Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14: Highlighting Best Features of Game's Newest Edition

EA Sports has set the standard for golfing video games with its Tiger Woods PGA Tour series, and the gaming powerhouse appears to have done it again with this year’s edition.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14 will be released to the public March 26, but a March 22 early release date and plenty of information available on the game’s website have provided us with enough details to know this is a game worth buying.

EA Sports has always introduced new wrinkles to the gameplay of the series, and there are several elements that go above and beyond the gaming giant’s previous efforts. From historical elements to LPGA gameplay, there’s a little something for everyone in this year’s effort.

Let’s take a look at the best features that are new to the latest edition, complete with one of the best commercials you’re likely to see.

Information pertaining to game’s features was obtained from EASports.com.

“Go for the Grand Slam”

One of the features that has always made the Tiger Woods franchise one of the best on the market is its realistic career modes. While taking a golfer through a full PGA Tour season is a great gaming experience, EA Sports hasn’t quite met the mark—at least until this year.

For the first time in the history of the franchise, golf gamers now have the option of competing in all four major events on the PGA Tour circuit. The Masters, U.S. Open, PGA Championship and Open Championship are all now part of the experience.

Not everyone will care about this new feature, but there is a contingent of golf gamers who prefer the overall experience to aimless gameplay (myself included). For the career-oriented players, this is easily the most exciting new element.

Blast from the Past

That awesome trailer should be enough to get you excited about the game’s historical elements. Having the opportunity to play as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino (among others) makes this edition a must-have for golf gamers and golf fans alike.

Along with the game’s greatest golfers, EA Sports also offers a new feature that allows players to take on historical tracks in classic (albeit traditionally goofy) attire, living out some of the great moments in golf history.

The modern elements of golf make for some creative gameplay, but it’s the historical aspects that make this version more significant than any other. The sport has always paid tribute to its greats, and EA Sports does the same in Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14.

Bring on the Elements

EA Sports didn’t stop at creative storylines and advanced gameplay. In this year’s edition, gamers will also be able to customize the weather in ways previously impossible.

According to EA Sports’ website, “combining a live weather feed with new time of day settings on course variety has been significantly amped up.” That in itself is a nice touch, but the developers have also added the opportunity to hit the links under the stars with a night golfing setting.

For the casual golf gamer looking for advanced gameplay, this isn’t exactly a must-have feature, but it’s certainly a nice touch. Anyone who has taken part in a night golfing tournament at the local track can appreciate its inclusion in this year’s edition.

An LPGA Element

Not everyone will appreciate the inclusion of an LPGA career mode, but it’s certainly something that deserves some attention.

In this year’s edition, golf gamers will have the option to participate on the LPGA Tour, including the Kraft Nabisco Championship. It almost certainly won’t be as detailed as the traditional career mode, but there isn’t another game available that provides a similar feature.

I know I’ll check it out.