"Total Pro Golf" Review (PC)

Pros:

• Course Designer
• Quick Play or Career Mode

Cons:

• Documentation - could explain more
• No preview for courses

"Total Pro Golf" Features

• Create a golfer with few skills and guide them to the path of becoming a pro.
• Hire a coach to teach you skills to improve your golf game.
• Earn sponsors that will help you out with money and equipment.
• Simulate or a play a season.
• A log is kept of tournament performances.
• Download courses or create your own with the Course Designer.

"Total Pro Golf" Reviews

Screenshot © Wolverine Studios.

There are two gameplay modes, quick play and career mode. In career mode, you develop a golfer by choosing his or her skills (power, long game, putting, etc). Those skills can be improved through lessons, but there is a potential limit to each. After creating your golfer, now comes in the hard part - the golfing part!

The first order of business will be hiring a coach, buying equipment, and set up a schedule. Not all coaches or equipment are created equal. Each have a rating system, with the best costing more. Really, the prices don't matter much. You can afford to buy the best equipment before you play in even just one tournament. Once the paperwork parts of being a golfer are done (hiring and buying), then it's time to play golf.

The first thing I did was played a round to get a feel for the game. The actual golf game is simple. Pick a club, aim, and hope it stays out of the water. The game does not pick the right club for you. It's all up to you. You do not have to do the actual swinging. The swing, distance, and location is simulated by factoring in the golfer's skill level, weather, aim, club, and the course.

You have a top down look view of the golf course, while playing rounds and tournaments. You always know what's coming up and it's easy to plan shots. Some of the courses that available with the game (you can download more) have graphics that have a realistic feel, while others are not as polished and have the graphics you can find in the Course Designer. Playing a round of golf does not take a long time. A couple of computer controlled golfers will golf the course with you. Some are excellent, some more like beginner golfers.

If you start your golfer's career on the right foot, it won't take long to get to a point where you can earn money in enough tournaments where the money is no longer a factor. Having a stash to work from takes the pressure off winning, while being able to afford good coaches, that's if they will work with you. Yes, it makes it easy, but that's not to say you'll be a pro overnight. That takes practice.

I found myself wanting to sit down and play it at night while trying to relax. Imagine - a golf game, actually calming! It's the small issues that keep it from being perfect. It is important to note that "Total Pro Golf" was made by an independent developer. While playing the game, you can tell the game was created with love and not just thrown together like some retail games today. Do I recommend "Total Pro Golf?" Definitely.