Game play trumps presentation here. Excellent swing mechanics make the actual act of playing golf in The Golf Club quite enjoyable and the social and online features are abundant and fun. These things outweigh the technical hiccups.
This is not the game for those wanting immediate gratification and regular leveling up rewards. This is a game where the reward is improved scoring based on improving your own skill and decision-making, not leveling up a character. The graphics are initially disappointing but they get the job done. The gameplay is the best I have ever experienced in a golf game. I highly recommend joining the rabid community forming around this game as it promises to have a great following and some amazing tours set up. My favorite next gen game despite the somewhat disappointing graphics.
If your expecting Tiger Woods, then this game won't be for you, and thats probably a good thing. This game is more realistic, very simple, and definitely more geared toward golf fans. If you think you will pick up this game and be great at it from the start think again. Even despite some framerate issues, and lack of a sense of accomplishment with perks, equipment boosts, and other things this game is still pretty awesome. Once they iron out all the quirks in the game come update time this game will be great. Also, there are many courses to play from users and the game itself. I advise any golf fan or even TW fans to get this but warning it can be difficult at times.
Taking advantage of the Tiger Woods hiatus, The Golf Club owns the scene of the golf-sims on the next-gen console, with a pretty characteristic interpretation of the genre. With the big Greg Norman Course Designer in the spotlight, this game can become a good ever-changing, community-driven simulation even with all its technical faults.
The Golf Club brings to the table some interesting features, like social interaction and the advanced course editor. Unluckily it fails in providing a good shot planning and swing mechanics, coupled with unpolished visuals and the lack of a more thought-out game structure.
The Golf Club is a game that relies on friends and the social aspects of gaming. The golfing itself is hardly interesting, as there is nothing to collect and to be fair: a bit of a boring sport like golf does not get much nicer by playing The Golf Club.
Golf simulation. As close as i have felt to a real "feel" to the golf swing. Its tough no doubt, more is now based on swing and "feel". Im enjoying it, like playing in tours and tournaments watching my score, watching the other online player ghost balls shot when im playing, making it seem like I'm not alone and have scores to challenge. The game may never end as tours are set up using anyones user made course, or courses, and they get rated so you can see which are good and strive to get your courses a great rating. I do imagine an update having a longer season mode, and a head to head online mode. I would have gave it 8 but i see zeroes which are not fair to the game.
This game is far from perfect, but it is addicting, and requires careful shot planning strategies. There are no celebrities, no shot meters, no loading screens between shots, and no options that will aid newbies. This is straightforward golf, and I love it. The game comes packed with 22 courses, plus thousands of user created courses (when online). The graphics are last gen, but the controls feel almost perfect, I also like the commentary which is more "laid back" and less condescending but there are features that are missing, there is no variety in weather, no wind or rain (HB studios says this will added in future update). The online play does tend to stutter and suffers from slight lag, and there are issues with the friend list component. But I rarely play online competitively so this doesn't affect my playtime. I feel the game should've had a lower price as it is "bare bones" but overall I'm happy with it. Word of warning though: This is NOT a Tiger Woods quality game and it is NOT arcadey like Hotshots golf / Powerstar golf. I recommend checking out the demo and maybe buying it after the update patch that releases in mid September.
Visuals on Xbox look past gen, but a more realistic golf experience can't be found outside the links. The course creator is a huge bonus for the more creative types, casual golfers may have a tough time finding replay value.
Great idea, but poor appearance and approach hinder the devs from executing what they set out. I love the idea of a sim game or even just an EA competitor. However, lack of tutorials limits the audience right out of the gate, even if they are long time EA customers. The game needs to look better and approach a casual audience to engage more people socially, from there they can experience the depth the game has to offer. Unfortunately the game has to much depth to pick up and have fun. I dont see it competing with EA until maybe a third installment, even if people dont mind bug/choppy graphics.
I love golf games..... I have been patiently waiting for the first 'next gen' golf game to blow me away, unfortunately the golf club isn't it. The game hasn't obviously been play tested before release , it's buggy the sound is awful and don't get me started on the visuals .... jeez if this the best a developer can do then I am off to crack open my snes. I am sure somewhere here there is a golf game but the shoddy mechanics, sound and visuals have ruined it. Shame on you HB studios , if I could get my money back I would , roll on pga tour next year , that's how it's done .
SummaryThe Golf Club is HB Studios next generation golf simulation. The Course Creator can generate a brand new course in seconds which can be shared and played immediately online with friends and other gamers across the world. There are also full editing capabilities for courses, Tournaments and Tours. Challenge your friends on a new or existi...