Name: Mean 18 Ultimate Golf
Platform: Atari 800
Region: USA
Media: Cartridge
Controller: Joystick
Genre: Sports - Golf
Gametype: Prototype
Release Year: 1989
Developer: Accolade
Publisher: Atari
Players: 1 or 2 VS
Programmer: James V. Zalewski, Rich Unruh
Musician: Joe Simpko
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Pebbele Beach and St. Andrews are two of the courses on offer in this golf simulation, released in the early years of 16-bit technology. The three-click control system was used, whereby the first click starts the swing, the second sets the power, and the third sets draw or fade.

Beginner and Expert difficulty options are given - the latter mode has more pronounced draw and fade effects, making the timing of the third click even more crucial. You can also choose between regular and professional tees - in the latter option the distance on the holes is longer, and the computer doesn't choose the best club automatically. Because long drives aren't a crucial aspect of many of the holes, the Begginer/Expert setting is a bigger factor on your likely scoring. A uniquie feature for the day was the course designer, which was quite versatile with practice.

Trivia:

Was one of the first (if not the very first) golf games with the "tap to swing, tap for power, tap for hook/slice" control metaphor that has survived well into the 1990s.

http://www.mobygames.com/game/apple2gs/mean-18
