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Golf is an exceptionally popular game, despite once being called 'the spoil of a good walk'. The problem is, it's so expensive to play. Costs may be listed as follows: one set of Slazenger chrome-plated clubs, one Tronk-9 caddie with Hoover motor, two pairs of sickly yellow nylon slacks with wide bottoms, one pair of spiky shoes with frilly bits, several 'improve your game' videos with guest presenters like Tarby, Brucie and Wogan, oh, and lots of beer money.

The prospect of a Megadrive golf sim is thus attractive, since all expenses are cut (apart from beer money). Who better, then, than Jack Nicklaus to front this particular contender from Accolade, as he's won just about every major gong in Golf's great trophy room. For your delectation he's assembled three championship courses on which to play Stroke or Skins games.

Golf is an old sport, originating from Scotland. Jack Nicklaus is a talented exponent of the game, hence the endorsement.

Hit the ball from tee to hole in the least number of strokes. The winner has the lowest stroke score over eighteen holes.

Playing golf is refined by the variations in clubs and types of swing. Each player has fourteen clubs, covering drives, chips and putts. On the first two levels, the auto-caddy selects the club. On expert level, the choice lies with you:

1. Driving
   The most basic skill in golf is driving. A wooden-headed club is used to strike the ball off a raised tee. The aim here is distance, while maintaining a true line.
2. Irons
   Jeremies are for use near the pins, or in the rough. A wide range of irons, numbered 2-9, covers a large range. An iron gives greater control than a wood where the 'lie' of the ball is poor.
3. Pitches
   Two pitching clubs are included. The sand wedge is the perfect bunker club, and the pitch wedge is used for short arcing shots from the apron of the green.
4. Putter
   The putter is the only club allowed on the green, the flat area around the hole. Putters have the least range, but offer the greatest control.

The three courses, Turn CC, Sherwood and Baltrusol are of the same type. Woodland courses feature a lot of water, sand hazards and twisting holes with greens obscured with tree lines. Unlike seaside or 'links' courses, the fairways tend to be flat and lush, but on these courses features like boulders have been placed in the midst of the fairway to add interest.

I've always wanted to play golf - the thought of whacking seven bells out of small balls all day greatly appeals, as does careering around in one of those brilliant caddy buggies.

When you first switch on Jack Nicklaus, you think you're in for a good ride - the presentation screens are excellent, as are the vast range of options (the auto-caddy is especially appealing to rank beginners). But then you begin to play.

The graphics of the actual courses are sadness incarnate - badly drawn and blocky as hell. Now, even that wouldn't matter too much if it wasn't for the game's major flaw - the unbelievably irritating delay between shots which is the height of tedium and soon makes you lose interest in the game.

There really isn't any excuse for this type of flaw and Accolade has shot itself in the foot by releasing Jack Nicklaus without correcting it. Forget this, go for PGA Tour Tour Golf II instead.

With PGA Tour well established as the ultimate in golf games, Jack Nicklaus had to work hard to compete. Sadly, it looks very much like the poor relation with its atrocious course graphics and unrealistic ball movement.

It's a pity, because Jack Nicklaus matches it in most of its areas of presentation. There's plenty of stats, options for multiplayer games, and even nice touches like the auto-caddy feature. The problem is, it's no fun to play. Despite the cluttered country setting, the holes don't really offer much of a challenge.

The screen takes at least two seconds to update, which is an unforgivable delay on a 16-Bit machine. In fact, the whole affair is quite inferior to the C64 Leaderboard games of five years back, more's the pity.

Presentation 87%
P. One to four players, a Skins game option and lots of viewpoints and tweakings to manipulate. Plus a battery back-up.

Graphics 39%
P. The player's swings are quite realistic - looking like roto-scoped images.
N. The rest of the graphics are awful. The ball has no perspective and the scenery is extremely blocky and dull.

Sound 49%
P. The odd "ooh" and "aah" from a mysterious crowd who are otherwise invisible.
N. Not much in the way of other sounds of the great outdoors.

Playability 56%
P. A couple of rounds of each course with a few friends is not too taxing.
N. The update makes the game slow; the graphics make it equally unrewarding.

Lastability 48%
N. Three courses is one less than PGA; and they are all pretty samey. The gameplay is very staid.

Overall 53%
With the serious competition around, this is well below par by comparison. Treat it like any other course hazard and aim well clear.