by Jeff Lockshin

Created on: December 23, 2009

There are a few free internet based golf games that provide a challenge, are lots of fun , and can actually help with the mental part of your golf game.

Now that old man winter has set in and my favorite courses are snow covered, I like to sit back in my easy chair and tee off on a variety of fun and competitive online golf courses.

Without further ado, here is a list of the three best  free online golf sites .  I rate them based simply on how close to real golf they play and graphics.

Number one by far is the World Golf Tour...www.wgt.com   The graphics are the best on the internet. They are not artwork, but real images of famous courses like Bethpage Black, Pinehurst, and old  St.Andrews. It is as close as you can get to actual play. The controls for the game are easy enough to manage. I find the tee  and fairway shots are quite simple; but as in real golf the hazard shots and putting are tough. With a bit of practice one can get quite good though.

For the competitive among us the World Golf Tour has tournaments to play in for fun or money. I highly recommend this online golf experience!  Beware though, it can be addictive!

Number two on the list is a little known older java based game to be found at www.green18.com. The graphics are basic, but the play is realistic enough. The controls can be difficult to master, but again with some dilligent practice you can play very well at green18. There is a driving range available on the site as well as a practice hole. One has eight realistic tournament courses to choose from which abates  any boredom. Warning; Green 18 is  addictive. too, but of course  lots of fun!

Number three is also an older shockwave game  found at www.nabiscoworld.com/Games. Go to the Nabisco Golf Course once on the site. The graphic are nice. There are two versions, amateur and professional. The controls for the amateur version are easy to operate and one can score very well. The pro version is harder, but gives one a good golf "feel"

All of the sites I listed also will do much for the mental aspect of one's golf game. Club and shot selection are really identical to a real game out on your favorite golf course. And if you are playing compettively, a calm mind will  save you strokes in online golf too.

So sit back, relax, go to one of the sites listed here and tee off! 

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