North American version of Everybody's Golf 3, Sony's accessible arcade golf game. Cute characters, simplified gameplay and varied courses appeal to all audiences. The PS2 arcade golf benchmark for the American market, perfect for casual rounds.
Your verdict
Category
Sports4 players3+
Description
Korean and North American edition of Hot Shots Golf 3 released in 2001-2002 by Clap Hanz and SCEA. An arcade golf game with expressive chibi characters, the precision of the three-click meter and the immediate pick-up-and-play feel that gave the Minna no Golf series its worldwide reputation outside Japan.
Hot Shots Golf 3 review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
The first in the series to go fully 3D on the console, this entry bets on the expressiveness of its stocky golfers. Each character lives the round to the full: exuberant victory dance, clenched fists after a birdie, dejected pout at a missed putt, emphatic mimicry that turns the calm of the green into a little comedy. The art direction makes golf a good-natured show, carried by its characters' liveliness.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
A golf of disarming accessibility where three button presses are enough to swing, yet wind and terrain reward finesse. The colourful cast and good-natured mood turn every hole into a small pleasure. With several players, rivalry rises amid laughter and rematches. Clear, addictive and endearing, an arcade sport ideal for family play.
An entry of Sony's laid-back golf series, transposing into 3D the instant swing and good-natured spirit that drove its success. Still common in the West, its interest lies in this accessible, convivial formula rather than scarcity. An affordable piece for fans of arcade golf of the PS2 era, ideal in multiplayer, with no particular collector value.
Better with friends
Colorful, freewheeling golf where the three-click power gauge makes every shot accessible yet thrilling, ideal in turn-based multiplayer. The competition plays out in precision and reading the wind, punctuated by perfect shots that draw cheers and flubs that amuse the whole table. Easy to pick up and bursting with character, it chains friendly rounds and trash talk without ever tiring.
Is Hot Shots Golf 3 still worth playing in 2026?
Released in 2001 on PS2, Clap Hanz's entry blends arcade golf with cartoon presentation through a disarming accessibility. The three click swing gauge, simple to grasp yet hard to master, offers lasting depth. The gradual unlocking of characters, outfits and courses feeds an addictive progression loop. The colourful art direction and the good natured spirit have aged perfectly, and local multiplayer remains an excellent couch game. A safe bet for fans of relaxed golf and for those nostalgic about polished PS2 party games, easy to pick up for newcomers and rewarding for those who chase low scores over many rounds.
