PGA Championship Golf 2000

In PGA Championship Golf 2000 Sierra has followed in the footsteps of yearly update maestros EA Sports, by providing minimum improvements to justify a full-price release.

Graphically, you'd be hard-pushed to notice any differences: greens, fairways, crowds - it all looks the same. Acoustically, nothing's changed either: the commentators' smart-arse digs remain identical and they still tell you where your ball's going to end up before it's even stopped.

In fact, at first glance you might be forgiven for thinking you've been palmed off with exactly the same game. Get a few rounds under your belt though, and the subtle, brilliant differences stand proud.

The physics engine is one of the best available. The ball bounces, kicks up, spins and bounds around the course with consummate realism. The patented Trueswing has also been adjusted to incorporate pace and tempo, and is now the most realistic swing interface ever devised.

There are five new courses and complementing this is a superb course architect. On top of that, the tournament designer means that you can now create entire seasons, with features such as prize money, adjustable cuts and hundreds of golfers. And finally, as always with the PGA series, the online clubhouse is packed full of eager virtual golfers of all standards just gagging for a round.

On the downside 40 quid is a hell of a lot to pay for what is essentially an add-on pack, and you just know that there's going to be yet another update out next year. But what can you do? PGA 2000 is currently the closest you can get to playing golf without setting foot on the coarse.