Microsoft Golf 3.0

Microsoft Golf 3.0

Developers
	Access Software
Publishers
	Microsoft
Release dates
Windows	November 7, 1996
Taxonomy
Monetization	One-time game purchase
Modes	Singleplayer
Controls	Direct control
Genres	Sports
Sports	Golf
Art styles	Realistic
Series	Links

Key points

64-bit systems need a workaround for the 16-bit launcher; see Installing on 64-bit versions of Windows.

Highly customisable, resizeable interface that can make full use of modern resolutions.

Multimedia features that require the CD can be copied to the hard drive for convenience.

Availability

Source	DRM	Notes	Keys	OS
Retail		CD key only; no disc check or DRM.

Essential improvements

Use multimedia features without the disc

Golf 3.0 only plays Flyby videos and some other content when the disc is present; these steps make it look in the installation folder instead.

Copy disc files to the installation folder[citation needed]

Copy the BANFF_SP and HARBOUR_ folders from the disc to the installation folder (skipping existing files). Copy AIM.AVI and SWING.AVI from the GOLF folder on the disc to the installation folder. Open msglfcrs.ini Under each course, adjust NewFlyByPath, FlyByPath and AmbientPath to match their new locations. Change the AimDemoPath and SwingDemoPath paths to point to look in the installation folder. Save your changes. If the game says course files are missing after this change you have made a mistake with the steps above.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System	Location
Windows	<path-to-game>\MSGOLF.INI <path-to-game>\multplyr\

Multiplayer settings are stored in <path-to-game>\multplyr\

Save game data location

System	Location
Windows	<path-to-game>\*.GAM

Video

Video settings.

Graphics feature	State	Notes
Widescreen resolution
Multi-monitor
Ultra-widescreen
4K Ultra HD
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed		Always runs windowed.
Borderless fullscreen windowed
Anisotropic filtering (AF)		See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anti-aliasing (AA)		See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
High-fidelity upscaling		See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Vertical sync (Vsync)		Native Windows Vsync.
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
High dynamic range display (HDR)

Input

Keyboard and mouse	State	Notes
Remapping		See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Mouse acceleration		Native Windows cursor.
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support

Controller types

Audio

Audio settings.

Audio feature	State	Notes
Separate volume controls		On/off only.
Surround sound
Subtitles		No subtitles available.
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost		Always mutes.
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language	UI	Audio	Sub	Notes
English

Network

Multiplayer types

Type	Native	Players	Notes
Local play		8	Hot seat
LAN play
Online play		The official multiplayer service has been shut down.

Connection types

Type	Native	Notes
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Self-hosting
Direct IP		Use Address Book, Network button.

Issues fixed

Installing on 64-bit versions of Windows

Golf 3.0 uses a 16-bit launcher so 64-bit systems need the workarounds below.

Bypass 16-bit launcher[citation needed]

Install Golf 3.0 normally (it may appear to stop responding while "searching for installed components"). Open MSGOLF.INI in the installation folder and add the following two lines at the bottom: [Control] Name=Player Save your changes. Make a shortcut to GLFMOD3.EXE somewhere convenient. Go to the shortcut's properties and add bullfrog to the end of the Target. For Windows 8 and later, go to the Compatibility tab and set Windows 7 compatibility mode (this fixes a title bar issue). The game will now run correctly when using this shortcut. If you see the "crucial files are missing" error when launching you have made a mistake with the steps above. Video features give this error when playing without the CD; insert it or use multimedia features without the disc.

Installer stops responding at "searching for installed components"

The installer scans the entire system partition looking for existing installation files; this can take a long time on modern systems and Windows will think it is not responding, but it will eventually finish and setup will proceed normally.

"Crucial files are missing, please reinstall Microsoft Golf" error

Golf 3.0 needs the CD for some multimedia features (e.g. Flybys) and gives this confusing error message if it isn't present; either insert the disc or set the game to use multimedia features without the disc.

This error will also occur when trying to run the game without installing it first or using GLFMOD3.EXE without the necessary adjustments (see Installing on 64-bit versions of Windows).

Title bar partially off-screen

This issue occurs on Windows 8 and later.

Use Windows 7 compatibility mode[citation needed]
Set GLFMOD3.EXE to run in Windows 7 compatibility mode.

Other information

API

Executable	32-bit	64-bit	Notes
Windows			Launcher is 16-bit.

System requirements

Windows
	Minimum	Recommended
Operating system (OS)	95, NT 3.51
Processor (CPU)	486/66	Intel Pentium 90
System memory (RAM)	8 MB	16+ MB
Hard disk drive (HDD)	20 MB	40 MB
Video card (GPU)	256-color SVGA