Links: The Challenge of Golf - Manual
Installing LINKS on your hard drive:
- LINKS must be installed on a hard drive and requires approximately
1.9 Mb of free space.
- You should use the INSTALL program to load LINKS onto your hard
drive.
- INSTALL will create a subdirectory called "LINKS" and copy all files
from the floppy disks into the LINKS subdirectory.
Running the INSTALL program:
1. Insert DISK 1 in the drive you wish to install from.
2. From the Workbench
a. Double click on LINKS1 Icon.
b. Double click on LINKS INSTALL Icon.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete installation.
Alternate Installation Method:
If the INSTALL program fails to operate properly, you may install
LINKS manually from the CLI as follows:
STEP 1. Change directories to the drive on which you wish to
install LINKS.
STEP 2. Insert the LINKS Disk 1 into drive df0:.
STEP 3. Type: COPY df0:LINKS to LINKS ALL [Enter]
STEP 4. Repeat Steps 2 & 3 with Disk 2 and Disk 3.
IMPORTANT NOTE: LINKS requires 530K of free memory at runtime to operate
properly.
Memory Usage:
LINKS requires at least 1 meg to operate. If you have extra memory,
LINKS can use this memory to pre-load course data, graphics and sound.
This will save loading time and can significantly increase drawing
speed and speed of play.
Using a mouse:
Most actions are performed using the left mouse button. In some
cases, double clicking on a selection may be substituted for pressing
the OK button.
START SECTION - RUNNING LINKS
To start LINKS from CLI:
1. Type: CD LINKS [Enter]
2. Type: LINKS [Enter]
To start LINKS from the Workbench:
1. Double click on the LINKS Drawer then
2. Double click on the LINKS Icon.
The Title Sequence and Credits will appear. If you wish to bypass the
title sequence, press the < SPACE BAR >.
PLEASE NOTE: You can run LINKS without the title screen by typing:
GOLF [Enter]
MAIN SELECTION SCREEN
After the Title, you will automatically come to the Main Selection
Screen. This is essentially your Home Base, and you have several
options available:
START - Begin a round of golf.
PRACTICE - Head to the practice area.
RESUME - Resume playing a previously saved game.
PLAYERS - Add a new player or modify an existing player's preferences.
SYSTEM - Modify your equipment setup specifications.
INFO - Review Update Information on this version of LINKS.
EXIT - Exit LINKS and return to the system.
BEGINNING A ROUND OF GOLF
While in the Main Selection Screen, move the cursor over the START box
and click on the left button.
SELECTING A COURSE TO PLAY
Choose a course from the COURSE LIST, then click [OK]. LINKS comes
with one Championship Course, Torrey Pines. Additional courses will
be available over the next few months.
SELECTING THE PLAYERS
Only players whose names are on the GAME LIST will participate in the
round about to be played. Players are added to the GAME LIST by
choosing (clicking on) names from the PLAYER FILE. With this sytem,
it is only necessary to enter a player's name and preferences once.
You can have as many players as you wish in the PLAYER FILE and then
select up to 8 to participate in the upcoming round.
If your name is not in the PLAYER FILE, click on the ADD box. This
will bring up the ADD PLAYER screen. Simply type your name and press
ENTER. Notice that your preferences have been highlighted in yellow.
If you wish to change them, you can do so by clicking on the
appropraite box. (Refer to the PLAYERS Section for more information on
ADDING and MODIFYING players and prefs.) When your GAME LIST is
complete, click on [OK]. Note: Names can be removed from the GAME LIST
by clicking on them.
SELECTING THE NUMBER OF HOLES, TEES AND PLAY LEVELS
The last screen to appear before you tee off is called the READY TO
PLAY screen. Here you can choose to play 18 holes or the Front or
Back 9. You are also given the opportunity to temporarily change your
preferences. You can have a different playing level and different
tees for this round if you choose. Simply click on the appropriate
boxes and when all is READY, click on [OK].
NOTE: LEVEL refers to either PROfessional, AMateur, or BEGinner. On
the PRO level, swing timing is very critical, but you can obtain
the greatest distance. AMateur is not as demanding on timing,
but your distance is decreased approximately 10%. The BEGinner
level is the most forgiving for bad timing, but is about 20%
short of the PRO level on distance. The beginners level, which
also has no wind effect, was designed for children. Serious
golfers should use the AMateur or PRO levels.
Please refer to the PLAYERS Section for instructions on how to make
permanent preference changes.
ON THE TEE
The course is in great shape, fairways lush and green. You select
your driver (ignoring your buddy's wise crack)...take a practice
swing...and drive one right down the middle!
THE SWING PANEL
The panel at the lower part of the screen is called the Swing Panel
and its various features are defined on the following pages.
SWING
Clicking on this button will swing the club. The swing must
be performed in the following manner to produce a good stroke.
Step 1. Move the cursor over the word SWING.
Step 2. PRESS AND HOLD the left mouse button. THIS STARTS THE
SWING.
Step 3. RELEASE the button when the indicator reaches the top.
THIS SETS THE POWER LEVEL FOR THE STROKE. (A yellow
line will mark the point of release.)
Step 4. Press the left button again when the indicator reaches
the bottom green mark. THIS IS CALLED THE SNAP. If
the snap occurs exactly at the green mark, you have
hit a perfectly timed shot. (A yellow line will mark
the point of your snap.)
The swing sequence is PRESS & HOLD - RELEASE - PRESS
ADDRESS
The Address feature lets you back away from the ball to take
practice swings.
Click on the left arrow to move away from the ball. Click on
the right arrow to address the ball.
NOTE: If you are just beginning to play for the first time,
back away and take a few practice swings.
MISSING THE MARK
If you miss the mark on the Snap, an error is introduced. The
further you miss, the greater the error and the worse the
shot. On Beginner and Amateur levels, the errors are less
severe than on Professional.
OVERSWING
During the backswing, power level continues to increase until
it reaches its maximum just before the indicator starts back
down. If you release the button at this point, you will
achieve maximum power and therefore maximum distance. There
is a catch, however. The Red Zone at the top of the indicator
is called the Overswing area. If you release in this area,
be prepared to pay a heavier price if you miss the green mark
at the bottom. The higher you reach for that extra power, the
more severe the error if you miss the mark.
CLUB Selection
You are allowed 13 clubs plus the putter in your bag. The
small window above the word CLUB indicates your current club
selection. Click on the left or right arrows to change clubs.
NOTE: Changing clubs has no effect when you are putting.
CLUB DISTANCES
DRIVER 1 (D1) 275 yds (Low Loft - 9.5 degree loft)
DRIVER 2 (D2) 275 yds (High Loft - 12 degree loft)
2 WOOD (2W) 260 yds
3 WOOD (3W) 250 yds
4 WOOD (4W) 235 yds
5 WOOD (5W) 215 yds
6 WOOD (6W) 200 yds
7 WOOD (7W) 190 yds
1 IRON (1I) 235 yds
2 IRON (2I) 220 yds
3 IRON (3I) 205 yds
4 IRON (4I) 195 yds
5 IRON (5I) 185 yds
6 IRON (6I) 172 yds
7 IRON (7I) 160 yds
8 IRON (8I) 148 yds
9 IRON (9I) 135 yds
Pitching Wedge (PW) 120 yds
Sand Wedge (SW) 90 yds
Loft Wedge (LW) 70 yds
Distances are based on the following:
Ball hit from a tee, landing and rolling on fairway, no wind,
normal power (Top green mark), perfect Snap, Pro Level.
POST-SHOT PANEL OPTIONS
After you have made a shot, the Post Shot Panel will appear. The
panel displays information about the shot just made, where the ball
came to rest, and who's next to hit. From this point you can choose
one of the following options:
1. CONTINUE - Continue on to your next shot or to the next player.
2. MULLIGAN - Play another shot from the same location. (Mulligans are
recorded and displayed on the scorecard.)
3. GIMME - If a player is within the GIMME distance to the hole, you
are given the option of taking a stroke and accepting your
next putt as automatically made.
4. INSTANT REPLAYS
FORWARD - View an instant replay of your last shot from above
and to the right of the normal position.
REVERSE - View an instant replay of your last shot from the
reverse angle (looking back towards your hitting
position).
BALL IN HAZARD
If you hit your ball into a hazard, you will be penalized one stroke
and will be given two options - REHIT or DROP.
REHIT - Places your ball at the point of your last shot.
DROP - Places your ball at the point where it crossed into
the hazard. LINKS will then allow you to move the
ball anywhere you choose. However, the USGA Rules
state that you can back up from this point as far as
you wish, but it must be a straight line with the pin.
NOTE: All brown areas and all water on the course are hazards.
BALL OUT OF BOUNDS
If your ball lands O.B. (over fences, off the course, etc...), you
will be penalized one stroke and will have to REHIT from the original
position.
AIMING YOUR SHOT
LINKS, automatically aligns you to 2 degress left of the pin. Even if
you have a blind shot (where you can't see the pin) you can be certain
that the green is straight in front of you. The DIRECTION you are
aiming is indicated by a red and white pole called as the MARKER.
You may control the Marker as follows:
TO TURN THE MARKER ON, move the cursor into the viewing window
and press and hold the right button.
TO RE_POSITION THE MARKER, move the cursor arrow to a new
location and press the left button.
TYPES OF SWINGS (D, S, F, 1, 2 & CHIP)
You can have up to 6 different types of swings for each club in your
bag except the putter. Although the swing types have been pre-
defined, you can change any of them at any time during play or
practice. You should only make changes if you know what you are
doing. (Refer to SETUP for more information.)
Below is a description of the various types of swings. The swing type
is selected by clicking on the appropriate box on the Swing Panel.
[D] Draw - A slight hook (Ball moves to the left)
[S] Straight - A straight shot
[F] Fade - A slight slice (Ball moves to the right)
[1] Custom shot to be setup by the player. Currently set
to Straight.
[2] Same as 1
[CHIP] Chip Shot - Straight
CHIPPING
When you are close enough to CHIP, LINKS will give you that option
automatically. Chipping gives you a shorter, more controlled shot.
The SWING INDICATOR for the CHIP is different than for FULL SWING.
First time players should practice chipping on the Driving Range or
Practice Green or use the Mulligan option to practice on the course.
PUTTING
Once you are on the green, LINKS will select your putter auto-
matically. The putter swing is different than other swings. It is
not necessary to press the button the second time (at the snap point).
First time players should go to the Practice Green or use the Mulligan
option to practice putting. Use the GRID option to lay a non-
obtrusive grid on the green to help you determine an accurate read.
ADDITIONAL SWING PANEL OPTIONS
GRID
When you click on the GRID box, a light green grid will be placed over
the ground to assist on reading the terrain. The GRID can be used
anywhere on the course.
ROTATE
If you find yourself directly behind a tree or other obstruction, you
can turn left or right using the ROTATE function. Click on the left
or right arrows in the ROTATE Box. The window displays the degrees
of rotation relative to the pin direction. When you reach the desired
angle, click on the REDRAW Box.
TOP VIEW
Activating this option will show you a top-view of the current hole
and the flashing ball indicates the positions of the current player.
DROP
Clicking on this box will allow you to pick up your ball and move it
to a new location. This is called a drop and you will be penalized
one stroke unless your ball is on the cart path. LINKS will allow
you to move the ball anywhere you choose, but the USGA Rules of Golf
state that you must "drop" it within two club lengths of the original
spot (but no closer to the hole) or you can back up (straight away
from the pin) as far as you want. In the case of the cart path, you
must drop within one club length of the edge of the cart path, no
closer to the hole.
Note: If you hit your ball into a hazard, you will automatically
receive a stroke penalty and be given the option to rehit or to
take a drop.
LIE
Clicking on this box will show the current lie of the ball.
SETUP
Clicking on this box brings up the Swing Setup Panel. Here you are
able to adjust swing plane, stance, ball position, and club face.
Every club (except the putter) has six swing types (setups) assigned
to it (D, S, F, 1, 2 & CHIP). An explanation of the physics of
hitting the ball and ball flight dynamics is outside the scope of this
game and this manual. We have included these parameters to allow the
advanced golfer to make changes that may more closely approximate his
own "real" game.
IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING, DO NOT CHANGE THESE SETTINGS!
If you want to experiment, set up a separate player and go to the
driving range. There you will be able to make changes and see their
effects. When you're finished, you can delete the experimental player
from the Player File. Changing every setup is a significant effort
since there are 20 clubs with 6 swing types for each, or 120 settings.
(Refer to the heading Types of Swings for more information on the
standard default settings.)
Note: Stance has no real effect on the ball in LINKS. Open or closed
stance was included to help give the player the look and feel
of his/her actual setup.
WIND INDICATOR
The Wind Indicator is the green arrow at the far left edge of the
Swing Panel. When the arrow is pointing down, the wind is blowing
towards you. Just to the right is the Wind Strength Indicator. A
full yellow bar represents a wind velocity of approximately 30 mph.
Wind fluctuations affect the ball while it is flight.
OPTIONS Panel
Clicking on the OPTIONS box brings up the Game Options Panel. The
following options are available:
QUIT GAME
Click here to end the game and return to the Main Selection Screen.
SAVE GAME
Click here to SAVE a game in progress.
SOUNDS
Click on the sound boxes to switch various sounds on or off. If you
have a slow machine, turning the sounds off may help the game play
better.
DRAWING DETAIL
Clicking on these boxes will change the level of detail for drawing
the terrain. MAXIMUM detail requires the longest drawing time, but
looks the best. We suggest you experiment with the various combin-
ations to find which ones work best for your speed of machine. We
suggest MAX, MED, MIN for Close, Mid, Far respectively.
If your machine is quite slow, you may try MAX, MIN, MIN or MED, MIN,
MIN. If you have a fast machine, you may want to try MAX, MAX, MED or
even MAX, MAX, MAX.
EXIT
Click here to return to the Swing Panel.
Note: Beginner Level players are unaffected by wind.
OTHER GAME FEATURES
HITTING FROM ROUGH OR SAND
Shots hit from the rough or sand will require approximately one extra
club to achieve the same distance as those hit from the fairway.
Shots from the rough will also have reduced backspin. Shots from the
sand have somewhat greater backspin.
NEXT PLAYER
LINKS shows which player is up next before the scene is drawn so the
player can get ready. LINKS uses the Honor System and Who's Farthest
Out for tee-off and shot order.
SCORECARD AND SCORECARD PRINTOUT
At the completion of a hole, all players having finished, LINKS will
display the Scorecard for your review. After you've finished playing
a round, you'll be given an opportunity to print out your Scorecard.
Make sure your printer is plugged in and is on line.
SAVING A GAME IN PROGRESS
You can save a game in progress and resume playing at a later time.
Simply click on the OPTIONS box in the Swing Panel and then select
SAVE GAME. To resume a game, choose RESUME from the Main Selection
Screen.
Note: If you wish to continue to play on another machine, you will
have to copy the GAME FILE (.GAM) as well as the appropriate
PLAYER FILES (.PLR) and COURE FILE (.CRS) to the other machine.
QUITTING A GAME
You can terminate play at any time by clicking on OPTIONS at the Swing
Panel and then selecting QUIT GAME.
PRACTICE SECTION
LINKS contains a practice area where you can work on your driving,
chipping and putting. Simply follow these steps:
1. Select PRACTICE from the Main Selection Screen.
2. Select the PLAYER that is practicing. (The program needs
to know which PLAYER FILE to update in case changes are
made to swing setups.)
3. Select DRIVING RANGE or PUTTING AND CHIPPING GREEN.
DRIVING RANGE
While at the Range, you have access to all normal swing parameters
(i.e. CLUB, ADDRESS, SETUP, SWING types). In addition there are
options to do the following:
GO TO CHIP AND PUTT
Move to the PUTTING AND CHIPPING GREEN.
SELECT PLAYER
Change the Player that is practicing.
CANCEL
Return to the Main Selection Screen.
PUTTING AND CHIPPING GREEN
At the practice green, you also have access to all normal swing
parameters. In addition you have the ability to change the pin
(hole) position and your practice position. The following options
are available:
CHANGE POSITION
This changes the position of the pin or the golfer.
Clicking on this box will bring up a TOP VIEW of the
practice area with both positions shown as flashing
dots. You can choose CHANGE PIN POSITION or CHANGE
PRACTICE POSITION. In either case, a small icon will
appear. Simply move the mouse until the icon is in
the desired position and press the left button. When
you're happy with the new position(s), click on [OK].
Click [CANCEL] if you decide not to make any changes.
MOVE TO LAST BALL
This moves you up to the last ball hit and makes that
your practice position. Otherwise, you will continue
to hit from the same position until you select Change
Position as described above.
GO TO DRIVING RANGE
This moves you to the Practice Range.
SELECT PLAYER
This changes the Player that is practicing.
CANCEL
This returns you to the Main Selection Screen.
RESUME SECTION
This option allows you to resume a game that has been previously
saved. (See Saving a Game in Progress.) Clicking on RESUME brings
up a list of GAMES ON FILE. Simply select the game you want and click
on [OK].
Note: If you wish to continue play on another machine, you will have
to copy the GAME FILE (.GAM) as well as the appropriate PLAYER
FILES (.PLR) and COURSE FILE (.CRS) to the other machine.
PLAYERS SECTION
This option lets you build and modify your list of potential Players.
When a name is added to the list, a file is created for that Player
that contains his or her preferences for Level, Tees, and Clubs.
Clicking on PLAYERS brings up the Add/Modify Screen. The following
options are available:
ADD PLAYER
To add a player to the PLAYER LIST, simply type in the new
name and press [Enter] or click on the SAVE PLAYER DATA.
MODIFY PLAYER
To modify an existing Player's preferences, simply highlight
(click on) the name in the PLAYER LIST. The current pref-
erences for that Player will be shown in yellow. To make
changes, simply click on the desired box. If you wish to
change your selection of clubs, first de-select the ones you
don't want, then click on the desired clubs.
DELETE PLAYER
To delete an existing Player from the list, highlight the
player's name (click on it), then click on DELETE PLAYER.
USE DEFAULT SETTINGS
Click on this box to restore all preferences to the default
values.
Note: This will not return club setups to the default values.
If you want to do this, simply delete your current
player and create a new player of the same name.
Standard club setups are installed when a new player is
added.
EXIT (ESC)
Click here when you're done adding or modifying Players. All
changes will be saved to disk when you EXIT.
SYSTEM SETUP SECTION
This option allows you to set up your system to use various default
settings.
GIMME
This allows you to set the maximum distance from the hole
within which the next putt may be conceded as automatically
made.
MULLIGAN
Enables/disables the Post Shot Panel mulligan option.
MOUSE SPEED
This allows you to set the mouse pointer speed relative to the
mouse.
SOUND OPTION
You can use SOUND OPTIONS to turn off some or all of the
sounds used during game play.
INFO SECTION
Select this option to review current program update information that
may not be contained in this manual.
EXIT SECTION
EXIT and return to the system.
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Presented by SKID ROW
