We've been getting and enjoying Tiger Woods games for many years now. Every year the graphics improve and the greens look more realistic. With this high def version, you almost feel like you are at the locations.

They seem to have made this game more "user friendly" to try to bring in non-golfers. I can understand that mentality, but it means that we actually prefer the '07 gameplay a bit more than this one.

For example, let's take golf ball spin. When you hit a ball in the real world, often new players will swing from outside to inside which creates a slice. You can also swing from inside to outside to create a left-to-right bend. So in the previous game the joystick would mimic this - if you accidentally slanted the joystick while you pushed it, the ball would spin. However with '09 you do that through commands. That is, it no longer cares how well you "swing" in the game. I find this to be a step backwards.

The in-game challenges are fun. You have one long string of players you can challenge - and you can take on whatever ones you have enough points to take on.

Your skill is now based on how well you play. If you start hitting the ball accurately, your accuracy skill gets higher. So as you build up real in-game skills, the stats of your character reflects that.

The graphics and sounds are, of course, stunning. You really can immerse yourself into the golf world, listen to the sounds of the course around you, watch the clouds drifting, and feel like you are there. Yes, I'd recommend being on an ACTUAL course and getting some exercise - but how about when it's rainy? Snowy? Lightning storms? This is the perfect alternative to keep your golf interests well tuned until you can actually get out onto that green grass again.

So a few minor complaints, but I understand why they made the changes.

Well recommended.

Buy Tiger Woods 09 from Amazon.com