Producer: R&R, 16K 3.75

Considering this program was available in 1982 it still stands up extremely well to some of the more recent attempts at simulating the sport. After a very short load you are asked if one or two players are taking part and whether you ward a 9 hole or 18 hole game. It is only 16K so there is less sophistication in matters like choosing clubs. Your options are to select the direction using the clock face, and a strength of shot from zero to 100 - decimal points are acceptable. Each hole is generated very quickly with details of the fairway, rough, trees, bunkers, water hazards and the green. Putting is the most difficult - as it often is in real life. A very good use of colour and for 16K and the price, very good value.

Like many other people, I enjoy a game of golf. Unfortunately, the British climate doesn't always allow me to go and play a few holes anytime I want. I don't mind though. If rain prevents play then I can stay indoors and load Spectrum Golf from R & R Software into my Spectrum.

Having played quite a few different types of computerised golf before, I was pleasantly surprised at how close this program came to the real game.

It is a game for one or two people over a nine or 18 hole course. Each hole is of a completely random construction and can be either a par three, a par four or a par five, with hole lengths ranging from about 160 yards to over 500 yards. Although each hole looks the same length as the last on the screen they are all on different scales.

For each shot, the player is asked for the direction of the shot, and the strength of hit. Direction is based on the numbers on a clockface, assuming that the ball is the centre of the clockface. Strength is gauged simply on a scale of one to 100.

Between the tee and the green of each hole are varying amounts of water, sand and rough for the unwary player to get trapped in as well as the major hazard - trees. Once you've landed in one of these uncompromising positions then life is made very difficult indeed.

This is an outstanding simulation which should appeal especially to the new Spectrum owner. I hope that it is as appealing to non golfers as it is to me.

My best score? Nine under par, but then there was a very helpful wind behind me!

Spectrum Golf, priced at £4.95, is produced by R & R Software, 34 Bourton Road, Tuffley, Gloucester, GL4 0LE.

GOLF IN HI-RES

The high-resolution graphics of the Spectrum make games like this version of Golf possible. The computer displays the layout of each hole, using user-definable graphics for the fairway, rough, bunkers, woods and greens.

The ball is shown as a flashing dot until the player decides to play.

The player must first enter the direction of his shot, a number from one to twelve as on a clock face, and decide how hard the ball is to be hit.

The ball will then move to the new position on the screen. It could finish in the woods or in a bunker.

There are several tips which could be given as to how to get out of the woods and bunkers.

The courses are created randomly but there seems to be some kind of order to the conditions on certain parts of the course.

The game requires a certain amount of skill and patience. For someone who wants a quick arcade-type game it is not ideal. For the person who likes to reason-out moves, who likes quiet games of cunning and skill, this is a good game.

There are two lengths of course included in the game. You can go onto an eight-hole course or on the longer 18-hole course.

Golf is a good competitive game for one or two players, although there is no reason why any number of players should not take part in a tournament. It is pot luck as to whether you will get an easy hole or a difficult hole but that is all part of the game.

The scoring system of the game uses the par of the various holes on the course After each hole the par for the hole and the course so far is given. At the end of the course the overall par is given. So far we have managed only 22 over par.

Golf is available from R and R Software, 34 Bourton Rd, Gloucester GL4 0LE, for £3.75.