2K SportsPGA Tour 2K25 is a beautiful upgrade from its predecessor, and while it will have you sinking hours into virtual rounds of golf, it isn’t a complete hole-in-one just yet.
For years, golf fans didn’t have a game to scratch that longtime itch. EA SPORTS took a hiatus from the sport after rebranding their Tiger Woods series, leaving a gap for someone to fill.
2K Sports and HB Studios have stepped up to the tee on that front. The Golf Club was a nice reintroduction to the virtual fairways and greens before it handed over to PGA Tour 2K21 and, more recently, PGA Tour 2K23.
After another two years of waiting, they’ve got a new game – PGA Tour 2K25 – with some key upgrades on the previous title, both graphically and gameplay-wise. Oh, and it’s a lot of fun for returning and new players alike.
PGA Tour 2K25 screenshots & details
- Price: $69.99/£64.99
- Developer: HB Studios
- Release date: February 21, 2025
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series S/X, PC via Steam
- Reviewed on Xbox Series X
New challenges with mechanics and archetypes
The standout change in PGA Tour 2K25 is EvoSwing, which breaks your swing down in contact, rhythm, transition, and swing path. You’ll be penalized and rewarded accordingly depending on how fluid your swing is. Add in the Perfect Swing difficulty setting and it’s a real test, even for series veterans.
However, when you get it right and your player pulls out their signature club twirl it’s oh-so-satisfying. After around 10 hours of playtime, I’m still not tired of the club twirls. Every time it feels like I’ve actually driven the ball like prime Tiger Woods.
On top of that, you also have new progression systems and MyPlayer archetypes. Personally, my driving game isn’t a strong suit, but put a wedge in my hands, and that changes. As a result, I had great success with Technician and Magician. Your short game and laying up greatly benefit and you become a real pin hunter – which we all love. Equally, the skill trees to improve your shots are also a nice touch
The progression is also top-notch with EvoTools and Club Fittings evolving how everything feels. Your grinding from a 65 OVR to the upper 80s feels very rewarding and you can really tell the difference once you’ve got a few fittings under your belt.
MyCareer brings the NBA 2K vibes
One of the stellar improvements in PGA Tour 2K25 is the updated MyCareer mode. Anyone who is a long-time player of the NBA 2K series will be at home right away. Fear not, there are no wild Orange Juice storylines with Michael B Jordan. Yet, you have to fulfill sponsorship obligations, take part in interviews, and really create a unique personality.
These additions make it feel a bit more like an RPG, allowing you to add to your own story should you choose to start outside of the PGA Tour on the Korn Ferry Tour.
You can also shape up against professional golfers, choosing rivals along the way. This creates some fun moments when you’re in tournament play especially as the commentators will note the match-up and you’ll get some nice post-round stats about how you and your rival stack up.
Dynamic rounds will help you breeze through things if you haven’t got time to sit down, play a round, hope you make the cut, and then play another 18. It’s a really nice addition for casual play, and you can also be plunged into some fun scenarios with holes to dig yourself out from.
Dexerto/2K SportsDesigning courses is fun, but more official greens needed
The course designer has always been one of the major plus points when it comes to 2K’s PGA Tour series, and 2K25 is no different. There are more tools than before, allowing you to drum up some insane creations. I’m fully expecting those crazy par three courses that look like your local mini-golf center to pop back up fairly quickly.
While the course designer will lead to some of the best courses on the PGA Tour being replicated, it would have been nice to have additional licensed courses from outside North America too.
PGA Tour 2K25 has 27 official courses on board, including the US Open, The Open, and the 2025 PGA Championship. These take place at Oakmont Country Club, Royal Portrush, and Quali Hollow Club, respectively.
Yet, when you’re grinding away in MyCareer, things may feel a little repetitive once you get a few years in. Additional courses being released post-launch and being cycled into the rotation would address this issue.
2K SportsVerdict
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Challenging for new and old players | There is a tough step-up between difficulties |
| Beautiful looking courses | More official courses needed |
| MyCareer feels alive and not tacked on |
PGA Tour 2K25 is a great step up from its predecessor with some beautiful graphics upgrades and challenging mechanic tweaks. Having the option to create numerous MyPlayers with different archetypes will have you grinding the new upgrade system for hours on end too. You won’t feel shortchanged whatever route you decide to go down.
The only downside? While the custom courses are fun – and often rage-inducing – we’d just love to see more official PGA Tour courses, especially outside of the United States. Otherwise, we’ll catch you the greens, sinking birdies, and winning Majors.
For more information on how we score video games, check out our scoring guidelines here.
