The World of Golf Franchising: Virtual Possibilities

High-profile golfers like Tiger Woods and Jon Rahm have done so much to boost the profile of their sport. With ludicrous sponsorships and world-record-breaking feats on the green, golf has become mainstream due to its faces and strategic PR campaigns.

That said, awareness of the sport has also been raised through increased coverage by broadcasters and countless betting markets through sportsbooks. Perhaps the most unusual platforms pushing golf into the laps of prospective fans, though, are the iGaming and online casino sectors.

You may feel that it’s impossible to replicate all the nuances of golf on a hand-held device, but this simply isn’t the case. A host of mobile games have been released that use this great sport as their theme, and many are faithful to the skill and strategy of the real thing.

Sports-themed games, in general, have really taken off online in recent years owing to advancements in graphics/game design and widespread access to fast broadband speeds. Once upon a time, it was the case that games were exclusively played on desktop or console devices. These days, however, the portable element of mobile gaming has taken online gaming to another dimension.

Popular online casino franchises are in a desperate quest to keep their players coming back for more, especially with so many other brands on the scene. Whether it’s epic battle gaming apps like “Clash of Clans” or beloved casino slots such as “Big Bass Bonanza”, app developers and casino slot creators alike are in tight competition to offer the most eye-catching games. To steal an edge over competitors, brands like MrQ, for example, offer vast libraries of game titles from prominent developers, immersive live variations of classic table games and state-of-the-art graphics within their gameplay. Not only this, but they boast a mobile deposit casino, which enables players to access their services via Android or iOS devices.

As the scope of the online casino sector has broadened, enabling players to access beloved table games and classic slots, the variety of titles has also grown exponentially. This is where golf franchising, in particular, has really taken off…

A prime example is ‘Golf’, which was released in 2019 by the software developers at Dragoon Soft. Set against a luscious green course with a bright blue sky, players have to spin the reels and line up matching symbols including gloves, shoes, clubs, a flag and a buggy. A popular alternative to this slot is Golf Champions by Spadegaming. Released a little earlier in 2016, the graphics are more cartoon-like, but it’s a colourful slot with a bonus round.

Lists of the most popular golf games for iPhone and Android often put Golf Clash at the very top. The basic gameplay is free and there are a number of ways to tackle the course. Player vs Player mode is available, while it’s easy just to take on a few holes just for fun and practice.

The fun element is key to the success of Golf Clash and many players view it as a good entry-level option.

The subject is open for debate, but there are many who feel that World Golf Tour is the most realistic golf game for mobile. It’s certainly hard to argue when we look at the layout which covers some of the top golf courses from around the world.

The home of golf at St Andrews is faithfully replicated while other top locations include Pebble Beach, Torrey Pines, Harbour Town and Kiawah Island. Tournament play and matchplay modes are available in what is one of the more severe and lifelike golf games around.

Like many sports, including football and basketball, golf has found a unique way to appeal to a new demographic via the virtual world. We can’t wait to see what comes next.