Notes: Tiger Woods' latest video game now includes caddies

text size

NEW YORK -- The addition of Augusta National to the list of courses that can be played on Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12: The Masters isn't the only big feature added to this year's release.

Gamers can now call upon the help of a caddie on every swing. The caddies, according to EA Sports, will provide "strategic advice from shot selection to reading greens."

More on Tiger's game

AUGUSTA NATIONAL: The addition of Augusta National is the "creme de la creme" of all the additions Tiger's video game has produced in its 12-year history. Click for story GROWING THE REAL GAME: How to get kids to take up the game of golf? For some, it starts with playing video games. Click for story PHOTO GALLERY: Want to see more images from the video game? Check out the photos. Click for photos OFFICIAL SITE: For more on Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12: The Masters, visit the game's official site. Click here

Want a free game?

PGATOUR.COM is giving away copies of Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12: The Masters each week on Facebook leading up to the Masters. Click here for details

The caddies will wear player bibs at most venues. But at Augusta National, they will don the white jumpsuit and green cap that is required of caddies at the Masters Tournament.

When asked if his caddie, Steve Williams, had been pushing for the caddie feature, Woods simply replied with the affirmative, "Uh-huh."

Williams didn't have any direct input in the game itself, but Woods said the addition of the caddie feature will be extremely valuable when playing Augusta National.

"Stevie's been with me since '99, but he goes way back in Masters experience prior to that," Woods said. "His knowledge is invaluable. Same thing with the video game. To have a caddie basically line you up -- that's what local knowledge is all about

"Some of the local caddies have been there so many times, they know all these breaks. For me personally, I have all the greens charted, know they break, how much they break and from where. It's nice to have that ability in the game as well."

Mike DeVault, EA's lead developer for the Tiger Woods game, said that the caddie feature was important to introduce this year because the company expects a surge in new game players thanks to the addition of Augusta National. Having a caddie should make it easier for the newbies to avoid the frustration that first-time players might experience.

DeVault also said that a caddie will help newbies to be competitive with veteran game players.

"The caddie helps level the playing field of the harder cored players versus the folks who are new or are being reintroduced to the game. And the interaction with a caddie is something no TOUR golf will give up.

"Once you play the game with a caddie, you won't want to go back to any versions without him."

MASTERS FEATURES

EA Sports didn't just stop at sticking Augusta National in its rotation of courses this year. There are other related features that will of interest to gamers:

• Tiger at the Masters -- Gamers will be able to relive each round of Woods' four wins at the Masters. Beating Tiger's score in one round will allow the gamer to advance to the next round of the competition. Thus, if you want to play the second round of the 1997 Masters (Tiger's first win at Augusta National), you'll have to shoot 70 or better in the first round. "You're playing against me at the Masters," Woods said. "That's pretty neat."

• Masters Moments -- Gamers can try to hit some of the same shots that have gone down in Masters lore, such as Phil Mickelson's second shot at the 13th hole off the pine straw last year that helped fuel his win, or Gary Player's 30 on the back nine in 1978. Altogether, there are nine Masters Moments, which gamers given a chance to either pass or master. If you manage to master all nine moments, then you get a special exemption into the Masters Tournament via the career mode.

• Par 3 course -- In addition to the 18 holes at Augusta National, gamers can also play the par-3 course.

• New announcers -- Jim Nantz, who has anchored CBS' coverage of the Masters since 1989, provides commentary for each swing. He'll be joined by CBS analyst David Feherty, who'll likely add a little levity to the proceedings.

PRESIDENTS CUP

This year's game also includes a new offline team-based mode focusing on The Presidents Cup, the biennial event that pits the U.S. versus the International team. As part of The President Cup addition, one of the new courses is Royal Melbourne, site of this year's Presidents Cup in November.

TOUR PROS AND COURSES

Here's a list of the pro golfers and the courses that are available in this year's game. Seven new players, including TOUR pros Rickie Fowler, Bubba Watson, Henrik Stenson and Zach Johnson, are now part of the game: