Pro Feel Golf Review

One can’t go wrong with a golf sim, so Pro Feel Golf has at least that going for it. On paper, at least.

Right?

Interestingly enough, I found the game way more intuitive than I’d expected. I didn’t feel like searching too hard for a tutorial, so I dug right into the first level. The club selection is automatic, as is the rough positioning of the virtual golfer. To get the ball moving, one has to use a finger to drag-select the landing point. Getting the right direction does take some getting used to, what with the touchy guidance parabola, but it is possible.

Once the direction and preferred landing area is selected (and the finger is lifted off the screen), the “strike” mechanism is launched. With this, a ball appears within a strike circle, and if the ball is tapped just right – perfect! – it’s struck by the virtual golfer and has a good chance of ending up where it was supposed to. Tapping the ball too early or too late affects the drive in non-optimal ways.

The developer clearly wanted realism, and this craving shows up in the details. Yes, striking the ball perfectly is cool, but understanding the course plays a role. Watch the lay and the rough, and definitely be on the lookout for wind conditions – one definitely want to avoid the bunker. Playing out from non-greens can be logically difficult, and a bad roll can negate a great shot. The graphics are pretty nice and give life to the environment, and along with the sound, the game does mostly live up to the premise of authenticity.

As hinted at earlier, Pro Feel Golf is leveled (success yields payouts), there is a daily challenge event (with game cash payouts, too), and also a “Friendly” section (that requires login). Additionally, the game does incorporate some fun arcade elements: scoring, diverse power-ups (like a ball stopper and wind resistance), and achievements. Naturally, equipment can be upgraded using aforementioned accumulated game currency. Real cash can be used to expedite stuff, but it is possible to make things happen without it; albeit much slower.

All in all, Pro Feel Golf is easy to like because it feels realistic without being overly complex. It’s great as a side dish or as an entree, and that is its ultimate charm.