SNES Game Review: PGA Tour Golf

I already did a review of a true golf game on the SNES, Waialae Golf Club, and one that isn't a true golf game but is labeled as one in Kirby's Dream Course (both those will be at the bottom of this blog.)  Now I go into my third golf game in PGA Tour Golf.  The folks at EA Sports were starting to dabble into the SNES market with games such as John Madden Football and this was one of the starting games as well.  To say the SNES was not real great with true golf games is putting it nicely, as I rated Waialae very lowly and to be honest PGA Tour Golf isn't great either.  Of true golf games it is the best, but that's not saying much at all if we are to be honest.  However, there are a few things that EA did well on.

PGA Tour Golf Game Cover

Positives:

1. The three tap shot system is easy.  Literally, this is what every golf game on the SNES should have done.  It's beyond the easiest way to shoot on the SNES and later on the PS1.  EA did a good solid job with this.

2. The four courses to choose from are actually pretty graphically correct.  I know the graphics could be better going forward and they would after 1991 when this game was made but the hole locations and the golf courses were actually pretty accurate to their time.

3.  The tips from the pros on the game is a cool hint.  Obviously later versions are all known about Tiger Woods.  However, a lot of different professional golfers give their hints on every hole and therefore it is pretty neat that they start with this game with the different hints.

Negatives:

1. While the three tap shot system is good, if you are off on it in anyway you are going to be very inaccurate.  This game is not forgiving in the slightest in this regard.  I guess it takes from the actual game of golf where mis-hits are brutal for a golfer though so at least it is realistic.

2. The frame rate is better than most golf games, but it is still brutal.  The frame rate is so slow in this game and it is a shame because if the frame rate was better this game would be actually a lot better.

3. There are only four courses in this game so that is kind of a let down.  I guess in the later edition of PGA Tour 96, there are double the amount but the game not being as good hurts, so I guess this is more of a sacrifice for a better gaming experience.

Rating/Ranking:
After playing PGA Tour Golf, I came away thinking this is probably the best true golf game on the SNES, but also saying that golf was not a friendly sport for the SNES to gravitate towards.  The later consoles were much more premier for golf and a much better fit than the SNES.  There are some positive things to PGA Tour Golf, but plenty of negatives.  The simplistic hitting system is nice, same for the tips from the professionals.  However, the unforgiving nature of hitting and frame rate make this a real drag to have for a game.  Still, of true golf games it is the best albeit that doesn't say much.
Ranking: Out of 10, this game gets a 3.8, with an all-time rating of 502nd out of 721 SNES games.

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