golf

"Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003" is another great title that's a part of the Nintendo GameCube library (although not exclusively). Prior to getting this game, the only types of video golf I had played were a mini-putt game online and the barroom staple, "Golden Tee". This game far exceeds and of those and probably most other golf games as well. It's very easy to make a sporting video game unpleasant to play (see the Acclaim series of baseball games for example). The game can be too simply, thereby removing any significant challenge for the user. Or, the game can be made too complex, causing the user to get frustrated and not want to take the time and effort to learn how to play the game (once again, the Acclaim baseball games suffer this fate). The key is striking a balance between challenge and simplicity. "...PGA Tour 2003" succeeds here because goes for simplicity in the basic mechanics of the golf and putt swings, but employs challenges it the form of weather conditions, course setup, skill of opposing golfer, etc. If the mere mechanics of the swing were so complex that it would take a physically gifted athlete to master them, then the user would not play this game. However, since the challenge exists in the other variables, the user can get comfortable with the mechanics and then can go about figuring out how to beat the courses and other golfers.

"...PGA Tour 2003" employs spectacular graphics as it takes the user all over the world to some of the most famous golf courses in existence. Pebble Beach, St. Andrews, and Royal Birkdale are just a few of the courses that are available for play. Most of the courses are locked and it takes winning certain amounts of money and success in the 'Tiger Challenge' to unlock them (in addition to new equipment and golfers). The graphics make it seem like you are standing at the tees of each of these courses. Sunlight, cloud cover, rain, fans, rodents running across the fairway all make for an enhancement experience. The features on the golfing opponents are quite lifelike, too. From known golfers to fictional ones, "...PGA Tour" creates very real opponents (the female golfers they come up with are pretty sweet, too *wink* *wink*).

The real 'ace-in-the-hole' for this game is the 'Tiger Challenge'. In this format, you get to face off in individual match play format against a number of golfers as you earn higher rankings on the tour and more money. Most of these matches are, indeed, 9- or 18-hole match play matches. However, there are other matches thrown in for variety. There are 'Skins' games matches where golfers you have already defeated challenge you again in a four-person battle for money. There are also tournament matches that allow you to achieve certain goals and even more money. Unlike match play, though, you are not required to win these variations in order to move on to the next opponent. It's just something fun to engage in. The 'Tiger Challenge' offers a lot in terms of...well...challenge. Some of these opponents will be quite difficult to defeat, so strategy becomes as much a part of the games as long drives and short putts. It took me more than 20 tries to defeat 'Mulligan' McGregor and more than 40 tries to defeat Brad Faxon, but the knowledge I developed in learning how to master specific course, weather conditions, and hole-by-hole scenarios outweighed the frustration of playing them multiple times and will actually provide me with strategic planning the next time I play golf for real.

In addition to the numerous courses to be played and the 'Tiger Challenge', there are many other features in this game. There is a 'skillzone' mode where you can practice your accuracy, a 'speed golf' mode that puts a different spin on playing through, and various match, stroke, skins, and tournament modes that can provide a different approach to playing the game. On top of these, there are a number of rewards that the user can go after. There are 'scenario medals' where the user is presented with any one of 53 different situations and his or her performance will determine if they get a gold, silver, or bronze medal or any at all. There are also 'trophy balls' awarded for any number of accomplishments like a bogey-free round, a double eagle, all fairways hit in regulation, and a hole-in-one to name a few. There is a lot of money to be earned when any one of these 'trophy balls' is earned and it will allow the user to improve their game by buying more attributes for their golfer.

It's hard to think of what else there is to add to the superlatives already heaped on this game. Yet, I do not think it would be hyperbole to say that may be one of the best video sporting games I have ever played.

This is one of the best games I've bought for my GameCube. The single biggest reason for this is that I can play with my whole family - with my wife, who doesn't really get into a lot of video games, and with my children, including my three-year-old daughter. My three-year-old can play and have a good time because it is easy to learn how to hit the ball well. Yet there are so many ways to fine tune your shot, select different clubs, and try different types of shots that it is fun even when you have played it a lot.

There are lots of ways to play - tournaments, Tiger challenge, Skins, Stroke play, etc. But the other great part is the courses. The more you play, the more courses you unlock, and some of them are fantastic. They may be so difficult I find myself throwing the controller at times, but they are wonderful.

Whether you are looking for a game your whole family can play together or one you can play by yourself, whether you like golf or not, odds are you will love this game. It's great.

I lay the brunt of the blame on myself for not trying the game before I purchased it for $13.00 at Sam's in Temple, TX. I read the back, saw Tiger, saw the EA Games logo--pulled out my $13.00 and took the game home. Before I begin ranting on this atrocity, I will say that the last time I purchased something of this nature without trying it first was "The Spaghetti Incident". Don't remember that nauseating Guns N' Roses album that followed up the Illusion series? Either does anyone else because It was one of the few times America has mass-suppressed a bad memory.
Mistake #1

Well, I put it in the freshly bought Gamecube and began to play. When I found out that EA Games made a game without making a customizable character mode, that sinking feeling started to well up in the pit of my stomach. Why even play a sports game if you can't make a guy look like you, or a hot chick to stare at when you learn a new golf system.
Mistake #2

I am a gamer at heart. Some I like more than others, but I usually get a "feel" for games--even if they suck--after playing them for an hour and a half. Striking was too easy when hit solid and too hard when wanting to do other things. Putting, compared to overthrowing the Ottoman Empire, was easy.
I never got a "feel" for this game besides the knots in my stomach I get when I wasted $13.00 on it.
Mistake #3

I didn't have fun. This game will make me look at Tiger different now knowing he endorses things like this game. Enough with the purist drivel you probably hear from whiny people who hate things because they hate them.
Pro #1

The tutorial came up quickly. Gave me about 20 min. before I found out I couldn't make myself.
Pro #2

I only spent $13.00 on this nightmare. I will try to sell it after I find someone I dislike enough. Maybe I'll get lucky and they wouldn't have tried it or read some of these happy reviews about it.

Synopsis: Do not buy this game and taint your cube. Do not buy this game for anyone you love because they will not love you when you give it to them and probably find it as an act of aggression. I would rather take a knee in the crotch before I play another Tiger Woods/EA Games golf game again. Have a nice day.