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Pro Golf is the second Spectrum golf simulation this month and despite being written in BASIC and being a fraction of the price of the Konami version, it is really a much better game.

Up to four people can play and there is a choice of two courses - Sunningdale and Pebble Beach. Each hole is presented as an overhead view with a small inset showing the golfer actually swinging the club. There are various playing options including choice of tee and practice. You can set the wind or ground conditions or let the computer throw out random factors on each hole.

Clubs are selected from the menu with the option of backspin on your iron shots. The direction and power of the shot is then chosen in similar fashion and you're on your way. When your ball has landed, you are informed of the lie and the type of ground that you have managed to hit.

Depending on the hazard, you may find that your next shot is only playable with certain clubs and that there is a reduction in the maximum power available to you. Also there is a random variation in the direction that your next shot goes. For example, if you have a bad lie in heavy rough, you can only use a 5-10 iron with a 48% reduction in distance and a 20 degree random variation in chosen direction. All these figures are tabulated in the instructions.

As you actually make the shot, your little man swings his club and you have to time the shot correctly otherwise you will hook or slice the ball, usually with disastrous effects. Once on the green, you have to allow for the direction and degree of slope as you play your shot. More importantly, you have to be very careful in determining the power of the stroke. You can adjust the power from zero to as much as you like. When you hit the ball, this power value decreases and must be less than twelve when the ball reaches the hole. Again, timing is crucial. Too early and you lose power, too late and you hit the ball harder than you intended.

Although the presentation of Pro Golf is nothing stupendous, it is perfectly adequate. Where the game scores over Konami's Golf though is that it creates a much better feel for the game - it is far more realistic. Complete a round here in under par and you really will have achieved something.