Nintendo added golf to Nintendo Switch Sports on November 28, 2022, in a free software update. The game launched earlier, on April 29, 2022, without golf.
This guide explains how to find the golf mode, what the update added, and how its play options work. You will also learn what equipment you need, how online play differs from local play, and what to try if golf does not appear in your game.
when did they add golf to switch sports?
Golf arrived in Nintendo Switch Sports on November 28, 2022. It was added through a free software update, several months after the game’s original release on April 29, 2022.
The update brought golf back as a playable sport, with courses based on the golf content in the original Wii Sports. It also included Survival Golf, an online mode where players compete and can be eliminated as a round progresses. You do not need to buy a separate golf add-on, but you do need the base game.
If you played Nintendo Switch Sports at launch and could not find golf, that was expected: golf was not included in the initial version. Updating the game is the main step needed to make the sport available.
Why golf was not in the launch version
Nintendo Switch Sports launched with six sports: soccer, volleyball, bowling, tennis, badminton, and chambara. Golf was announced as a later addition, so the April 2022 release did not include it. This is why older reviews, launch-day videos, and screenshots may show a sports menu without a golf option.
The game’s initial lineup was not the final lineup. Nintendo’s free update added golf later, rather than releasing it as a paid expansion. If you are checking an old guide, make sure it was written after the November 2022 update before relying on its sport list.
What the golf update added
The update added a golf sport built around motion-controlled swings and familiar course play. You aim, choose a club, and swing a Joy-Con to send the ball toward the hole. As in real golf, the goal is to finish each hole in as few strokes as possible.
The courses draw on Wii Sports golf, giving returning players a recognizable set of holes while adapting play to the Switch’s motion controls. The update also added Survival Golf, an online competition format that puts players in a shared round. In that mode, the pressure comes from avoiding the worst score as the competition continues.
Golf is not simply a menu label added to the game. It has its own controls, course decisions, and scoring. You can play casually with other people nearby or choose online play if you want to compete with players over the internet.
How to find golf in Nintendo Switch Sports
- Update the game. Connect the Switch to the internet, then start Nintendo Switch Sports. If an update is available, the system will usually prompt you to install it. You can also highlight the game on the Home menu, press the plus button, and use the software update option.
- Open the sport selection screen. After the update finishes, launch the game and go to the menu where you choose a sport. Golf should appear with the other available sports.
- Choose a play style. Select the available golf option and follow the on-screen instructions. The game explains the motion controls before play begins.
- Use a Joy-Con with the wrist strap. Attach the strap and secure it around your wrist before swinging. Keep enough space around you and other players to move the controller safely.
If golf still does not appear, close the game completely and check for updates again. A suspended game may not refresh its available content until you exit and relaunch it. Also confirm that you are opening Nintendo Switch Sports, not the separate Wii Sports or Wii Sports Resort games.
Golf play options compared
The right option depends on whether you want a relaxed round, a shared-room game, or an online contest. The table below summarizes the practical differences.
| Option | What to expect | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Local play | Play golf with people using the same Switch setup and take turns or play together as the mode allows. | Friends or family in the same room |
| Online golf | Play over the internet with other players. Online features require an internet connection and, for online multiplayer, a Nintendo Switch Online membership. | Finding opponents when nobody is nearby |
| Survival Golf | An online competitive format where players try to avoid elimination as the round progresses. | Players who want a more competitive round |
| Practice or casual play | Focus on learning the swing and judging distance without treating every shot as a high-pressure contest. | New players and anyone getting comfortable with motion controls |
Available options can depend on the game’s menu, your connection, and whether other players are joining. Check the on-screen mode details before starting, especially if you are trying to set up a specific number of players.
How the golf controls work
Golf uses motion controls. You hold a Joy-Con and make a controlled swinging motion, while the game reads the movement to determine the shot. The on-screen interface helps you aim and select a club, so you do not have to rely on a full real-world golf swing.
Aim before you swing
Look at the target and the course before taking a shot. The ball’s route may be affected by the distance to the hole, the lie of the ball, and obstacles. Aiming straight at the flag is not always the safest choice if a bunker or hazard blocks that route.
Use a smooth, measured motion
A huge swing is not automatically a better shot. Start with a comfortable movement and watch how the game responds. A controlled swing makes it easier to repeat your timing and avoid sending the ball farther than intended.
Keep your playing space clear
Motion games require room to move. Use the Joy-Con wrist strap, stand far enough from furniture and other players, and avoid swinging near anyone. These precautions matter even if the movement feels small while you are watching the screen.
Is golf free in Switch Sports?
Yes. Golf was added as a free update for people who own Nintendo Switch Sports. You do not need to pay separately for the golf sport or the update. You do need the game itself, and the console must install the update before the new content appears.
Online play is a separate consideration. To play online multiplayer, you generally need an internet connection and an active Nintendo Switch Online membership. Local play with people in the same room does not require an online membership, though the exact setup depends on the mode you choose.
Buying a used copy does not change the update’s price: the update is not a separate paid purchase. If the game is installed but golf is missing, check the software version and install any available update before troubleshooting further.
Common reasons golf may be missing
Most problems have a simple explanation. Check these points before reinstalling the game or changing your account settings:
- The game has not been updated. Golf was added after launch, so an older software version may not show it.
- The game is still suspended. Fully close and reopen it so the updated sport list loads.
- You are looking at the wrong game. Golf in this context means the golf mode added to Nintendo Switch Sports, not a separate title in the Wii Sports series.
- The update has not finished downloading. Check the Home menu and allow the software update to complete before starting the game.
- You expect online play without the required setup. The sport may be available, while online multiplayer remains unavailable because of network or membership requirements.
A useful troubleshooting tip is to check the game’s version before deleting or reinstalling it. Reinstalling is often unnecessary when the issue is simply an unfinished update or a game that has not been restarted.
How golf compares with the original Wii Sports
The Switch version is a return to a familiar sport, but it is not the same experience in every detail. The original Wii Sports used the Wii Remote, while Nintendo Switch Sports uses a Joy-Con. Both ask you to use motion to swing, but the Switch version is designed around the newer game’s menus, online features, and controller setup.
Players may recognize the course inspiration from Wii Sports, yet should not assume every interface detail or mode is identical. The Switch game includes its own online options, including Survival Golf, which gives the sport a competitive format suited to online play. That is a notable difference for people returning mainly for nostalgia.
The main practical lesson is to treat the Switch game as its own version. Familiarity with the older game can help you understand the basic aim-and-swing idea, but follow the Switch instructions for controls, online access, and mode selection.
Tips for a better first round
- Take time to read the shot information. Check the distance and the target before choosing how hard to swing. A few seconds of planning can prevent a risky shot.
- Favor a safe route when hazards are close. A shot that lands short of trouble can be better than a long shot that ends in a difficult position.
- Pay attention to the lie. The ball’s position affects how you should approach the next shot. If the ball is not on a clear path, adjust your aim rather than repeating the same swing.
- Learn your swing before competing. Try casual play first. This helps you see how your movement translates into distance without the added pressure of Survival Golf.
- Keep the controller movement consistent. Repeatable, comfortable swings make it easier to control shots than changing your motion dramatically each time.
One common misconception is that a stronger swing always improves your score. Golf rewards placement as well as distance. If a powerful shot leaves the ball behind an obstacle or in a poor position, it may cost more strokes than a shorter, safer shot.
Who can play golf and what do you need?
You need a Nintendo Switch, a copy of Nintendo Switch Sports, and at least one Joy-Con for motion-controlled play. For a local group, each player needs access to the controller setup required by the selected mode. Follow the game’s prompts, since controller requirements can vary depending on how you are playing.
For online golf, you also need a working internet connection. Online multiplayer generally requires Nintendo Switch Online. If you are sharing a console, check the in-game instructions for the number of controllers and players supported by the mode you select.
Golf can suit players who enjoy taking turns, planning shots, and competing for a low score. It may feel less frantic than some of the game’s faster sports, but Survival Golf adds urgency by making each hole part of a larger contest.
Quick facts about Switch Sports golf
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When was golf added? | November 28, 2022 |
| Was it in the launch version? | No. The game launched on April 29, 2022, before golf was added. |
| Did the update cost extra? | No. Golf was included in a free software update for the game. |
| What controller does golf use? | Joy-Con motion controls. |
| Does online play need a membership? | Online multiplayer generally requires Nintendo Switch Online; local play does not require online membership. |
Nintendo added golf to Nintendo Switch Sports on November 28, 2022, as a free update. The sport was not part of the April launch lineup, so an update may be needed before it appears.
Check for updates, restart the game, and select golf from the sport menu. Secure your Joy-Con wrist strap before playing, and choose local or online play based on how you want to compete.