Game selections include an 18-hole game, a handicap round selected at random, or the crown tournament, in which you'll have to invest the time it takes to play seasoned veterans through two days of preliminaries and finals in three major tournaments. With a pocket link (sold separately), you can also take on a fellow NEOGEO owner. In the "versus" mode, while waiting to tee off, you can use your joystick to whistle, boo, applaud, cheer, set off a horn or buzzer, or blow a trumpet to distract your opponent.

Although reading the direction booklet helps, only time and repeated play will allow you to learn the ins and outs of your golfer's unique skills, as well as the properties of your club collection. It also takes time to get acquainted with the feel of each course, from the bunkers to the water hazards to the greens. However, this game is ultimately much simpler to play than many PC-based golf titles. --Carrie Bell

Pros:

• Decent variety of courses and countries
• Several screen points of view help you plan shots

Cons:

• Nongolfers will have a hard time understanding club and shot selections