Tiger Woods' stock has fallen in Europe recently. After all, we effortlessly tonked him and his friends in the recent Ryder Cup, scotching any notion that Europe doesn't produce golfers on a par with their US counterparts. And Tiger himself can seem more than a little detached from the rest of the tour at times, because he thinks he's it.

But to be fair, Tiger is it. He's won four Majors in a row, with only pedantry standing between him and the claim of a fabled Grand Slam (it's not, because technically he only held all four Majors over a couple of seasons, rather than just the one). That's an absolutely immense, almost unimaginable achievement in this day and age.

You wouldn't expect a chap like Woody Tigs - for that's what we fondly call him here at Official UK Xbox Magazine - to put his great name to an inferior product. And he hasn't - he's put his name to a really quite splendid game, in the form of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003.

The chief reason the game is so good to play is the swing system, which makes sound use of the analogue capabilities of the thumbstick. It's not new, but it's a great alternative to the usual power meter, which is an overly simplistic way to represent something as complex as a golf swing. Using the thumbstick is a far superior way to replicate the swing, as it allows the player to control the line of the swing, the power, and the timing, all through one easily understood system.

The result is an experience that requires the player to actually think like a golfer in order to score well. Hitting half-shots is tricky to judge - as in the real game - so to play with authority you ideally need to manage the course effectively, attacking the greens with a full swing. And the way you apply fade and draw to the ball is a satisfying and intelligent use of the control pad too.

As with MotoGP: Ultimate Racing Technology, clever use of the analogue capabilities of the Xbox controller results in a game that's much more rewarding than others of its ilk.

Bolted onto the solid golfing engine is a collection of courses featuring many of the finest holes ever designed. The Road Hole (17th) at St Andrews? Go on then. The island par three at TPC Sawgrass? That's here too. You get the general idea - courses like these, plus Royal Birkdale, Pebble Beach and many more make this a must for fans of golf games. The huge wallet of EA's licensing department has been put to good use with this one.

Another plus in the game's favour is the large number of variations on the basic swinging game. Speed Golf is a mad rush through the course, in which you even control your player's sprint to the ball they've just hit up the fairway. Playing this in two-player mode with a split screen is something of a hoot.

You can challenge and unlock loads of top golfers - and Colin Montgomerie - by beating them at matchplay, strokeplay, or skins. You can play loads of different mini-games, or jump on a par three course for a couple of holes if you just fancy a few quick holes.

A high standard of character modelling and animation rounds off a long list of plus points, together with a host of atmospheric spot effects and replays that accompany perfectly timed shots.

However, there is the odd bogey that prevents Tiger's card from being perfect. While the natty replays provide atmosphere, some of the courses do feel a little empty, despite the cheers that greet good shots. Sparse crowds mean that you never really feel you're playing in the crucible of a packed-out tournament.

Another problem is that the game is, at the default settings, overly easy. Picking up birdies is simplicity itself, and the game will quickly lose its appeal if you play with soft greens and light breezes. For a proper challenge, and a more satisfying game, we recommend making the greens faster than ceramic.

The only other thing you need to know before deciding whether to slap your hard-earned notes down is the fact that the game can be rather repetitive. Despite the numerous courses and challenges, you're still only swinging a club. Your appreciation of the sport itself is therefore more important in determining your enjoyment of this game than it is for the likes of, say, the Madden NFL or NHL series.

But if you do like golf, and you're on the hunt for a top-class, realistic sim, this won't disappoint. The sheer number of things to try out and an excellent swing system mean that Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003 is the best way to get some links action in when it's raining.

1. Excellent swing system
2. Loads of modes
3. Some fantastic courses

1. Atmosphere is a little flat
2. May be a bit too repetitive for some

Power
Nothing here will make you particularly proud of your Xbox - but you won't be ashamed, either.

Style
Usual EA presentation. The golfers look great, as do the spot effects, but the courses are a bit sparse.

Immersion
Depends a lot on how much you like golf. The swing mechanism adds lots of depth though.

Lifespan
Tons to unlock, loads of courses - there's enough here to keep fans going for months.

Summary
Loads of modes, holes and golfers, plus slick swinging gameplay make this an excellent game for golf fans.