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THE GOLF PRO featuring Gary Player
THE GOLF PRO 2: Wentworth
Developed by: Empire
Games (1997 and 1998)
Genre: Golf sim
System Requirements: Windows
95 (98 users need to download patch file for Golf Pro only), P 90+, CD ROM, 30 MB HDD
Space, 16 MB RAM, Mouse, Modem (for multiplayer option- available in patch file for The
Golf Pro only).
OVERVIEW: The Golf Pro is Empire's leap into the growing market of PC golf games for those unable to make it out to the links (or wish to golf on a laptop while travelling). Endorsed by Gary Player, The Golf Pro offers a very unique brand of PC golfing- actually the most realistic I've seen yet.
Instead of clicking away on some bar (normally wrapped around a golf ball) to adjust your shot power- The Golf Pro uses what it calls "Mousedrive" which allows players to adjust the club face angle, loft, backspin and power all within a single SWEEP of the mouse. Yes, you actually "swing" your mouse to hit that ball- how much more realistic can you get? While this revolutionary style of play takes some getting used to it is well worth it. Empire took this fact (i.e. the learning curve) into account and developed a wonderful tutorial with Gary Player as your golf instructor. One can also position him/herself in relation to the ball (i.e. set your feet) which helps in some of the tough angle shots.
The graphics are well done- just a shade above industry standard (to date- 12/98) with excellent rendering of the two course's available: St. Mellion (an English course designed by Jack Nicklaus) and Hilton Head (a Gary Player designed course in South Carolina). Each course was meticulously designed to be as realistic as possible using just about every resource: from laser armed surveyors, programmers, photographers and artist to render courses "accurate to within an inch" (according to the box). And it all looks excellent. Your in-game player graphic options are limited to Gary Player, a generic male and generic female golfer. The golfer animations look o.k. but are somwhat heavily pixelated and not well defined. The swing animation is very fluid and well rendered- unless you botch the shot using Mousedrive! Keeping a fluid stroke is very important, if you hack a ball be prepared to watch your golfer grumble and groan. The Golf Pro also offers pretty standard game sounds but includes some very well done T.V. style commentating.
The only drawbacks I found were that two patches were needed in order to (a) make the game work in Windows 98 and (b) activate the modem/multiplayer options in The Golf Pro only (The Golf Pro 2 doesn't require any patching). The first patch is understandable but to have to patch in a feature like multiplayer AFTER the fact is somewhat cheesy. Another bummer was that The Golf Pro only offered two courses- another course or two would have been nice.
In 1998, Empire released an add-on/upgrade: The Golf Pro 2: Wentworth. This add-on/stand alone game is completely Win 95/98 compatable and includes the excellent Wentworth Golf Club- one of England's finest inland courses. The older Golf Pro courses can be add to Golf Pro 2 by just importing them into the game.
The Golf Pro series is one of the best looking golf sims I have ever played. The Mousedrive system actually teaches you golf- the angle of the club head, placement of feet and keeping a smooth stroke. Golfers will love it and I recommend it to anyone looking at learning a thing or two about the basic mechanics of swinging a club.
THE SCOUTING REPORT:
THE PROS:
THE CONS:
Review by Steve Ellis