GTA 5 News: Gameplay Hints for Golf, Tennis, Other In-Game Sports

Grand Theft Auto 5 provides players with countless opportunities to wreak havoc across the open world of Los Santos and its surrounding coutnryside, but there are also plenty of quieter, less violent ways to spend your time in the game. Sports and other leisure acitivies might not be the first thing you conjure up when thinking of the GTA franchise, but like past entries in the series, GTA5 features numerous in-game sports, in addition to its distinctive brand of chaos. Here's a rundown of some of the game's online and offline sporting activities to give you a chance to catch your breath between completing missions. 

It's important to note that almost all physical activities listed here will help a player's stats, such as stamina. By practicing sports players will see their stats rise, and they also can check off some of the hobbies needed to achieve 100 percent completion for Grand Theft Auto 5.

One of the most difficult and lengthy activities in Grand Theft Auto 5 is playing golf. Players must first have an opponent to play golf at the Los Santos Country Club (the only place in the game with a golf course) and it will cost players $100 to play a round of nine holes. Players will automatically switch to golf clothes when they begin the mini-game. Getting par on the nine holes can be a difficult task, but players who master the mechanics of the game can win money and increase their strength and stamina stats while doing so. Users can play golf in the game for free if they buy the Los Santos Country Club for $150 million (the most expensive item in the game).

Tennis is a similar game in Grand Theft Auto 5, and can be played once the "Complications" mission is complete (unless you are playing as Trevor, who apparently cannot play the game). There are eight tennis courts in Los Santos, one of which is owned by Michael. Players can set the difficulty level and amount of games played before beginning.

Darts can also be played in the Yellow Jack Inn in Sandy Shores, and the game follows the traditional rules of darts. Players must compete against an opponent and reduce their score from 301 to exactly zero.

Finally, triathlons are an easy way to explore Los Santos and build up player stats. Players will swim, bike, and climb around the area, and if players already have high stats they can easily win the race. It should be noted that if player's stamina begins to run low they will take damage.