Tiger Woods Golf for Wii - played it? Your opinions?

[RTSDaddy2]

I was reading in another post what the reviewers said.  Personally, I like it myself.  The biggest problem that I have with it, from t he Wiimote point of view, is that I will often go to make a tee shot and - having not released the "B" button yet, my player will go ahead and swing anyway, hitting for about 56 percent power.

This is definitely frustrating to say the least.  Also, I've found that for myself, I just have to ignore the annoucers and forget about the "practice swing" mode.  My best luck so far has been just in treating the Wiimote as if it were a club and using as straight a movement as I can.  Even so though, it does feel that sometimes the movements are misread.

Still - it's a far cry up from Super Swing Golf, which sat on my shelf after the first two plays and collected dust until Tiger came out....I traded SSG for this one and DEFINITELY got the better end of that stick.

[lcddream]

I played it for a little while...first impression is pretty good...some of your gripes above definitely hold water. i'll be back when i can give a solid impression of it.

so far it'll be the golf game i play. i didn't like wii sports golf that much, and this one seems much better.

stayed tuned...

[RTSDaddy2]

And I'll come back to add often practice makes perfect.  The first two courses I was something like 22 and 28 over par respectfully.  However, on course 3, the Nissan Open I believe it is,  I had added enough experience points to improve my driving and accuracy (and putting too, as I recall) from the other two, and so I finished the first round at +5.

What was crazy about the first round was my back nine went birdie, birdie, birdie, birdie, par, birdie, birdie, par, bogey.  If I ever had a REAL golf session like that, the heart attack would follow (esp. with the shots I made - birdies from 67 yards out!)! And if you're trying to do the math, yes my front nine was awful!

I'll agree with the previous poster. It is still the golf game for me.  I'd been waiting on this one a while, and in spite of whatever flaw it has I'll take it!

[Howard_Casto]

I hate to interrupt, but since you guys are really into this maybe you can answer this for me...

Why the hell do people like golf games so much?

Ever since Golden Tee and Tiger Woods games started catching on I have been dumbfounded by this trend.  I mean you have to admit, of all the "sports" out there, golf is the most boring.  And I've found that when you take something that's already boring and make a simulation of it, it can only make things worse.  Now that the wiimote is out I can sorta see it, because it's more realistic, but playing golf on a trackball or analog stick seems dumb to me. 

I've played the Golden Tees and Tiger games just to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and I've found them to be as exciting and fun as solitare.  If I'm missing something I'd sure like to know about it. 


Sorry for the interruption, carry on gentlemen.   

[tommy]

I think the best answer i can give you is that they make a video game for every sports game people play in life.

Also, people like to play golf, it's pretty easy to understand if you try... maybe some people would come to you and say "why the hell do you like that thing you like" cause i don't.

[Loki]

I used to think about golf like that too... boring..
But somehow I got some weird golf virus in my system that won't leave
It actually started when I was watching golf on TV... later the games.

Too bad to hear Super Swing Golf isn't that good... that game looked so much fun!

[Hoagie_one]

I think i may need to mess with my sensitivity settings, cause half the time I swing, it doesn't resiter correctly.  Very frusterating.

[Timotey]

I was reading in another post what the reviewers said.  Personally, I like it myself.  The biggest problem that I have with it, from t he Wiimote point of view, is that I will often go to make a tee shot and - having not released the "B" button yet, my player will go ahead and swing anyway, hitting for about 56 percent power.

Hi new here but thought i should chime in here. This same thing kept happening to me, Now I play a pretty good game of golf, I'm about a 10 handicap if that means anything to some people out there, so i know i making the right moves. But i have played super swing golf and i can tell you that tiger woods is about x10 better and more enjoyable. So i do like it butmy only gripe is that my brother who swings like an idiot kicked my butt and didn't get one miss read.

 I also work at a golf shot where we have this golf simulator that uses radar and costs $50,000 and when i compare that to the wii + tiger woods golf price tag of $300 its a no brainer in terms of the bang for the buck factor. But on the simulator you better believe my brother would shoot a 130 140 and not the 87 on tiger woods.

[shmokes]

HC,

Golf is basically a deeper version of Worms, or Scorched Earth, or Artillery.  Surely you can understand the appeal of those games.  It's a sport that requires more thought and less action, a bit like pool, I suppose.  Many many many people level the exact same criticisms on its real-life counterpart that you've brought up about the game.  I only just started playing real-life golf last fall, and I'm terrible at it, but I think it's a lot of fun.  I like the video games too, though.  I can't really explain it any better than I can explain why I think jumping Megaman around on platforms and shooting enemies is fun.  I just enjoy it.

[Howard_Casto]

I wouldn't go that far schmokes... selecting the club that gets highlighted and whacking the hell out of the ball isn't exactly a thinking man's game.  Mind you I use the "automatic" settings, but I can get a fairly respectable handicap... in or around par on most of the golf games. 

Maybe I need to explain that I know how to play golf, I just don't find it to be fun.  It's kind of an old rich white guys sport.  I'm only one out of 3.    I could see playing the real thing though... not me personally because of lack of windmills and the fact that I'm not wearing white/tan kahakis EVER  but still. 


I like games that aren't action oriented, but they need something else to counter balance it.  I'm  missing something on golf I guess. 

[shmokes]

The same accessibility applies to most sports games really.  You can pick up Virtua or Mario tennis and just play, and you can do respectably well.  But like those games, or good fighters, or many other games, the meat is in the depth beneath the surface.  You learn the courses, you develop a real feel for wind and slopes, you learn to control backspin, fades and draws (basically deliberate hooks/slices), you have to make strategic decisions (do I bang it and risk landing in that sand, or do I lay up, etc.).  Also, you're playing with another person and each stroke is often vitally important.  The pressure is fun.  The pacing is relaxed and enjoyable.  Etc., etc., etc.. 

I don't expect that you're going to suddenly "get it" and enjoy golf games or anything.  That's obviously not going to happen.  I'm just trying to give you some idea of their appeal to other people.

BTW, golf video games have been popular since way before Tiger Woods and Golden Tee.  The Links games made by Access were hugely successful.  In fact, I think that the people behind Tiger Woods today might be the same dev. studio behind classics like Links 386 only they've changed their name and been bought by two major publishers over the years.  Could be wrong about that.

[lcddream]

its relaxing for me...i don't even play real golf...but i find playing computer golf games to be relaxing


i don't sit there every night trying to beat tiger or anything...maybe on a sunday afternoon i'll take a game in..maybe 9 holes maybe 18, somethimes i'll quit after 3...no muss no fuss...kinda like any game really i guess..

are you really trying to ask.. "why don't I like golf" or maybe "why do people like golf"?

[ChadTower]

NES Open Tournament Golf is one of the great all time overlooked console masterpieces.  Incredible game, especially given that it's an NES game.  Very deep, fun, just all around brilliant.

[Hoagie_one]

wii needs a putt putt game.

[RTSDaddy2]

Howard,

For myself, I like playing real golf, but I simply don't have the money to do so as often as I like.

The simulations being what they are, playing Tiger Woods golf is as close as I'll ever get to a tee at Sawgrasss...or any of them for that matter, again due to the fact that 1) I can't afford it and 2) I really really suck at real golf.

If I practice enough, however, it's relaxing and fun to think about hitting that perfect tee shot into the fairway or onto the greens at the respective clubs.  For instance, today I eagled  the par 4 hole 10 at the Australian open on the TW game.  Could I do that in real life?  Not a chance!  It's fun to dream though!

(and of couse, after the aforementioned eagle, I 5 putted the next hole for a +8   )

I have found that I have trouble driving straight...but that if I turn the wiimote sideways and move it up and down by my side, rather than clublike, I can get straight shots 95% of the time.  Still haven't made a cut yet thought!

[squirrellydw]

It's kind of an old rich white guys sport.  I'm only one out of 3.   

haha your old 

[ChadTower]

Guess that means he's not a guy.

[hulkster]

HC,

i do agree that its a old rich white guys sport for the most part, but thats only because:

old - you cant play hoops or baseball or anything anymore, and with golf you can be decent and not worry about breaking any bones.

rich - expensive to play, but mainly because a lot of times, the old rich white guys are senior VP's or CEO's of major companies and actually...lots of business deals are conducted on the golf course.  i know our CEO plays golf a lot, but any time i play with him we are always playing with some president of another company that we want to do business with. 

white guy - well, tiger woods kinda doesnt fit that mold. 

anyway, back to your original statement about not understanding why people play golf video games.  i play them because although im not a terrible golfer (average around 88 -92), im far from being good.  by playing golf video games or any sports video game for that matter....i can make great shots that i normally wouldnt make in real life.  its a fantasy thing that i get to live out but still be a part of.

[ChadTower]

white guy - well, tiger woods kinda doesnt fit that mold. 

What mold does Tiger Woods fit?

[shmokes]

The young, rich, blackish guy.

[hulkster]

The young, rich, blackish guy.

yep.  the mold he doesnt fit is the "white guy" mold....considering he isnt white.  i dont know whats confusing about that.

[ChadTower]

Easy, if you want to think for a second.  A mold implies there were more than a few made... find another young, billionaire, black/asian golf pro that dominates his sport.

[hulkster]

Easy, if you want to think for a second.  A mold implies there were more than a few made... find another young, billionaire, black/asian golf pro that dominates his sport.

never said anything about dominating.  the original statement was that old rich white guys play golf.....not old rich white guys that dominate golf.  tiger woods was the more popular of the african amercian "mold" or "genre", hence i made the comparison to him.  i could have said vijay singh....or my boss who consequently is old, rich, and black. 

i have no idea why this is an argument since there really isnt any argument in the first place, but nonetheless theres your answer to whatever problem you had with the whole white guys and black guys both play golf.

[ChadTower]

Vijay Singh isn't black.

The point was that you used Tiger Woods as an example of why golf is not a game of rich old men.  He's one person among thousands who play the game daily.  He's also probably the least categorizable golfer on the planet given his status in the game, his varied racial status, and his age.

[hulkster]

Vijay Singh isn't black.

The point was that you used Tiger Woods as an example of why golf is not a game of rich old men.  He's one person among thousands who play the game daily.  He's also probably the least categorizable golfer on the planet given his status in the game, his varied racial status, and his age.

um...last time i checked he was black. 

what would you call that then!?!?  sunburned?!   

and the point i made was that tiger woods is an example of why golf is not only played by rich old WHITE men.  as in, he's not white, he's black.  or would you call him aisian?   

[ChadTower]

Singh is Indian, raised in Fiji.

[shmokes]

Tiger Woods doesn't like to be called African American, IIRC.  He calls himself black.  Just thought I would point it out, not that I give a ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- whether you do what Tiger Woods wants, I just think the term "African American" is retarded, except for people who happen to have dual citizenship, perhaps, but even then I think that would make you Nigerian-American or Kenyan-American.  You generally wouldn't call someone with citizenship in both France and the U.S. European-American.

[ChadTower]

He's probably annoyed with that because a substantial segment of the "black community" doesn't consider him black enough.  He's only half black at best, and to much of them less than that because he doesn't fit the profile, yet anyone not black only sees a black man when they look at him.

Except marketers, who see a pulsing diamond of demography.

[hulkster]

yeah well he's black in color.  racist?  nah.  im technically irish, but if you want to just call me white thats fine.

anyway, how bout dem bears!?

[ChadTower]

Irish isn't a race.   

[Banacek]

Not to threadjack back to the original topic, but...

I read a review that stated that there is no power meter in the game when you put. I really want to buy this game, but I want to know how it is without that power meter. I can't imagine it being fun putting in the game without that meter. Let me know if you have it.

[RTSDaddy2]

Banacek,

Thanks first of all for bringing us back on topic here a bit.  I should state that 10 days out from my first post,  I FINALLY made my first cut in year one and finished in 12th place, 6 under par for the tournament.

As far as the power meter goes, there is not a "visible one" no. However, what I have found is that if I go to practice swing mode, it will register and show you how much force you're swinging with.  If you want to hit at 100% with the club you're using, take 3 - 4 practice swings and find 100%, then 3-4 more if needed to remind yourself of it.  What I have found is that if I do this I will be very close to 100 percent.  I am actually getting used to this new method; I personally was never a great fan of the power meter as it often moved too fast for me to get the shot I wanted.

Also, as far as the swing to soon thing I was talking about...I read that if you hold the club at the max point of backswing for just a second or so, then bring it down, this will eliminate those "too short" swings of 56 and 60 percent.  Patience is a virtue, I suppose, with thiis one....

[Banacek]

So there's a kind of power meter on the practice swings when you're putting? I think I can get used to that. I might just have to pick this up then. Thanks!

[shmokes]

I'm excited to play it.  I tend to think that the elimination of the power meter would make for a more deeper game of golf if you have the time to devote to it (no power meter in real life).  I was really excited for this game and, while it only averaged about 7/10 in the gaming mags, I figure that my excitement will likely help me overlook the games problems.  Still, it's disappointing that they seem to have not just got it right, considering what a natural fit it is for the Wii controller.

[tommy]

Have you guys seen the new Wii-mote inserts they have out now? They made a little golf club plastic part that goes over the Wii-mote to help simulate the game better. They even have a little tennis racket and baseball bat too.

[RTSDaddy2]

You're right on the money shmokes, it does seem much more realistic.  What I do find annoying, after a while, is the announcers - but of course there is a way in the options to shut them up.  They will basically make  you feel lower than a snake's belly in a wagon rut for your poor shot making, to the point that they're laughable (hey if you can't laugh at yourself, right?).  This, however, gets remedied as your play improves. 

And while I'm here, yes, the read of power also works on the practice putts as well.  I'm not sure what it's been getting in the mags, but overall I'd give it an 8.5 myself, to maybe a 9.  Unless you just tear up most golf games, however, DON'T expect miracles if you're using your "Mii-like" golfer (read: create your own character).  He / She must grow and develop as a player.  It took me to the midpoint of my first season year to feel comfortable with everything (power, targeting, etc).  Can't get too cocky either, due to the fact that one wrong flip of the wrist will leave your ball in high grass or swimming with the fishies!

The one course I've finally had to skip for now is the Central Park one.  I played it once, sucked, played it a second  time, did ok, then sucked again at the third time which I finally skipped. 

Bottom line from me: those interested in a superior golf game for Wii need to pick this title up.  Definitely worth the $50.