I pride myself on my putting.
In fact, I’ll boast that I can out-putt most golfers that I’m paired with.
My 18-footer for birdie on Thursday afternoon agrees. With 331 rounds logged, I’ve averaged less than two putts per hole.
How did I get there? PGA Tour 2K23.
That’s right, folks. You read it correctly. A video game helped make me the best amateur putter west of the Mississippi.
Since the beginning of 2024, I’ve reduced my handicap to an 11.7 from a 20.9. It’s no coincidence that the winter of 2023 is the approximate time that I started playing PGA 2K more often. You may not believe me but my 347 hours spent on the game tell the real story.
Putting should be simple, and to some it is, but there are many golfers who would benefit from some virtual putting practice.
How PGA 2K will help you
PGA 2K uses a grid system with each section of the grid highlighting the speed and direction the putt will go at that specific part of the green.
When you play PGA 2K long enough, you start to see patterns and you know how hard to hit it and which line provides the highest likelihood of a made putt.
For example, you may take a more direct line and give it more tempo. On the flip side, you might 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 this way on the actual golf course.
When I’m standing over an eight-footer, I look at each part of the “grid” and pick my line based on the patterns I’m used to seeing on PGA 2K. Don’t get me wrong. You still have to practice your pace and putting stroke but PGA 2K will solve some of the issues that most people struggle with.
It’s kind of like a driving simulator. If you’re behind the wheel practicing in an atmosphere that is meant to feel immersive and real, you’ll be a better driver when you hit the road.
If you break down every foot of the putt in front of you, your accuracy will increase. Most people aren’t as intentional as they should be with their putting but I’m a strong believer that reducing your putting strokes is the quickest way to solid golf.
Where PGA 2K can’t help you
PGA 2K isn’t a replacement for practicing your putting.
For example: you have to learn how to keep the club face centered through your putting stroke. PGA 2K can’t do this for you. The only way to improve this aspect of your putting game is through dedicated practice with proven drills.
Furthermore, you need to understand how to read the speed of the greens you’re playing on and how hard/soft to hit your putts. The game shows you speed but, again, you can’t improve on the course without practice.
I’ve noticed two things that have helped me tremendously when it comes to speed.
- Show up to the course early and hit some practice putts. The easiest way to get used to different green speeds is showing up early and actually hitting a few putts.
- Learn how to hit a lag putt. The sooner you understand how to hit a lag putt, the sooner you’ll putt better.
Added bonuses
On top of making you understand how to putt better, PGA 2K lets you play some of the bucket list courses you might not ever make it to. I’d love to play Pebble Beach some day but who knows? I’ve played Pebble roughly a dozen times on the game and it provides a fun at-home experience.
You can also create yourself in the MyPLAYER mode and play online against your friends. I gave myself roughly 35 extra pounds in muscle and added a few extra inches to my height.
The 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 with majors, signature events, even the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
Try it! You’ll like it!
As my mom used to say with my picky brother at the dinner table: “Try it! You’ll like it!”
Don’t get it twisted. The No. 1 reason to buy PGA 2K is for entertainment. The online rounds with your friends and casual MyCAREER tournaments are enough of a reason to start playing PGA 2K.
But I’m a strong believer PGA 2K has impacted my game for the better. It’s an absolute game-changer to understand how putting works and the many different ways you can make a putt.
If you don’t believe me, try for yourself.
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