Tiger's in a rut. He three-putted from three feet, then shanked his tee shot into you struggled and customizes a drill that the trees on the next hole. Playing on one will sharpen your swing. "We want you to good leg again? No. But the guy controlling work at it," says the game's development him was playing with a shaky thumb. Not to director, Sean Wilson. "We have four worry. In Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09, Tiger's attributes for you to work on: power, swing coach, Hank Haney, is on board to accuracy, short game and putting. work out the virtual kinks in your game. As you hit bad shots, Hank generates
In fact, Haney dissects your swing after challenges that appear as circles out every round. If you're having problems in a on the course. If you hit the ball into the specific area, from tee to green, Haney circles, you'll improve those attributes."
Haney also plays a vital role in the game's new club-tuner feature. He evaluates how you hit the ball with each stick, giving you the opportunity to tune the club's loft, spin and power. Enhancing any of these categories comes with a trade-off: If you elect to have more power, you lose some of your sweet spot and are more vulnerable to hitting into the rough.
This year, that trip to the tall grass will haunt you, as your character's skill ratings change depending on your play from hole to hole. That's right, it's no longer enough to upgrade your golfer and max out his stats. Now only better play makes perfect.
Sounds like the Tiger team thought of everything. But one of the best ideas didn't make the cut. "We talked about a Tiger one-leg mode," Wilson says, "but his attributes still would've been better than everyone else's. He's just that good."
GAME ON
Our man Kenny catches up with Tiger to discuss golf, games and minor miracles.
KENNY MAYNE In the ad for this new EA game, you walk on water. What's that like?
TIGER WOODS It's nice. The water was nice and warm, too.
KM You can't really do that, can you?
TW Now, Kenny, it's all just a joke. But it is fun.
KM Do you think kids can benefit from playing video golf?
TW It certainly aids handeye coordination, but the real excitement is that it's an exact replica of the game we play—all the bounces, all the rules, all the breaks, everything. At home, I chart most of the greens we play year after year. Break for break, they got everything right. It's just incredible.
KM So you must be pretty good at this game then?
TW You know, I think I'm better at real golf. Thank God! If I wasn't, I probably wouldn't have a video game to with.
STARTING FIVE
Of the five new courses in Tiger 09, three are international: Gary Player Country Club in South Africa, the West Course at Wentworth Club in England and Sheshan Golf Club in China. Florida's Bay Hill is also new. But the coolest addition might be from out West. "Wolf Creek in Nevada is by far the favorite of the development team," says Wilson. "It's the most elevated course ever seen in Tiger. You'll have shots that are 70 feet above the fairway, so when you aim, the ball is going to go a lot farther than you think because you're so high up."