Easy Come Easy Golf
Clap Hanz self-publishes its first golf game.
Clap Hanz, the Japanese studio behind the Everybody's Golf and Hot Shots Golf series, self-published a golf game for the first time with Easy Come Easy Golf. It first appeared as Clap Hanz Golf on Apple Arcade in 2021, then was renamed and launched for the Nintendo Switch in 2022. Critics praised it for expanding on the familiar gameplay of the studio's earlier franchise while adding new original features.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Clap Hanz
- Genre
- Sports
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
- Platforms
- Nintendo Switch, iOS
- Released
- 2021 (JP); 2021 (NA)
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
The gameplay follows the sport of golf: the player hits a ball into a hole in as few attempts as possible, aiming for the best trajectory while avoiding obstacles. Rounds typically span 9 or 18 holes. Many game modes are team-based, with the player controlling different characters that have distinct attributes on each hole.
Development
In the 1990s, Sony created the Everybody's Golf franchise for the original PlayStation. Clap Hanz developed every game in the series from Everybody's Golf 2 (1999) through Everybody's Golf VR (2019), exclusively on PlayStation platforms. By the 2010s, releases in the franchise slowed, and Clap Hanz wished to release games outside it. The team chose to self-publish and stick with golf, naming the game Clap Hanz Golf to build company recognition. They targeted mobile devices to reach more players, partnering with Apple Arcade to avoid in-app purchases or loot boxes. The team created a control system different from the standard three-button-press method, influenced by PGA Tour 2K21's less timing-dependent controls. The scheme focused on touch-screen use but also supported a joystick; a three-button-press system was later added.
Reception
The game was generally well-received by TouchArcade, Nintendo Life, IGN, and Digitally Downloaded. Reviewers praised the new approach to controlling golf swings and the multiple control options. The wealth of content, unlockable characters, and costumes—especially after years of updates—was commended. Many enjoyed the nostalgic aesthetic of 1990s golf games with modern touches. Performance was mixed: some found it solid, others reported slowdown or crashes. Sound received less positive comments; some found the music fitting, others dull, and the voiceacting was described as repetitive and irritating. Some reviewers preferred it over Everybody's Golf (2017) and Mario Golf: Super Rush (2021).
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