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1986 was definitely the year of the golf computer game with Ariolasoft's Golf Construction Set closely followed by US Gold's Leaderboard, launched on the C64 and subsequently converted to the Amstrad and even the Spectrum.

Now Leaderboard is available for all Golf freaks who own an Atari ST. Without the handicap of eight bit technology, Bruce and Roger Carver (Beach Head I and II and Raid Over Moscow) have come a fair way to producing the definitive golf arcade game for the ST.

Unlike Golf Construction Set, Leaderboard is more of an arcade and less of a true golf simulation. But what it loses in authenticity it more than makes up for in ease of use, crisp well designed graphics and sheer enjoyment.

Up to four players can play a round at one, each selecting from pro, amateur, or novice level. A novice's ball will be unaffected by the wind and cannot be hooked whereas a mis-directed or mistimed shot by a pro will be punished.

There are four courses to choose from which are all substantially different from each other (unlike the Commodore version!) each offering its own set of challenges. Once all players names are entered and you have chosen how many holes are to be played, it's off to the first tee.

The graphics of the course have been substantially improved over the C64 version, with the inclusion of bunkerrs and trees and the exclusion of all that water which surrounded every hole giving you the feeling of playing the first golf game after the great flood!

The players' 3D view always points towards the pin, which may well be too far away to see, or be obscured by trees. To help you work out what club to use you are told how many yards, feet or inches lie between your ball and the hole.

When you face a different direction, the horizon changes to suit the new view which is drawn with all the speed the ST can muster. It's very fast!

Playing a shot is simplicity itself and allows advanced players to face or draw the ball around any offending trees that may be in the way.

Having selected aim and club you press the left hand button and release when the strength meter rises to the level you want.

Then click a second time to determine the level of face or draw to put on the ball; this can be tricky and requires some practice, which can be had on the programs thoughtfully provided driving range, where you can hook and slice to your heart's content.

At the end of each hole the 'leaderboard' is displayed giving an up-to-date summary of everyone's performances so far in the round.

The animation of the golfer is smooth and lifelike, even if there is a little flickering by his feet.

Leaderboard is a very playable golf game which should appeal to anybody remotely interested in the game, whether they have actually been bitten by the bug or prefer the armchair approach listening to Peter Allis' dulcet tones on the box.