PGA Tour 2K25: A Decade’s Best Golf Game Undermined by Unsavory Tactics and Greedy Practices

There’s something about a round of digital golf that’s utterly satisfying, especially when you’re someone like me who has a Golden Tee arcade machine right at home. I’ve cherished the Tiger Woods games from EA during my teenage years, finding solace in them whenever I needed a break. Nowadays, as an adult, my real golf clubs gather dust in the garage because, let’s face it, life is just too hectic to steal a few hours for the real deal. So, I’m always open to a good golf game to fill that void.

Recently, PGA Tour 2K25 caught my attention. Having a gap in my gaming lineup, I thought this new release could be a perfect fit. I still hold a fondness for 2K’s previous golf sim attempts, so I was curious to explore how far they’ve come since their debut, skipping over EA’s offering for now. Hoping for the best, I hopped onto Steam and didn’t hesitate to splurge on the Premium Edition, allowing for early access. My initial excitement was palpable.

Reflecting on my somewhat foggy memories of the 2021 version, it was evident that 2K’s offering for 2025 had been polished considerably. The game feels more refined, smoother, and its interface is way more user-friendly. The assistance system really caught my interest—it reminded me of the helpful systems you find in racing games like Forza Motorsport. It strikes the right balance between delivering a rich simulation and offering quick, satisfying arcade play.

In essence, choosing a more arcade-like setup that mimics the classic PS2-era EA Tiger Woods games grants your custom character 100% of the experience points for every round of golf. But if you dial back on the aids, you earn even more EXP.

This setup feels quite similar to racing games—take Forza, for example. I usually turn off the racing line to get an added EXP boost since I don’t really need it. Similarly, I reckon I’m pretty good with my long shots, so I switch off aids helping with crosswinds and making mis-hits more forgiving. However, when it comes to putting, I’m hopeless. So, I keep all the aids active when I’m on the green.

With my adjustments in place, I managed to secure 120% of the usual EXP gain—though I’m sure more skilled players could push this even further.

Now, EXP is more than just a number; it unlocks rewards, levels up your golfer, and helps you earn in-game currency needed for things like equipment. And while the game provides a breezy experience with a decent number of assists, it also lets you tweak settings to add a dash of realism if you want a greater challenge.

This ties in perfectly with the career mode, which doesn’t demand you play every single hole. By default, it might have you play four or five holes per round, with the AI handling the rest. It’s a great way to ease the pressure, although you can always choose to tackle every hole, if you prefer. Beyond the course, there’s plenty to do with mini-games, press engagements, and rivalries keeping things interesting.

All these elements bring back what I adored about the old golf games—they balance sports simulation with pure fun. Golf, after all, is pretty accessible—you can grab some old clubs and have a go with friends, no problem. In video games, though, the allure is playing at a higher level, simulating a career, and enjoying a relaxing experience—because, trust me, real-life golf can be far from stress-free.

Yet, there’s a shadow looming over this contender. Despite the charming casual or intense golfing action, a greedy undercurrent runs through PGA Tour 2K25, one that’s only grown more obvious with the game’s first update.

The progression of your ‘myPLAYER’ character relies heavily on spending in-game currency—whether it’s earned or, regrettably, purchased. New clubs? That’ll cost you some VC. Want a wardrobe update? More VC. Trying to enhance your golfer’s skills? Once again, cough up the VC!

This is pretty standard in many games. Loads of titles have you earning currency to advance. Sure, offering it for real-world cash feels a bit scummy, but it’s an expected shortcut nonetheless. But, oh boy, does 2K push the envelope.

When PGA 2K25 became available for early access, dedicated fans got their hands on a reasonable VC earning model. However, right after the official launch, a discreet patch was released tweaking the economy, drastically reducing the VC earnings compared to the pre-release stage.

Rightfully upset fans on Reddit did the math, revealing that powering up to level 99 with your character now takes about 214 hours, up from a mere 92—still substantial but much more feasible. The costs for leveling up or acquiring critical tools have surged by as much as 60%. Progression was certainly never rapid, but 2K determined it wasn’t slow enough to boost real-world spending, leading them to swiftly adjust everything at the game’s launch.

I hadn’t been too involved with the PGA 2K community, but even I noticed the dip in VC post-patch, prompting me to dive into Reddit for answers. It didn’t take long to find the frustrating truth. Steam reviews are now filled with vitriol. The word “greedy” is frequent in user comments, but the term “predatory” stands out as particularly apt. Here’s another word: Disgusting. I have a few other choice words for the folks behind this setup, but they’re not quite suitable for print. Use your imagination.

Initially, I was genuinely thrilled with PGA Tour 2K25, but this development has seriously sapped my enthusiasm. Previously, my only complaint was the sluggish menu navigation with overly flashy transitions and annoying pop-ups—now that seems trivial in comparison to the cash-hungry progression system. It’s something you’d expect in a free-to-play mobile game, where online competition involves either an exhausting grind or, you guessed it, more spending.

Frankly, this kind of setup might have flown in a free-to-play game, but this is far from that. Some folks shelled out over a hundred pounds for this game, with the standard edition still costing a hefty sixty quid. Honestly, it’s a bad joke and it taints an otherwise fabulous experience—possibly the best golf game I’ve enjoyed in a decade. It’s like making a fantastic shot to land on the green only to botch four putts in a row. 2K crafted something special and then shattered it at the finish line. What a pity.