The Golf Club Early Access Preview

Golf Club is a simulation driven golfing game currently available through Steam early access, developed by HB Studios. As the game is still a work in progress, players should expect and will be subject to a few issues regarding the build of the game. While Golf Club is in no doubt an enjoyable experience, that avid players of such games will have a lot of fun here. There’s also a few hiccups in the game that prevent it from appealing to newcomers. Because of this, Golf Club in early access is by no means a great entrance into the world of simulation golfing games.

Golf Club has a clear focus with online-play and this is present right from starting up the game. As it’s so heavily focused on being online, a character customization menu is present for the player to have their own identity when competing for scores and leaderboard tracking. In the game’s current state not many game modes are available.

" Right now the player is able to take part in a small number games varying from single to four player online, including a scoring-based tournament. There's also a course creator mode for players to tweak and have fun with."

They exist within the menus as an upcoming look for the final build, but are locked-off at this current point in time. Right now the player is able to take part in a small number of games varying from single to four player online, including a scoring-based tournament. There’s also a course creator mode for players to tweak and have fun with.

One thing in particular that I hope is addressed upon the game’s final release, is the lack of PC-based features and control scheme. Opening scenes present themselves through tips and tricks regarding gameplay, but only do so in catering to gamepads. There’s no button mapping nor instructions on how to play the game with a mouse and keyboard. It’s playable, but it’s also a walk in the desert scrounging for water. While the game may be best played with a gamepad M&KB support is needed. The game’s visual presence is also something that needs attention. Golf Club is a good looking game, but the optimization issues the game suffers from regarding hardware requirements and not actually matching up to what’s listed can hinder it’s enjoyability.

The game does run smooth however once you’ve got past this hurdle, but it should be noted that I had to brute-force the game with a high-end Nvidia graphics card, as well as lowering the requirements on a different lower-end laptop. Nevertheless it looks great once in play.

"Gameplay takes a strong focus to simulation and those familiar with such games. Physical stances, swing types, and yard estimations are something to be knowledgeable off."

Gameplay takes a strong focus to simulation and those familiar with such games. Physical stances, swing types, and yard estimations are something to be knowledgeable of. With that being said, golfers will most likely find more enjoyment within the game than those looking for a way into games of this nature. There’s nothing wrong with learning as you go along, and this may prove to be something of use when The Golf Club reaches it’s final release.

There’s a strong mist of curiosity as there is uncertainty, when taking part in games released through early access. As to how much Golf Club will improve and possibly add more content still remains a mystery. For the most part it’s playable, and as said previously it’s enjoyable, but this comes at a cost for lack of optimization, and a few instances of lag within menu navigation and online gameplay.

This game was previewed on the PC.