GOLF+ - 2024 Forum Member Review

[JFish350]

17 minutes ago, GregGarner said:

I'm a 3 IRL and in the middle difficulty setting (Amateur) it's got me as a plus handicap. I haven't played enough on pro settings to really let it level out my handicap, but it wouldn't surprise me if it has me close(r) to my IRL handicap, based on my limited game play so far. The biggest boon to the Amateur settings, for me, is that you cannot miss in terms of strike depth. There are no fats, thins, toes, or heels. The only miss is face angle. (More on that below)

 

In terms of transfer (from the psychological sense), the movement pattern is close enough that you absolutely will affect your real-life golf swing. My recommendation is that you need to do enough work setting up your clubs in the game to make sure that you don't have to significantly alter your swing for gameplay because it will then transfer to the actual golf course. I experienced this the first time I played. It was a Friday night and TL;DR my Saturday morning range session was... not good. I think I spent about an hour or so on the virtual range getting my clubs dialed in so that I didn't have to make such drastic changes to my swing in the game.

HOWEVER -- I absolutely cannot, cannot, cannot swing 100% in the game with anything except driver unless I want to hit the biggest block/block-slice of my life. At the range, you can use an advanced mode to get detailed launch monitor data and my face angles on full-swing irons are like 20-30 degrees open to path! I still can't get that figured out as to why it's happening, but at least I can make an 80% iron swing and it goes on my intended line. But if I'm between clubs, I now know that I cannot take the shorter and hit it harder without missing my target by 30+ yards.  

 

Low-key the range and practice areas are one of the best features for sure. I like playing 9 at Butler Pitch and Putt for example, or reliving my recent round at the Ocean Course, but after a rough day, just vibing to some tunes (shout out to the incredible in-game music options!) and hitting some chips or some 7-irons is a great way to unwind. I have been known to head to the course after work for just this reason, and I think I'm getting the same or at least similar effect from throwing on the headset for 30 minutes. (That being said, we def gotta get you in on a scramble. It's 100x more fun than I expected.)

Awesome info, Hopefully I'll get some time this afternoon to load the game.. I can't swing yet but I can putt. 

[mynerds]

14 hours ago, Fongle said:

One issue I've been noticing more is that I can't seem to hit a nippy low chip with spin, opening the face seems to just forcibly hit a flop every time no matter how much I try down and through the ball, so it's either that or watch the ball roll out halfway across the green every time when playing Pro mode, with Pro greens. With the slower greens it's not as much of an issue, but on St Andrews especially with Pro greens I'm having to flop virtually everything, or putt from 5m off the green. Have the other testers noticed this at all? 

I hit a few dozen shots with different ball placements and shaft leans, and wasn't able to get a low chip with some spin back. My flop is significantly more consistent now though!

[mynerds]

On 8/8/2024 at 10:12 AM, GOLF PLUS VR said:

Yeah the players at the top of the rankings are REALLY good and put up some crazy scores. But the good part about the Mastercard Sweepstakes is you could shoot a million but if you get one great shot during the tournament you have a chance to win!

Revisiting this - I jumped into today's event at Butler and almost hit my first ace on the 9th. The "one great shot" definitely feels possible!

 

 

[JFish350]

Pretty cool view they gave you. 

[mynerds]

19 minutes ago, JFish350 said:

Pretty cool view they gave you. 

You actually pick the view - you can place yourself and look around wherever you want during shot replays. You can make things as cinematic as you'd like, though aiming the camera is easier said than done.

I'll also say that there's a real ambiance to the environment that's fun to explore. I bounced around in the range to see where I could get to and found a nice spot that overlooks the whole range (which spans 300+ yards). It still very much a video game environment but the depth perception provided in the headset is really immersive. It's hard to overstate that point.

[JFish350]

32 minutes ago, mynerds said:

You actually pick the view - you can place yourself and look around wherever you want during shot replays. You can make things as cinematic as you'd like, though aiming the camera is easier said than done.

I'll also say that there's a real ambiance to the environment that's fun to explore. I bounced around in the range to see where I could get to and found a nice spot that overlooks the whole range (which spans 300+ yards). It still very much a video game environment but the depth perception provided in the headset is really immersive. It's hard to overstate that point.

I meant of the shot coming in. 

[JFish350]

33 minutes ago, mynerds said:

You actually pick the view - you can place yourself and look around wherever you want during shot replays. You can make things as cinematic as you'd like, though aiming the camera is easier said than done.

I'll also say that there's a real ambiance to the environment that's fun to explore. I bounced around in the range to see where I could get to and found a nice spot that overlooks the whole range (which spans 300+ yards). It still very much a video game environment but the depth perception provided in the headset is really immersive. It's hard to overstate that point.

It would be cool if you could drop a ball and hit a few shots from up there.  

[mynerds]

25 minutes ago, JFish350 said:

I meant of the shot coming in. 

Yep - I chose where to watch it from, and you can pick where to stand for any replay. It's really nice!

24 minutes ago, JFish350 said:

It would be cool if you could drop a ball and hit a few shots from up there.  

Just confirmed, you can drop a ball up there and hit shots. It's so steep that it feels like chopping wood to get a good hit, but it works!

[GolfSpy SAM]

Took a quick 15 minute break today and played Butler Chip & Putt - TWICE.  Lol - first 9 was even-par, second nine I was 2-under.  I'm genuinely starting to get a feel for the 3/4 and 1/2 shots - something I definitely struggled with early on.  

So far I think my favorite course experience is Sweeten's Cove - it's 9 holes, but each green has two pin placements, so each approach is different.  Lots of short par-4s that SEEM very drivable - I say "Seem" because I've only driven two of the greens despite many attempts, lol. 

I also managed to play in my first scramble last night - also at Butler.  It was WAY more fun than I was anticipating, and I was playing with three random guys - my team won by 2 strokes, thanks to going birdie-birdie-birdie-birdie on the first four holes - then we matched them the rest of the way in.  

Really looking forward to getting a foursome together with the other testers and see how much fun we can have with the format.  

 

[mynerds]

It’s been a slow week for me in the game this week as our house fights off covid. Stay healthy folks!

[GregGarner]

On 8/9/2024 at 5:04 PM, mynerds said:

Just confirmed, you can drop a ball up there and hit shots. It's so steep that it feels like chopping wood to get a good hit, but it works!

One thing that is really coming through for me (that I wasn't sure how it would play out!) is they've gone a great job with the game engine in simulating both the depth perception of a lie and how it affects your shot. I had a pretty simple greenside bunker shot but it was on an aggressive downslope. I played it like I played any normal, flat-lie bunker shot and... sailed 50 yards over the green. In so many golf video games, the uphill/downhill aspect of your lie just has no bearing on the outcome of your shot, but in Golf+ you really need to adjust your swing to accommodate. IMO, that's a great feature of the game.

[GolfSpy SAM]

8 hours ago, GregGarner said:

One thing that is really coming through for me (that I wasn't sure how it would play out!) is they've gone a great job with the game engine in simulating both the depth perception of a lie and how it affects your shot. I had a pretty simple greenside bunker shot but it was on an aggressive downslope. I played it like I played any normal, flat-lie bunker shot and... sailed 50 yards over the green. In so many golf video games, the uphill/downhill aspect of your lie just has no bearing on the outcome of your shot, but in Golf+ you really need to adjust your swing to accommodate. IMO, that's a great feature of the game.

Totally agree. I've been playing mostly on Amateur (Novice, Am, Pro are the three settings you can choose), and I appreciate that they still guide your club choices a little when hitting out of thick rough. I also had a shot a couple days ago land literally up against the base of a tree - TOO lifelike if you ask me, lol. Had to chip backwards/sideways back to the fairway as my only option. 

I played the new course (Castle Pines), where next week's BMW Championship will be held: holy hard, Batman! The elevation changes REALLY come into play - it's super fun but the setting I played it on (it was a quick-game 9-holes) had the wind HOWLING, and the greens "very fast" - it was really fun and incredibly challenging. Cannot wait to see the pros take it on next week. 

[mynerds]

I was greeted with two announcements at login today - first was the new Castle Pines course, and second was this notice about the course elevation feature:

 

I guess I have to go into practice mode on the highest elevation course (anyone know which course that is?) to see how long the driver can get!

[Fongle]

10 hours ago, mynerds said:

I was greeted with two announcements at login today - first was the new Castle Pines course, and second was this notice about the course elevation feature:

 

I guess I have to go into practice mode on the highest elevation course (anyone know which course that is?) to see how long the driver can get!

That Castle Pines course looks awesome, would be very interested to try that one out

[mynerds]

Still fighting off illness this week but I was able to make time for a round over lunch. I played today’s tournament round and landed at +6 for T-19. I had a disastrous triple bogey but otherwise felt like I played well in spite of leaving several putts short.

I really enjoy the tournament mode. I wish I had started in pro mode but the small confident boost has been nice as an amateur

 

[GregGarner]

12 hours ago, mynerds said:

Still fighting off illness this week but I was able to make time for a round over lunch. I played today’s tournament round and landed at +6 for T-19. I had a disastrous triple bogey but otherwise felt like I played well in spite of leaving several putts short.

I really enjoy the tournament mode. I wish I had started in pro mode but the small confident boost has been nice as an amateur

 

One thing that I can't decide if I love or not is that in (at least the one-day tournaments) if you do a practice round, it seems to be the exact same conditions as if you just went straight into the tournament. In most circumstances, I suppose this is fine and would likely be true in terms of mirroring real life. But a couple days ago it was Pebble Beach and had a constant 26 mph wind. In that instance, the practice round was almost a cheat code for the tournament round. I think I would have preferred seeing the variation that a course like Pebble can offer where the wind can shift at a moment's notice and perhaps the practice round has 5-10 mph and the tournament round is the full-force winds (etc). 

[mynerds]

39 minutes ago, GregGarner said:

One thing that I can't decide if I love or not is that in (at least the one-day tournaments) if you do a practice round, it seems to be the exact same conditions as if you just went straight into the tournament. In most circumstances, I suppose this is fine and would likely be true in terms of mirroring real life. But a couple days ago it was Pebble Beach and had a constant 26 mph wind. In that instance, the practice round was almost a cheat code for the tournament round. I think I would have preferred seeing the variation that a course like Pebble can offer where the wind can shift at a moment's notice and perhaps the practice round has 5-10 mph and the tournament round is the full-force winds (etc). 

For me and my game as a higher handicap, it's a huge positive when it comes to improving my course management.

My decision making has improved significantly recently and I attribute a good portion of that to GOLF+. There are times where I'll go for a tough shot that I probably shouldn't or completely misjudge the best line to play in a practice round. To your point, that helps a lot (perhaps unfairly so) in GOLF+, but I've also found myself playing more conservatively (and closer to my skill level) on the course.

@GregGarner@Fongle@GolfSpy SAM - FYI I'll be on this afternoon if anyone wants to get a quick 9 or 18 in!

[GolfSpy SAM]

Completely biffed on taking a screen shot of my tourney round last night - played Spyglass at -7. Two eagles helped a LOT. 

I'm in the Bronze 1 level - and I think I was T-9. I'm hoping that, like with the VCT, people get bumped up to the level they should be in - I think the leader was at something like -12, lol

I'm finding that the more aggressive I can be off the tee, the better - so many lines you can take that make Par 5's into Par 4's - huge bonus. I definitely need to take advantage of the practice rounds - I've yet to do that and based on what you're saying, that would be a huge help. 

I didn't grab any of the replays from yesterday, but here's two from Pebble from the day before (much tougher round with that wind...). One a really sweet little chip-in from behind the green, and one a tee shot on a short par 3 where I had to play it out to the left and let the wind drift it back to the pin. Sadly, missed that birdie putt... Because real life, amirite?

Really loving the tournaments!

 

 

 

 

[GregGarner]

1 hour ago, mynerds said:

For me and my game as a higher handicap, it's a huge positive when it comes to improving my course management.

My decision making has improved significantly recently and I attribute a good portion of that to GOLF+. There are times where I'll go for a tough shot that I probably shouldn't or completely misjudge the best line to play in a practice round. To your point, that helps a lot (perhaps unfairly so) in GOLF+, but I've also found myself playing more conservatively (and closer to my skill level) on the course.

@GregGarner@Fongle@GolfSpy SAM - FYI I'll be on this afternoon if anyone wants to get a quick 9 or 18 in!

can we point out that by posting the screenshot, you've outed yourself as a lower handicap, at least for game purposes?  

[mynerds]

25 minutes ago, GregGarner said:

can we point out that by posting the screenshot, you've outed yourself as a lower handicap, at least for game purposes?  

I’ll use the excuse that the screenshot is in amateur mode as I can’t change to pro until the next tournament.

My pro handicap is +12 ish, which is significantly better than I am in real life. I struggle with consistency with my longer clubs. Once I’m within 120 yards, I’m your best friend in a scramble though .

[mynerds]

As evidence that practice does in fact help, here is today's practice round for the daily tournament at TPC Scottsdale (+5):

And here is the tournament round (+2, T-6) including my first triple birdie that netted me an achievement for tournament mode:

One downside of practicing, this 45 foot birdie on the 3rd didn't count for the top-30 shot since it was in practice mode

 

[GolfSpy SAM]

Played the TPC Scottsdale daily tournament today. Was plus one through 16 holes. Then doubled 17, and tripled 18. The ONLY drives all round that didn't fade, lol. 

Oh well. 

[Fongle]

Hey all, have been a bit quiet on the review front since the weekend, had a bit of a work emergency and had to fly interstate to help sort some things out. Fixed now at least, and I'm very much looking forward to a round or 2 the second I finish work today. If anyone's still up after 5pm AEST I'll be getting on right away today 

[Fongle]

Got 3rd in my first weekly Tournament on Pro difficulty. Left about a million putts out there though, for some reason the greens felt so much slower than I had adjusted to, and I struggled to adjust to the slower speeds.
 

[mynerds]

I switched to Pro mode for this week's tournament and was immediately humbled to see my aim issues in full display. I hit something like +20 and +16 on the first two daily rounds and had some unusual struggled with my greenside game and putting. Fortunately, those look like decent scores in Bronze 1 league and ranked in the 20's.

I made changes to my virtual wedges and putter: For the wedges, I dropped two degrees on both the lob and sand wedges to try and address leaving all of my chips ~10 yards short. For the putter, I switch from a two ball mallet to a blade with three alignment lines. I liked the alignment aid for the mallet, but found the ball to fly off the putter much faster than I expected. I don't know if the game accounts for the different physics there, but my distance control is much better with the blade now. @GOLF PLUS VR can you comment on whether the mallet and blade putters have different performance physics in game, or if my performance change was just mental?

I also now choke up almost the entire way on the physical grip on the controller when putting and the balance is much better.

Yesterday's tournament course was TPC Sawgrass from the red's with 20+ mph wind (which made the 17th particularly nerve-racking). After making the changes and doing a full practice round, I finished a much improved +5. I'll keep the current setup to see if the improvements stick around but I'm much happier with my play.

[GOLF PLUS VR]

On 8/25/2024 at 11:26 AM, mynerds said:

I switched to Pro mode for this week's tournament and was immediately humbled to see my aim issues in full display. I hit something like +20 and +16 on the first two daily rounds and had some unusual struggled with my greenside game and putting. Fortunately, those look like decent scores in Bronze 1 league and ranked in the 20's.

I made changes to my virtual wedges and putter: For the wedges, I dropped two degrees on both the lob and sand wedges to try and address leaving all of my chips ~10 yards short. For the putter, I switch from a two ball mallet to a blade with three alignment lines. I liked the alignment aid for the mallet, but found the ball to fly off the putter much faster than I expected. I don't know if the game accounts for the different physics there, but my distance control is much better with the blade now. @GOLF PLUS VR can you comment on whether the mallet and blade putters have different performance physics in game, or if my performance change was just mental?

I also now choke up almost the entire way on the physical grip on the controller when putting and the balance is much better.

Yesterday's tournament course was TPC Sawgrass from the red's with 20+ mph wind (which made the 17th particularly nerve-racking). After making the changes and doing a full practice round, I finished a much improved +5. I'll keep the current setup to see if the improvements stick around but I'm much happier with my play.

All of the equipment in the game is purely cosmetic and should not make a difference in overall performance. With that said, just like real equipment, if it looks and feels better to the eye, it can certainly help the mindset!

[mynerds]

2 hours ago, GOLF PLUS VR said:

All of the equipment in the game is purely cosmetic and should not make a difference in overall performance. With that said, just like real equipment, if it looks and feels better to the eye, it can certainly help the mindset!

Just to be clear, the purchased long clubs show +5 yards longer than the default Epic Speed clubs in-game, and the lower lofted wedges show that they fly 10 yards shorter. Are the in-game yardages correct or is it truly all cosmetic and the listed distances have typos?

Having said that, I did some testing in the driving range with the mallet (pink balls) and the blade (white balls). I hit 5 balls with one, then switched and hit 5 balls with the other and had this result:

I tried the same thing again with shorter strokes, and had this result:

Looks like it is psychological, but it does have an effect for me in game with the mallet running a little longer than the blade. Interesting!

[GregGarner]

Trying to mess around with my bag makeup. Looks like I can drop the 5w if I want another wedge, but I can't figure out a way to break up an iron set, leaving me with 3i-PW. As the game continues to evolve, I would expect to see more club options (i.e. drop the 3i and put in the Callaway UW, take out 3i and 4i, put in a driving iron and add another wedge). The low end of the bag has some gaps that I'd like to address, even if I don't have the 'compression' of distances that is typical for IRL long clubs.

[Fongle]

48 minutes ago, GregGarner said:

Trying to mess around with my bag makeup. Looks like I can drop the 5w if I want another wedge, but I can't figure out a way to break up an iron set, leaving me with 3i-PW. As the game continues to evolve, I would expect to see more club options (i.e. drop the 3i and put in the Callaway UW, take out 3i and 4i, put in a driving iron and add another wedge). The low end of the bag has some gaps that I'd like to address, even if I don't have the 'compression' of distances that is typical for IRL long clubs.

Yeah, would absolutely love to drop the 3i in the set and add a wedge instead of having to lose the 5w to help with gapping

[mynerds]

Had a +20 on Sunday when playing from the tips, but +5 when playing from the whites yesterday. These courses are LONG and the tee position clearly affects my score.

Here was a near birdie flag hit on the 15th at Quail Hollow yesterday: