The most important downpoint is no doubt the hit system. The previous version added the use of the analog stick, something we could appreciate, and focused on the good timing of your hits. This year they keep working with the analog hub, but now it's not about timing anymore but the precise pulling and pushing of it to determine the force. During pulling back you see how far your golf ball will fly, which you need to confirm by correctly pushing back. Going left or right allows you to give some spin to the ball.

Perfectly controllable if you have to do those long drives on the greens, but once putting or in trouble it suddenly becomes a very clumsy and unprecise system. It's therefore good that you've got an option to revert back to the old system but I had to discover that myself after my playing sessions.

New is also the EA Sports Cup where you get to complete a full tour, something hardcore fans will know to appreciate. Unfortunately, in exchange we no longer get minigames, something that was ideal in the previous version if you wanted to relax for a couple of minutes. Another thing you won't find back is the online multiplayer, but luckily you can get have some fun locally. A positive point then is that the avatar system is still very extensively worked out, knows a lot of possibilities and keeps you going with the many extras, unlockables and the leveling system.

That this is a boring review is also due to the fact that there's little exciting to say about this so-called new version. The graphics are still very good and attractive, and the animations well done. With that, however, we come to my biggest problem about this game, and one that already after ten minutes of playing irritated me: the loading times! Adapt your avatar? Go to the toilet before your character has been loaded in. Finishing a hole? After each hit you need to wait seconds for the movie and then again until you can do the next. Choosing another mode? Prepare for a frustrating time while your PSP starts getting to speed like a middle-aged steam machine. For me a total disappointment.