Our preview version of CustomPlay Golf 2009 tells us it’s around 80% complete, so presumably we can expect a few code tweaks with the final version and maybe the odd extra, but gameplay wise this ought to be a pretty decent approximation of what’s coming.

And that’s no bad thing, since this is about as pick-up-an-play as we’ve seen in a golf game since Wii-Sports, and there feels to have been something of a gap in this niche market recently so it’s certainly a welcome addition. But the golf sim genre has also seen more than its fair share of quality games, so the competition – as absent as it might be right now – is tough.

The PC version features some clear and far-reaching visuals, with superb weather conditions (I particularly enjoyed playing in the rain, with the extra challenge of reduced visuals and genuine sensation of moistened misery) though again this is something we’ve come to expect from a virtual golf course. While the fairway, green and course in general is lush and realistic, the surrounding environment doesn’t quite give the same impression of realism with the repeated tree line and mostly inactive water features.

More important, of course, is the quality of play and in this respect CustomPlay Golf 2009 does a remarkably transparent job of balancing ease of control with a rather unforgiving (yet accurate) difficulty level. That it pushes you right from the start to learn delicate control over the golf ball puts the game in the upper echelons of sporting simulation, rather than as an arcade game. Naturally this will divide gamers, but if sporting accuracy is your forte, then already CutsomPlay Golf should be of significant interest.

However, those who are more interested in a couple of casual rounds, rather than tournament climbing, will still find the alternative features of CustomPlay Golf to be quite alluring. First and foremost is undoubtedly going to be the crazy golf and pitch’n’putt features. These two levels still contain the same control and accuracy requirements, but the light-hearted surroundings lift the tone of much of the game’s seriousness and open it up to a more escapist endeavour.

Another interesting feature that’ll appeal to a whole different type of gamer is the golf course builder. Designing your own course layout is surprisingly intricate and adds real depth to the game that goes far beyond clubs, balls, silly hats and knee socks. And this aspect links in with another fascinating feature – email golf.

An individual course can be emailed to a friend, which they’re able to play regardless as to whether they own CustomPlay Golf. This generous addition to the game is very reminiscent of a single-card multiplayer game on the Nintendo DS, and provides you with some great incentive to give course design and management a sincere go. There’s also online play, so you can still tee-off with your mates without actually having to buy a Range Rover and suffer society’s pretentious elite at the 19th hole.

Currently there are some graphical and gameplay glitches that we’re cautious to read too much into, what with this being a preview. The ball feels somewhat ‘light’ at the moment; travelling a long way and bouncing further than seems natural, while the shadows seem to struggle for stability on the more uneven ground. Variety and ‘life’ are also lacking from the environments and characters (who are cardboard stiff), but as previously stated, these are likely to be resolved in the final version so we’re really not concerned about them at this stage.

The Tiger Woods games are obviously what CustomPlay Golf is going up against, though it seems that Lexicon have made a visible move toward distancing its game from the often over-complex EA license. Instead, the strengths of CustomPlay Golf aren’t in sporting names or even in the courses (although these are worthy competitors to Tiger’s games) but in the excellent variety of golfing variations available. Being able to go to the driving range and the crazy golf courses is a huge boon to the game that allows it to target both the serious sports gamer and the casual market in one go.

We’re on the edge of our seats waiting to see the refinements the official release brings (and to compare it to the Wii version), so check back to see more news on CustomPlay Golf 2009 as it happens.

In the meantime, you can check out our exclusive review with the game’s managing director, and have a look at the teaser trailer right here.