What Is the ‘What The Golf’ Game on Switch?
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Quick Answer
- It’s a wildly inventive physics-based puzzle game that uses golf as a jumping-off point for pure, unadulterated silliness.
- You’ll launch golf balls, sure, but also cars, houses, and eventually, your own expectations into oblivion.
- It’s a guaranteed laugh riot for your Nintendo Switch, packed with surprises.
If you’re looking for more games that play with physics and offer a unique puzzle experience, you might enjoy other puzzle games available on Nintendo Switch.
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Who This Is For
- Anyone who loves games that constantly break the mold and deliver unexpected chuckles.
- Players looking for a pick-up-and-play experience that’s easy to get into but offers deep, creative challenges.
What to Check First for What The Golf Switch
- System Software: Make sure your Nintendo Switch is running the latest firmware. You don’t want any updates causing hiccups mid-swing.
- Storage Space: This game is packed with content. Verify you have enough room on your console or microSD card. I learned that the hard way once with a massive RPG.
- Controller Setup: While Joy-Cons work great, consider if a Pro Controller might feel better for some of the more precise, or frankly, absurd maneuvers you’ll be attempting.
Playing What The Golf Switch: Your Step-by-Step Plan
Alright, let’s get you set up for some seriously non-traditional golf. This game is all about embracing the absurd, so keep an open mind.
1. Launch the Game: Find the What The Golf icon on your Switch’s home screen and hit the ‘A’ button. What to look for: The distinctive, slightly chaotic game icon. Mistake to avoid: Accidentally selecting a different game; it’s easy to get excited and mash buttons.
2. Navigate the Menu: Once the game loads, you’ll see the main menu. Look for options like “Start Game” or “Continue.” What to look for: Clear, straightforward menu options guiding you to the action. Mistake to avoid: Getting lost in menus or accidentally starting a new game when you meant to continue.
3. Select Your First Course: You’ll typically start with a series of courses or levels presented in a progression. Pick the very first one available. What to look for: The initial level or course, usually marked as ‘1’ or the first in a sequence. Mistake to avoid: Trying to skip ahead; the game introduces mechanics gradually, and you’ll want to learn them.
4. Understand the Controls: Pay close attention to any on-screen prompts explaining how to aim, swing, and interact with the environment. It’s usually a simple button press or hold-and-release mechanic. What to look for: Clear visual cues showing which buttons to use for aiming and power. Mistake to avoid: Mashing buttons wildly; precision and timing are key, even in this madness.
5. Embrace the Objective: Each level in What The Golf has a goal, but it’s rarely just getting a ball into a hole. Read the objective that pops up – it’s often part of the joke. What to look for: The text or icon indicating what you need to achieve to clear the level. Mistake to avoid: Assuming traditional golf rules apply; this game throws those out the window faster than a rogue frisbee.
6. Experiment Wildly: This is where the magic happens. New objects, characters, and physics rules are introduced constantly. Don’t be afraid to try the most ridiculous thing that comes to mind. What to look for: How different elements react to your shots and interactions. Mistake to avoid: Sticking to a single, safe strategy; the game rewards experimentation and often requires you to think outside the box, or rather, outside the golf ball.
7. Adapt to the Absurd: Just when you think you’ve got a handle on things, What The Golf will throw a curveball. You might be controlling something other than a ball, or the environment itself might be the projectile. What to look for: The sudden shift in gameplay or objectives. Mistake to avoid: Getting frustrated when the rules change; embrace the chaos and figure out the new logic.
8. Laugh It Off: You will fail. You will overshoot. You will accidentally launch yourself into the stratosphere. That’s the point. Restart, chuckle, and try again. What to look for: A sense of humor and resilience. Mistake to avoid: Taking the failures too seriously; it’s all part of the comedic journey.
Mastering What The Golf Switch: Avoiding Common Pitfalls
This game is designed to be fun and surprising, but a few common missteps can get in the way of your enjoyment. Let’s clear those up.
- Ignoring Tutorials — Why it matters: The early levels are crucial for teaching you the game’s unique mechanics and how its physics engine works. Skipping them means you’ll be confused by later challenges. — Fix: Play through the introductory levels carefully. If you miss an explanation, restart the level or check the game’s menu for help if available.
- Playing Too Aggressively — Why it matters: Rushing your shots without observing the environment or understanding the physics can lead to missed objectives, wasted attempts, or sending your ball (or whatever you’re controlling) in a completely unintended direction. — Fix: Slow down. Take a moment to observe how objects react, predict trajectories, and choose your shot with more deliberation. Precision often trumps raw power here.
- Not Adapting to New Mechanics — Why it matters: What The Golf is famous for its constant innovation. Every few levels, it introduces a completely new rule or gameplay element that changes how you approach things. Sticking to old strategies won’t work. — Fix: Be ready to pivot. If your current approach isn’t yielding results, stop and think about how the new mechanic can be used to your advantage. Experimentation is key.
- Getting Stuck on One Strategy — Why it matters: The game constantly challenges your assumptions. If you find yourself repeatedly failing a level with the same method, it’s a sign you need to think differently. The developers have hidden solutions that require creative thinking. — Fix: If a particular strategy isn’t working, take a step back. Look at the level from a new perspective. What else could you try? Is there an object you haven’t considered?
- Forgetting the Humor — Why it matters: This game is a comedy first and a golf game (sort of) second. Getting overly frustrated by a failed attempt can detract from the fun and the cleverness of the game’s design. — Fix: Remember to laugh. The game is designed to be funny, even in failure. Enjoy the ridiculous outcomes and the sheer inventiveness on display.
- Missing Hidden Objectives — Why it matters: Many levels have optional, hidden goals that unlock bonus content or achievements. Focusing only on the primary objective means you might miss out on a lot of the game’s depth and replayability. — Fix: After completing a level, consider if you explored all possibilities. Look for subtle hints or environmental cues that might suggest an alternative goal. Sometimes, a little extra exploration pays off.
Frequently Asked Questions About What The Golf Switch
- What genre is What The Golf on Switch?
What The Golf is a unique blend of physics-based puzzle, comedy, and adventure game. It uses golf as a foundation but quickly branches out into wildly different gameplay scenarios.
- Is What The Golf a single-player or multiplayer game?
The primary experience in What The Golf is for a single player. There are no multiplayer modes available.
- How long does it take to beat What The Golf on Switch?
Completing the main story content typically takes around 6 to 8 hours. However, if you aim to discover all the secrets, complete bonus levels, and achieve everything, you could easily spend 10 to 15 hours or more with the game.
- Does What The Golf have replayability?
Absolutely. Many levels feature hidden objectives and collectibles that encourage replaying them with a different approach. The sheer fun of experimenting with the game’s physics and discovering new absurdities also adds significant replay value.
- What makes What The Golf stand out from other Switch games?
Its relentless creativity and constant subversion of player expectations. It consistently surprises you with new mechanics and humorous twists, never letting you get too comfortable with a single way of playing. It’s a game that actively mocks the very idea of a traditional golf game.
- Is What The Golf suitable for younger players?
The game is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB. It’s filled with slapstick humor and silly scenarios, making it generally appropriate for a wide audience. There’s no mature content, just pure, unadulterated fun.
- Can I expect traditional golf mechanics in What The Golf?
Not at all. While you start by hitting a ball, the game rapidly introduces mechanics that have nothing to do with golf. Think of it as a jumping-off point for a series of comedic physics-based challenges that just happen to involve launching things.
Michael Reeves is a PGA Professional with over 20 years of experience in competitive golf and instruction. A former Division I collegiate player at the University of Texas, he competed on the mini-tours before transitioning to full-time coaching and golf journalism. He has been a certified PGA teaching professional since 2005 and has worked with players at every level, from absolute beginners to collegiate champions.
His writing has appeared in Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and The Left Rough. At GolfHubz, Michael leads the editorial team, overseeing fact-checking and ensuring every answer meets the same standard he demands on the lesson tee: clear, evidence-based, and immediately useful.
When he’s not writing or teaching, Michael plays to a +1.4 handicap at his home club in Austin, Texas. He has attended over 40 major championships as a journalist and fan, and has played more than 200 courses across 15 countries.
You can reach Michael at [email protected] or follow his occasional swing analysis posts on the site.