WGT Golf News

  • Leadbetter on Virtual Driving

    30 Sep 2013

    (Editor’s Note: David Leadbetter is one of the top instructors in the world of golf, and the new virtual golf instructor on WGT, providing his personalized tips exclusively for WGT players about real world and virtual golf.)

    There are two imperative components that make up the act of driving a golf ball. One is the swing utilized to generate consistent distance and accuracy off the tee. The second is driving strategy, where I see a clear connection between real and virtual golf.

    In my last tip for WGT players on Course Management, I talked about how to put yourself in the best position to approach the green, and that begins with your tee shot. In order to provide yourself with an ideal angle into the green, I would encourage you to consider the distance your drive will travel and the potential lie you may be presented with. This thought process will enable you to choose the correct club off the tee, leading to an easier approach shot and ultimately a makeable putt. As you begin to develop a course management routine, you will discover that driver is not always the smartest club of choice, but 3 wood, hybrid or even an iron off the tee can contribute to less missed fairways and lower scores. At British Open courses in particular where players are trying to avoid penal bunkers and thick rough, players often tee off on par-4s with 6- or 7-irons to position themselves correctly for the next shot.

    Prior to hitting a tee shot, the world's top golfers consider multiple factors that contribute to a successful approach shot. Placing their tee shots in the flattest areas of the golf course allow for more consistent and predictable ball flight. The lie of a golf ball plays a key role in determining the trajectory, spin and direction of a golf shot.

    One of the features I love within WGT is the Uneven Lies feature. The integration of various lies parallels the challenges associated with real golf that you don't typically experience in a video game. Although no lie will ever be perfectly flat on a golf course, implementing a few simple tips into your course management strategy can lead to a greater number of greens hit.

    Upon assessing your lie, it is important to remember that uphill lies cause your ball to flight at a higher trajectory and stop faster. Downhill lies causes the ball flight to be lower and roll farther when it hits the ground. Sidehill lies alter shot direction to the right or left. As a general rule in real golf, because of balance issues with uneven lies, the ball will fly shorter -- so too in virtual golf. On a sidehill lie the ball will tend to move in the direction of the slope, depending on whether the ball is below or above your feet. For example: when the ball is above your feet, it will move to the left, and vice versa.

    Remember, some of the best players in the world aren't the longest off the tee. Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker and Paula Creamer are great examples of how driving accuracy can contribute to the overall success of a golf game. For these professionals it is clear that the more accurate off the tee, the more big titles you win especially at a U.S. Open where there is a premium on accuracy.

    So the next time you're on WGT, I challenge you to re-think your driving strategy and consider a club selection other than driver off the tee. And take your game to the next level with the Uneven Lies feature in the game and discover the challenges that various lies create. Let me know how it works!

    Best, David

  • "The Short Game" Golf Documentary – Limited Release

    27 Sep 2013

    Weekend to-do list: go see the new, award-winning golf movie executive produced by Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, while you still can.

    "The Short Game" is a golf documentary that follows eight of the best 7-year-old golfers in the world as they train for and compete in the World Championships of Junior Golf at Pinehurst.

    The movie takes a closer look at the lives of young athletes, their families and the world of highly competitive junior golf, that is both interesting and funny. (Did we mention cute?)

    Learn more about "The Short Game"

    This is a limited release, so be sure to see it while it’s still in theaters!

    See movie showtimes and get tickets for this weekend

    Have you seen the movie, or are you planning to? Be sure to let us know what you think!

  • New WGT Game Sounds

    27 Sep 2013

    WGT gets even more realistic with new environmental sounds, like wind, waves, birds...and even some insects and church bells.

    The new wind sounds are currently on all WGT courses, and five courses, including Bethpage, Congressional, Kiawah and St Andrews, also feature the new environment sounds.

    Play WGT Today

    Remember, you can always control game and environment sounds, and volume from your Game Menu.

  • Gimme Putts, High-Level Putters and Game Sounds

    26 Sep 2013

    See what's new on WGT, including gimme puts and new high-level putters, as well as game sounds for a more realistic golf experience...

     

    Gimmes

    You can now take a Gimme and tap in putts that are 2 feet or less away from the hole, to help you speed-up games.

    This new game feature is available for Hacks and Amateurs in both practice and ranked rounds, and for Pro tier and higher players in practice rounds only.

     

    High-Level Nike Putter

    Get the newest Nike Method putter in the game, designed for top WGT players, with a slower WGT swing meter and high precision, with swing meter features increments of 10, 20, 50, 100, 150 and 300 feet.

    Unlocks for top players at Level 94.


    High-Level Odyssey Putter

    Get the newest Odyssey Versa putter, designed for top WGT players, with the maximum amount of precision in the game. The new Versa putter features a unique black and white design and popular swing meter increments of 15, 30, 60, 100, 150 and 300 feet.

    Unlocks for top players at Level 96.

     

    New Game Sounds

    WGT gets even more realistic with new environment sounds from each course, including wind, waves and birds. Wind sound is on all courses, and environment sounds like waves, birds and insects are on five WGT courses (Bethpage, Congressional, Kiawah, Merion and St Andrews) to start. It's easy to control game sounds and volume in the Game Menu.

     

    President's Cup Team Virtual Golf Balls

    To celebrate the 2013 President's Cup in October, we've added two new virtual golf balls to the WGT Pro Shop. Choose the USA Team or International Team golf ball, both based on the popular WGT GI-SD ball with extra spin and distance.

    Show your international support. Also makes a great gift for your international friends in the game!

     

  • Play Pebble Beach during First Tee Open

    24 Sep 2013

    Play Pebble Beach free on WGT while you watch the pros play the same course in the First Tee Open tournament on the Champions Tour.

    Pebble Beach is America's top-rated golf course and this month's featured course on WGT. Play the free Pebble Beach Challenge closest-to-the-hole tournament for a chance to earn WGT Credits.

    Play Pebble Beach

    Pebble Beach Challenge virtual golf tournament is free to enter and runs now thru 10/31/13. Open to WGT players in all countries.

    For more on the Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, please visit www.thefirstteeopen.com to learn about all the Champions Tour and junior golfers competing, plus the charity support at this great event.

  • Leadbetter on Virtual Driving

    19 Sep 2013

    (Editor’s Note: David Leadbetter is one of the top instructors in the world of golf, and the new virtual golf instructor on WGT, providing his personalized tips exclusively for WGT players about real world and virtual golf.)

    There are two imperative components that make up the act of driving a golf ball. One is the swing utilized to generate consistent distance and accuracy off the tee. The second is driving strategy, where I see a clear connection between real and virtual golf.

    In my last tip for WGT players on Course Management, I talked about how to put yourself in the best position to approach the green, and that begins with your tee shot. In order to provide yourself with an ideal angle into the green, I would encourage you to consider the distance your drive will travel and the potential lie you may be presented with. This thought process will enable you to choose the correct club off the tee, leading to an easier approach shot and ultimately a makeable putt. As you begin to develop a course management routine, you will discover that driver is not always the smartest club of choice, but 3 wood, hybrid or even an iron off the tee can contribute to less missed fairways and lower scores. At British Open courses in particular where players are trying to avoid penal bunkers and thick rough, players often tee off on par-4s with 6- or 7-irons to position themselves correctly for the next shot.

    Prior to hitting a tee shot, the world's top golfers consider multiple factors that contribute to a successful approach shot. Placing their tee shots in the flattest areas of the golf course allow for more consistent and predictable ball flight. The lie of a golf ball plays a key role in determining the trajectory, spin and direction of a golf shot.

    One of the features I love within WGT is the Uneven Lies feature. The integration of various lies parallels the challenges associated with real golf that you don't typically experience in a video game. Although no lie will ever be perfectly flat on a golf course, implementing a few simple tips into your course management strategy can lead to a greater number of greens hit.

    Upon assessing your lie, it is important to remember that uphill lies cause your ball to flight at a higher trajectory and stop faster. Downhill lies causes the ball flight to be lower and roll farther when it hits the ground. Sidehill lies alter shot direction to the right or left. As a general rule in real golf, because of balance issues with uneven lies, the ball will fly shorter -- so too in virtual golf. On a sidehill lie the ball will tend to move in the direction of the slope, depending on whether the ball is below or above your feet. For example: when the ball is above your feet, it will move to the left, and vice versa.

    Remember, some of the best players in the world aren't the longest off the tee. Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker and Paula Creamer are great examples of how driving accuracy can contribute to the overall success of a golf game. For these professionals it is clear that the more accurate off the tee, the more big titles you win especially at a U.S. Open where there is a premium on accuracy.

    So the next time you're on WGT, I challenge you to re-think your driving strategy and consider a club selection other than driver off the tee. And take your game to the next level with the Uneven Lies feature in the game and discover the challenges that various lies create. Let me know how it works!

    Best, David

  • Get the new TaylorMade SLDR Driver

    18 Sep 2013

    Get the new SLDR Driver from TaylorMade, featuring more more control and distance, now available on WGT.

    The SLDR Driver is ideal for players who like to control shots by swinging a little early or late on the WGT Swing Meter, as those shots have more distance with the SLDR Driver than other drivers.

    New virtual SLDR Driver unlocks at Level 28 and Level 89 for top players on WGT.

  • Play New Merion Holes

    13 Sep 2013

    We've added a new set of hole locations on Merion to give you exciting new shots and challenges on the 2013 U.S. Open course.

    Play the new course now in the special Merion New Holes Challenge tournament, running during the month of September.

    Play New Merion Holes

    *This special tournament is free to enter, runs thru 9/30/13 and is open to WGT players in all countries.

  • WGT Multi-Player Game Tips

    12 Sep 2013

    One of the fun parts of WGT is playing golf with other players from all over the world. Here are some quick tips for all the different multi-player games you can play.

    You can join a multi-player game, or create your own, by selecting your choice from the MULTIPLAYER option along the bottom of the Main Menu on WGT...

    • JOIN - Joining a game is the fastest way to play a round with other players, just select the course or game type you want to play and we'll find a group that needs a player.
    • CREATE - Select this option if you want to create your own game with friends or other WGT players. You'll be able to choose the course, game type, etc. for the game before you invite other players to join.
    • COMPLETION PERCENTAGE - When you are in a multi-player game lobby, where you can see all the participating players, you'll notice either a green, yellow or red check mark next to each username. This represents their multi-player game "completion percentage" to help you decide whether you want to play with that player or not. A green check mark means they have an "excellent" completion reputation playing multi-player games, yellow means they have a "good" percentage, etc. so there's a lower risk of having that player disconnect or leave the game early.

    GROUPS - Round up three other players to create a virtual golf foursome and play closest-to-the-hole or stroke play games. You can invite other players to join you by selecting from your friends list, entering a username manually, inviting a random player that wants to play the game, or inviting anyone that is looking to join a game.

    MATCH PLAY - Compete head-to-head against another player, the player that wins the most holes wins the game. With match play scoring, you'll be "1-up" or "1-down," and when the game is tied, the scores will appear as "AS" (All Square). Watch the WGT tutorial video and read more about Match Play games.

    SKINS - Skins games are multi-player games for 2-4 players where you win by getting the most "skins" (or individual holes) in the game. You win each "skin" (hole) by scoring the lowest. These games can be played in Practice Mode, or play to earn WGT Credits. Read more about Skins games.

    ALT SHOT – Alternate Shot games are where two-person teams take turns hitting each shot until the hole is finished. If you hit the first drive on a hole, then your partner will hit the next shot from where your ball landed, then you will take the next turn from where their ball landed, continuing until the hole is finished. Read more about Alt Shot here.

    BLITZ - Blitz games are fast-paced multi-player games for 2-4 players, where you take 9 shots on any of our closest-to-the-hole golf courses. The goal is to score the highest by getting your ball as close to each hole as possible, but scoring also incorporates additional factors like streaks, bonuses and multipliers. Read more about Blitz games.

    For more game tips from the WGT community, be sure to visit the Forum.

  • MAX Meter Clubs for Top Players

    10 Sep 2013

    Get the newest MAX Meter clubs with a slower WGT swing meter, designed for top WGT players.

    This new virtual club set features a slower swing meter plus more distance and performance to help you compete at top levels of the game.

    See MAX Meter Clubs

    MAX Meter clubs include virtual driver, woods and irons, and start unlocking at Level 91.

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