Derided as the sad geek of the console world, golf games have always been bullied and brow-beaten by the more popular shoot 'em ups and platformers.

But PGA Tour 2002 has beefed itself up, got a big friend in the shape of Tiger Woods and is ready for some pay back.

While golf games have always been hugely playable, they have been seen as the province of lazy gamers who can't be bothered to hit the real links.

However, this year's edition of PGA Tour is sure to win a host of new fans, assuming they can get past the purchasing stage.

If you do take the chance, you will be rewarded with one of the best golfing games ever made. It may as well be called The Widowmaker as this is one game that is impossible to put down.

Taking control of Woods himself or a host of real players and wacky fictional characters, your task is to hit the course, whack a few balls about and make a huge wad of cash.

Featuring six new courses, including Sawgrass, Princeville Resort and England's Royal Birkdale, there is plenty of variety but, as always, the most important aspect is the gameplay and it is virtually faultless.

Tiger Woods 2002 opts for analogue control for the club actions. If you push forward on the stick before your golfer can get to the top of his or her swing or if you wait too long to push forward, your drive will come up short.

Any movement to the left or right on the stick will cause your drive to slice or fade.

The controls take a fair bit of getting used to but the game has a tutorial that you have to play through before any of the gameplay modes open up.

This puts the kibosh on instant pick-upand-

playability but it is an ultimately rewarding and hugely enjoyable way of playing the game.

Eighteen-hole games must be played in one go, rather than having the option of saving and continuing at a later date but this is an essential purchase for those who won't settle for anything but the best.

Price: £39.99.

Contact: www.ea.com
Feel good factor: 9 out of 10.