On April 6, 2025, James O'Halloran, an independent game developer in partnership with Mighty Pebble Games, released Kinda Hard Golf. Golf is stripped down to its most basic—and most refined—levels in Kinda Hard Golf. Each day features a compact hole that combines elements of an obstacle course and mini golf, so forget about sprawling 18-hole courses. Your mission? Overcome a maze of slopes, spikes, water hazards, and physics-defying bounces to get a brave little golf ball from the starting tee to the flag in the fewest shots possible.

Kinda Hard Golf's controls seem easy to learn. To hit the ball, you drag, aim, and release. The game is full of spikes, traps, narrow ridges, and winding paths that punish thoughtless mistakes, despite the seemingly simple gameplay mechanics.
Every golf course is designed to require precision. You may have to start over if you hit the ball out of the green by even the slightest error. To overcome the myriad obstacles, you must carefully consider the force and angle of your hit.
Kinda Hard Golf proves that all it takes to be engaging is clever design, a little difficulty, and a fun daily dose of luck—no fairways and famous pros required. This free online gem is worth a try, whether you're a puzzle enthusiast, a seasoned golfer, or just bored at work.