Swing Away Golf

Quite a bit of time passed between the original PlayStation launch (September '95) and the release of the first fun golf game (Hot Shots Golf, April '98). That won't be the case for PlayStation 2 owners, however, as Swing Away Golf mimics the Hot Shots formula with some success. Whimsical characters and a cartoonish look give the game a light feel, but underneath lies a deep game of golf. There are a number of shots to master and success depends on coming to grips with some of the intricacies of the sport. For instance, did you know that moving your front foot toward the ball will help induce a draw? Swing Away knows it, and allows you to adjust such minute details. If you're intimidated, don't be, as the game brings you along the learning curve with a well-designed tutorial. The course generator is a cool idea which falls short of its potential. You suggest parameters for a hole, such as par 3, dogleg, lots of water, and the game randomly generates it. Kind of a hands-off approach, if you will. The real fun in the game rests in the Story mode, where you work through imaginary calendar years to progress from Amateur to Pro. Along the way, you'll meet the various characters in the game, earn points for winning, and buy fancy new equipment. The game's only real drawback is the pace of play, as load times between shots and holes get to be a bit much. Still, it's a small price to pay for a solid game.

Hot Shots Golf it isn't, but it's not too far off. Idon't think it's possible to make a more obnoxiously cute game that involves steel clubs and a small, white ball than Swing Away on the PS2. Pastel colors, cute anime-style players, pre-pubescent voices, and melodramatic reaction shots may turn off serious golf players, but it shouldn't. The game is challenging and the graphics are great, save a few minor choppy animations and camera pans here and there. There aren't that many play modes (like Skins, Fourplay), but there is a course editor, and a really cool Story Mode that adds tons of depth to this pleasantly fun golf game.

I couldn't wait to get my hands on the first golf game for PS2, and was especially excited about SAG because of its resemblance to the now classic Hot Shots series for PS. While there's no question that it sports absolutely beautiful eye-candy and brings courses alive with amazing detail, I'm a little bummed out to report that the feel of the game doesn't stack up. I found the delay between taking my swing and watching the onscreen follow-through detached me from the game and left me feeling like I was coaching a player instead of being the player. Putting is also unacceptably stiff as my ball appeared to stop abruptly instead of trickling to a stop.