EA SPORTS PGA TOUR Beginner’s Guide – Tips and Features

by Falagar / Articles, Misc. Guides / 06 Apr 2022

Golf isn’t necessarily an easy game to play, but it looks simple on the outside, right? “Hit the ball with the club until it gets in the hole”. Sure, that’s what the game is boiled down to its most basic parts, but that’s also negating the practice and skill that goes into “hitting the ball good”.

It can take years and years to “git gud” at golf in real life as you build up muscle memory and technique to do the things that are required of you, but thankfully you can enjoy the thrill of the game without subjecting your body to the sun and other elements.

There were other video games that tried to keep the throne warm in its absence, but EA Sports PGA Tour is back after many years to take its rightful place as the best golf simulator game on the market, and rightfully so. I remember playing the previous EA Sports golf game back in 2014 or so, and everything I’ve played since then just seems… not as good. EA Sports PGA Tour though, now that’s an instant classic to me.

If you’re also excited to jump on the PGA Tour bandwagon, you might be able to make use of some helpful tips and tricks. Well look no further, because the following EA Sports PGA Tour Beginner’s Guide has enough information to get you up and running. So hop in your cart and get ready to tee off, because we’re about to get down to business!

Customize your golfer

Before diving into gameplay, take time to customize your golfer’s appearance, equipment, and swing style. The game offers a wide range of visual customizations, from facial features and body types to clothing and accessories. Select a swing style that best matches your preferences, as it will influence your gameplay experience.

Equipment is essential to your golfer’s performance. Choose from various club heads, shafts, and grips that suit your playstyle and help you perform optimally on the course. As you progress in the game, you can unlock and upgrade your equipment to further enhance your golfer’s abilities.

Start your career

EA Sports PGA Tour provides an engaging career mode, allowing you to kick off as an amateur golfer and climb your way up to the PGA TOUR. Start by participating in premier amateur events, the Korn Ferry Tour, or even the PGA TOUR itself. As an amateur, you’ll get the chance to compete in a range of championships, ultimately leading to Q-school, where you’ll battle it out for a place on the Korn Ferry Tour. Once you’ve dominated the amateur championships, you can score invites to prestigious tournaments like the Masters and the U.S. Open.

Skill progression and shot types

The Game incorporates an RPG-style progression system, enabling you to develop your golfer’s abilities over time. Accumulate XP and skill points in areas such as power, driving, approach, short game, and putting. As you earn skill points, you can unlock new shot types and advance them from bronze to silver, gold, and even higher levels. Enhancing shot types boosts their effectiveness, allowing you to tackle increasingly difficult courses and situations.

The game presents an extensive array of shot types to provide you with increased control and adaptability, empowering you to address various challenges on the course. There are 20 shot types in the game, each with a unique profile that impacts ball speed, launch angle, spin rate, and shot dispersion. These shot types fall under four classifications: Driving, Approach, Short Game, and Putting. The following are explanations of each shot type featured in the game.

Driving Shot Types

Drive: A standard full swing shot that provides consistent distance and accuracy off the tee.

Power Drive: A stronger full swing shot for added distance off the tee, but with a slightly larger shot dispersion.

Stinger: A low and forceful shot that stays below the wind and generates lots of roll, perfect for windy conditions and firm courses.

Approach Shot Types

Approach: A regular full swing shot offering reliable distance and precision from the course.

Power Approach: A more forceful full swing shot that gains extra yardage from the course, but with a marginally increased shot spread.

Punch: A low-power shot that remains below the wind and generates lots of roll, mainly used to escape trees and return to the playable area.

Knock Down: A full swing shot that flies lower than a regular approach but high enough to land softly and stop, utilized to minimize wind impact or prevent excessive ball spin on softer courses.

Finesse: A shorter, adaptable shot for a broader range of distances, employed when at a distance between clubs on a standard approach or when too close to the green for an approach but too far for short game shots.

Hack: A forceful full swing shot used from the first cut, second cut, or heavy rough, with less power penalty than other shot types, valuable on courses with dense and punishing longer cuts.

Short Game Shot Types

Pitch: A standard half swing shot designed to land the ball on the green with a usual amount of roll-out, suitable for use anywhere around the green except for Bunkers.

Runner: A low-flying half swing shot that can be employed anywhere around the green, with the exception of Bunkers.

Spinner: A half swing shot with a faster speed, producing more spin on the ball and causing it to check up instead of rolling out, applicable in the Fairway, Fringe, and First Cut.

Flop: A lengthy swing that tosses the ball high and softly places it on the green, applicable anywhere around the green except for Bunkers.

Long Flop: A variation of the flop that covers a greater distance, with an increased shot dispersion, suitable for use anywhere around the green excluding Bunkers.

High Flop: A version of the flop that soars extremely high, landing and stopping on a dime, usable anywhere around the green except for Bunkers and Heavy Rough.

Blast: A shot specifically intended for Bunker play, striking the sand behind the ball to lift it out of the Bunker and onto the green.

Pick: A different approach to Bunker shots, this cleaner strike connects with less sand and more of the ball, leading to enhanced spin and minimized rollout.

Putting Shot Types

Putt: A stroke using a putter that instantly sets the ball in motion, solely employed on the Green or Fringe.

Chip: A short, putt-like stroke with wedges and short irons that gently lifts the ball into the air for a couple yards before getting it to roll quickly, mainly used when near the green to transport the ball over a somewhat longer patch of grass and onto the shorter sections that facilitate rolling.

Texas Wedge: A stroke with the putter that instantly gets the ball rolling, even when not on the Green or Fringe. Determining the distance can be challenging, but mastering this shot proves extremely effective.

Attributes

Enhance your golfer’s attributes by completing quests, which are various objectives and milestones you’ll encounter throughout your career. Allocating skill points to the five skill categories (power, accuracy, control, recovery, and putting) not only unlocks new shot types but also allows you to upgrade your golfer’s attributes. Each attribute affects different aspects of your golfer’s performance, so it’s essential to find a balance that complements your playstyle.

Shot shaping

Shot shaping is an advanced technique that allows you to customize your shots further. Use the shot shaping stick to apply different shapes to your shots, like aiming higher or lower, and curving the ball left or right with draw and fade. Mastering shot shaping will enable you to maneuver the ball around obstacles, take advantage of course layouts, and adapt to varying wind conditions.

Learn course management

Understanding course management is essential for success in the game. Take time to study each course, noting hazards, bunkers, and the layout of the greens. Plan your shots to avoid obstacles and set up favorable approach angles to the greens. Consider factors like wind speed and direction, elevation changes, and the firmness of the greens when selecting your shot type and club.

Master the putting game

Putting is a critical aspect of golf, and EA SPORTS PGA TOUR offers three putting shot types: putt, chip, and Texas wedge. Practice reading the greens, as slopes and undulations will affect the ball’s path. Pay attention to the putting grid lines and adjust your aim and power accordingly. Mastering the art of putting will significantly impact your overall score and success on the course.

Utilize practice mode and tutorials

EA SPORTS PGA TOUR provides various tutorials and practice modes to help you improve your skills. Spend time in practice mode to refine your swing, experiment with shot types, and work on your short game. Participate in tutorials to learn the ins and outs of the game, from basic controls to advanced techniques like shot shaping and managing difficult lies.

Participate in online events and multiplayer

Once you feel confident in your abilities, consider participating in online events and multiplayer matches. These provide an opportunity to test your skills against other players, learn from their strategies & ultimately improve your game. The game features various online events, including weekly tournaments and special challenges, which can help you earn rewards and climb the leaderboards.

Controls for EA SPORTS PGA TOUR (PS5 and Xbox Series X/S)

Falagar

He is the founder and editor of Magic Game World. He loved gaming from the moment he got a PlayStation 1 with Gran Turismo on his 7th birthday.
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