ZX Computing
1st October 1984
Categories: Review: Software
Author: Owen Brooker
Publisher: CRL
Machine: Spectrum 48K
Published in ZX Computing #15
Handicap Golf
The title is misleading as no handicap is used in this game. The inlay card gives a brief description of the game but the instructions on the program are sufficient in order to play it. The program takes about 5.5 minutes to load and you are greeted with the information and the course is 6444 yards and your set of clubs consists of four woods, eight irons, a pitchwedge, a sandwedge and a putter.
Next is seen the course of 18 holes, their par and the distance of each hole. The overall par for the course is 70. The clubs are then shown and the expected distance for each one. There is a wind factor (or slope of green when you get there). This affects the distance and accuracy of your shot. It is displayed by a number between 0 and 9 for the strength of wind and an arrow showing the direction of the wind.
The capacity of the game is for one or two players. You are asked if you want a preview of the course or to start the game. If you ask for a preview the computer will take you through all the holes and their different views. This is not worth seeing as you can see a preview of each hole as you come to it.
When starting a hole, the view is displayed, the amount of yards in the hole, the score taken so far to this hole and the par for the hole. The graphics are good and well laid out showing trees, bunkers and water hazards. Also, if you go off the edge of the screen at either side you are told that you are out of bounds and must take the shot again.
Before each shot, you are asked which club you wish to use. This is a simple matter of moving an arrow to the desired club and pressing ENTER. After this, the view is displayed again and you are asked to move the direction indicator up or down taking into account the wind factor. The animated golfer hits the ball, hands the club to the caddie and walks to the ball during which the process of club choosing is repeated until you reach the green.
On the green, a close up is observed and your ball is seen along with the hole. A direction indicator runs round the screen and you have to stop it in line with the hole and your ball. The power is then asked and you move the indicator as high or low as you wish depending on the distance to the hole. This repeats until the ball has been holed. You are then told your score for that hole. You then go to the next hole and repeat the process. At the end of the round, the player runs into the clubhouse for a drunk but the poor caddie has to go back home! You can then see your card for the course and you are asked if you wish to play again.
This is a very good game and the graphics are exceedingly good. The main rules of golf are followed and at £5.95 it is well worth the money. I highly recommend it.