that have helped me tremendously when it comes to speed.
- Get to the course early and hit some practice shots. The easiest way to get used to different green speeds is to show up early and actually hit some shots.
- Learn how to hit a late shot. The sooner you figure out how to hit a late shot, the sooner you’ll make better shots.
Added rewards
Plus, by making you understand how to make better shots, PGA 2K lets you play some of the bucket list courses you might never get to. I would love to play Pebble Beach one day, but who knows? I’ve played the Pebble roughly a dozen times in the game and it provides a fun home experience.
You can also create yourself in MyPLAYER mode and play online against your friends. I gave myself about 35 extra pounds in muscle and added a few extra inches to my height.
MyCAREER mode is where I spend most of my time. I go head-to-head against some of the biggest names in golf and play a full PGA Tour season, including majors, signature events, and even the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
Try it! You will love it!
As my mom used to say to my picky brother at the dinner table: “Try it! You’ll love it!”
Don’t get it twisted. Reason no. 1 to buy PGA 2K is for fun. Online rounds with your friends and random MyCAREER tournaments are reason enough to start playing PGA 2K.
But I’m a firm believer that PGA 2K has affected my game for the better. It’s an absolute game changer to understand how putting works and the many ways you can make a putt.
If you don’t believe me, try it yourself.
