Computer Gamer


Leader Board Executive Edition
By U. S. Gold
Commodore 64/128

 
Published in Computer Gamer #26

Leader Board Executive Edition

If you thought Leader Board was the definitive golf game then you're in for a big surprise. Leader Board and Leader Board Tournament were just practice games for joystick golfers to tune their skills up with before the ultimate challenge - Leader Board Executive.

Executive is a very different ball game. There are more hazards to deal with and the incredibly devious courses make the original Leader Board look pitch and putt!

Once again, up to four players can bash their balls around four courses in 18, 36, 54 or 72 hole contests with the computer keeping the score. The screen display shows a 3D view of your shot ahead, even though you may not actually be able to see the hole. But, to make things easier, the screen also display the number of yards to go to the hole, the par and number of shots you've taken.

Leader Board: Executive Edition

The fourteen different clubs can be selected by moving the joystick up and down before taking a shot. Pressing the fire button starts the swing and the time you hold the button determines how much welly you put into the shot. Amateur and professional players have to press the button again to control the amount of hook and slice they put into a shot, but novices can just hit and hope. Professionals also have to cope with a swirling wind.

In the original Leader Board, the courses consisted solely of islands set in a vast lake where keeping the ball dry meant you got a good score. But, in this executive version you also have to cope with trees, rough ground and the dreaded bunkers. I found the trees to be the worst hazard as they block your path to the hole and you're usually left to decide between chipping the ball over the top of them or trying a low drive through them.

The rough ground makes using woods difficult and you should add on a club. The same is true for the bunkers, except near the edge when you should only use the pitching wedge or an eight or nine iron. Having said this, bunkers and rough ground can be useful as they stop the ball where it lands so there's no chance of bouncing into the water traps.

To add to your problems, there are streams and lakes which tend to trap balls hit at full power.

Both Leader Board rookies and veterans should cue up for Executive. It's well worth a shot.