New mobile game PGA TOUR Golf Shootout launches

Inspired by your favorite PGA TOUR pros? And do you enjoy playing video games?

Well, you get the best of both worlds with the PGA TOUR Golf Shootout that launched Wednesday for both iOS and Android tablets and smartphones.

The mobile game offers a chance to play 72 holes on four of the game’s most famous Tournament Players Clubs – TPC Sawgrass, TPC Scottsdale, TPC Southwind and TPC Deere Run. The 3-D visuals give you a great sense of the same courses you see hosting PGA TOUR events on television.

You can compete with other players from around the world head-to-head or participate in solo challenges. There’s a sense of community, too – you can create private clubhouses for you and your friends where you can challenge and encourage each other.

Just log in, pick an avatar and start playing this arcade-style game. The interface is intuitive but in case you’re worried, there is an easy-to-understand tutorial that will get you ready for the various competitions.

As you play, you earn card packs that allow you to upgrade to over 50 professional-level golf clubs. Just like the pros, those upgraded clubs can improve your video shot-making ability. (There’s even a particularly handy one that goes through trees!)

You can climb the game’s FedExCup ladder, too. But unlike the real TOUR pros, you run the risk of losing “points” so you need to play often – and well.

That’s the fun of the PGA TOUR Golf Shootout.