Recommended Free Tools
Lee Trevino’s Fighting Golf is the better fit if you want four-player alternating play, golfers with distinct strengths, Nassau scoring, or a practice mode. Choose NES Open Tournament Golf if you want Mario, courses in the UK, US, and Japan, or Match Play and Tournament modes. The clearest deciding factors are how many people will play and which modes and characters you prefer—not an objective quality ranking.
At a glance
| Feature | Lee Trevino’s Fighting Golf | NES Open Tournament Golf |
|---|---|---|
| Players | 1–4 in Stroke Play and Nassau Game; Practice is for one player. SNK instruction manual | 1–2, alternating. Nintendo |
| Courses | Two 18-hole courses: American and Japanese, 36 holes total. SNK instruction manual | UK, US, and Japan courses, described by Nintendo Life as three 18-hole courses with varying difficulty. Nintendo; Nintendo Life (2007) |
| Modes | Stroke Play, Nassau Game (points competition), and single-player Practice. SNK instruction manual | Stroke Play, Match Play, and Tournament. Nintendo |
| Golfers | Choose among four golfers with different distance and accuracy strengths. SNK instruction manual | Mario is the featured golfer; Luigi appears in two-player mode. Nintendo |
| Shot setup | The manual describes a hole picture and strategy advice before play. SNK instruction manual | Nintendo describes overhead-map club selection and wind adjustment, then a timing-based action screen. Nintendo |
Choose Fighting Golf for a bigger group or its distinct golfers
Fighting Golf supports up to four players in Stroke Play and Nassau Game, making it the documented choice if you want more than two people to take turns. Its manual explains that two controllers can serve four players: players 1 and 3 share controller I, while players 2 and 4 share controller II.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The four selectable golfers have different distance and accuracy strengths, so player identity is part of the choice. Its Nassau Game is a points competition, while Practice is a single-player mode for working on shots. Its two courses are the American and Japanese courses, each with 18 holes.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Choose Open Tournament Golf for Mario, three course regions, or different match formats
NES Open Tournament Golf is listed by Nintendo for one or two alternating players. Mario is the featured golfer, with Luigi appearing in two-player mode. Nintendo names courses in the UK, US, and Japan; Nintendo Life describes them as three 18-hole courses with varying difficulty.
#1 Best Overall
- Lee Trevino's Fighting Golf is a golf simulation game for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).
- You'll be able to take on up to three friends in a round of golf.
- There are three different modes of play.
- The first is stroke play, in which you try to have the lowest score. You can also try a Nassau game, in which you bet on the best match play scores.
- If you just want to practice, you can; the third game mode is practice mode.
Its mode selection includes Stroke Play, Match Play, and Tournament. Nintendo’s description says shot setup uses an overhead map for club selection and wind adjustment before moving to a timing-based action screen. Nintendo Life also reports a save mode and distance and closest-to-the-pin contests.
How to decide between them
- More than two players: Choose Fighting Golf; its Stroke Play and Nassau Game support up to four. Open Tournament Golf is listed for one or two.
- Nassau scoring or solo shot practice: Choose Fighting Golf.
- Match Play or Tournament mode: Choose Open Tournament Golf.
- Distinct golfer attributes: Choose Fighting Golf for four golfers with different distance and accuracy strengths.
- Mario and Luigi: Choose Open Tournament Golf.
- Course regions: Fighting Golf has American and Japanese courses; Open Tournament Golf names UK, US, and Japan courses.
These are recommendations by documented features, not claims that one game is more realistic, easier, deeper, or more enjoyable. The available descriptions establish their options, but do not support a definitive quality ranking.
Rank #2
- LEE TREVINO
- WINNER OF '87 SKINS GAME
- 2-TIME WINNER OF U.S. Open, BRITISH OPEN, AND P.G.A. CHAMPIONSHIP
- "Never before in a home format have so many options been available to a player of video golf... This is by far the best video golf simulation available."
- -U.S. National Video Game Team
Playing or collecting the games today
Nintendo’s UK publisher page lists the original NES and historical Virtual Console editions of Open Tournament Golf. It also says purchases on Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS family eShops ended on 27 March 2023. Those legacy listings do not establish current digital availability in every region. Nintendo Life’s profile lists the game through Nintendo Switch Online, but that catalog information is time-sensitive; check the service’s live catalog in your region.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →For original hardware, the NES cartridges are the direct physical-product route. Before buying, check the regional version, condition, and whether the listing includes only the cartridge or also the box and manual. Current stock, prices, and seller quality are not established here. Confirm console and controller compatibility for the particular cartridge and hardware you plan to use.
Rank #3
- 【Practice Skills, Play Thrills】The golf chipping game doubles the fun for you. It not only practices your golf skills but also lets you share thrilling golf games with family and friends! Whether you are a beginner or a professional golfer, this chipping game mat is suitable for you.
- 【A Frame, Two Modes】 Sticky golf game provide two modes. Chipping balls at various angles - Install the support frame on the exercise grid upper part and adjust the tube length can achieve six different slopes. Hitting balls to your heart's content - Install the support frame on the exercise grid lower part to make the exercise mat vertical.
- 【Score & Play with Friends】Engage in friendly rivalries with our golf chipping game set! Includes 4 color of balls. And the score range is marked on the exercise mat. Have a thrilling batting and scoring competition with your friends at the party!
- 【Snap Setup & Grab-N-Go】Lightning-fast setup! Our 71"x71" golf chipping game mat assembles in seconds with snap connection — no tools needed. The storage bag can take your golf chipping mat anywhere. Instantly transform beaches, parks, or living rooms into your golf course!
- 【The Option That Always Wins】Unleash golf magic indoor and outdoor! Unlock your golf potential, whenever and wherever you are. Plus, sticky golf game makes an exceptional choice – surprise golf-loving friends or family with a portable treasure they’ll cherish for years!
The digitized Fighting Golf instruction manual documents its modes, player setup, golfers, and courses, but does not establish that a printed manual is currently for sale. Availability of digital editions for either game can vary by region and change over time.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Release context
Nintendo’s Mario history page gives NES Open Tournament Golf a Japanese release date of 20 September 1991. Nintendo’s Mario history
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Players: 1 - 4
- Genre: Sports
- Sport: Golf
- Perspective: 3rd-Person Perspective, Top-Down
- Misc: Licensed Title
Rank #4
- HOLE IN ONE: Play Nine, The Card Game Of Golf, Is A Fun And Exciting Twist On The Classic Game Of Golf. Just Like The Actual Game, The Person With The Lowest Score Wins
- ALL AGES: Recommended For Ages 8 And Up, Play Nine Has Easy To Follow Instructions And Simple Game Play So The Whole Family Can Join In On A Round And Play A Hole Or Two
- PLAY: Players Are Dealt 8 Cards With A Discard And Draw Pile At The Center. Players Then Take Turns Drawing, Discarding, Or Trading Their Cards For The Lowest Value Cards
- ANY OCCASION: Perfect For Family Game Night, Reunions, Holiday Parties, Or As A Down Time Activity, This Match Game Is Just The Thing To Keep Everyone Entertained And Having A Ball
- STRATEGY AND CHANCE: Combines elements of luck and strategy, appealing to both casual players and those seeking a more tactical challenge.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
