Electronic Arts are cemented into pop culture as the biggest developers of sports video games in history. Football has Madden, Soccer has FIFA and Hockey has the NHL series all developed under the EA umbrella. However, one of their first ever officially licensed sports games was their pro-golf ‘PGA Tour’ video game series back in 1990. EA Sports have now been developing instalments into the PGA Tour series for over 30 years. Their first instalment was available on the classic Sega Gensis, Super Nintendo and Amiga among others and the games’ realism was considered ground-breaking at the time. Its popularity was so massive that Tiger Woods, arguably the most famous golfer of all time, leant his name and likeness to the game and for 15 years the official title was changed to ‘Tiger Woods PGA Tour…’. From 1994 to 2013 there was a new release every year complete with a new roster along with visual and gameplay upgrades with it’s longevity meaning the game has been available to play on every generation of PlayStation and Xbox console.

Since the most recent instalment in 2015 where they updated the title to reflect Golf’s newest star Rory McIlroy, development of a new game has been put on hiatus. However, fans prayers were answered when in March 2021, EA announced that a new next-gen PGA tour game was in development. The rumoured title of ‘Road To The Masters’ hinted at a career mode unlike ever before which was later confirmed by EA. The official press release promised players that “golf fans will be able to build their virtual career and experience the sights, sounds, and thrills of the PGA TOUR including THE PLAYERS Championship, FedExCup Playoffs and more unforgettable events”. Using the same Frostbite engine that was used to develop 2015’s ‘Rory McIlroy PGA Tour’, EA also promised “stunning fidelity, breathtaking immersive environments, and approachable, dynamic gameplay.”

Hopes of a 2022 release were dashed recently however when development hit a snag. EA Sports announced that the release would be delayed by a full year with a revised Spring 2023 release, after the original announcement had plans for a release coinciding with the 2022 Masters. EA did though offer a further peak at what is to come, confirming that they will offer Ladies Professional Golf Association challenges and events including the Amundi Evian Championship, one of the LPGA Tour’s five major championships.

“Through our PGA Tour and LPGA partnerships, all-new PGA Tour athlete tracking integration, and events like The Players Championship and FedExCup Playoffs, players will be able to get an all-access pass to pro championship golf like never before,” EA Sports general manager Cam Weber said.

However, something fans do not have much longer for is the 2022 Masters Tournament that will tee off on April 7th. One of the four Grand Slam majors, the Masters Tournament is the first major of the year and unlike others, is held every year in the same location in Augusta, Georgia. The Masters betting odds have Spaniard Jon Rahm teeing off as the favorite to get his hands on his first coveted green jacket.

Rahm will be one of a number of golfers likely to make their debut on EA’s PGA Tour roster upon its release next year along with the likes of Collin Morikawa and Viktor Hovland. It will also be the first PGA Tour game to feature Ladies’ golf due to the previously mentioned partnership with the LPGA. Although there is no trailer as of yet, EA’s willingness to tailor make the game for the next-gen consoles means we are sure to enjoy better gameplay than ever before along with upgraded visuals. Fans may be itching to start the game sooner but the revised release date means that developers have time to make one of the best Golf games we have ever seen.

For those who cannot wait however, there is an alternative. Video game publisher 2K, famed for their NBA series, reached a license agreement in 2018 with the PGA Tour to include six TPC courses and a PGA Tour career mode in The Golf Club 2019 video game. Although the original release did not include rights to player likenesses, their next release (PGA Tour 2K21) included an extensive roster complete with some of the biggest names in the sport following a new agreement with the PGA Tour.

Regardless, there is no doubting that EA’s series remains the most popular and well-known golf video game in the world. Whilst you may still be waiting a little while longer, fans everywhere will be eagerly anticipating the return of Golf’s paramount video game in 2023.