Have you ever wondered what it would be like to play golf on some of the world’s most famous courses without leaving your living room? The world of virtual reality (VR) is making this dream a reality for golf enthusiasts. However, while the quality of VR golf games has come a long way, there are still relatively few options available that provide a truly immersive and satisfying golf simulation experience. This leaves many golf fans wanting more from developers when it comes to gameplay, graphics, courses, and overall authenticity.
In our review of the best VR golf games of 2024, we found that while no single game yet achieves golf simulation perfection, our selection of games stands out as providing the most enjoyable and realistic VR golf experiences currently on the market. Some even provide high-quality graphics and the ability to play virtually on real-life courses. They deliver exciting gameplay modes that make you feel like you’re on a fun golf adventure.
Our Favorite Virtual Reality Golf Games of 2024
Based on our own testing and experience, these are our recommended VR golf games you can enjoy alone or with friends and family. These are all guaranteed to offer hours of enjoyment and fun, and the majority of the games support multiple platforms.
The Golf Club VR
The Golf Club VR offers a compelling option, delivering an immersive virtual reality golf experience complete with stunning visuals and over 130,000 playable procedural and user-generated courses.
Developed by HB Studios, The Golf Club VR builds on their award-winning 2014 release, The Golf Club. By integrating compatibility with leading VR headsets like the HTC Vive and its room-scale capabilities, the game situates you right on the virtual course with complete control over shot shaping and club selection. An interactive golf bag and dynamic info from your virtual golf watch enhance realism. The inclusion of an interactive tutorial narrated by The Golf Club’s iconic commentator eases newcomers into the unique controls and perspective of VR golf.
Every course from the original game is playable in VR, following an ambient audio rework and visual upgrade for heightened realism. Their VR course rating system also helps curate and highlight the most exciting and beautifully designed rounds. However, the ability to build custom courses has been excluded from the VR version.
With over 130,000 courses to experience across a variety of environments, The Golf Club VR makes a compelling case as the foremost VR golf platform currently available. The bundle offering the base game, collectors edition content and VR expansion provides exceptional value. Just ensure your system meets the outlined requirements for smooth performance, especially the mandatory VR headset.
Pros
- Massive selection of courses in vibrant virtual environments
- Realistic and nuanced ball striking mechanics
- Fully interactive round enhancements like club and gear selection
- The bundle includes the base game, DLC and VR content
Cons
- Course designer excluded from VR version
- Demanding minimum specs to run smoothly
Fans of golf simulations and virtual reality will find The Golf Club VR hard to top regarding sheer content and mechanics. An exceptional 130,000+ generated courses paired with true-to-form swing and shot dynamics drive immersive rounds spanning picturesque vistas. Just ensure your rig provides the power to fully render these vast environments. For comprehensive virtual reality golf, The Golf Club VR stands out from competitors.
EA SPORTS PGA TOUR
EA SPORTS PGA TOUR offers a remarkably realistic and immersive golf simulation experience. Available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, this game features visually stunning recreations of 30 world-famous golf courses at launch, with more courses coming soon as free post-launch content. Powered by advanced Frostbite graphics technology, the courses and environments are recreated in exceptional detail. It feels like you’re right there on the course.
Gameplay mechanics have been overhauled to offer an authentic sense of swinging and putting. The analog stick swing uses True Simulation Golf physics to mimic real-world ball flights, curvatures, bounces, and rolls. Putting feels smooth and responsive thanks to precision stroke mechanics with accurate speed control. As you address putts, you can even see the detailed break lines and terrain contours to help line up your shots.
The game includes a strong roster of pros to take on, match your skills against friends online, and even create and customize your own pro golfer from head to toe with branded apparel and equipment. For hardcore fans seeking the ultimate PGA Tour fantasy, this game is a great choice.
Pros
- Realistic gameplay physics and ball flight
- Gorgeous visuals and course details
- Massive roster of pro golfers and courses
- Character creator for custom pros
- Multiplayer matches with friends
Cons
- Steep learning curve for controls
- Occasional visual glitches
EA SPORTS’ PGA TOUR delivers impressive realism through cutting-edge graphics and refined swing mechanics. With so much content and replayability built in, this is undoubtedly the new hallmark golf title of this console generation.
Walkabout Mini Golf
Walkabout Mini Golf offers a highly immersive and entertaining multiplayer mini-golf experience, making it one of the highest-rated VR games. With accurate physics suitable for both seasoned golfers and casual putters, it sets the bar for mini-golf in virtual reality.
You can play solo, meet new people online or join private lobbies with friends. Up to 8 players can join a game with full crossplay support across platforms like Quest, SteamVR and PSVR2. With features like smooth locomotion, original music, over 188 custom balls, and quadrillions of avatar options, the game goes beyond standard mini-golf.
There are currently 8 courses to master, each with 18 unique holes, plus additional DLC courses with easy and hard variants. Courses bring creative elements with interconnected holes encouraging exploration. The physics lend realism to bank shots, tunnel drives, island greens, and obstacles. A night mode even enhances lighting and reflections to alter the gameplay on every course.
As a top-rated VR mini-golf title, Walkabout leads in multiplayer interaction, continuous content updates, and niche community engagement. Their newest course, “Around the World in 80 Days” offers a whimsical adventure inspired by Jules Verne’s novel. Recent patches also expanded avatar choices and fixed minor issues on specific holes.
Pros
- Realistic and accurate physics engine
- Regular new courses and avatar content
- Vibrant multiplayer community
- Cross-platform support across VR devices
- Beautiful visually-designed golf courses
Cons
- DLC courses require purchase
- Occasional bugs on certain holes
Walkabout Mini Golf offers the most well-designed and feature-rich virtual mini-golf experience in VR gaming today. With continuous content updates, a welcoming community, and innovative courses, it establishes a new standard for multiplayer virtual sports.
Cloudlands – VR Minigolf
Transport yourself to beautifully designed golf courses across floating islands in the sky with Cloudlands – VR Minigolf. This virtual reality minigolf game delivers an incredibly immersive and enjoyable experience for golf and VR enthusiasts alike.
The game translates your real-life putting skills into the virtual world with a 1:1 control mapping. The intuitive controls ensure both novice and experienced players can immediately pick up a club and start playing. You’ll encounter bridges, cannons, spinning wheels, and multi-island holes spread across the fantastical 18-hole course.
The stunning environments and challenging holes will captivate your attention. The changing seasons from summer to winter alter the courses and prevent repetition. You can also build and share your own creative holes with others. With four-player online and local multiplayer, you can also compete against friends and family.
Pros
- Intuitive controls mirror real-life putting skills
- Visually stunning fantasy courses across floating islands
- 18 holes with changing seasonal themes
- Competitive online and local multiplayer modes
- Build and share custom holes with others
Cons
- Steep learning curve for building holes
For golf and VR fans, Cloudlands – VR Minigolf offers one of the most polished and enjoyable virtual reality golf experiences available. The creative courses, smooth mechanics, and social multiplayer ensure endless replayability. If you own a compatible VR headset, this is a must-have title.
GOLF+ VR
GOLF+ VR delivers a remarkably realistic and immersive virtual reality golf experience. As the exclusive PGA TOUR VR golf game, it offers officially licensed tournament courses and physics endorsed by top professional golfers for true-to-life gameplay. With frequent new course additions, GOLF+ lets you play dream rounds at renowned destinations like St Andrews, Pebble Beach, and TPC Sawgrass anytime without real-world constraints.
Through multiplayer modes, you can play alongside friends or meet new people from around the world. Competitive players will enjoy vying for top spots on global leaderboards or competing in GOLF+ Tour tournaments. More casual gaming happens at the Topgolf social hub with various mini-games. The title sets itself apart with the accuracy of its simulation—making putts actually feels real thanks to the refined physics.
The graphics and environments transport you onto visually stunning courses. The game removes all the hassle of traditional golf, maximizing the enjoyment of the sport. As long as you have an Oculus/Meta Quest headset, you can golf like a pro without ever leaving home.
Pros
- Hyper-realistic gameplay and physics
- Famous courses in amazing environments
- Multiplayer with friends or strangers
- Competitive rankings and tournaments
- Relaxed social games at Topgolf
Cons
- Monthly subscription for full access
GOLF+ is a must-have VR escape that could replace real golf entirely. It also makes an excellent starting point for newcomers to experience golfing glory without the steep learning curve. Ultimately, it delivers on its promise of providing an accessible, perpetual golf getaway.
Golf 5 eClub
Golf5 is one of the most authentic VR golf games to date. With real golf physics, swing analysis, dynamic weather, and a variety of game modes, courses and features, this ambitious title provides a comprehensive virtual golfing package.
The game impressively manages to capture the core elements of real golf while showcasing the immersive capabilities of VR. The swing mechanics aim to emulate motions and forces you’d experience on an actual course. Meanwhile, the detailed launch monitor provides crucial feedback to analyze and improve your shots. These features demonstrate a commitment to authentic simulation rather than simplistic arcade-style golf.
The selection of real-world courses also enhances immersion. From renowned tournament grounds like Royal Liverpool and St Andrews to fictional safari and tropical settings, you’ll find beautiful vistas and layouts reminiscent of their physical counterparts. The courses even incorporate dynamic weather and winds to further the realism.
Pros
- Authentic golf physics and swing mechanics
- Robust launch monitor for biofeedback and analysis
- Dynamic weather and winds enhance realism
- Varied selection of real and fictional courses
- Competitive tournaments and ongoing development
Cons
- Limited number of courses at launch
With such strong foundations in simulation and variety, Golf5 stands poised to become a benchmark platform as VR golf continues to evolve. Give it a shot if you want to virtually tee off at some of the world’s best courses and join a passionate community at the forefront of this emerging genre.
Golf It!
Golf It! delivers an exciting mini-golf experience whether you play solo or rally friends for epic multiplayer showdowns on custom community courses. With 8 distinct official courses and a continuously expanding workshop brimming with thousands of player-created gems, variety never runs dry.
The fun only amplifies when you utilize the robust built-in course editor, where dynamic terrain, thousands of objects, and complex event systems give you endless creative freedom. Express yourself by crafting devilish holes filled with traps and tricks to challenge friends. Or take the scenic route by shaping stunning vistas paired with smooth fairways.
Seasonal leaderboards and exclusive seasonal cosmetic rewards add lasting motivation by giving you something to work towards each season. Casual rounds seamlessly shift into intense competition fueled by the drive to climb the ranks.
Regarding virtual reality, Golf It! supports SteamVR headsets for immersive first-person golfing. Some reviews mention issues getting VR running properly, so your experience may vary. But once configured, swinging clubs in VR intensifies the skill and concentration needed to nail shots.
Pros
- Huge variety of courses
- Powerful editing tools
- Leaderboards and cosmetics
- Supports up to 30+ multiplayer
- Customizable balls and clubs
Cons
- VR support can be buggy
- Requires some grind to unlock items
With fun and competition in equal measure alongside mountains of content, Golf It! is easily among the best multiplayer mini-golf games available and a must-try for VR golf fans. Losing whole evenings perfecting your short-game skills with friends comes with the territory.
Buying Guide – What to Consider While Choosing a VR Game?
The following are some important factors and tips to consider in your purchase of a VR golf game. The goal is to ensure you are well-equipped to make the best choice possible.
Ensuring Platform Compatibility
The first step is confirming the VR golf game you’re interested in supports your specific headset platform and hardware. Major options include Oculus Quest, Meta Quest 2, Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR, and Windows MR headsets.
Games are usually designed for one or two headset ecosystems. So, verify your specific HMD is listed as compatible before purchasing to avoid surprises.
Beyond headset support, also ensure your gaming PC or laptop meets the game’s minimum GPU, CPU, and RAM requirements for optimal visuals and performance if applicable.
Prioritizing Realistic Graphics and Immersion
For full immersion in the virtual golf environment, prioritize games offering photorealistic visuals and physics-driven ball flight. Look for courses scanned in high fidelity 3D using drone photography of real championship venues.
This level of detail accurately reconstructs terrain, foliage, landmarks, and scale to make you feel transported. Dynamic lighting at different times of day, realistic nature effects like flowing water and swaying trees, and changing weather patterns further enhance environmental depth and realism.
Also, smooth, stutter-free graphics are key as well, so benchmark test performance before purchasing using your specific hardware.
Evaluating Gameplay Realism
Prefer golf games using actual motion-controlled clubs and swing mechanics over arcade-style controls for the most realistic virtual experience.
The ability to freely control your swing path using two motion controllers allows for proper club alignments, wrist angles, swing planes, and athletic stances. Advanced gameplay physics should precisely analyze swing dynamics to realistically model resulting ball trajectories.
For full authenticity, look for comprehensive stat tracking, instant video swing analysis replays, exact club selection, and proper ball lie positioning and embedding. Approach shot trajectories and putting speeds should mirror real on-course play.
Assessing Multiplayer and Social Options
Multiplayer support greatly expands enjoyment by allowing competitive and cooperative play remotely with others. Tee off simultaneously in the same virtual group or asynchronously in tournaments. Social hub worlds also provide more casual driving ranges or short par 3 courses to hang out and practice with friends.
Community events like organized tournaments, tiered leaderboards, and society events add motivating goals to improve your skills. The ability to customize matches by selecting tee times, weather, wind, and other variables provides variety. Social tools like voice chat, post-round emotes, and clubhouse areas build connections.
Evaluating Price and Overall Value
Individual VR golf game prices currently range from $20 to $60, sometimes more for deluxe editions. This is on par with non-VR console golf titles.
Another option is subscription access like Golf+ on Oculus Quest which provides constantly updated premium course content. Compare the overall polish, depth, gameplay length, replayability, and post-purchase content support when evaluating price to determine value. Some $40 titles deliver comprehensive packages while others feel like tech demos.
Prioritize games reviewed as providing at least 10+ hours of diverse content updated over time.
Final Thoughts
Virtual reality (VR) golf games offer uniquely immersive and enjoyable practice environments right from home. As covered in this article, current titles provide impressively realistic simulations where players can develop anything from their short game to long drives.
As VR technology continues rapidly advancing, we can expect even more lifelike and engaging golf experiences in the future. Developers are constantly innovating to model courses and mechanics as accurately as possible. The potential for virtual reality to supplement practice and enjoyment of golf is immense.
While VR technology offers a taste of the green, there’s a whole world of sophisticated golf simulators designed specifically for your home or indoor space. You can check our guide on the top golf simulators to discover top-rated options.
We welcome any feedback on your own VR golf experiences in the comments section below. Which games or features stood out most? What new courses or gameplay elements would you like to see developers focus on next? Please share your perspectives – we look forward to continuing the conversation.
Thanks for reading!
