Hey golfers!

Welcome back to TOUR Tips! Today we highlight a familiar club brand: Willoughsby! Although not the flashiest brand, they may be the most reliable: with well-rounded stats, Willoughsby clubs can be used almost anywhere. This brand is unique in that ALL of the clubs have the Brand Loyalty ability, meaning the more Willoughsbys in your bag, the more powerful they become! Here’s the club-by-club breakdown:

Homestead (Putter): Your classic beginner putter, but with a twist; as your collection grows, you’ll certainly find more powerful putters, but as long as Homestead is paired with other Willoughsby clubs (see below), Brand Loyalty will keep it relevant deep into your career.

Endeavor (Driver): Like Homestead, you may be tempted to ditch Endeavor for something more powerful, but this club is probably your most reliable driver for a long time to come. It has the highest control stat out of all the drivers save one, and it is always a good choice for Par 3s.

Steward (Driver): Next to Endeavor, you may wonder why you’d ever pick Steward, but Steward’s power lies in its abilities, Aid and Chains into Woods. Aid will give the clubs next to it +1 to all stats (+2 at level 8 and +3 at level 11), while Chains into Woods gives your next shot +3 power to your wood (+4 at level 6, +5 at level 9, and +6 at level 12). Place your wood next to Steward, and the followup shot will more than make up for Steward’s low power.

Groundskeep (Wood): Even if your bag is entirely Willoughsby, Groundskeep is pretty niche. Its Fairway Affinity ability does, however, upgrade to a +2 bonus to all stats for other Willoughsby clubs at level 9, so it and Commonlaw can team up to give a massive control boost for a chipping strategy.

Meanderer (Hybrid): For a legendary club, you might be disappointed in Meanderer’s low power – but don’t be fooled! With its Groundspin x3 ability, and with an already high spin stat, you’ll hardly need power if you apply topspin on the fairway! One could even argue Meanderer could substitute as a wood replacement. Alternatively, if you’re stuck in a bunker a fair distance from the green, consider ditching your wedge and using Meanderer instead with topspin to help the ball roll to the green. If you’re feeling extra fancy, aim for the flag and apply backspin so the ball stops on a dime!

Commonlaw (Iron): This is another club where the unique ability outshines the club itself. Bag Control gives your other clubs +1 control, later increasing to +2 at level 7 and +3 at level 12. If you’re finding that haymaker drivers like Rampart or People’s Champion are missing key shots and costing you games, give Commonlaw a second look.

Kinship (Iron): Kinship is by itself a strong early-game iron. It also pairs uniquely with Homestead with Kinship’s Chains into Willoughsby ability, which gives the next Willoughsby club +3 to all stats. If you were underwhelmed with Homestead before, consider combining it with this iron to set up a fantastic putt. The Chains into Willoughsby ability also means Kinship can chain into itself, so if you whiff your first shot with it, you get even better subsequent chances.

Sandsend (Wedge): Sandsend, Homestead, and Endeavor all feed off each other with well-rounded stats and Brand Loyalty abilities. If you’re still in the early game faced with an average Par 3 or 4, consider using some combination of these three for a simple, no-nonsense strategy.

Do you have a favorite Willoughsby club? Have any suggestions for clubs or a club brand in our next article? Let us know in the comments! And remember…

Hello golfers!

PGA TOUR® Golf Shootout has been out for about a week, and we’re excited to share with you a new recurring feature called TOUR Tips to help you out on the links! Unsure of how to use a new club you unlocked? Wondering how to combine clubs in your bag to make the most out of your game? Stuck on a certain hole? We’re here to help! In our first edition, we’ll be highlighting some of the very first clubs from the tutorial and how to use them effectively.

You’ll notice as you’re traversing through the first Solo levels you’ll be starting out on Deere Run. With only some slight curves and most of its hazards being on the fringe, your initial bag is well-suited for this terrain. Speaking of, you’ll be starting out with:

Endeavor (Driver) – The first club you upgrade! While it doesn’t boast tremendous amounts of power, it has good control and spin. Use it to your advantage to land straight in the fairway. At level 3, Endeavor gains the ability Brand Loyalty. This gives it +1 power per Willoughsby club next to it. If you truly want to go the extra distance, apply top spin to roll the ball further.

Huntsman (Wood) – Woods are great to use after your drive shot to close in on the green. At level 3, Huntsman unlocks its Tree Bonus ability. This gives it boosted stats depending on how many trees are within 25 feet. Land the ball near the big tree in the middle of Deere Run hole 4 and take advantage of the boost!

Bushwhacker (Iron) – Stuck in the rough, huh? Don’t fret! This iron adds +2 to all stats with its Rough Bonus ability if it’s in the rough or deep rough. This can be incredibly helpful if you need to get back on the fairway from the rough.

Sandsend (Wedge) – As the name implies, this wedge is best used in a sand trap. Be mindful of where to apply spin! Like Endeavor, Sandsend gains the ability Brand Loyalty at level 3. Use your other Willoughsby brand clubs to boost each others’ stats!

Homestead (Putter) – A solid, well-rounded putter for beginners and veterans alike. Like Endeavor and Sandsend, Homestead also gains Brand Loyalty at level 3. If you find Endeavor or Sandsend might be lacking power-wise, place it next to Homestead!

Next time we’ll be covering some additional clubs you’re likely to pick up as you progress through your daily challenges and the Solo levels. Are there other things you want featured? Let us know in the comments!

Meet Ed, our Senior Software Developer! He has been a rock-solid asset to us for over 10 years and has worked on many of our major mobile games including PBA® Bowling Challenge, Rapala® Fishing – Daily Catch, PGA TOUR® Golf Shootout, and many more! Fun fact: Ed’s favorite drink is root beer! Find out more facts about Ed in our interview with him!

So Ed, tell us what you do at Concrete Software.

I architect systems, implement designs, click and drag, squash lots and lots of bugs, and occasionally write code.

What’s the best thing about your job?

After lots of design and development across multiple departments, I get to be the first one to see something actually work.

What’s been one of your proudest moments while at Concrete Software?

Seeing a product sitting on a shelf at Target and GameStop where I was the lead developer.

What three traits define you?

0. Bearded 1. Boring at parties 2. Voted “most unique” in graduating class 3. Prone to off-by-one errors

What advice do you have for someone aspiring to be in your profession?

If you have visions of being a game developer, start small. Don’t jump in the deep end, or you’ll burn out quickly with nothing to show for it. Also, learn from veterans the difference between “good enough” code and actual Good Code, and always strive for the latter.

What pet(s) do you have?

I have three cats: Samus, Kristof, and Tesla

What do you like to do in your spare time?

D&D (Dungeons & Dragons) and various video games among different genres

What is your motto or personal mantra?

Avoid spiders and boats, when you can.

What is your hidden talent?

I can lick my elbow.

Favorite line from a movie?

“You’d like to think that, wouldn’t you? You’ve beaten my giant, which means you’re exceptionally strong. So you could have put the poison into your own goblet, counting on your strength to save you, so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of you; but you’ve also bested my Spaniard, which means you must have studied, and in studying you must have learned that man is mortal, so you would have put the poison as far from yourself as possible, so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of me!” – Vizzini, The Princess Pride

What’s your favorite travel spot?

I just like staying home!

If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Pepperoni pizza

MINNEAPOLIS – March 19, 2019 – Concrete Software and GameMill Entertainment have revealed PGA TOUR Golf Shootout, the new officially licensed mobile game available for iOS and Android devices launching April 2019.

PGA TOUR Golf Shootout brings players to authentic TPC® courses, including TPC Sawgrass, TPC Scottsdale, TPC Southwind and TPC Deere Run, for endlessly engaging golf action. Compete on 72 iconic holes from the PGA TOUR, each brought to life with colorful, stunning visuals and addictive gameplay.

Golfing fans and newcomers alike will discover a variety of exciting gameplay choices in PGA TOUR Golf Shootout, including: Daily Challenges, Solo Play and Versus Mode. Climb your way up the FedExCup ranks, earning new club packs and building sets of competitive clubs to help improve your chances with every shot. Join or create your own private clubhouse with friends and hit the links in clubhouse group challenges!

PGA TOUR Golf Shootout pre-registration is available on Google Play and the App Store.   

PGA TOUR Golf Shootout, developed by Concrete Software in conjunction with GameMill, will be free to download with in-app purchases for iOS devices via the App Store and Android smartphones and tablets through Google Play. The license between GameMill and the PGA TOUR was brokered by CAA Sports Licensing, the PGA TOUR’s licensing agency. 

About Concrete Software

Concrete Software is an innovative and growing game development company. Since 2003, Concrete Software has been creating rock-solid games™ on major platforms, including mobile devices, Xbox One®, PlayStation®4, Nintendo Switch™, PC, and AR/VR devices. Award-winning games include PBA® Bowling Challenge, Rapala® Fishing – Daily Catch, Arctic Cat® Extreme Snowmobile Racing, and many more. They have continued to build upon their success with the release of PGA TOUR Golf Shootout. For more information on Concrete Software, please visit concretesoftware.com or facebook.com/ConcreteSoftware.

About GameMill Entertainment

GameMill Entertainment, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a third-party publisher of casual games for the mass market consumer. Development platforms include PC, Nintendo Switch™, Microsoft consoles including the Xbox One video game and entertainment system, XBLA, Microsoft Games On Demand, and Sony consoles including the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and mobile devices. With development across the globe, GameMill is a source of entertaining and fun games for all ages. For more information, please visit: www.game-mill.com.

About PGA TOUR

By showcasing golf’s greatest players, the PGA TOUR engages, inspires and positively impacts our fans, partners and communities worldwide.

The PGA TOUR co-sanctions more than 130 tournaments on the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, Web.com Tour, PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada and PGA TOUR Series-China. Members on the PGA TOUR represent the world’s best players, hailing from 25 countries (88 members are from outside the United States). Worldwide, PGA TOUR tournaments are broadcast to more than 226 countries and territories in 23 languages. Virtually all tournaments are organized as non-profit organizations to maximize charitable giving. In 2018, tournaments across all Tours generated a record $190 million for local and national charitable organizations, bringing the all-time total to $2.84 billion.

The PGA TOUR’s web site is PGATOUR.COM, the No. 1 site in golf, and the organization is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

Media Contact

Dan Ketterer Sandbox Strategies for GameMill Entertainment dan@sandboxstrat.com

Lane has been a Software Developer at Concrete Software for over a year and has been a great asset.

In his time at Concrete, Lane has worked on major titles such as Rapala® Fishing – Daily Catch and its most recent Saltwater update. Some of his favorite parts have been working on the shark encounters and the rewards sequences, especially when you catch a monster or legendary fish!

Lane says his favorite part about working at Concrete Software is the work environment – not only are his coworkers fun to be around, but they are also experts in their given craft and easy to collaborate with. He also likes how the company encourages everyone on the the team to share their ideas and think out of the box.

When he’s not at Concrete, Lane makes his own digital and board games! He even teaches a board game design class in the Twin Cities. It’s safe to say he loves all things games!

Lane credits his competitiveness and in-and-out knowledge of strategy games as a useful asset for his job, giving him not only passion but also a high level of competence in his workflow. However, he also says a necessary skill is to able to recognize your own bias, as what you want or envision for a project may not be in line for what is being produced, so sometimes stepping back and keeping an open mind is crucial.

A big piece of advice he gives for any professional field – but especially programming – is keeping yourself accountable to keep learning and perfecting your craft, although he admits it’s easier said than done. The first thousand hours can be shaky because it takes time to get comfortable when learning a new skill, but he says being held accountable by a team to create content is what pushed him the most, such as participating in game jams and working on professional projects.