I love golf. No, not in real life or on TV, but within the confines of video games. The same goes for baseball—can’t stand to watch it or play it, but I can play the cyber-versions for hours without getting bored. So is it with golf. Though I like playing it when I can, it’s an expense game to play, and that can take the fun out of learning it. So, I again fall back on the video versions when I need a fix. Sometimes, you just need a break from killing atrocious aliens or driving unrealistic sports cars through the streets of places you have no intention of visiting. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2006 is here for that niche.

Although I have played Tiger Woods on the PSP, I have never played it on the Xbox. So, to get a perspective of yesteryear and today’s, I rented TW PGA 2005 for a sampling of what’s different. I managed to get a basic understanding of what’s different—both good and bad. There’s plenty of good, but inevitable “lesser” qualities in the newer version. Hey—it’s expected.

In case you live under a non-sports rock: Golf’s leading man is a lanky fellow with a million-dollar grin. Constantly winning tournaments causes that to happen. For the past several years, he has been tearing up the courses of the world in a fashion that’s led him to be considered one of the best—ever. Like Michael Jordan in basketball, there are those that think he IS the best, ever. I have no opinion on that (see comments about watching golf), but know that the video game versions sure do surpass expectations. EA Sports really only has one rival for sports games—Sega. Both do well in one area or more. But, I give the golfing edge to EA.

This is a masterful, comprehensive game with loads of extras and detail. One change is the usage of both analog sticks on the controller. Some golfing games have over-simplified the process of making your swing practically idiot-proof. That’s OK when you want to get great scores and show off. But, if you want genuine challenges “on par” with the real thing, you need some difficulty to overcome. The dual-analog swing fits that requirement. Though, I did find that I didn’t always have to use the (right) stick that controls direction and putting power, I have teetered on the edge of loving and hating the ordeal. I guess it depends on if you like to micro-manage your swing—or if you’re the one that likes a simple, all-in-one power-bar tactic that’s been around for years. I think I like the dual sticks, but I’ll change my mind again, tomorrow after a bunch of bogies. The purpose of the second stick is to enable placing a spin or fade to the ball; which can be disabled (as I did) should you not require the tweaking. Putting seems to be harder (or more precise?) on 2006 than on 2005. There are grid lines as in other golfing games I have played. You still need to read the green, and 2006 is more realistic in that way, this time around.

There are more than a dozen (15, to be exact) nice courses from which to play. From the legendary Pebble Beach, to lesser discussed ones such as Pumpkin Ridge and Reflection Bay, the courses are varied and seemingly offer something for everyone. Aside from hacking up those links, you can also go head to head with Legends from the past. You can take on the Golden Bear in his prime, complete with retro clothes yet on a modern course (glitch?). Playing against Legendary figures is not new (hello, Andre the Giant and Dale E Sr) to sporting games, but it’s new to Tiger. In one mode of play, you can even place bets on your shots before you swing a club. That’s appealing to those that make friendly wagers on the courses all over the world (hello, Caddyshack). Little touches of things that are familiar are effective gimmicks to make a game more comfortable. I also think it’s a subtle nod at the current hysteria for poker and various online gambling. I guess EA wants to make sure we incorporate wagers with everything we do—as it relates to sports. Not especially family-oriented, though.

Graphically, the game surpasses similar titles. There’s no comparison. Especially when it comes to the character creation—you. Using EA’s growing Game Face creator, you can make so many minor adjustments to recreate your face, it’s almost addictive. Without uploading an actual mapping of your photo-face, this is as close as it gets. They’ve come a long way since seeing Sierra’s old Avatars. The courses are lush and have character. The grass moves, and the trees are alive with the sound of… well, they’re alive. The greens look very nice and the player’s faces have nice, realistic contours.

The sounds are there, but not particularly of notice. There is play by play if you choose to enable that rambling. For me, play by play in golf is like talking to yourself. There can’t be much passion in watching a ball roll across the green, yet these guys really enjoy it! However, there is a unique tweak of the voice-overs to make them more familiar. It’s a nice attempt to make the player you have created sound like you—as well as look like you. Nice touch, though not something I spent a lot of time experimenting with. There’s a nice, resounding PING to the ball as you make a nice hit. The applause is deserved and pleasant. The music is not very custom—as it seems to be in 2005. It’s tired and a bit on the “easy listening” side. Of course, you don’t want Heavy Metal on the course (leave that for Outlaw Golf).

From what I experienced in TW 2005, and the new version, I’d say there is not a lot to differ it. Not in the action, with the exception of the dual stick swinging. The visuals are appropriately better, but not very different. There are incentives to do well and grow your character—as well as equip him/her more effectively. To a new player of the Woods series for Xbox, it’s a great game. Well worth getting without question. However, if you have 2005 (or maybe 2004??), I cannot see enough difference to make me want to shell out the funds to upgrade. If you just have to get it—each year it comes out—you won’t be disappointed. You just have to expect it to be very familiar.  

Gameplay: 8.5
The game is fun to play and test out new approaches to the tee. From setting up your player to playing against a legend from yesteryear, the game plays as well as it looks, which is nice. There is time to play at whatever pace you like, as well as the different modes in which you can spend your time on the links. If golf can be called exciting, this one definitely plays for thrills.  

Graphics: 9.0 
Once again, EA Sports shoots and scores in the graphics department. The Game Face tool has developed very nicely. It’s a lot of fun to tinker with those effects, or just admire the realism of the courses. Though you’re thousands of miles away, you can almost smell the laws on these faraway places. The other characters are recognizable and well done. 

Sound: 8.0
The sound is ringing in my ears—in a good way. There’s a rewarding “ding” if you hit your mark just right. Though that was sometimes rare for me, it’s still a pleasant sound. Kind of like a firm “whack” as your bat hits a baseball. You just know when it’s good. The music, although not unpleasant, is mellow and subtle. The game starts peppy with a modern pop tune, but then settles down to a courteous pace as you actually play the game.  

Difficulty: Medium
It’s a challenge to tweak the dual-stick controls for maximum effectiveness, but it’s a rewarding experience once things are right. If you need to place a back-spin or other such details, you'll cozy right up to that ability. The putting from a distance is more forgiving than it is closer up. None of it is really easy to an average player, but it's so daunting that it will turn off novices.

Concept: 6 
There isn't a lot new to this game. But, with sports games, there isn't a lot of room for experimentation. The game must play like the real thing-- when doing serious reproductions. The only place to stand out is in the extras. Throw in some side games and creative tinkering, and hope that it's enough to add some spice to an already excellent game. It's really not always necessary, as I think most of us would like a year of having more courses instead of gimmicks.    

Overall: 8.5
As always seems to be the case with Tiger Woods games, this is another gem. It's full of what you love and expect from the sports gaming giant. In addition, there are some extras for those that want to experiment and play for some cyber money or just play for legendary status. There are things to nitpick, but as a whole, the game is excellent and a joy to play. It is steeping with realism and challenge. If you are not challenged enough, you can micromanage more aspects to heighten things up a notch. I have enough of a challenge just going through it with average abilities, so found it forgiving enough, yet still a tricky game to play. I wouldn't suggest owners of TW 2005 run out and buy this, as there wasn't enough difference in my opinion to warrant it. But if, like me, there is a gap in your generations of golfing games, this is a must-have addition. I'd like to see them take a chance one year and spend more time on the game and courses rather than try to throw in cosmetic gimmicks-- just to try to qualify it to be called "new". Give us more lavish courses and continue the honing of play, and give us a break on the flash and dazzle. Still, they continue to improve on the game, if only sometimes in minor ways, and make it worth playing every year. It's the Gold Standard for golfing games. Go get 'em, Tiger!