Mean Machines


PGA Tour Golf
By Electronic Arts
Sega Mega Drive (EU Version)

 
Published in Mean Machines #7

PGA Tour Golf

Time to dust down that silly hat, bright yellow woolly jumper and outrageous golfing trousers and mosey on down to four of the most skill-testing golf courses in the whole world. Each of the courses has eighteen holes and the object in each is simple. Just get that dented little white ball from your starting position down the fairway and onto the green, where it's your express purpose to putt the little white item into the hole. Easy eh?

Well, matters are further complicated when more than one player takes to the course. This game enables up to four players to take each other on and any player can be controlled either by a human or by your trusty Megadrive.

PGA Tour Golf was originally a PC game, which came complete with a wealth of options to make your round of golf that more rewarding. Megadrive-owning golf fanatics will be pleased to know that all of these options have been crammed into this cart - and with the aid of a battery back-up, your best golfers can be saved off to tee off another day.

Pitch 'N Putt

PGA Tour Golf

You can choose to practise before you begin the arduous task of taking on the pros in PGA Tour Golf. A driving range is available for those who want to practise their long-range shots, whilst the practice green is the place to be if you fancy brushing up on your putting.

Pro Shop Selections

You start the game in the Pro Shop. Don't be misled by the nice range of golfing trousers and accessories on sale here - this is where you make most of your selections. Here you can choose whether you wish to practise your golfing skills or enter the tournament proper.

PGA Options

During play, plenty of options are available. These include taking a Mulligan (which generally means you can retake your shot, except when you're in a tournament), see an action replay of your last shot, or even pick up the ball.

PGA Tour Golf

Picking up the ball means that you finish the hole with a pathetic score of twelve stokes.

Control Your Stroke

You'd think that whacking your ball towards the green would be pretty simple. Unfortunately, a lot of things contribute to making your shot a tad more difficult.

For starters, the wind has to be taken into account when hitting the ball. A small indicator enables you to judge how powerful the wind is. The courses themselves are also designed to make life a bit more difficult.

PGA Tour Golf

Trees and lakes abound and both can spell potential doom to your pitching antics. Should your ball land in the rough ground you can expect your next shot to be a tad more difficult...

Julian

Arnold Palmer's Golf is pretty neat, but PGA Tour Golf knocks it into a cocked hat. Excellent 3D viewpoints, four different courses, a four-player tournament, competing against "professional players", a save game mode and a host of other options make this the best golf game I've seen on any console or computer system.

The graphics are very lifelike, with great animation on the golfer, the screens are fast in the way they set up and the control method makes it a joy to play.

PGA Tour Golf

The stunning music (unexpected on a golf game) and neat samples (like the "oohs" and clapping when you do a particularly brilliant shot) are the icing on the cake.

Golf might not be everyone's cup of tea, but PGA Tour Golf is so well produced, it should appeal even to those who'd normally never think about buying a golf game. Check it out - otherwise you won't know what you're missing!

Matt

PGA Tour Golf is probably the best game of its type available. The graphics and sound are simply superb on all counts - the animation on your golfer is incredibly lifelike.

PGA Tour Golf

The sound too is great, with plenty of sampled effects. Rob Hubbard provides the musical accompaniment - so the quality of the music is guaranteed!

With its multitude of options there's plenty of keep you going, and though there's only four courses they're all quite challenging to complete.

Take some other players with you on to the courses and PGA Golf adds a great competitive spirit to the proceedings. PGA Golf may not look visually exciting, but for any golfing fan (or anyone else who fancies something different) this is the one to get!

Verdict

PGA Tour Golf

Presentation 91%
Well-presented all round, with loads of options, a save game mode and multi-player tournaments.

Graphics 88%
The 3D graphics work brilliantly, and the golfer's animation is great.

Sound 90%
Swing your pants to the groovy tune, or mellow out with the soothing effects.

PGA Tour Golf

Playability 92%
Controlling your shots is simple, and the game is instantly playable.

Lastability 87%
Four 18-hole courses, championship options and a four-player option keeps the interest alive for months to come.

Overall 91%
A superb sports simulation which will appeal massively to golf fans, and will even be enjoyed by those who normally wouldn't play this type of game!