What are the ranks in PGA 2K23?
As an avid virtual golfer and gaming analyst, the ranking system is one of the first things I assessed when picking up a club in PGA Tour 2K23. For competitive players, these ranks represent targets to grind towards and milestones that reflect your growth. Even for more casual fans enjoying a round with friends, moving up tier to tier brings a sense of progression.
So how exactly does advancing work in PGA 2K23 and what heights can you reach? Let‘s break it down.
The Ranks and Divisions
PGA Tour 2K23 ranks players using the familiar golf scoring terms of Bogey, Par, Birdie, Eagle, Albatross and Condor. Within most tiers (except the top Condor rank) there are 3 divisions – Bronze, Silver and Gold. That makes a total of 17 attainable ranks.
As confirmed by 2K, the distribution of players across these tiers is:
| Tier | Players |
| Bogey | 50% |
| Par | 30% |
| Birdie | 15% |
| Eagle | 4% |
| Albatross | 1% |
| Condor | 0.1% |
As expected, the majority of players fall into the bottom Bogey and Par tiers. But reaching the tippy top Condor rank puts you in an elite echelon reserved for the very best.
How You Move Up Ranks
For most playlists, progression is based on your skill rating (visible under your profile). Winning earns you rating points while losing deducts rating. Once your skill rating passes a certain threshold, you will rank up and unlock the next tier rewards.
The exception is the Condor tier – to rank up here, players must win 50 games in Albatross Gold. This ensures only golf‘s cream of the crop hold the coveted Condor banner.
Comparison to Other Competitive Games
PGA Tour 2K23‘s percentage-based distribution and shiny metallic ranks are clearly inspired by other top-tier competitive games like Rocket League and Apex Legends. Similarly, skill rating is given precedence over simple win/loss records to provide fair matchmaking and reduce early rank inflation.
However, PGA 2K23 still sits you down for full 12 stroke rounds rather than 5 minute matches. This means significantly more dedication is required to rank up – likely 200+ hours from Bogey to Condor based on my experience.
Reaching the Pinnacle Condor Rank
So is attaining the highest Condor rank realistically achievable for players with jobs, school and family?
In my estimation, while the average player may fall short, it‘s certainly viable for dedicated golf fanatics in the 99.9th gaming percentile. Expect stiff competition though – based on the 0.1% distribution, there could be less than 1,000 Condor players globally across platforms.
With experience grinding the links in PGA 2K21 and knowing the greater skill gap of real golf, my personal goal is an admirable but attainable Birdie ranking. Other casual fans should set their sights on Par to start.
Rank Progression Strategy for New Players
For newcomers still getting a feel for their swing mechanics, I advise focusing less on rank itself and more on consistency. Nail your short game and iron accuracy before worrying about monster 300 yard drives or crazy spin rates.
Prioritize completing challenges to efficiently upgrade your MyPlayer attributes and clubs. Experiment between assist modes if needed – use rollbacks to correct errors rather than full power hits. The ranks will gradually follow as your skills and course management improve.
Hopefully this breakdown gives you some inspiration and guidelines around advancing in PGA 2K23‘s ranking system. Tighten your shoes and grab those virtual clubs – we‘ve got divisions to conquer! What rank will you realistically aspire to?
