HB Studios Next-Gen golf game: The Golf Club

[pk500]

I think I love that all the courses are original, but have been just as fun to play as any PGA course. I love that they trust the community to churn out some good courses. I like the sound of the driver on the ball. I actually dig the announcer guy. He's just kinda folksy, and laid back. I like that you can resume a match even if you've been disconnected. But I think what I liked best so far is that it just feels like golf. I haven't played the game in real life in forever, and don't really care to, but I'm glad I got this.

Wait until TGC course design aces start to port or create some gems for TGC 2, with original and real-life layouts. Then you'll see the INCREDIBLE value of this game start to emerge like a larvae into a gorgeous monarch butterfly.

I might shoot some trouser sauce when Craig LeVasseur brings his TGC versions of Augusta -- known as Magnolia National to avoid licensing suits -- to TGC 2. They're gorgeous and accurate as hell. Labors of love given to us for free.

[Teal]

The first thing I did last night upon firing it up was to look for "magnolia"... Lol. I had seen a YouTube video about it. Can't wait to play it.

[Aristo]

I don't disagree. It is sloppy. It may cost them customers, but like TGC, they will rectify the issues and smooth things out.

They are still a small studio, but they really can't use that excuse this time.

That being said, returning a game after 2 hours tells me someone did not really want the game to begin with.

Microsoft offers refunds on digital games if you have less than 2 hours of play time. The two hours I had were bad. From reading impressions, the issues I had were prevelent for many others.

Buy yeah, you caught me! I don't want the game nearly as bad as you do. But I play golf games. I've played noted the EA games for a decade. I played PGA 2000 and Links. And I like arcade golf games, too., like Golden Tee, Birdie King, Powerstar Golf. As for TGC2, I thought their Societies mode looked awesome. I thought the game would be more polished than their first effort.

Honestly, getting a refund never crossed my mind until I saw someone mention it in a forum this afternoon. And the reality is, I really didn't feel like going back to the game. At best, I was going to shelve it until it's fixed. But once I realized I could get a refund, it was a no brainer. I can always buy it again later. It's never going to cost more than $40.

[RobVarak]

Unplayable with this server instability. Very frustrating

[Jimmydeicide]

you can play the TGC official courses offline

[DChaps]

My only complaint is that my son -- who was a par or slightly below player in TGC 1, like me -- is struggling to adjust to the new, more precise swing mechanic of TGC 2. We share a Gamertag, so he's pooching my stats and handicap, big time!

You probably know this, but if you want your son to have his own gamertag, you can do that without incurring additional cost of an Xbox Live Account. I did that with my son so that we could race against each other's ghosts in Forza.

http://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-one/ ... g-features

http://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-one/ ... n-xbox-one

http://support.xbox.com/en-US/my-accoun ... unt-online

https://support.xbox.com/en-US/browse/x ... membership

[vader29]

Unplayable with this server instability. Very frustrating

[Pete]

Unplayable with this server instability. Very frustrating

As Anton goes, so goes HB Studios.

[Danimal]

While I haven't had any disconnects on the PC there is clearly something wrong server wise. I don't see any leader boards at any course I select. I also was unable to play the society tournament John set up.

Where is this range option people are talking about, I didn't see it. I love the ball physics, I duck hooked a 3 wood and it bounced off a stone bridge and ended up on the green.

I think it will be sometime if ever before I go to Tour clubs. I hit maybe 40% of my fairways with Player clubs. Luckily I can scramble decently or my scores would be off the charts.

[pk500]

Unplayable with this server instability. Very frustrating

Jared and Guilfoyle building "Anton!" Love it. My favorite comedy on TV, by far.

[pk500]

My only complaint is that my son -- who was a par or slightly below player in TGC 1, like me -- is struggling to adjust to the new, more precise swing mechanic of TGC 2. We share a Gamertag, so he's pooching my stats and handicap, big time!

You probably know this, but if you want your son to have his own gamertag, you can do that without incurring additional cost of an Xbox Live Account. I did that with my son so that we could race against each other's ghosts in Forza.

http://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-one/ ... g-features

http://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-one/ ... n-xbox-one

http://support.xbox.com/en-US/my-accoun ... unt-online

https://support.xbox.com/en-US/browse/x ... membership

Thanks, The Donald. I also discovered my son was using Tour clubs! I tried them -- holy sh*t, what a challenge.

Standard clubs are too easy to hit straight. Tour clubs are diabolical. Looks like Player clubs will be our sweet spot for now.

[AcemanPR]

I completed my 2nd round with Tour clubs. First round I shot 91, 2nd round I improved and shot 81. I'm going to stick with them a little long and hope I can break par with them soon. I really love the challenge and concentration needed to hit a great shot.

[J_Cauthen]

I have created the DSP (Digital Sportspage) Society now for the PS4 version of TGC 2. Just type "DSP" in the search for course by name and you'll find it. It's a private society and to join, you simply have to request membership, and as soon as I see it, I'll acknowledge and accept you.

I've got a one day tournament at Arcadian Spring Golf Club set for today, and carrying over until tomorrow. I'm off to play my first round now, but I'll be checking back in to the Society page to accept requests. I can't wait to see my first DSP "Rival" out on the course; it will feel real at that point!

[Danimal]

JC what about the PC one, why was that tournament unplayable?

[J_Cauthen]

JC what about the PC one, why was that tournament unplayable?

Yeah, I forgot to mention that... it seems like at times the search function is pulling up TGC 1 courses, as though they would be playable in TGC 2. The game let me set up a tournament at Dunholme Manor, even though the course had not actually been published in TGC 2 yet.

I'll go in right now and see if I can't get another tournament started for today. I'll set up a 72 hole tournament for the remainder of the week for tomorrow.

[J_Cauthen]

Well that figures... I just logged into the PC version and the game won't go online. That happened repeatedly for an hour and half span last night. Anyone else having problems this morning?

[Wilk5280]

I have created the DSP (Digital Sportspage) Society now for the PS4 version of TGC 2. Just type "DSP" in the search for course by name and you'll find it. It's a private society and to join, you simply have to request membership, and as soon as I see it, I'll acknowledge and accept you.

I've got a one day tournament at Arcadian Spring Golf Club set for today, and carrying over until tomorrow. I'm off to play my first round now, but I'll be checking back in to the Society page to accept requests. I can't wait to see my first DSP "Rival" out on the course; it will feel real at that point!

Sweet, I'll hit it up this evening.

[pk500]

Thanks for in-game HUD adjustment tip. Worked a treat!

I finished a disconnected round this morning over coffee. Servers were Gibraltar-steady, as was framerate. But as my 12-year-old son said, "Dad, who else is playing now besides you?" Smart lad. Fingers crossed this stability continues into peak play hours.

I sent a request for the XB1 DSP Society. Looking forward to tournaments and good times!

LOVE this game. Such an improved product over an already excellent original.

Thanks.

[DivotMaker]

I don't disagree. It is sloppy. It may cost them customers, but like TGC, they will rectify the issues and smooth things out.

They are still a small studio, but they really can't use that excuse this time.

That being said, returning a game after 2 hours tells me someone did not really want the game to begin with.

Microsoft offers refunds on digital games if you have less than 2 hours of play time. The two hours I had were bad. From reading impressions, the issues I had were prevelent for many others.

Buy yeah, you caught me! I don't want the game nearly as bad as you do. But I play golf games. I've played noted the EA games for a decade. I played PGA 2000 and Links. And I like arcade golf games, too., like Golden Tee, Birdie King, Powerstar Golf. As for TGC2, I thought their Societies mode looked awesome. I thought the game would be more polished than their first effort.

Honestly, getting a refund never crossed my mind until I saw someone mention it in a forum this afternoon. And the reality is, I really didn't feel like going back to the game. At best, I was going to shelve it until it's fixed. But once I realized I could get a refund, it was a no brainer. I can always buy it again later. It's never going to cost more than $40.

Server load was double the average of TGC 1 on Steam yesterday. I can only assume the server loads for the consoles were far beyond what they planned for.

If they underestimated the server loads, then that is a good sign from a sales perspective, but another sign that they need more experience in their Dev Team. Issues like this can KILL the launch of any game.

Anyone remember how well the early copy users play on Twitch were? Smooth at silk as well as what we experienced in Beta on the PC. Pretty sure things will be like that once they get the loads balanced. I am going to guess they are buying more server equipment yesterday and today because these loads are also impacting TGC1 users based on the feedback in their forums.

[DivotMaker]

Thanks for in-game HUD adjustment tip. Worked a treat!

I finished a disconnected round this morning over coffee. Servers were Gibraltar-steady, as was framerate. But as my 12-year-old son said, "Dad, who else is playing now besides you?" Smart lad. Fingers crossed this stability continues into peak play hours.

I sent a request for the XB1 DSP Society. Looking forward to tournaments and good times!

LOVE this game. Such an improved product over an already excellent original.

Thanks.

Good to hear that worked PK!

[Danimal]

I switched which thumbstick I was using after a few rounds last night.

Oddly while the right thumbstick feels more comfortable for me to use, I have a hard time hitting a dead straight shot. I would say it happens less than 10% but my misses aren't killing me they are more fades and draws than slices or hooks.

Switching to the Left Thumbstick I feel like it is too close to me but I hit many more straight shots. I would say at least 5 out of every ten is dead near perfect but when I miss it is a big miss and usually a terrible slice.

I'm sure this had to due with my hand positioning and perhaps my left thumb is so close it makes it easier to stay straight, idk.

Wondering what everyone else is seeing and which control method you're using.

[J_Cauthen]

Dan, I did get a new tournament set at Arcadian Springs for the PC DSP Society a few minutes ago, and accepted Terry (Rockjaw McGraw) into the Society.

I put a number up on the leaderboard in the PS4 DSP Society at Arcadian Springs, but I'm going to keep it to myself in some of you like to play the game like I do, not knowing the final scores of your opponents, and having them unfold as the round goes on. One thing I'm really curious to see is if the final 18 hole scores for everyone are NOT shown on the leaderboard after the first hole, as I fear it will for reasons I can't elaborate on.

The TGC 1 tournament leaderboards did a great job of hiding scores at the start, maybe showing players up to 10 holes ahead of you for the round you were about to start. You would then see the scores be incrementally updated as the round unfolded, for those ahead of you, with you, and behind you on the course... it was fantastic! We really need for that to be the case in TGC 2; and if it's not, I'm going to go on a crusade with HB Studios!

[FifaInspected]

I came here looking to see what the feedback of the new version was and well.. i'm a little disappointed, but oddly, not completely surprised.

As a PS4 owner is this a safe buy today or shall I wait for the wrinkles to get ironed out?


Thanks all.

Dave

[Danimal]

The TGC 1 tournament leaderboards did a great job of hiding scores at the start, maybe showing players up to 10 holes ahead of you for the round you were about to start. You would then see the scores be incrementally updated as the round unfolded, for those ahead of you, with you, and behind you on the course... it was fantastic! We really need for that to be the case in TGC 2; and if it's not, I'm going to go on a crusade with HB Studios!

Why on earth would they change that? That is the thing I hate when playing, seeing people's final scores. It always led to cheating in past years when there was no penalty for restarting.

[DivotMaker]

I came here looking to see what the feedback of the new version was and well.. i'm a little disappointed, but oddly, not completely surprised.

As a PS4 owner is this a safe buy today or shall I wait for the wrinkles to get ironed out?


Thanks all.

Dave

Dave,

Give them a few days to get the network issues sorted....the early copy streams had none of the issues we saw yesterday and today, so stay tuned.....when the game is performing as it should, it is pretty sweet, IMO.