PGA2K21 runs on the same engine as The Golf Club, meaning that the same course creator is available to all players. Nearly all of the official PGA 2K courses in the game are extremely easy, even on pro mode. For a real challenge, gamers can find user-created maps that are far more demanding.
When judging the skill level needed to play a course, there are a few factors to keep in mind. Length presents its own issues, forcing players to hit hybrids and woods on more shots. The firmness of both the fairways and the greens can play a crucial role too. Finally, green speed and contour will have a direct impact on how low players can go in a round. This list will cover ten different maps available to 2K21 players that have grown bored of the official maps.
Updated November 29, 2021 by Payton Lott: PGA 2K21 is at the tail end of its life cycle. Over the past year, more and more courses have been added by TGC and ordinary players in the community. As a result, there are more elite level courses than ever. This update will introduce five more challenging courses for golfers to enjoy. Obviously, conditions play a large role in how low a player can shoot on a particular occasion. Assuming the conditions are fair, these five PGA 2K21 courses will give even the best golfers a run for their money. Play the five additional courses at the end of this list for a true test of skill in PGA 2K21.
15 Little Cliff Mountain
Neither the mountains nor the cliffs are little on this course. Golfers will have to deal with moderate winds while playing shots that have a 100+ meter elevation change, which can be incredibly frustrating to account for. Thankfully, the winds are set to default, so there will only be a few yards of adjustment needed to keep aim on target.
Little Cliff Mountain has a lot of high risk plays that can result in a low score. However, hitting the ball in the wrong place will result in an out of bounds ball or force an unplayable. Unlike many of the gimmick courses, this one plays well and is not too ridiculous for average players to enjoy.
14 A Tradition Like No Other
At almost 7,500 yards, this player made course has plenty of frustrating holes. The greens are an 8.5 and run like crazy. This course is by no means the toughest, but it is well designed and presents a number of features that make shooting low troublesome.
Pretty much every hole has a tight pin placement and narrow fairway. Putting takes even more skill on this course due to how large the slopes are in and around the greens. One small miss hit and the ball will roll for ages.
13 Evangelist Golf Club
Gamers will pray that they can muster a few pars on this course. Greens are super fast at 7.9 and as firm as possible. Even though it is a par 70 course, Evangelist is over 7,000 yards from the black tees.
Sand traps are everywhere, often surrounding the greens and fairway landing zones. On every hole, a hook or slice will end up in either sand or water. The layout of the course is simple, yet hard enough to make shooting an even round improbable.
12 Water Logged CC
In golf, nothing is more frustrating than hitting into the water hazard. Water Logged has ten times more water than fairway. Playing the course is essentially like hitting golf balls between oil drilling platforms in the ocean. Because of how small the greens are, hitting at least a few balls out of bounds is inevitable.
Even those that do get their shots to stay on the small island greens will have downhill puts that are literally impossible to make. It would be the greatest moment in the history of gaming if anyone was able to birdie the first hole. The course somehow gets even worse as the round goes on.
11 Rooftop Bangers
There are no fairways on this map. Every tee box is elevated on top of a building, and gamers must clear the gap to the next. The fictional city presents a lot of challenging ranges and elevation changes. Some of the gaps are inconceivably large and require a perfect stroke to reach.
Only the most skilled players will be able to put up a high score on the course. Selecting the right club is the key to reaching every rooftop green.
10 Tropic Doge Open
This course has everything that could possibly anger a player. It has 300+ foot elevation changes, water, and those annoying rocks that break physics. The Tropic Doge greens are actually really easy, but getting there is the tough part. Pro-tip: club down at least twice for every 100 yards when the hole is at a lower elevation.
Players need to keep in mind that sand and rough will also limit the distances of a club. Pitches are good options when going downhill because they minimize the time the ball is in the air, which in turn limits the extra distance the ball will travel.
9 Quincy Downs Country Club
Quincy Downs is a traditional course that presents a lot of exciting scenarios for golfers. It is a very long par 70 course at more than 7,000 yards. The sheer distance of the holes and the fact that the greens are firm make it one of the hardest PGA 2K21 courses in the game.
It is a cool course to play in general, but a formidable competitive course as well. The greens may be slow, but the course hazards will add a few strokes to the scorecard.
8 Pinehurst No. 2 TGC19
Like the real course, Pinehurst No. 2 tests the course management skills of players. It is 7,500 yards with firm fairways and firm greens. The green speed is quite fast as well. Pinehurst is known for all of those carefully placed sand bunkers that are strategically located around the course.
Gamers will often feel like they are in-between clubs even when they hit great shots. Pinehurst is a fun course to play, but one of the top options when testing the capabilities of a golfer.
7 Sky Peaks
Sky Peaks is one of the highest rated courses in PGA 2K, with five stars and thousands of reviews. The course is brilliantly designed, with amazing visuals. Unlike most of the challenging courses on PGA2K21, this course is quite short.
However, accuracy and playing safe are important. The rough is impracticable to hit out of and the fairways and greens are hard and unforgiving. Every green has multiple unique contours that punish even slight miss hits. Additionally, the wind will always be blowing at least 12 MPH. On pro difficulty, even seasoned players will have at least one blow-up hole.
6 Methro's Wet 'N Wild Park
This ridiculous user-made map is an absolute joke. Anyone that can shoot par on this course should be a professional 2k player. From huge ships in the fairway to impossible greens, everyone will struggle on this course. It is a great course to mix up the gameplay and have fun with friends, but not for setting course records.
In theory, the putt putt divot greens seem incredibly simple. In practice, the ball will roll out to the other end of the green without going in. Good luck getting through a round on this course.
5 Pebble Beach
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This created course was designed to include all of the awesome features of the real life course. Apart from the obvious water hazard, this created course includes nearly all of the sand traps from the actual course. Even the rough looks realistic.
With firm fairways and greens, it will be tough to put the ball close. Like any other tournament course, Pebble has very fast greens. Any mistakes made here will be paid for on the scorecard.
4 Copperhead Canyon
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Copperhead Canyon is the sister course of the old Coyote Canyon from TGC. As one may imagine, it is a desert course with disastrous rough. To make matters worse, there is plenty of sand inside of the fairways as well.
Just like Pebble, this course is firm and fast with little to no margin for error. Gamers will need to take layups when possible and be careful on the greens. Less is more when the greens are running as fast as they do at Copperhead Canyon.
3 Roundabout Golf Club
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On this Boreal themed course, firmness and speed will not be an issue. What will pose a challenge are the small fairways and water hazards placed throughout. Roundabout Golf Club tests the accuracy of the golfer over length and short game.
Converting on the green will be a breeze as long as golfers can get their drives on the fairway. Consider clubbing down when the driver is not necessary to minimize mistakes and post a lower score.
2 Oakmont CC (Tournament)
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Oakmont CC is the ultimate tournament course. It has a completely open layout. While there are a few creeks that pose a threat, the primary dangers on this map will be the rough and sandtraps. Also, the ground will be extremely firm and the greens run like crazy. On each hole, sandtraps are always in the most inconvenient locations.
Players will need to shape their shots and read the greens on approach shots to have a chance. This course is a classic test of skill and composure.
1 Betfred BM At The Belfry
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Many golfers will recognize this course from several Ryder Cup matches in the past. It is a historic and stunning course that has seen some of the best Ryder Cup matches in history.
This legendary PGA 2K21 course is just as awesome in game. Elevation, tight greens, and contours make the course uniquely difficult to master, and there are sandraps and water around every corner. Those new to the course must look at the layout, as there are surprise hazards everywhere. Anyone that can shoot low on this course is a top tier PGA 2K golfer.