Links 2004 vs. TW09

[teambayern]

On some excellent advice I found while lurking around these forums, I picked up Links for $2 and have really enjoyed it (except for the habitual chip-ins). Now TW09 comes out and everyone seems to love it, and I have a tough decision. I've played the demo, but its tough to get a sense form three holes on default setting, as I look for more of a sim game.

For those who have both, is it worth the $60? Is online fun/lag-free?

[UofMTigerFan]

Re: Links 2004 vs. TW09

I have both and can honestly say that Links 2004 is a much better sim game. That said, this TW is very good. The online is lag free so far for me. Putting is way too easy & you can still shoot 60 out of the box if not in tour mode. TW is much better imo in tour mode than in years past as the club tuner is a nice new feature. I would treasure the links 04 game but add TW as well. Maybe give it rent if you are unsure.

[teambayern]

Re: Links 2004 vs. TW09

I have both and can honestly say that Links 2004 is a much better sim game. That said, this TW is very good. The online is lag free so far for me. Putting is way too easy & you can still shoot 60 out of the box if not in tour mode. TW is much better imo in tour mode than in years past as the club tuner is a nice new feature. I would treasure the links 04 game but add TW as well. Maybe give it rent if you are unsure.

Thanks for the thoughtful response!

[fishepa]

Re: Links 2004 vs. TW09

I just played Links 04 last night as a matter of fact, still a great game, the swing physics and ball physics are still top notch.

[OnlookerDelay]

Re: Links 2004 vs. TW09

I would suggest that you rent TW 09, play in Tour Pro mode, and build your player until you can get sweetspots below 25% through the club tuner, while holding your player attributes around 8, overall average. This has made TW 09 present a reasonable challenge for me at this point. I get worn out with this configuration online, but the offline stuff is much better this way.

I still don't like the multiple putter range mechanic that Tiger uses, and I'm always weary of recommending the game to hardcore simmers because of it. Links 2004 has a better swing interface from top to bottom, IMO. I do like the new swing feedback mechanism that Tiger Woods 09 uses. It will help you see where and how your swing was carried out. Links 2004 didn't have this, but had enough "feel" to where it wasn't as critically needed.

[mgoblue]

Re: Links 2004 vs. TW09

I would suggest that you rent TW 09, play in Tour Pro mode, and build your player until you can get sweetspots below 25% through the club tuner, while holding your player attributes around 8, overall average. This has made TW 09 present a reasonable challenge for me at this point. I get worn out with this configuration online, but the offline stuff is much better this way.

I still don't like the multiple putter range mechanic that Tiger uses, and I'm always weary of recommending the game to hardcore simmers because of it. Links 2004 has a better swing interface from top to bottom, IMO. I do like the new swing feedback mechanism that Tiger Woods 09 uses. It will help you see where and how your swing was carried out. Links 2004 didn't have this, but had enough "feel" to where it wasn't as critically needed.

With TW09 do you still get the "massively crazy mis-hit (dash to avoid filter)" out of bounds shot once or twice a round, even when you weren't messing up the swing that badly? Does the swing feedback mechanism really help you learn? On TW08 I always felt I was consistent but randomly I'd shank one 90 degrees and not know why....ended up frustrating me to no end.

[Klocker]

Re: Links 2004 vs. TW09

I would suggest that you rent TW 09, play in Tour Pro mode, and build your player until you can get sweetspots below 25% through the club tuner, while holding your player attributes around 8, overall average. This has made TW 09 present a reasonable challenge for me at this point. I get worn out with this configuration online, but the offline stuff is much better this way.

I still don't like the multiple putter range mechanic that Tiger uses, and I'm always weary of recommending the game to hardcore simmers because of it. Links 2004 has a better swing interface from top to bottom, IMO. I do like the new swing feedback mechanism that Tiger Woods 09 uses. It will help you see where and how your swing was carried out. Links 2004 didn't have this, but had enough "feel" to where it wasn't as critically needed.

yes I rented TW09 and while at first the putting just pissed me off, once I figured out the multiple putting range thing, I now just adjust the range to 100% value (typically 40'- 20' for short putts) and am learning to putt within that range. Not Links but it might work. It's harder to get to a realistic (Read: reliable) control than Links since the value is constantly changing for your backswing. Not to mention I have to manually move the value nearly every time I putt.

as for a swing feedback system, yea TW09 is slick but Links does have the colored swing trails (real time varying thicknesses of yellow-fade, blue-draw I believe) which was pretty intuitive since you were watching it while swinging

I actually was about to chitcan tiger after the first 1/2 hour play through due the wonky putting system as having save $60 but after tinkering with the putting distance mechanism, tuning my clubs to a lower sweet spot and playing tour mode with fast greens, long rough... I ended up playing for about 3 hours straight.

just wish there were damed saves... all of these great features and no save system for rounds sucks donkey balls

[DivotMaker]

Re: Links 2004 vs. TW09

1. With TW09 do you still get the "massively crazy mis-hit (dash to avoid filter)" out of bounds shot once or twice a round, even when you weren't messing up the swing that badly?

2. Does the swing feedback mechanism really help you learn? On TW08 I always felt I was consistent but randomly I'd shank one 90 degrees and not know why....ended up frustrating me to no end.

1. I have not had one yet. Club Tuner lets you assign the kind of difficulty you prefer for your skill level.

2. Absolutely. It is one of THE best features of TW09....

[mgoblue]

Re: Links 2004 vs. TW09

1. I have not had one yet. Club Tuner lets you assign the kind of difficulty you prefer for your skill level.

2. Absolutely. It is one of THE best features of TW09....

Thanks...I'll keep it on my radar for when I've got more time. I really liked Tour Pro difficulty, but I'd have random crazy shanks that didn't seem to have any link to my swing...drove me nuts on 360 and ruined a ok game for me.

[beardofspock]

Re: Links 2004 vs. TW09

You really have no recourse if you screw up the swing in 09, if you screw up YOU screwed up.