Others say...

"Realistic, fun, and deep!"
"Tiger Woods PGA 2004" is a very deep, challenging, and entertaining golf simulation on many levels. With several different game modes from which to choose, lots of real PGA Tour golfers (of course, including the titular phenom himself), a course designer, and more, this one will keep you entertained for a long time to come, even long after 2005 arrives with its extra bells and whistles.

Creating your own golfer and taking him through a prestigious career is of course the most enjoyable aspect of this game. Entering competitions around the world to build potential and competing in tournaments to earn money to buy better equipment, fill those potential attributes, and get more stylin' threads will eat up a lot of your free time. As with most EA Sports games, once you start your dynasty, it's very hard to stop. (Especially since you can breeze through an 18-hole stroke match in under 10 minutes once you get the hang of swinging the club and using the "Esc" key to your advantage.) Eventually you'll get good enough to take on the Tour pros themselves, which is when things really get interesting and you'll need every bit of the experience you've built to beat them.
You can also take one of the pros in the game through several seasons, but the career mode is where the best treasures lie.

The graphics in the game really shine as well. Of course, you'll need to have a top-of-the-line graphics card in your PC to enjoy absolutely all of them, which I don't. I'm told every detail of the course comes alive, with moving tree leaves, reflecting water hazards, moving clouds, wind, etc...Maybe I'll save up and get that Radeon 9600 I've had my eye on. Still, with 1024 x 768 resolution, the game is gorgeous. The golfers have amazing detail and fluidity, and the ball reacts just like a real ball would whenever it's struck. EA Sports goes to very great lengths to ensure the most realistic experience, whether it's golf, football, hockey, or any other sport, and they spared no expense with their golf game either. (On the other hand, it's just as frustrating as real golf when you screw up...you'll know what I mean when you miss your first 32-inch putt by half a hair and the ball ends up 10 feet from the hole, or get your first 12 on a Par 5.)
The realism is enhanced by the True Swing feature, where your swing is all in the wrist and the movement of the mouse. "Tiger Woods" has had this for a few years, but old schoolers like me can still choose the 3-click swing. There's even a 2-click swing option for absolute beginners.
Of course, there's also online play available, which makes the game even more absorbing. Taking on anyone in the world is always fun, although you may have a hard time finding folks to play with since 2005's been out for a while.

The commentary, with Gary McCord and David "Fairway" Fehrty on the mic, is decent for the most part, but as with most EA Sports games, the phrases get repetitive after a while. (I'm starting to hear "David...the angle of the dangle?" in my sleep.) Not only that, it misfires once in a while. More than once, I've sunk a wicked right-to-lefter from 30 feet and heard, "Oh, that'll make you want to stick your head in the sand." Wh-huh?
It's a very small detractor, though.

Overall, this is golf's total package for the PC. The arcade elements in the game add to the fun factor, and there are enough modes and unlockable features (courses, golfers, equipment, etc.) to keep you occupied for several months. You won't find a more fun and realistic experience. Yes, 2005 is out by now, and it's probably got a few extra features that hardcore PC golfers can't live without, but this game costs less than $10, and is probably just as enjoyable. For the money, you simply can't go wrong. You don't really need the latest and greatest to have fun with this title.


"Good interface, if you pick the right one"
When picking whether to go with this title or its rival (I'll omit the name), one big factor was the courses being featured and the overall deisgn. I liked the idea that a person had to develop their character, and build him into a champion, rather than simply setting stats and running.

The one thing a person needs to look out for is in regards to which difficulty level is selected. On either the novice or expert settings, making a good swing with the mouse (pulling it back and pushing it through along the same line) is important, but novice only lets you hit the ball strait. There is little challenge, and little chance of the occasional whoopsie that accompanies a real round of golf. I played the game on novice close to the end, but it got completely boring when my golfer could hit the ball 330 yards in a strait line every time. The challenge of the game was gone, and so my interest.

On the other hand, if you start on expert and work with it, the game adds the element of not only your personal performance, but also shotmaking. With novice you have to really do something weird before you hit the ball bad, but on expert it takes a better touch with the mouse on top of the possibility that what you thought was a strait shot may have had a little sidespin on it that will take it off course... or strait at the hole.

Being able to hit draws and fades greatly increases the interest in the game, as you then have a huge number of options besides just picking the club you think you can hit the fairway with. The choice becomes "which club can I hit with just the right amount of draw spin to get it down the fairway in just the right place?" My advice is to play on expert from the start and just get used to everything.

Graphics wise, the game is OK, and apparently vastly improved with 2005. If your machine can't handle the new version, or you like the older courses better, going with 2004 should still be satisfying.

The only things I really wish the game included are more detailed equipment adjustments and selection (the ability to build custom clubs... why not?), and an expansion pack of courses. Naturally, there is probably a little matter of royalties for the courses in the game, but one or two extra wouldn't hurt, would they?

"Highly overrated"
Players are not different enough cause you only get Tiger.

I dislike how putting is done.

Too many arcade elements for a "sim" game.

CPU AI is not worth playing against.

"Recommend a 128MB Vid Card"
This game is EXCELLENT, IF a person has a decent Video Card. I tried it before I upgraded my Video Card. Liked it but once I installed the upgraded Graphics card, and checked all the options in the settings. The GAME CAME ALIVE! The trees move; the grass flows with the wind; and the water ripples; shadows look great; reflections on water... Great test on the performance of a PC.

"BEST GOLF SIM EVER MADE"
If you want the definitive golf simulation for Windows XP, look no further than this title. This game will knock your socks off folks. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 is the best out there.