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This simulation of baggy trousers and fun-filled bunkers is the latest in a long tradition of golf games but is it the best? Even if you don't know a 4 Iron from a pair of plus fours, read on and find out how our reviewer coped with eighteen holes on a drizzling Friday morning...

Right, where's the cue? I could get a good break if I plan this right [Um, this is golf, Andy, not snooker - Ed]. Oh, the game with the vile trousers... it's all coming back to me now.

If I'm not mistaken, this box contains Greg Norman's Ultimate Golf, and the packaging's claim that it's "the most accurate golf simulation yet to be developed for the home computer" could well be right, judging from the boggling array of options available.

To begin with, you have three choices of game type: Practice which is self explanatory, Matchplay in which winning is dependent on the amount of holes won and Strokeplay where winning depends on the overall number of shots taken to complete the course. Also available is the option to play alone or against up to three opponents, computer-controlled or otherwise.

From the same menu you can choose the play conditions, including wind, weather, ball effects and caddy. The ball effects option toggles the operation of back and side spin on and off, whereas selecting caddy puts club choosing and choice of shot on automatic pilot (essential for this reviewer).

Then it's time to tee off from the first hole. The section of the course currently in view is drawn (oh so slowly!) and a menu bar drops down to provide information regarding wind speed and direction, plus hole details such as distance, par and present number of strokes taken (lots, usually).

Time to click on the play icon and take your first swing: The two bars on the left determine the power and direction of the shot: press the fire button until you think the power is high enough and let go (let go! Urh, too late...). The second bar now slowly falls, while the 'swingometer' below wags left and right. Stop the swingometer dead centre before the bar reaches the bottom, otherwise the shot is hooked or sliced (which, unless you're playing some clever tactic, makes a crap shot!).

You now get to repeat the whole process, but from the ball's new position. If you're in trouble, a map feature allows you to view the current hole from any angle and get a better idea of the most effective shot to play.

Carry on in this manner until you reach the green where you take putter in hand and try to shunt the ball into the hole. When putting, only the power bar is used although there's an option to alter the direction of the putt in order to compensate for wind and the slope of the green.

And, basically, that's the routine for all 18 holes. However, you can increase the level of realism, by clicking on the swing icon to adjust the back and side spin of the shot. The only way to get the hang of this is trial and error and indeed my effort was trial and full of errors. Nevertheless, I can see this feature being very useful for real fans of the game.

Ultimate Golf's graphics are really special. Well-drawn trees adorn a landscape carved up with effectively rendered features. Pits, bunkers and water hazards are sympathetic with the rest of the landscape. Even the golfer is well animated and looks professional. As for sound, the loading tune is replaced in the game by spot effects like the club swooshing and the 'Wumf' of the ball landing in a bunker [Wumf? - Ed].

The menu system allows almost instant access to the game. Although complex, each feature is presented in a straightorward and easy-to-use manner. Unfortunately, once you access one of these, the screen is redrawn (again...), which tries your patience somewhat. Aside from that, Gremlin have delivered.

Ultimate Golf is excellent (if let down slightly by a few idiosyncrasies). Thoroughly recommended - unless you hate golf, of course.

1. Screen update is too slow to start with.
2. And accessing menus causes the screen to update! Aargh!!

1. Graphics are excellent, well drawn with nicely animated golf-dude.
2. Good variety of scenery.
3. Choice of two courses adds variety.
4. Multi-player option provides lots of hours of fun for up to four golfing folk.
5. Computer opponents relieve boredom of playing alone.
6. Side and back spin adjustments will delight connoisseurs.
7. Map feature allows for more tactical game plans.
8. Different game types enhance the enjoyment no end.