Visually, Tiger is stunning. The courses are recreated to perfection with every blade of grass intact, every bunker dug to accuracy, and every green with the right amount of breaks, slopes, and imperfections. Even the trees and the water are recreated with realistic results. Watching these beautiful landscapes react to the realistic sunlight effects makes the game even more beautiful. What’s more, there is finally a real crowd that serves as spectators during rounds of golf. They are not just for show either, as these patrons are subject to being hit by a wild ball just like any other item in the background environment. Heck, it is almost like a mini-game in its own right trying to hit spectators and watching them fall. Speaking of hitting, the ball physics are the most authentic I have seen in a golf title thus far. Depending on how the ball is struck is how the ball will react, which makes for a realistic outing. Even though the courses are the game’s highlight, the golfers are no slouches either. Accurately modeled and brimming with emotion, you can feel the intensity, anger, or pure joy oozing out of your golfer after each shot. The more I play, the more intricate details I notice, which makes me appreciate what the folks at EA has planned for the next generation of golf titles.

Audio has not changed much from previous versions of Tiger though. I was hoping for a broader and more dynamically rich sound coming from this title, but alas, most of the sounds are carried over from prior version of the game. Fehrety and McCord bring their insightful and humorous comments to the game, the crowd “oohs” and “ahhs” appropriately, and the sound effects are true to life. Just do not expect to hear something you haven’t already heard before.

Tiger on the 360 plays much like previous versions of the game, but the new ball physics makes the gameplay just feel much more realistic. Knowing the sport, what clubs to use, reading the wind, etc. will determine how well you succeed in Tiger 06. You still use the right analog to put spin and lift on the ball, which is a feature I am happy to see, carried from the current gen console. In addition, the new putting system is in place, which forces you to read the green rather than having a caddy tell you where exactly you should move your club. Like real golf, if you cannot read the green and have no sense of touch, you will find yourself 2, 3, and 4 putting your way onto the bottom of the leaderboard. This intense realism may push casual gamers away, but I say, good-bye and don’t let the clubhouse door hit you on the butt on the way out.

Tiger is missing a few modes that made the previous version so compelling. The aforementioned mini-games are gone, but more importantly the real time calendar feature is nowhere to be found. I enjoyed these little challenges that allowed me to obtain gear that I couldn’t buy typically in the pro shop. What remains is quick play, online play, game face (create a golfer), and career mode. This career mode is not the same one carried over from the current gen titles either. I personally think this is a great stepping-stone on how the career mode should be implemented. You start off having to perform various shot competitions such as Par 5, Long Range, Pitching, Putting, and many other challenges that will not only improve your game, but also teach you how to master each part of the game. Heck, you can’t even enter the PGA Tour until all of these feats are met, but believe me, the work and effort is worth it, as you will need to be at your best if you ever want to win that green jacket. The online mode is typical matchups with no frills or tourneys. Overall, there is a lot of golfing to do in Tiger on the Xbox 360.

I am extremely happy with the direction that EA is taking this series, and if EA brings back the real time calendar, course creator, and adds many more courses and options, this may tie up my gaming time between rounds of real golf.