HOW TO PUTT IN PGA TOUR 2K23
Just like in real life, your ability to putt consistently will be critical to your performance on PGA TOUR 2K23. While every golfer fantasizes about sinking that Hollywood 50-foot shot straight into the hole, these types of shots are a rarity for all but the sport’s most elite players.
With wayward approach shots likely to land anywhere from the rough to bunkers and watering holes, every golfer is thrilled to see their shot land firmly on the green. There are many ways a golfer can approach putting, but a successful first putt should be accurate enough to drop in the hole, or set you up for a short-range second putt.
While the concept is simple enough, mastering the art of consistent putting is easier said than done. This is why we’ve put together this detailed guide on how to putt and the best strategy to ensure you’re perfectly placed for an under-par hole.
TRAINING AREA
The best place to perfect the art of putting is in the training area. You can access the training area from the main menu by selecting Casual → Training → Practice → Putting Practice. From here, you’ll be taken to a practice putting green with numerous holes at varying distances.
As soon as you enter the putting green, you can begin practicing immediately. The place ball function allows you to place the ball anywhere on the course and hone your skills from a variety of distances and angles. Press the button for the on-screen "Help" panel in the lower right to display the additional controls available while in Practice.
We recommend practicing your short-range putting at first to learn the fundamentals before moving on to the more advanced shots. Once you feel comfortable with your short-range putting, begin practicing your medium-range shots before advancing to the more challenging long-range putts.
If you have certain HUD and info assists enabled, your screen on the practice green may be filled with useful information designed to help you perfect your putting. The key elements to follow on the screen depend on whether you use the 3-Click Swing or the Standard Swing. For the former, you’ll need to press and hold for a timed release. Let go to set the power and press the button again to set the accuracy. For the latter, pay attention to the distance control meter, swing plane, and the green grid, which we’ll get into further down.
By following the information in these tools, you’ll begin to develop a better feel for your putting, which will enhance your performance when you play the game competitively.
READING THE GREEN
As with real-life golf, the best approach to your stroke on PGA TOUR 2K23 can depend on an array of factors. From your distance to the hole, there are myriad variables that can alter your approach to a putt.
One of the first things you’ll likely notice on the putting area is the square grid across the surface of the green. With its moving beads, this grid lets us know if any slopes could alter the ball's path.
The directions and speed of the beads tell us the direction in which the green is sloping and by how much. The grid turns yellow on slightly steeper inclines and red on the steepest areas.
Uneven terrain on certain areas of the course can result in the travel of the ball changing mid-putt and either slowing down, speeding up, or breaking left or right. It’s this unpredictability that makes learning to read the green so essential.
By understanding the variables at play in the most tricky places of the course, you’ll be able to modify your approach accordingly and ensure your putting remains at the top of its game.
If the beads move from right to left, the ball will break left. Contrastingly, if they move from left to right, then the ball will break right. This knowledge is essential when planning your shots effectively. For example, if the green indicates a steep left break, you’ll need to set the direction marker up to a few feet right of the hole to counteract this.
PRACTICE SWING
A good putting motion is one of the most overlooked yet pivotal elements of your performance on the golf course. This notion is equally important in the ultra-realistic world of PGA TOUR 2K23, where the quality of your stroke is key to glory on the green.
By pressing the C button on a PC, or by clicking the Swing Stick on a console, you will toggle between normal or Practice Swing modes.
When Practice Swing is turned on, the ball will disappear. This will allow you to practice your putting stroke for as long as you like without the fear of inadvertently hitting the ball. Taking some time to practice your stroke can bring huge benefits to your putting when it's time to play competitively.
Following the recommended power on the Distance Control Meter at the bottom of your screen is an excellent way to gain a better feel for the types of shots required for various places on the green. Pull back on the Swing Stick, or initiate the 3-Click Swing if that’s your preference, until you reach the suggested power percentage.
Keep practicing until you’re regularly reaching the correct amount of power for each stroke. Once you’re ready, toggle off Practice Swing and take your shot.
PUTT PREVIEW
Putt preview is one of the most effective tools to help reduce your strokes on the course. By selecting this feature, you’ll be given a white putt line that lets you preview the path the ball is going to take. Keep in mind that you are only permitted one Putt Preview per stroke. We recommend setting up your putt as best you can before using the Putt Preview. Then make adjustments to your read based on your initial aim.
This feature can have a profound effect on your playing style and is perfect for learning the vital fine margins required to navigate those unpredictable last-minute direction and pace changes that can derail your performance on that all-important hole.
Depending on your difficulty setting, you may be given a maximum number of putt previews for the round, or none at all; such as in the Pro difficulty used during Matchmaking.
TAKING YOUR SHOT
Putting in PGA TOUR 2K23 uses similar controls and mechanics to other shots like drives but requires less power and aggression. When it comes to putting, the new 3-Click Swing requires you to use a timed button hold and release to set power, and a timed button press to set accuracy.
The game will provide you with two distance markers; one showing you the direction to the hole and the other highlighting the direction and target distance & elevation of your prospective putt. Moving your control up, down, left, or right will change the movement of the second marker to reflect the changes in the direction and speed of your shot based on your new position.
Remember, both the speed and slope of the green and the direction and power of your shot play a part in where the ball ends up. Thankfully, your ability to read the green and adapt your shots for all eventualities will only improve the more you practice.
In many instances, placing a marker a few feet away from the hole can be an effective way to ensure your ball remains on target.
TAKE A LESSON
For those who are brand new to putting and PGA TOUR 2K23, the inbuilt lessons can be an excellent starting point for learning the ropes. These lessons will give you a comprehensive overview of taking your first putts, with clear instructions that will provide you with the foundations required to hit the ground running.
To take a putting tutorial, head over to the main menu and select Casual → Training → Lessons → Putting. There are also valuable tutorials in this area on swing basics, shot types, and clubs to provide you with a rounded understanding that will help you develop your game quickly.
MEASURE YOUR PROGRESS
You can measure both your progress and performance to date in our Statistics and Records section. This section can be accessed in the Stats tab of the Profile menu. Here, you will find all the stats relating to all the shots you have taken to date.
While there are numerous stats in this section, it's the Putting Accuracy fields that will provide you with the most valuable information on the performance of your putting so far.
Aside from putting, Statistics and Records is an excellent place to see your overall improvement in the game. As well as putting statistics, this section also identifies the main shots you need to work on while showing the success to date of each shot using percentage points.
TOP PUTTING TIPS
- Keep the green speed in mind when adjusting your putt.
- Read the green grid beads to judge the break.
- Factor in up- and down-hill elevation into your distance, and break.
- Play it safe when it’s risky to roll past the pin; just get it close!
- When in doubt, the default power may get you close enough for a tap-in.
- Use Putt Preview when available, adjust if necessary.
- Lock-in your putting stroke with Practice Swing
- Maintain composure, make the putt!
- Make use of the PGA TOUR 2K23 stats, guides, and recommendations.
The best advice we can provide above all else, however, is to practice as much as possible until you’ve mastered the art of putting. With millions of players now pitting their skills against each other on PGA TOUR 2K23, grab a copy today and enjoy the world's premier golf simulation in all its glory.