Golf

Golf is the first sports game Mario participated in. It is a game for the NES released in 1984. It is based on the sport of the same name. It could also be played on the Nintendo PlayChoice-10. In the Western version of the game, the golfer is Mario, though he is not wearing his traditional shirt and overalls. However, he is not the golfer in the Japanese version as the game Captain Rainbow would retcon the golfer's identity as Ossan. Additionally, the Game Boy port of this game would feature Mario on the cover of the Western version, but not the Japanese version.

Gameplay
The gameplay of this game is pretty simple. The player is given a ball, and a map on the right side of the screen shows the hole that they want to get to. The obstacles on the way are also over here. The player will get more points depending on how many times they hit the ball to get it into the hole. Many different types of clubs are also available.

Description from the Nintendo eShop
''Bogey, par, birdie, or Eagle. ''The score is up to you. ''Golf is 18 holes of realistic links action. Each hole has tricky hazards, so strategy is a must. ''Read the wind direction, check the distance, select a club, adjust your swing and keep your eye on the ball. Now drive it home. ''From twisting fairways and hungry sand traps to big water hazards and deceptive greens, Golf is packed with challenges. ''This version of the game does not have multiplayer fuctionality.

Vs. Stroke & Match Golf
A version of the game was released for the Nintendo Vs. System called Vs. Stroke & Match Golf. Two versions of this game exist. Vs. Stroke & Match Golf Men Version features the same player character as the NES version, but Vs. Stroke & Match Golf Ladies Version features a woman.

E-Reader
The game eventually came out for the e-reader as part of Series Three.

Card 1 of 5/codes 1-2
English flavor text: Gaze down the fairway, check your lie, and swing away–just don't forget to replace your divots! You are golfing on an 18-hole championship course, so you'd better be up to par!

+ Control Pad Up & Down selects club Left & Right changes stance

L Button + R Button Resets game to Title Screen

START Start/Pause

SELECT Not used

A Button First press-Starts the backswing Second press-Starts the downswing Third press-Determins the point of impact

B Button Not used

Card 2 of 5/codes 3-4
HOW TO PLAY Shots from the tee, fairway, and bunker A. Select a club (Press Up/Down on the + Control Pad)

B. Press the A Button 3 times to shoot.
 * 1) Press the A Button to start the backswing on the swing meter.
 * 2) Press it again to stop the backswing and start the downswing. (This determines the flying distance.)
 * 3) Press it one more time to determine how the ball curves during flight.

C. The direction you face can be changed by pressing Left or Right on the + Control Pad.
 * The arrow on the course [up arrow] indicates which direction you are facing.)

D. The WIND direction is displayed on the left side of the screen with an arrow.

Card 3 of 5/codes 5-6
HOW TO PLAY (CONTINUED)  Putting A. Press the A Button twice to putt.
 * 1) Press the A Button to start the backswing.
 * 2) Press the A Button again to start the downswing. (Where you start the downswing determines the rolling distance.)

B. The ball will be hit toward the target mark (+) on the screen. Before putting, use the + Control Pad to aim the target mark in the desired direction.

C. The (v) mark on the green indicates the grade of the turf. (The roll of the putt will change according to the conditions of the turf.)

Card 4 of 5/codes 7-8
RULES* If a ball goes OB (Out of Bounds), you are penalized 2 strokes, and the ball is played from where it was lying before going OB.

The Ocean, ponds, rivers, etc., are considered water hazards. If a ball lands in one of these, you are penalized 1 stroke, and the ball is played from a set location.

The flying distance of a bunker shot is calculated as half that of a fairway shot.

* Note: Some of these differ from real golf rules.

Card 5 of 5/code 9
Tips/Techniques Impact the ball when the swing meter is on the white line and a straight shot will be hit. If it is to the left of the line, the ball will slice.

If it is to the right, the ball will hook.

If the wind speed is great enough, it can seriously affect your drive. Make sure to check it before each shot.

Sand traps can ruin your day. Be sure to steer clear of them every chance you get.

Occasionally you'll get close to the hole without being on the green. Don't hesitate to putt the ball from where it lies–it can be a great way to make Par.

References in later games

 * Wii Sports - 9 of the holes on this game's course reappeared as the 9-hole course in this game.
 * Wii Sports Resort - The same 9 holes that appeared in Wii Sports reappeared as the back 9 of this game's course, and in the same order.

Trivia

 * This game was a purchasable NES game in the GameCube version of Animal Crossing (GCN).
 * This was the first golf game, and the first sport-themed game Mario appeared in.
 * The golfer on the box art is actually the second player.
 * Ossan was an internal name for Mario during the development of Donkey Kong.