Producer: C.R.L.
Memory Required: 48K
Retail Price: £5.95
Language: Machine code

'Play a round of 18 holes on the "Spectrum" course of 5,444 yards. Your set of clubs consists of four Woods, eight Irons, a Pitch Wedge, a Sand Wedge and a putter. PRESS ANY KEY TO CONTINUE...'

So goes the unpretentious start to C.R.L.'s charming golf simulation. Pressing any key then lists the 18 holes, the par and length for each, with a par for the course of 70. This is followed by a listing of the clubs with a graphic depiction of each and the distance in yards for each. Wind factor must be taken into account in the choice of club and direction, and the factor is also shown on the greens for putting. A final page asks whether one or two players are taking part. It is then possible to preview all 18 holes before starting if you so wish. This is not essential because you may view any hole before it is played as well. This element is quite important because unlike almost every other golf program, this one splits the holes into several views, thus simulating the real game, where you would not be able to see the end of the hole in any detail.

The display is in a 3D-style perspective with 'you' and your caddy seen standing ready on the first tee. The figures and animation of them is very reminiscent of the Valhalla graphics. Pressing P will allow a preview of the hole to be played; pressing C allows selection of club, bearing in mind the statistics printed below the display area. Club selection is made by pressing any key which moves a cursor arrow along under the clubs until it reaches the one desired. It may then be ENTERed. The angle of the shot is selected by using keys 6 and 7 to move a cursor marker on the side of the screen up or down, ENTERing when it is correct. In full animation, 'you' then swing and the ball curves away. As soon as it comes to a rest, the golfer staring after it, the caddy lifts the bag on to his shoulder, and both set off after the ball. Two seconds of animation and the scene cuts to the next view, ready for the follow-up shots.

COMMENTS

Control keys: 6 and 7 F and S, very simple and logical, and all prompted on screen
Joystick: no point
Keyboard play: very easy
Use of colour: excellent
Graphics: very good
Sound: very little, just the peace and quiet of a well-kept course
Skill levels: 1

Golf - another boring game to review, I thought. NO! I was wrong. This one is very enjoyable. I was flabbergasted to be able to see the whole course and very impressive it is too, with detailed different types of trees, hedges, bushes, rough, bunkers, rivers, ponds, bridges, even the clubhouse, and not forgetting the player and his caddy. Both are very well animated, even to the swing and the tense wait for the ball to land. Good close-ups are given when you are on the green. This is the best golfing game I have seen. Everything is so realistic, and the excellent graphics are quickly displayed. There are even amusing remarks from the computer to cheer you up! A game that I really enjoyed playing, and that I can recommend to anyone who wants a golfing game.

This is the best golf game I have ever seen, with plenty of details, scenic fairways, and it is very playable. Unbelievably the game is in BASIC, but because it's so good, who cares? A very good feature is that for even a player with no knowledge of golf or what clubs do, the game is simple because everything is explained on screen. Excellent colour and fantastic graphics.

At the end of a tiring round, it's really nice to see "yourself" part company with the caddy and walk wearily into the club house for a welcoming beer or something. The only detail that C.R.L. seem to have left out is the tipping of the caddy (or perhaps that isn't done in the best of clubs!). This game is so well thought out and displayed that it looks like a television golf championship right down to the editing of the scenes. Wonderful, and satisfying to play.

The title is misleading as no handicap is used in this game. The inlay card gives a brief description of the game but the instructions on the program are sufficient in order to play it. The program takes about 5.5 minutes to load and you are greeted with the information that the course is 6444 yards and your set of clubs consists of 4 woods, 8 irons, a pitchwedge, a sandwedge and a putter.

Next is seen the course of 18 holes, their par and the distance of each hole. The overall par for the course is 70. The clubs are then shown and the expected distance for each one. There is a wind factor (or slope of green when you get there). This affects the distance and accuracy of your shot. It is displayed by a number between 0 and 9 for the strength of wind and an arrow showing the direction of the wind.

The capacity of the game is for one or two players. You are asked if you want a preview of the course or to start the game. If you ask for a preview the computer will take you through all the holes and their different views. This is not worth seeing as you can see a preview of each hole as you come to it.

When starting a hole, the view is displayed, the amount of yards in the hole, the score taken so far to this hole and the par for the hole. The graphics are good and well laid out showing trees, bunkers and water hazards. Also, if you go off the edge of the screen at either side you are told that you are out of bounds and must take the shot again.

Before each shot you are asked which club you wish to use. This is a simple matter of moving an arrow to the desired club and pressing 'ENTER'. After this, the view is displayed again and you are asked to move the direction indicator up or down taking into account the wind factor. The animated golfer hits the ball, hands the club to the caddie and walks to the ball during which the process of club choosing is repeated until you reach the green.

On the green, a close up is observed and your ball is seen along with the hole. A direction indicator runs round the screen and you have to stop it in line with the hole and your ball. The power is then asked and you move the indicator as high or low as you wish depending on the distance to the hole, This repeats until the ball has been holed. You are then told your score for that hole. You then go to the next hole and repeat the process. At the end of the round the player runs into the clubhouse for a drink but the poor caddie has to go back home! You can then see your card for the course and you are asked if you wish to play again.

This is very good game and the graphics are exceedingly good. The main rules of golf are followed and at £5.95 it is well worth the money. I highly recommend it.