I can't believe there's a whole forum of wonderful people talking about the Links games!

I've read through all the posts and have seen several instances of a 'hard fade' swing but that seemed to be handled by swing adjustments. What's happening to me is that when I initially click 'swing,' my first marker is selected right away. So then I go through my swing and can pick the second swing marker, but that first one is always in the same place, at about 8 o'clock on the dial. I can't get out of selecting that as my amount of power. If anyone has seen this, I'd be so curious as to how you dealt with it.

Thank you!

Hello WaegVanWonk!

First, the typical 3-click-swing works a little bit different with these Links games. It is implemented rather as a 2-click system where you press and hold (!) your first click for the amount of power to be applied according to the point (on the swing meter) when you release your holded first click.

The 12 o'clock mark on top of the swing meter represents 100% power of the selected club, everything above that (further towards 1 or 2 o'clock) results in an overswing with even some more power but significantly higher effect of hook or slice and higher error rate on the subsequent precision click due to more rapid swing meter return movement!

After you release the holded first click, the swing meter will reverse the swing direction, and you do a second click (desirable) as close as possible to the vertical precision mark on the 6 o'clock position of the swing meter. Clicking too soon (left of it) or too late (right of it) results in a slice ("draw") or hook ("fade") or even a total loss of the shot (ball not hit properly at all)!
In the majority of cases you want to hit the precision mark (second click) precisely for hooks or slices are selectable as shot type (draw or fade) during shot preparation directly with assured effect.

In summary, the Links (Challenge of Golf, 386 Pro, LS 1998 Edition) swing meter works on a two click basis:

1st left click and hold to initiate,
release the holded click for power (up to 12 o'clock for </= 100% power & controlled shot)
2nd click for precision (6 o'clock = straight shot)

Be aware though, that besides chosen shot type (draw, straight, fade), shot precision (left, on, right of 6 o'clock precision mark) and wind direction and strength (if enabled) the lay and inclination of the ground affect the resulting shot direction and ball path!

Enjoy your golf journey in these incredible detailed golf simulations!

Kind regards,
foxgog

Oh my Lord... I can't believe this! I had this game has a kid and truly had no memory for it being a 'click and hold' mecahnic, I was certain you clicked once to start the swing, clicked again to choose power.. Wow. Thank you SO MUCH for your detailed answer.

Now all I have to do is figure out how the heck to putt.

Thank you!

Hello again!

I know for certain that you can choose in later Links games (Links LS 97, 98, etc.) between the common 3-click, the Links standard 2-click-with-hold and a simplified swing meter functionality. However, I have not looked for it in Links 386 Pro's options or settings.

Regarding putting, my suggestion for newcomers (or inexperienced players) to keep the "par" definition in mind.
The "par" for a hole is defined by the usuable amount of shots to reach the green, plus two shots on the green for putting.

Therefore, focus while on the green to first get close(r) to the cup, and concentrate on actual putting only in your second or subsequent shot on the green!
With more experience and practice you can improve your performance (score) either/both by getting on the green with less shots (in 1 shot for a 'par 3', in 2 shots for a 'par 4', and in up to 3 shots for a 'par 5' hole), landing on the green already closer to the hole/cup, or performing longer putting shots successfully.

Initially, I would further recommend to not randomize the greens and the cup positions!
The more you play and try putting shots on the greens, you learn to 'read' (identify) the characteristics of each hole's green. When you got a feel for each green, or associate the visual and audio clues (yes, the commentary is most of the time helpful) with how the ball will behave, then you can introduce randomized greens and cups or attempt longer distance putting shots.

It might be helpful, to utilize the free 'mulligan' option on a hole to experiment with the amount of power needed for reaching certain distances on the green. I do correlate a certain amount of 'ticks' on the swing meter to a corresponding amount of grid rectangles. A correlation to the actual distance will be more accurate of course. First find these for relatively plain, even green positions, and later take inclines or declines into account.

Keep in mind, the distribution of the power on the swing meter is not linear (compare the angular distances of the tick marks on its side)! That means, a 9 o'clock power mark does not resemble 50%, but less! (I do believe, the Links LS series has changed that behaviour.)

A final hint or suggestion regarding putting is to make use of wedge shots (chip or normal) for lomger distances or for bypassing or overcoming an inclined spot/area on the green.
Different than in other golf games/simulations the Links games allow the player to actually choose any club while on the green, although the caddy does select the putter automatically. (Likewise, you can choose the putter already while still outside the green--useful e.g. on the fringe or fairway relatively close to a hole/cup.)

I achieve a higher putting accuracy by using the P or S Wedge (club) with a chip shot instead of the putter when the ball lies around 20 or more feet away from the cup. I do not aim my shot distance directly on the hole/cup, rather short of it in order to let the ball bounce once and then let it roll in.
This technique is especially helpful, if the ball needs to climb an inclined 'hill' first to reach the cup. Otherwise, you often need to aim way outside the hole to take the inclination into account!

By the way, if your first putting attempt is on a green position which 'breaks' (falls off, declines) to the left or to the right, it is often easier to aim higher on the incline than the hole, and let it roll down.
And do not worry if the ball passes the cup on its way down for a subsequent shot more directly uphill is way easier than a left or right breaking put!

Have fun!

Kind regards,
foxgog