New to USE, but may not last long

[sandsaver01]

I have just joined this society, because Leon said it was so cool.  I played in the TST for a while, then I gave up for the following reason (no, not the putting):

I have been playing golf IRL for more than half a century, and I cannot remember more than a handful of times where I could not figure out where to aim off the tee (missed the fairway many times lol but not from aiming wrong - just a LOFT problem).  In the USE and TST I lose the majority of my strokes to par because I wind up in the heavy rough off the tee.  That POS overhead map is useless, you can't see where you are teeing off from half the time, and it doesn't even give a vague idea where you are aiming.  

Short story long, does anyone have any ideas how to aim in the correct place off the tee?  If not I do not know how long I can last in the USE.

As a last whine, this society is pretty dependent on the designer putting Waypoints in the appropriate places - I screwed myself on a couple holes by using the club automatically chosen.  I guess I should turn that feature off.

[hammers1man]

Feb 11, 2020 21:00:07 GMT sandsaver01 said:

I have just joined this society, because Leon said it was so cool.  I played in the TST for a while, then I gave up for the following reason (no, not the putting):

I have been playing golf IRL for more than half a century, and I cannot remember more than a handful of times where I could not figure out where to aim off the tee (missed the fairway many times lol but not from aiming wrong - just a LOFT problem).  In the USE and TST I lose the majority of my strokes to par because I wind up in the heavy rough off the tee.  That POS overhead map is useless, you can't see where you are teeing off from half the time, and it doesn't even give a vague idea where you are aiming.  

Short story long, does anyone have any ideas how to aim in the correct place off the tee?  If not I do not know how long I can last in the USE.

As a last whine, this society is pretty dependent on the designer putting Waypoints in the appropriate places - I screwed myself on a couple holes by using the club automatically chosen.  I guess I should turn that feature off.

Ok and you would also have the same problem on TST which also prohibits scout cam. There is an option on PC to move the camera forward that I don't use myself because it is not platform universal. I generally use the putting cam as I also turn off the pin marker so am blind on many shots. I do admit it's not realistic but it is less than the scout cam. For blind tee shots change to putter and pull the right stick back to get an elevated view of your tee shots. On the green when your reverse camera is at hole level, change to any club apart from putter to pan around the hole after pressing triangle or Y.

[Deleted]

Feb 11, 2020 21:00:07 GMT sandsaver01 said:

I have just joined this society, because Leon said it was so cool.  I played in the TST for a while, then I gave up for the following reason (no, not the putting):

I have been playing golf IRL for more than half a century, and I cannot remember more than a handful of times where I could not figure out where to aim off the tee (missed the fairway many times lol but not from aiming wrong - just a LOFT problem).  In the USE and TST I lose the majority of my strokes to par because I wind up in the heavy rough off the tee.  That POS overhead map is useless, you can't see where you are teeing off from half the time, and it doesn't even give a vague idea where you are aiming.  

Short story long, does anyone have any ideas how to aim in the correct place off the tee?  If not I do not know how long I can last in the USE.

As a last whine, this society is pretty dependent on the designer putting Waypoints in the appropriate places - I screwed myself on a couple holes by using the club automatically chosen.  I guess I should turn that feature off.

I'm not sure if this is against the rules or not but for blind shots you can switch to the putter and click down on your joystick twice (can't remember if it's left or right, might be how your swing is set up) then use the other joy stick to pull back and it will give you a line of sight. As you stated the overhead map is not accurate sometimes. Maybe the others can comment on this method. I only do it when its really necessary to get a good line.

Edit: Just saw here Hammers1man said the same thing in above post lol

[andersnm]

Welcome to USE!

Finding out where to aim can be easy, and it can be difficult. Some holes and courses are easier or more difficult than others. For example open links style courses like St Georges is alot more difficult for me than parkland courses with good views off the tee. I was used to the aiming arrow from Tiger Woods 08 before this game, and I never liked the scout cam so I didn't use that much when I first started playing the game - but heaven knows I struggled big time to get my aim correct in the beginning. I felt I missed the arrow at the start (I used a long time to get familiar with how my golfer was standing and aiming), but now I don't need it - so it is a matter of practice.

I do use the overhead map to get yardages, though I would prefer to have some more yardages on the map - Strategic points on the hole are sometimes missing so you need to guess some times, but for the most it works just fine. You can also identify bunkers, trees, mounds etc on the overhead map to help your aim. It is not necessary to see the tee for this orientation, but in my experience you usualy have the tee also on the overhead map.

Remember, aiming off the tee requires practice, just as any other part of the game. You get better at it the more you drop the stupid scout cam - yes I find it stupid

As for waypoints, my experience in the game is that this can be a bit tricky, so I always aim and choose club on every single hole and shot. (That is required either way as I have a consistent pull that I need to compensate for).

I would also remind you that 75% fairways is very good when comparing to the real PGA tour. Not using the scout cam will result in more missed fairways - but that is just realistic. It is more difficult to aim. I had in last week at Mill Ride two rounds with 42% fairways - and I deal with it and tell myself I need to get better.

[ray]

I thought using the putter cam from the tee wasn’t cool?

No complaints, just didn’t know. I’ll certainly be using it occasionally now. I always thought it was just the equivalent of walking to the end of the tee box to get a better line.

Bad waypoints and incorrect club selection is frustrating, but if you swing without checking that’s on you...

[LKeet6]

Yeah I didn't know about putter cam off tee, I'm gonna try that!

I fall into Anders' camp on this, I try to use obvious scenery to orient myself.

The overhead map isn't great, but that's what I use, and I do find it useful. I've actually noticed your issue of not seeing the tee on it a few times recently! Annoying, but not insurmountable.

Par is a good score on USE, so if you fall in heavy rough, just try and get close. Then like others have said, as your game improves, short game, putting as well, you'll be more like to scramble your par, or get away with just bogie.

Everything is gradual increments in USE. Your driving will slowly improve, your play out of rough will slowly improve, your short game will slowly improve. There are players here who have been +10 to +20 each round! So try not to be harsh on yourself, and enjoy playing "real" golf!

It might be the society that finishes you off because it's too annoying, or it might be the one that sets you free! To play pressure free golf!

I really hope you enjoy it mate

[hammers1man]

Feb 12, 2020 0:11:13 GMT ray said:

I thought using the putter cam from the tee wasn’t cool?

No complaints, just didn’t know. I’ll certainly be using it occasionally now. I always thought it was just the equivalent of walking to the end of the tee box to get a better line.

Bad waypoints and incorrect club selection is frustrating, but if you swing without checking that’s on you...

I have played many holes in real life with elevated stair platforms to view fairways on blind tee shots. Also you can take a 30 yard or so walk up the course to view your target. The overhead view is just not a good enough course guide, I don't think putter cam is an unfair advantage over real golf personally just a different method of getting a view of your target.

[gavlaar124]

I have never used the putter cam on the tee as imo it's an unrealistic aid. The overhead map should be sufficient and if you miss the fairway welcome to the club! Having said that if a complete novice to tst/use uses it to begin with in correlation with the overhead map I wouldn't have a problem with that as long as when they're comfortable with just using the overhead map they stop using the putter cam. Just my 2 cents

[LKeet6]

Feb 12, 2020 10:15:07 GMT gavlaar124 said:

I have never used the putter cam on the tee as imo it's an unrealistic aid. The overhead map should be sufficient and if you miss the fairway welcome to the club! Having said that if a complete novice to tst/use uses it to begin with in correlation with the overhead map I wouldn't have a problem with that as long as when they're comfortable with just using the overhead map they stop using the putter cam. Just my 2 cents

It's unrealistic, but it's an aid to counter what the game doesn't allow you, that you CAN do in real life. So I'm fine with it.

Understand your point, and that's how I've always played, but I don't think it's an "issue..."

[Deleted]

I like to use the putter cam when I'm hitting up a steep hill. IMO, it's equivalent to walking to the top of the hill to get your bearings. If, and just saying for me, if we couldn't use the putter view for this, I'd probably quit. It'd be no great loss for USE as I don't contend.

Edit: I know this feeling of quitting sounds whiny, and I understand the need to make USE as realistic as possible, but feeling the game is slipping away from me with new rules.

[hammers1man]

Feb 12, 2020 10:15:07 GMT gavlaar124 said:

I have never used the putter cam on the tee as imo it's an unrealistic aid. The overhead map should be sufficient and if you miss the fairway welcome to the club! Having said that if a complete novice to tst/use uses it to begin with in correlation with the overhead map I wouldn't have a problem with that as long as when they're comfortable with just using the overhead map they stop using the putter cam. Just my 2 cents

Should we then not elevate the putting camera on the greens also as that is unrealistic?, as is the pin marker and shot feedback if we want to use total realism. We need to draw the line and accept the limitations the game has over real life.

[hammers1man]

I will also point out that I set the pin marker off myself but do not expect everyone to do the same, but if you think about it that is also an unrealistic aid on blind approach shots. It also can help with working out where the fairway is by gauging a straight line on the overhead to the pin marker, a visual reference you wouldn't get in real life.

[sandsaver01]

Thanks for all the replies folks, I really appreciate the input.  I also thought the putter cam trick was frowned on as it obviously is not realistic, but I will use it when needed.  As a side note, IRL golf nearly everybody uses rangefinders (5x magnification) to see what is ahead and find distances to objects other than the pin, so not having anyway to do that in the game is making life more difficult.  That is a choice the Admins have made and I respect that and will adhere to it.  The putting cam trick does make up for it though.

[hammers1man]

Feb 12, 2020 12:49:48 GMT sandsaver01 said:

Thanks for all the replies folks, I really appreciate the input.  I also thought the putter cam trick was frowned on as it obviously is not realistic, but I will use it when needed.  As a side note, IRL golf nearly everybody uses rangefinders (5x magnification) to see what is ahead and find distances to objects other than the pin, so not having anyway to do that in the game is making life more difficult.  That is a choice the Admins have made and I respect that and will adhere to it.  The putting cam trick does make up for it though.

Rangefinders as great as they are can't see through trees , my skycaddie does give me the distance to hazards, end of fairway etc

[andersnm]

Feb 12, 2020 11:31:23 GMT hammers1man said:

Feb 12, 2020 10:15:07 GMT gavlaar124 said:

I have never used the putter cam on the tee as imo it's an unrealistic aid. The overhead map should be sufficient and if you miss the fairway welcome to the club! Having said that if a complete novice to tst/use uses it to begin with in correlation with the overhead map I wouldn't have a problem with that as long as when they're comfortable with just using the overhead map they stop using the putter cam. Just my 2 cents

Should we then not elevate the putting camera on the greens also as that is unrealistic?, as is the pin marker and shot feedback if we want to use total realism. We need to draw the line and accept the limitations the game has over real life.

I agree that any game will never be total realistic, and I have no problem with any "walking cam" so to speak - and I miss a walking cam in the game, as I also miss the ability to get yardages to spots on the course that I find important; bunkers, ends of fairways, water hazards etc. All pros use yardage books even if the devices we use like a skycaddie is prohibited in pro tournaments. When you step up to a tee on a pro tour, every pro golfer knows the distances to important places on the course.

So even though I never find the need for using the putting cam outside the short game, I find no problem with using it as a "walking cam".