Saturday 30 October 2010

Computer Golf Games

Computer Golf Games

Market research has shown that Golf is one of the most exclusive of sports. It's enthusiasts most often earn more, travel more and own more property than the average citizen. Though this lends golf a certain allure, it's cost as well as it's perceived snobbery make it a difficult sport for the average person to become involved in. Computer Golf simulations have leveled the field and golfing, like all other 'real world' sports has found a popular and lucrative niche in the computer gaming market. Anyone can play very convincing virtual golf for free on the internet while true golfing enthusiasts can spend whatever their pockets allow on special software and gaming equipment. Someone who has never enjoyed a real world round of golf may find it bizarre that such a seemingly repetitive game has thrived in the online market. The truth of the matter is that many Computer Golf gamers are not real world golfers (just like most people who play soccer or surf on their tv games do not strap on their football boots often or grab a surf board and hit the beach).

Computer golf games come in many variations. Golf games also allow you to use a host of fancy controllers. Golf's popularity could be due to its combination of sportmanship and laid-back pace. Just as in real world golf, computer golf is most satisfying when approached with the intention of improving one's own technique - ie, to compete with yourself. Basic online golfing and Fantasy Golf games need no special equipment: All you need to manipulate the game is a standard keyword. On a television console version, of course the basic controller becomes your club, but more advanced golfing simulations (targeted at more fanatical gamers) will provide specialised equipment like simulation style hand-held clubs which provide a remarkably real-feel swing, resulting in your ball flying and bouncing through the on-screen course; each fairway, sandbank and water hazard rendered in eye-watering detail. In fact, first time players are often astonished by the quality of gameplay and graphics available.

You might want some in-depth criticism on your stance or swing. Maybe you are more interested in a fun, colourful game that can be played and enjoyed together as a family. Both styles of game-play, and everything in between can be found in the ever expanding Computer Golfing market for a fraction of the cost of real world club membership (and sometimes entirely for free!). We have yet to see what sort of impact these games will have on the "real thing". After all, how do we know that CEO's aren't brushing up on their swing in the office, with specialised computer golf games and then taking what they have learned out onto the course!

 

Wednesday 27 October 2010

Flash Golf Games

Flash Golf Games can be played on a computer and even on your cell phone.  Flash adds complex animation, picture and sound quality to programmes, internet and games. Flash technology allows players to simulate the swing of a golf club by using a mouse, joystick or the buttons on a keyboard or keypad. Most online golfing, if they involve any type of animation at all, will require a Flash plugin - a small programme the user needs to download onto their PC or phone. If this software is not already on their gaming device, the site or application the online golfer has accessed will guide them to dowload it with ease.

Many popular golf gaming sites make use of flash technology. Because Flash is a popular and relatively easy programming tool, small time golf game developers can use Flash to enhance their gaming software. These fun and attractive games made by less well known developers are often called mini games. You can get free versions on certain websites, as well as downloadable versions. The mini games will not have the sponsorship available to larger, more established Flash Golf sites, but one can find certainly find quirky and enjoyable diversions among the myriad of Golf Mini Games available. Just keeping searching and trying out different Flash Golf games until you find one you can really get addicted to!

It is typical for a golf game that uses flash to require the user to hold down a button or key in order to maximise their swing - the longer they hold it the more powerful it becomes. The golf gamer will see their avatar (a virtual rendition of their player) pulling his or her club back to swing in perfect harmony with their key instruction. This can take a bit of getting used to. Many new golf gamers will really enjoy watching their avatar and the hard wack produced by holding down their key or button for a long time, whilst struggling with the finer co-ordination required for softer shot; needed once they are the virtual putting green. A common frustration is to overshoot those deliacte shots, it takes time to develop the precision needed to sink the ball. The velocity with which one will hit the golfball is often registered by a meter on the side of the screen, helping users refine their play strategy.

The one type of Golfing Game that often does not require Flash is Fantasy Golf, which has minimal animated play. Flash technology offers an interactive virtual golfing experience. Mini Golf, also known as Adventure Golf or Putt-Putt will often also require Flash programming in order to be played on a user's phone or computer.

Monday 25 October 2010

Internet golf games

Internet golf games are a very popular sector of the computer golfing market. On the internet, gamers can choose from a variety of styles - from the technical to the quirky - all of which provide a fun an educational introduction to the world of golf. Gamers can choose to play solo, or join networks, sometimes involving hundreds of thousands of other gamers. There's the choice of playing a simple 18 hole game with some friends or participating in entire tournaments take place in the very best virtual golf courses. Playing virtual golf on the internet can sometimes feel even more real than actual golf as the amazing graphics allow you to intimately follow the balls trajectory, and provide you with instantaneous replays complete with scientific interpretations and statistics. The technology involved is such seemingly simple internet applications is remarkable.

Many internet golfing games are available to play free of charge and first time gamers are often surprised by the astonishing quality of the free games available. Some sites may offer a free demo version of the game, with a paid upgrade version available. For the sites where a small fee and registration process is required, this fee might enable a gamer to have the golf game conveniently downloaded to their mobile phones. Others that require payment often offer cash rewards if you win the site tournament. These sorts of incentives do not fall under the banner of "gambling", so you needn't worry. Just like a real game of golf, there is a something simultaneously relaxing and invigorating about stepping onto the virtual green to take on a couple of opponents in a winner-takes-all 18 hole challenge.

Smaller online games, sometimes known as flash or mini-games, are fun little applications, perfect for a tea-time distraction. The aim of these mini-games is often not hyperreal courses and players; They relocate the game of golf to strange and wacky locations, and allow you to be a weird and wonderful character. Some games on the net that classify themselves as golf games don't even use a ball or club at all: think Frisbee golf, shoe golf and medieval golf (where the ball is actually on the tip of an archers bow). If you think you don't like golf at all, you might still find yourself strangely addicted to these mini-games where satisfaction comes from improving your score over and over or gaining the basic thumb skills to finally beat that gloating friend of yours.

Internet golf games have risen to fame ever since their release and will most likely continue to do so. Of course, a trundle through the online putting greens available will not always bee 100% successful but you are sure to find at least half a dozen games that tickle your fancy, whether it be in depth swing analysis or a game on the moon with Pikachu you are looking for!

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Free Online Golf Games are for those you may not be the world's best golfer, but playing online allows to be exactly that. Plus its absolutely free!

There are many free golf games online, ranging from rather general games through to more specialized ones. On golf dedicated sites, a gamer can take part in beautifully rendered, realistic style games - which is of course an excellent way to spend an otherwise rainy afternoon. More general sites provide fun, quick alternatives; perfect for a ten minute distraction.

Of the more advanced free golfing games out there, one of the most well known is the World Golf Tour (TM) which allows players to pit themselves against strangers or family and friends in a realistic tournament scenario. World Golf Tour (TM) uses high resolution pictures of actual world class courses; players may choose from a wide variety of avatars (dressing them in clothes that range from the sober to the silly) and choose from an even broader range of sponsored clubs. Because World Golf Tour is free to play, the website earns it revenue from the high profile sponsorships. Online players can win virtual cash prizes and use them to upgrade their equipment. Because of it's exquisite rendering and attention to detail, World Golf Tour (TM) is truly astonishing. The makers of this game say that it is really realistic and very enjoyable.

Free online golfing is also available through social networking sites such as Facebook. A brief search through the applications and groups available on these sites will result in keen online golfers finding many fantasy tournament styled games played by like minded people from around the world. Currently you can be a part of the PGA Gold Championship 2010, an exciting Fantasy Championship (not unlike Fantasy Football) where the gamer makes key gameplay decisions and is updated daily with their progress up or down the leader-board. These games may lack the visual precision of the more advanced golfing games, but they emphasise the fun, social aspect of free online golf gaming.

Whether you want to improve on your vocabulary and technical knowledge before you arrive at an actual course, play eighteen challenging holes against your buddies or even enjoy a game of colourful Adventure Golf - you'll find the perfect golf game for you, online. And, unlike playing with dad-in-law on a Sunday afternoon at an exclusive country club, online game sites won't charge you a thing. You can even enjoy your drink of choice whilst teeing off; playing online means that you no longer need to wait until the last hole!