Unlike some games, golf is a sport for gentlemen. Of course, there is something innately primordial about swinging a club over your head, but to truly excel at golf, the mind must work along with the body. Fluid movement, awareness of the environment, and careful club selection separate the master from the caddy. If you’re interested in taking your Links® 2004 game to the next level, heed these strategies. You just might get invited to the country club.
Dead Aim Boasting some of the most beautiful—and challenging—courses from around the globe, Links 2004 recreates these breathtaking vistas for the armchair golfer. When you’re done taking in all the nature, you might want to take a moment to eye up your first shot. A well-placed drive can make or break your final score on the hole, so it’s essential to strive for a good lie. Pay attention to the wind gauge in the lower-left corner of the screen. Not only should you mind the direction, but also the intensity of the current in relation to your target. A back wind will carry your shots further, whereas head winds can seriously decrease the distance of your drive. Cross currents have the ability to toss your ball into the rough, bunkers, or weeds, so remember to adjust your aim.
Move like Water Bruce Lee often encouraged his pupils to “be like water,” adapting to the situation and moving naturally. Just because your shot is lined up perfectly doesn’t mean you can’t still botch it with a jerky swing. Links 2004 uses a precise Real-Time Swing interface, and each movement of the analog stick will ultimately affect your shot. Take care to fluidly transition from backswing to follow-through. The faster you move, the more power you’ll put behind the club, but don’t trade accuracy for power. Any deviations from a straight swing will send you on a nice long stroll to the river because your ball will veer off in unpredictable directions. So if you left your bikini briefs at the hotel, save yourself a swim and practice that swing.
If You Want It Done Right … Links 2004 will automatically select a club, depending on the distance to the hole as well as the surface on which you are standing. That means, if the ball is snuggled up in a sand trap, the sand wedge will be the default club. If the hole is 400 yards away, the 1-Wood will be chosen for you (with a range of 265 +/- yards). With that in mind, you might want to consider changing the club periodically if you find yourself in a tricky situation.
Let’s say the ball is resting neatly on the fairway, just outside the fringe. The pin is 85 yards away. The system may select a pitching wedge, with a maximum distance of around 111 yards. If a strong head wind is blowing, though, lofting a shot in the air might knock some serious distance off, particularly if you know from experience that your shots tend to travel less than the maximum. In this case a 9-iron might be a better choice, both for its increased distance and its lower shot trajectory. No matter what club you choose, full power would be overkill. Keep an eye on the red-and-white aim marker on the screen. As you select different clubs (using the triggers), it will move to and fro showing the theoretical landing spot where a shot with that particular club would lie. But remember: You’ll still have to make a mental adjustment for the wind and for any power you’ll be taking off the swing. The perfect golf stroke is more of an art than a science, so practice with different clubs and take note.
Memorize the Course You won’t be quizzed on your knowledge of local ecology, but remembering the layout of each hole can greatly improve your score. Sure, the wind and weather conditions will change, but the geography will remain consistent. Knowing where the ball needs to go is half the battle in getting there. Play around with the different game cameras (putting and overhead) to see where you are in relation to the flag. This spatial awareness will improve your chances at birdie.
Take these swinging strategies all the way to the hole the next time you fireup Links 2004,and I’ll see you at the clubhouse.
