The #1 golf video game has teamed up with the #1 golf instructor.
“Real-world golfers tend to focus a lot on swing mechanics, which are important, but often at the expense of the mental side of golf and how to train your eyes to identify the opportunities and risks that each golf hole presents to the golfer,” said David Leadbetter. “With virtual golf, players focus less on the swing and more on strategy and course management. I believe that virtual golf on WGT can meaningfully improve a player’s real golf experience and can contribute to lower scores, so I’m thrilled to be working with WGT on this project.”
WGT is the #1 online golf game where millions of golfers play and compete on virtual golf courses recreated in HD reality free on the Web and Facebook. WGT has grown to over seven million registered players, with over five million monthly visits, making WGT the largest and most engaged online audience of golfers in the world.
“David is an absolute legend in the golf world, and training is a key focus area to help WGT players,” said Pete Harrison, VP Marketing at WGT. “Plus it’s powerful to consider that together we could not only improve how millions learn the game of golf, but potentially help evolve the entire golf instruction industry.”
Effective August 1st, David Leadbetter is featured in the WGT golf game as the official instructor, providing advice on club and shot selection, as well as monthly golf tips, written by David exclusively for WGT players, that focus on the similarities between the real and virtual golf worlds. Also launching is the “Leadbetter Challenge” a free virtual golf tournament on WGT where players will compete for prizes from David, including Mini-Schools at the Leadbetter Golf Academy, as well as Callaway virtual drivers and Odyssey virtual putters available in the WGT game. Other elements of David’s golf instruction and philosophy will be incorporated in WGT over this multi-year partnership.
Leadbetter’s other business partners include Cadillac, Callaway, Golf Pride, Jos. A. Bank, Rolex, and SAP, as well as recent partnerships with Gold’s Gym and MVP Sports.
Based in San Francisco, WGT develops the most realistic and engaging online social sports games. The flagship title, World Golf Tour is the #1 online golf game with over seven million registered players and over 300 million virtual rounds played. WGT features 18 famous virtual golf courses that are recreated using HD photography and patented technology, including Kiawah, Pebble Beach and St Andrews. WGT runs the annual Virtual U.S. Open in partnership with the USGA, and has recently partnered with NBC's Golf Channel to run the Golf Channel Virtual Tour. WGT offers a variety of free game types and optional virtual golf equipment from sponsors that include Callaway, Cleveland, Nike Golf, Ping, Srixon and TaylorMade.
In 2012, WGT launched WGT Baseball: MLB on Facebook, in partnership with Major League Baseball. WGT Baseball: MLB (www.wgtbaseball.com) is a free realistic baseball game on Facebook with over four million registered players. WGT Baseball puts fans inside their favorite MLB ballparks in HD virtual reality. In a unique blend of social gaming and fantasy baseball, players manage their rosters of Facebook friends, making strategic in-game decisions and competing head-to-head against other players in rival games and mini seasons.
