It’s time to hit the links, and you’ve never done it quite like this before!
When you think of golf, you generally think of lush green fairways and perfectly manicured greens that are peppered with natural hazards along the way. As players use an assortment of clubs, including drivers and irons, to propel their balls forward in an effort to sink them into a hole in the least amount of strokes, the challenges are everywhere. Water hazards can create a wet distraction that can quickly derail even the most seasoned golfer. Meanwhile, sand traps require a special club to blast through the mess.
Over the years, many products have made an attempt to bring the experience home, but they’ve usually been very similar — a putting green with a fixed hole or something with a mini-golf theme. Now, Buffalo Games has cracked the code.
Golf: The Game is a surprise hit in our house. It’s a new spin on the classic sport that actually manages to work elements of the real deal into a family game for 1-4 players that can be enjoyed indoors or out. It’s way more than just a putting green.
Golf includes three club heads, four plastic golf balls, a pretend sand trap and water hazard, a cup-style hole, and a flag to sit atop the green. The club itself actually features a miniature golfer at its end that swings whichever of the three club heads is attached. Players squeeze the trigger on the club to make the mini-golfer swing!
At the beginning of the game, one player decides the layout for the hole. To make things challenging, you can place items under the green to change the terrain, or use household items to create new obstacles. While you won’t find a random coyote, alligator, or dancing gopher (see: Caddyshack) roaming the course, rumor has it that cats and dogs may be on the prowl!
Like the real game, players take turns in an effort to sink their ball in the least amount of strokes. Players keep score and the winning player for each hole decides the layout for the next one. After nine holes, players add up their scores and the lowest wins and probably has to buy drinks at the clubhouse (whatever’s in the kitchen fridge).
Golf is recommended for kids ages 8 and up, but it’s something that adults will love as well. We played this at our house during the holiday season and it was an immediate hit with all ages. Even without setting up the course for a full nine holes, it’s fun to just set up the green and take some practice swings.
And, in colder months or on rainy days, Golf is just the thing to conjure up feelings of warm days enjoying the course outdoors. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to hit the links with some Kenny Loggins cranked up!
