One of the best golf games to date.
It has great realism in distance on different terrains. For example, it is difficult to successfully hit a driver our of the sand or deep rough, and the loft is also very accurate. There are many different possible terrains the bal could be in, including tee box, 3 different fairway terrains, semi rough terrain, 2 types of rough terrain, a deep rough, and 3 types of sand lies. Each different lie will play a factor in how hard and where to aim your shot. Being on hills also affects your shot. Because the aiming system does not accommodate for hills, wind, rain, and the lie you are in, it takes some experience to pick the right clubs to use in each situation.
There is also a good range of characters each with their unique strengths, weaknesses, and attributes. For example, Plum drives hits the ball very straight, but only hits the ball 208 with a driver. On the other hand, Bowser hits 280 with a driver, but has a heavy draw. Harry drives the ball 260 and had just a slight draw. These character differences really changes the way you approach the game. For example, as Plum, I go for accuracy, take advantage of straight hitting, and go for birdies birdies. When you're Bowser, you want to go for distance so the draw wont have as much as effect on your draw, and perhaps drive the green on par 4's and get on in 2 on par 5's. This presents the oppertunity for eagles.
The wind and weather is very realistic, and plays a big factor in your gameplan on each hole. For example, If the wind is blowing towards the hole at a high speed, you may want to take a more risky shot (going for the green). On the other hand, if the wind is blowing in your face, you'd want to play it safer. There is also rain that has to be factored in. If it is raining, putts won't travel as far, and you won't hit the ball as far as projected. Lastly, there are many different single and multiplayer modes. For single player there is:
Tournament: Play among a 40-player field in an 18-hole tournament. Score well to win trophies and get birdies to earn coins.
Get Character: A match game where you play against different characters. Win and you get to keep them.
Training: Practice any hole in any lie with any weather conditions. You have unlimited muligans so you can finally hit that putt.
Speed Golf: A race against the clock to complete the course. You are timed and scored, so you must make quick, accurate shots.
Ring Golf: A fun challenge where you are required to hit your ball through all the rings on the hole, and then score par.
Stroke: Just a traditional "Play Now" mode where you are just scored.
There are also fun multiplayer modes.
Match: Play against a friend earning badges when you win holes. This is a good way to settle who is best at Mario Golf. Only works with 2P.
Skins: Like Match, except with up to 4P. The winners on holes get coins and the most coins win.
Club Slots: A fun multiplayer mode where you get 3 clubs decided by slot machines, and you must play through the hole with only those clubs and a putter.
Stroke: Typical scored "Play Now" mode.
Mini-golf: A fun change oof pace on only-putting courses.
Aside from that, there is a Clubhouse where you can see all your scores in tournaments, ring shots, and speed golf. There is a vs. table where it shows eac character's head-to-head Wins with every other character. Lastly, there is a best shots feature which replays all your best birdies, eagles, albatrosses, and even the rare hole-in-ones.
Overall, Mario Golf is one of the best golf games for the N64 or any console for that matter. A must-have for golf enthusiasts.