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The Very Real Joys of Virtual Golf
By Neil Peterson | August 23, 2009
Golf is a good walk spoiled.
~Mark Twain
Twain *may* have been joking – but regardless of whether he was, or was not serious, there is nothing like packing up your clubs at the end of a sub-par day to make one seriously reconsider one’s hobby. Golf looks simple enough – use a metal rod to hit a very small ball for a very long distance, aiming to deliver it into a hole that is invisible from the point at which you are starting. But it is in that delivery that things get ever more complicated – pitting the golfer against a variety of challenges that can make, or break, the score – including the choice of club, effects of wind velocity, ball weight, and the often cruel placement of sand and water traps. Despite the air of civility surrounding the game, one bad day on the course can be enough to weaken the resolve of even the most competent player.
Fortunately, one doesn’t need to air their worst golfing misadventures on the public links in an effort to improve. And while some may view the use of technology to better their golf score as little more than vanity, those people clearly have never lost a golf game in front of their colleagues and peers. What follows is a Virtual Guide to Golfing – for every budget. It may not help you score your way into a green jacket – but it will help you improve your swing and have some fun along the way.
The Bargain Bin – Golden Tee Golf
Since 1989, Golden Tee Golf has been an arcade mainstay. Now with 22 versions to their credit, creator Incredible Technologies has enjoyed a lasting popularity with their coin-eating, virtual gaming experience. Featuring a multitude of available courses, surprise cameos from some of the sport’s most respected names, and the occasional appearances of ‘easter eggs’ like Bigfoot and groundhogs, Golden Tee is the golf game for the every-teen.
Given the inherent challenges of arcade gaming – meaning swing by ‘trackball’ control – a few rounds on this system can be surprisingly effective. Golden Tee features several ‘real-life’ scenarios – including weather conditions and course hazards – that can help prepare you for things you will actually face. Sexy, it’s not. But fun? Most definitely.
The ‘Macy’s’ – Golf Launchpad Tour
Available for Windows, Mac, and PlayStation3 platforms, Golf Launchpad can help you perfect your swing in the comfort of your living room. Using optical sensors, a ‘micro capture net’ and a regulation DuPont ball, this simulation can provide realistic feel and accuracy – from the drive to the put.
The launchpad works with select video games (such as Tiger Woods PGA Tour ’10), and allows the player to use their own clubs. The system also provides after-the-swing analysis, including shot angle and ball trajectory stats – so you can fix that too-high-elbow without costly lessons with the club pro. And all the under-your-breath mumblings that go with it.
The ‘Paul Allen’ – High Definition Golf
The makers of High Definition Golf believe ‘the only thing more realistic is the course itself!’ And they aren’t kidding. Featuring the finest greens in the world – Pebble Beach, Banff Springs, and Pinehurst among others – in bright, vibrant 3D Hi-Def, its creators have painstakingly recreated every hazard, tree, and hill on the course to ensure that your game as realistic as possible, without actually having to wait for a tee time.
Designed for use in clubhouses, luxury resorts, and indoor golf centers, High Definition is the gold standard. Specialized software will accurately dissect the minutiae of your game – from club speed and ball spin to the affect of dominant global weather patterns (I am only slightly kidding.) Two video views will display your swing in painfully-honest detail, so when you do finally get on the links at Pebble, you’ll know what to expect.
High Definition Golf Video
In the virtual world, there are options for every level – and every pocketbook – of golfer out there. And with a little home practice, you’ll gain the confidence and skill needed to take on even the most competitive of your business associates. Donning the green jacket may be only a pipe dream, but with a few rounds of virtual golf, you’ll be lacing up your cleats with a smile. Fore!
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