ike all golfers, golf simulations have their own strengths and weaknesses. We'll discuss each golf title in seven categories to cover every aspect and feature - like swing type, graphics, competition, etc. Below you'll find an explanation of each category and what will be discussed within it.

 

Arguably the central characteristic in any PC golf game, the swing model has not changed appreciably for over a decade - until now. Newer golf games, notably SimGolf and FPS: Golf are aiming for a more kinetic model, marrying mouse to club movements. Others, like Jack Nicklaus 4 and British Open Golf, are tinkering with the classic power meter. Here we'll look at these various styles of golf swings, and we'll also see how each drives, chips, and putts.

Since the first VGA version of Links, visual realism and variety have been key to a golf title's success. Terrain must be legible with distinguishable undulations and contours. We'll look not only at the beauty and breadth of the courses available in each title but also how readable they are.

Some golf sims provide assistance and instruction for playing the game of golf. Here we'll watch the videos, listen to the caddie's advice, and ride along on hole flybys to tell you about their worth or lack there of.

Playing alone has charm, but things get much more interesting under the pressures of competition. What does the field look like in each of the simulations? Can you take on the Golden Bear or just a pal across the street? No reason to play alone when you can play against others.

Like tassels on your shoes and dust covers on your clubs, what is golf without the garish accouterments of dubious value? In the Pro Shop we'll ring the bells and blow the whistles of every design to see how interesting or entertaining they are.

Sure it's looks great on the box, but what's it going to cost you in hardware to play? Here we'll check each title's hardware requirements and general performance.

At the end of the day, how does each title add up? What handicaps are noted and allowed? We'll sum things up and tell you what we think about each title.