Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Sid Meier’s SimGolf places you in the dual role of architect and manager, tasking you with designing every aspect of an 18-hole golf course from scratch. You decide the layout of each fairway, risk versus reward placements of bunkers, and the undulations of the greens themselves. The intuitive tile-based interface makes it straightforward to sculpt hills, dig water hazards, and plant trees, giving you full creative control over the look and feel of your course.

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But course design is only half the fun. SimGolf also challenges you to manage the resort surrounding your fairways. You set membership fees, hire staff to maintain the grounds, and build amenities such as practice ranges, snack bars, and putting greens. Balancing your budget between expansion and upkeep is a constant strategic puzzle, especially as your reputation grows and demand for new features increases.

In a clever twist inspired by The Sims, your virtual golfers don’t just pay green fees and vanish—they walk your course. These Sims may approach you with friendly wagers or even issue a challenge to play a quick nine holes. Taking the clubs in hand adds a lighthearted minigame that tests your swing timing and course knowledge, providing a welcome break from the high-level management tasks.

Graphics

While SimGolf’s visuals might seem modest by today’s standards, they remain charming and highly functional. The isometric view gives you an excellent vantage point for both design and management. Terrain changes are clearly rendered, making it easy to spot low spots that flood and slopes that could send a ball careening off-course.

The game uses a bright, colorful palette that brings each hole to life. Trees sway gently in the breeze, water features reflect sunlight, and animated golfers stroll from tee to green. Although character models are simple, their expressive animations—wiping sweat from their brows or celebrating a birdie—add personality to your resort and remind you that your decisions affect real Sims lives.

Menus and icons are cleanly laid out, with tooltips that explain every feature from club selection to staff salaries. Information overlays let you visualize soil quality, turf moisture, and customer satisfaction. Together, these graphical touches ensure you always know exactly how your course is performing and where improvements are needed.

Story

SimGolf doesn’t follow a traditional linear narrative, but it weaves a compelling story through your evolving resort. Each campaign scenario sets you in a different town with its own challenges—perhaps a sleepy seaside village hungry for tourism or a mountain resort where winter storms threaten to ruin your putting greens. These scenarios unfold like chapters, giving you clear objectives and deadlines.

As you progress, rival course owners and local townspeople comment on your success (or failures) in colorful ways. A local newspaper might praise your innovative water features or lampoon your overpriced clubhouse. These narrative flourishes create an emergent story that feels personalized; you’ll remember the time a sudden drought nearly bankrupted your course or the week you broke attendance records with a celebrity charity tournament.

Though there’s no cast of deep characters, the Sims who inhabit your resort develop distinct personalities. Competitive golfers, casual weekend warriors, and demanding VIP members all have unique preferences. Catering to their needs—such as adding shaded rest areas for elderly visitors or hot tubs for luxury seekers—adds a layer of narrative depth to what could otherwise be a purely mechanical exercise.

Overall Experience

Sid Meier’s SimGolf strikes a delightful balance between creative freedom and strategic challenge. Course architects will relish the sandboxes of terrain editing, while business-minded players will find satisfaction in fine-tuning membership tiers and amenities. The ability to step off the golf cart and play a round yourself adds variety and charm that sets SimGolf apart from other tycoon titles.

Its approachable learning curve makes it accessible to newcomers, but deeper management mechanics—such as soil composition, dynamic weather effects, and visitor satisfaction metrics—keep veterans engaged. Occasional micromanagement can feel demanding, especially when unexpected events like droughts or course inspections arise, but overcoming these hurdles is part of the appeal.

More than twenty years after its release, SimGolf remains a standout in the simulation genre. Its blend of design, management, and lighthearted golf play creates a uniquely relaxing yet rewarding experience. Whether you’re a fan of Sid Meier classics or looking for a golf game with real depth, SimGolf offers hours of replayability and creative satisfaction. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys building, strategizing, and occasionally sinking that perfect hole-in-one.

Retro Replay Score

7.5/10