24.3 hours played
Written 23 days ago
Golf With Your Friends is a deceptively simple, wildly entertaining multiplayer mini-golf game that thrives on chaos, laughter, and creative level design. Developed by Blacklight Interactive and published by Team17, the game takes the traditional, often-serene game of mini-golf and infuses it with absurd physics, imaginative course layouts, and enough power-ups and modifiers to ensure no two matches ever feel the same. Despite its casual appearance, it hides a surprising amount of mechanical depth, making it a staple among party games and a favorite for streamers, friend groups, and competitive chaos-seekers alike.
At its core, Golf With Your Friends delivers on its title’s promise with up to 12-player online multiplayer support, turning what could be a quiet solo experience into a frantic and funny race of golf balls bouncing, flying, and sometimes glitching across themed obstacle courses. Unlike traditional turn-based golf games, here all players take their shots simultaneously, creating a real-time scramble that fuels both competition and hilarious mishaps. Watching your carefully aimed shot knocked wildly off-course by a teammate (or an enemy) adds an unpredictable and entertaining dimension to every hole.
One of the game’s standout features is its diverse set of themed courses. From pirate coves and haunted houses to sci-fi space stations and ancient temples, each map brings its own visual identity and mechanical twists. Some introduce low gravity, moving platforms, teleporters, or bouncing pads, challenging players to adapt their approach constantly. The developers’ creativity is on full display here, as these environments are not only visually distinct but also thoughtfully constructed to encourage a mix of skill, experimentation, and, often, luck.
Beyond its inventive courses, Golf With Your Friends shines in its customization options. Players can personalize the experience with modifiers such as jumping, collision (turning polite putts into full-contact golf), random shapes (cue the nightmare of golfing with a cone), and low or high friction. These tweaks let players transform the experience from a semi-serious game of precision into a riotous, unpredictable sandbox of silliness. The cosmetic customization—hats, trails, and skins for your ball—adds a layer of personality and whimsy, giving players a way to stand out in the crowd.
Mechanically, the game’s controls are straightforward and easy to pick up: a simple drag-and-release mechanic determines power and direction, while an optional camera mode helps with lining up shots. Despite this simplicity, there’s room for mastery, especially on more complex courses or in competitive lobbies where precision and timing become vital. Some holes demand perfect angles or clever use of environmental elements, rewarding players who take the time to study the course.
However, Golf With Your Friends is not without its shortcomings. The game’s physics, while generally satisfying, can occasionally feel inconsistent—especially when dealing with slopes, bounces, or object collision. These quirks can lead to moments of frustration, particularly when a ball behaves unexpectedly due to a hidden edge or errant bump. Additionally, while the UI and menus have improved since launch, they still feel slightly clunky, and hosting games with a large group can take a bit of coordination. There is also a lack of in-game tutorialization for new players, meaning some mechanics and course-specific quirks are learned through trial and error.
The visual style is colorful and cartoony, fitting perfectly with the game’s lighthearted tone. While it won’t win awards for graphical fidelity, the charm lies in its playful aesthetics and variety. Each course feels lovingly designed with small environmental details that help bring the world to life. The soundtrack is similarly cheerful and ambient—enough to set the mood without becoming repetitive or intrusive.
One area where Golf With Your Friends continues to evolve is through its support for the Steam Workshop and updates. The inclusion of custom maps and community-created content extends the game’s longevity dramatically. It also makes the game feel like a living, growing platform rather than a static experience. Frequent community tournaments and updates from the developers help maintain an engaged player base and keep content fresh.
In conclusion, Golf With Your Friends is a standout party game that combines accessible gameplay with anarchic multiplayer energy. It succeeds by not taking itself too seriously and giving players the tools to create moments of shared hilarity and chaotic brilliance. Whether you’re looking to unwind with friends, sabotage your rivals with well-timed collisions, or just appreciate some cleverly designed mini-golf courses, the game delivers hours of replayable fun. While it’s not without its technical rough spots, its charm, creativity, and community-driven energy more than make up for them. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best kind of golf is the kind where everyone’s yelling.
Rating: 8/10