Comparison

SMPL Golf vs Retro Golf

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

SMPL Golf

Experience a realistic golf simulation with intuitive one-handed controls. Master shot mechanics, course strategy, and environmental factors to conquer every hole. Play full rounds in minutes or enjoy quick sessions anytime.

Highlights
  • Intuitive drag-and-release controls
  • Realistic ball physics (wind, spin, lie, terrain)
  • Strategic course navigation
  • One-handed gameplay
  • Quick 18-hole rounds
  • Progress saved after every swing
Features
Read full description

SMPL Golf – Simple Controls. Quick Fun. Real Golf. Drag to aim, pull back to power up, release to swing. Your shot lands somewhere in the projected zone — shaped by wind, spin, lie, and terrain. Just like real golf, perfection is never guaranteed. Strategy that actually matters Choose your shot shape, manage spin and power, and navigate bunkers, trees, slopes, and headwinds. Every hole is a puzzle. SMPL Golf doesn't dumb down the game — it strips away the complexity without losing the depth. Play in minutes. Think about it all day. Knock out a full 18-hole round in minutes, or play a few holes during breaks in your day for a quick hit. Progress saves after every swing so you can pick up and put down whenever life gets in the way. Built for golf lovers. Playable by everyone. Realistic shot mechanics with one-handed controls True ball physics — wind, spin, lie, and terrain all affect every shot Course strategy at the center of every decision Clean, minimal visuals that keep the focus on the game Stop swiping. Start swinging. Download SMPL Golf and play your first round in under 10 minutes.

About

Retro Golf

Experience classic 8-bit golf with intuitive controls and challenging courses. Master your swing with a two-tap system, navigate hazards, and aim for hole-in-ones. Unlock challenges and earn trophies in this nostalgic arcade-style game.

Highlights
  • 8-bit pixel art graphics
  • Intuitive two-tap swing control
  • Skill-based gameplay
  • Full 9-hole course
  • Challenge modes
  • Trophy achievements
Features
Read full description

Tee off in style with Retro Golf, a charming top-down golf game featuring gorgeous 8-bit pixel art graphics inspired by classic NES games. Master the art of the perfect swing with our intuitive two-tap control system. Time your power, nail your accuracy, and watch your ball soar across beautifully crafted holes. But be careful — water hazards, bunkers, and tricky terrain await! FEATURES • Classic Arcade Feel — Crisp pixel art visuals and satisfying sound effects bring back the golden age of gaming • Skill-Based Gameplay — Master the oscillating power meter and accuracy timing for the perfect shot • Intuitive Putting — Simple drag-back controls make sinking putts feel natural • Full 9-Hole Course — Play through Lakeside Links featuring water hazards, sand traps, and challenging layouts • Challenge Mode — Unlock special challenges after completing a course, featuring collectible mid-air targets • Hole in One Challenge — Test your precision in this addictive mini-game where every shot counts • Trophy Room — Earn achievements for birdies, eagles, hole-in-ones, and more • Quick Sessions — Perfect for gaming on the go — play a quick hole or a full round EASY TO LEARN, HARD TO MASTER Tap to set your target, tap to lock your power, tap for accuracy. Three taps to glory — but timing is everything. Push your power past 100% for extra distance, but watch out for the dreaded CHUNK shot! Download now and experience golf the way it was meant to be played — one pixel at a time

Screenshots

SMPL Golf4 screens
Retro Golf4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Retro Golf at 100% against SMPL Golf's 50%. Retro Golf also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). SMPL Golf's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Retro Golf sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. SMPL Golf asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SMPL Golf holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 13 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of SMPL Golf's written reviews are positive against 100% of Retro Golf's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SMPL Golf ships an update every 2 months, Retro Golf every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
SMPL Golf versus Retro Golf: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSMPL GolfRetro Golf
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (11 ratings) — better4.2 (13 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1113 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size513 MB63 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEdward JohnsonChris Larson

Customer experience

SMPL Golf

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Retro Golf

All ratings10 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

SMPL Golf

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Retro Golf

One-time2
  • Remove Ads$1.99
  • English2 variants$2.99

Questions

Is SMPL Golf free?
SMPL Golf is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Retro Golf free?
Retro Golf is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SMPL Golf or Retro Golf?
SMPL Golf is rated higher. SMPL Golf averages 4.6 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Retro Golf averages 4.2 from 13 ratings.
Do SMPL Golf or Retro Golf have ads?
Retro Golf shows ads; SMPL Golf does not.
Which is updated more often, SMPL Golf or Retro Golf?
SMPL Golf ships an update every 2 months, and Retro Golf every 2 weeks. Most recently, SMPL Golf was updated on November 5, 2026 and Retro Golf on November 5, 2026.

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