Microsoft Golf 2001 Edition

• Platform: IBM PC Compatible
• Release Date: August 24, 2000
• Genre: Sports
• Style: Golf
• Similar Games: Links 2001 (IBM PC Compatible), PGA Championship Golf 2000 (IBM PC Compatible), Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2001 (IBM PC Compatible)

Game Description

Playable at www.zone.com over the Internet, Microsoft Golf 2001 Edition offers both single- and multiplayer virtual golf action for up to four players. This long-running series from Microsoft employs some of the same gameplay features found in the Links series, another simulation in the Microsoft product line.

Microsoft Golf 2001 Edition contains enhancements over the previous version. Included are improved ball physics with better ball flight and backspin, five new modes of play, and a new Lessons feature to build your skills and improve performance.

Four computer golfers are available as partners or opponents in the ten modes of play: Amateur Allen, Bruce, Championship Carla, and Professional Pete. The modes of play include two-player match and Nassau, Bingo, Bango, Bongo, By the Book, scramble match and stroke play, skins, Stableford, stroke, and The Happy Golfer.

Just as in Links 2001, three swing options are available including easy swing, classic, or PowerStroke. There are ten camera angles from which to choose during actual ball striking or via replays. Aerial topographical mapping was used as a basis for rendering courses accurately and in detail.

Seven championship courses are provided for play in Microsoft Golf 2001 Edition. Included are Sea Island, Kapalua Plantation, Entrada at Snow Canyon, Bountiful Golf Club, Three Canyons, Mauna Kea Resort, and Bighorn.

The interface is nearly identical to that of Links 2001 with all actions from aiming to striking the ball executed with the mouse. This version of Microsoft golf falls short of containing the full features of its counterpart but is similar enough to be considered "Links Lite" by fans of the series, with the major difference being non-availability of any type of course designer.

So, pull your foursome together or go solo as you step out on the course in Microsoft Golf 2001 Edition. Can you bag some birdies today?

Roots & Influences

Microsoft has been releasing golf games since the mid-1990s. Since the company's acquisition of the Links franchise, the similarities between the two cyber-golf games are readily apparent.

Review: Overall

After not releasing a version in 2000, Microsoft set out to improve on their 1999 effort with Microsoft Golf 2001 Edition. However, despite unique in-game documentation, the game doesn't stack up against the competition in terms of graphics, level of difficulty and overall enjoyment.

For those who would rather skip reading the manual and just install the software and get right to the action, this is a perfect game. Upon starting the program, in addition to offering the normal play, practice and load options, you can also choose a lessons icon. This option provides information on the correct ways to swing, aim, putt, choose clubs and navigate within the game. It is very useful and handy and a unique way to document a game. Moving through the lesson area only takes about ten minutes and is well worth the time, as understanding the swing meters can be difficult at first.

The game provides plenty of information, perhaps too much. During practice rounds, you're alerted of mistakes or better ways to make certain shots. Before each hole, a layout complete with distances and hazards is flashed on the screen, although it can easily be disabled. Following each shot, yardage distances (length of shot and distance to the pin) and the type of lie is provided along with the option to take a mulligan or "gimmie" putt, if they're enabled. This box can become bothersome since it slows down the pace of play by increasing the time between shots and causes longer load times. In fact, since all of the information is available from the swing screen, it's actually redundant.

The difficulty of play on any of the seven courses and in any of the ten modes of play is determined by your choice of swing meter. For example, in easy swing mode, it is almost impossible not to hit a great shot. In other golf games, distance control is difficult and tricky but in this mode, only two clicks are necessary -- once to start and again at the top of the meter. Landing on the "sweet spot" line sends the ball directly to the aim target. Go past the line and the ball lands a little beyond the target spot, while clicking before the line causes the ball to fall a bit short. In each case, though, the ball goes straight and except for huge gusts of wind, the ball flight can't be altered, thus it's unrealistic.

The classic swing meter is somewhat harder to control but not by much. It's the standard three-click model used by most other golf games and requires much sharper hand-eye coordination to hit the "sweet spot" exactly. As it turns out, though, hitting the line isn't necessary because even a wide miss will still result in the ball going straight as an arrow, without exception.

While the first two options can be interchanged during any shot depending on user preference and are really easy, the third option is incredibly hard. When successfully executed, booming drives and accurate iron shots result but simulating the swing path is impossible using the mouse. In essence, Microsoft is unsuccessful in replicating the arcade ball style of golf swings. The only good news about this "realistic" option is that a 30-handicap player will be able to replicate his or her real life ability without any problems.

Putting is inconsistent and difficult to control but can be mastered with practice. Unfortunately, the first few times through the game can be frustrating in that drives and iron shots are perfect, while putts often times roll widely past the hole. The grid lines placed on the green are not very useful and can be turned off. Perhaps the hardest part of the game is making short putts since the distance increments can't be altered on the swing meter and clicking early during a swing is difficult.

While the still graphics and photos of the courses are excellent, other visual aspects of the game are lacking. During play, the golfer image is much more realistic than the background graphics, which are blatantly artificial. Furthermore, the image of the golf ball is very small and hard to see when putting or during flight. This situation can be helped to some degree by playing with various views but overall this aspect is still poor compared to other major computer golf games. Conversely, as advertised, the stereo sounds are well worth listening to from the opening sequence to the in-game comments. The sound and music obviously received a great deal of work and attention.

Overall, Microsoft Golf 2001 Edition is fun initially because it is so easy. After a few holes, though, most users will crave a little challenge, which can be provided with the power stroke swing meter. But, following a few holes using that method, the game seems impossible and frustrating. Cyber golfers buying the game as a realistic and challenging golf experience will be disappointed. However, if you approach the game more as entertainment and less as a simulation and attempt each of the game modes, it can be somewhat enjoyable.

Review: Enjoyment

While not challenging, it can be entertaining as well as frustrating. Large amounts of information boxes and slow loading time make playing the game a long process.

Review: Graphics

Aside from still images shown at the beginning of the game and before rounds, the graphics are artificial and inconsistent with the images of the golfers.

Review: Sound

Great stereo sound and above average comments.

Review: Replay Value

As with most modern computer golf games (c. 2000), replay value is assured and with seven full courses and ten modes of play, this game is no exception.

Review: Documentation

The onscreen documentation in the lesson section is incredibly unique and useful.

Production Credits