Five fun golf games to play during the national lockdown

Well that didn't take long did it? We're just a few days into 2021 and we've already been hit with another national lockdown that has forced golf clubs to close their doors, so you're going to have to wait a little longer to use that new driver you got for Christmas. Fingers crossed that in a few months we will have some normality back in our lives and we can enjoy a golf-packed year!

So golf courses might be shut and it may be a little too cold now to be working on your short game in the garden, but there's no reason why you can't scratch that golf itch by playing a few games on your phone.

Below is a list of our top five golf games that you can download onto your smartphone to help ease that lockdown boredom and challenge your friends from the comfort of your armchair.

WGT Golf

THE DETAILS:

Play the #1 free golf game by Topgolf Media, as seen on NBC Sports, Golf Channel, DIRECTV and FOX Sports. Featuring full stroke play on Pebble Beach, Bandon Dunes (Golf Digest #1 rated resort), Chambers Bay and St Andrews from the PGA Tour. This sports game is a full game simulation built with the best GPS and 3D technology.

FAMOUS GOLF COURSES

Experience more than 15 championship golf courses, including: Pebble Beach (five-time U.S. Open host), Bandon Dunes (Golf Digest #1 rated resort), Chambers Bay (2015 U.S. Open), Bethpage Black (2019 PGA Championship, 2024 Ryder Cup), Celtic Manor (2010 Ryder Cup), Congressional Country Club (2011 U.S. Open), Kiawah Island (2012 and 2021 PGA Championship), Olympic Club (2012 U.S. Open), Pinehurst Resort (2014 U.S. Open), Royal St. George’s (The Open Championship 2011 and 2020), St Andrews (The Open Championship 2015 and 2021), Valhalla Golf Club (2014 and 2024 PGA Championship)

GAME FORMATS

- Compete head-to-head against friends or other players with live chat and competitive leaderboards in multiplayer games
- Single-player full 18-hole stroke play and quick 9-hole closest-to-the-hole golf games
- Get the Topgolf experience on the go by playing Topgolf mode, competing with up to six players and scoring points by hitting targets in the outfield
- Free tournaments including the Virtual U.S. Open (in collaboration with the USGA, featuring a grand prize trip to the real U.S. Open Championship), WGT Virtual Tour Championship (in partnership with Golf Channel) and many more

REALISTIC GOLF SIMULATION

- Equip your golf bag with virtual golf equipment including drivers, woods, hybrids, irons, wedges, putters and golf balls
- Choose your shot type from options including full, punch, pitch, chip, flop and putt
- Read and play various (and some challenging!) golf lies from all over the course including the tee, fairway, rough, fescue, bunker and green

VIRTUAL GOLF EQUIPMENT

- Upgrade your virtual golf clubs and golf balls to improve your game
- The WGT Pro Shop features equipment from your favorite golf brands including Callaway, Cobra, Odyssey, Ping, Scotty Cameron, TaylorMade, Titleist and more

MAKE SOCIALISING A SPORT

- Invite friends to compete in multiplayer games with live chat
- Join a country club to meet new people, improve your skills, compete in events and private tournaments, and more
- Gift friends virtual equipment and boosts from the Pro Shop

Price: FREE (in-app purchases available)

Golf Battle

Challenge real players from around the world, and make it to the top.

Gather your friends and play 1v1 or with up to 6 Facebook friends all together.

Super easy controls. Fun & intuitive gameplay.

Beat your opponents to the hole and prove yourself king of the golf course!

Collect and upgrade awesome clubs and custom balls.

Play, progress & unlock loads of cool levels.

Come on in & join the minigolf putting party!

KEY FEATURES:

• Innovative 6-player online multiplayer.
• Play together in real-time with real players across the world.
• Play with your friends. Just with 1, or up to 6 all together!
• Relax and take aim in Classic mode.
• Simple, intuitive controls. Fun, addicting gameplay.
• Awesome 3d graphics.
• Win prizes & powerful golf gear.
• Unlock & upgrade your clubs.
• Level up and progress through 90+ holes, courses and levels.

Price: FREE (in-app purchases available)

PGA TOUR Golf Shootout

Want to level up your golf game? Sink birdies and ace the greens in PGA TOUR® GOLF SHOOTOUT! Tee up to collect and upgrade golf clubs, experience stunning real-life TPC golf courses from the PGA TOUR, and participate in daily challenges and golf tournaments for exciting rewards!

KEY FEATURES:

• Play against real opponents around the world in Versus mode
• Progress through challenging TPC courses in single player
• Daily challenges and rewards
• Unlock and upgrade golf clubs
• Beautiful 3D graphics

GOLFING FOR EVERYONE!
Smooth, simple controls for easy-to-learn gameplay

COLLECTABLE CLUBS!
Discover and upgrade over 50 golf clubs with unique stats and abilities to improve your golf game

SWING WITH THE BEST!
Compete with opponents around the world in Versus mode or advance through single player

AMAZING GRAPHICS!
Play on four real-life PGA TOUR TPC golf courses with 72 holes!

Price: FREE (in-app purchases available)

Golf Clash

One of the most popular golf games around!

Game of the Year 2018 - Mobile Game Awards
Game of the Year - TIGA Awards

Play on beautiful courses against players around the world in real-time as you compete in tournaments, 1v1 games and challenge your Facebook friends!

Upgrade your clubs and unlock tours as you master your golf skills in the quest to be the Golf Clash king!

- Quick-fire 1v1 real-time gameplay.
- Revolutionary shot system that’s easy to learn but difficult to master.
- Thousands of live players online waiting to be challenged.
- Progress through more advanced tours as you “raise the stakes”.
- Earn promotion in weekly leagues to win club card bonuses.
- Compete against your friends via Facebook to earn the bragging rights.
- Unlock chests as you discover and upgrade to premium clubs and balls.
- Save and share replays of your jaw-dropping shots.
- Banter your opponents with chat and emoji during the match!
- Advance through challenging courses and weather conditions.

Price: FREE (in-app purchases available)

Golf King - World Tour

From the creators of Mini Golf King comes a new Golf game featuring real-time 1v1 matches, realistic courses of stunning graphics, customizable characters, intuitive shot control and even more fun!

Play on beautiful courses against rivals around the world in online battles! Win and collect trophies to unlock higher tours. Discover and upgrade golf clubs to improve your performance. Take on the daily and weekly leaderboards to win awesome prizes and glory. Play against your friends!

Customise your look with endless combinations of characters, hats, glasses, tops, pants and shoes. Use various emotes to brag about your victory. Collect the best clubhouses and caddies for more benefits!

Start your epic career and master your skills in your quest to become the Golf King!

KEY FEATURES:

- PvP Golf duel - Compete against the star golfers all around the world
- Easy & Simple controls: Swipe and release to hit the ball, just like playing pool!
- Play on a variety of realistic 3D golf courses
- Collect trophies and unlock new stages
- Open packs to obtain new powerful golf clubs and upgrade the equipment you have: Various drivers, woods, long irons, short irons, wedges, rough irons, sand wedges and putters
- Customize your look, clubhouse and caddie
- Get promoted in the Weekly Leagues for more card bonuses
- Reach high rank in Coin Rush for special rewards
- Play with your family and friends
- Send and request gifts with friends

Price: FREE (in-app purchases available)

NEXT PAGE: Picks of the Week: Our favourite golf gloves to buy this month