Carpet Golf FAQ

Carpet Golf
Introduction

Carpet Golf is a Java applet which simulates a miniature golf course. This page supplies information and instructions to make your game more enjoyable. Take a moment to look it over before you hit the links.

As Java applets go, Carpet Golf is rather large. The browser must read 80K of files before it can start execution, so allow one to three minutes for loading and initialization.

Since this applet involves real-time animation, it places high demands on the the computer and the system software. A Pentium processor or its equivalent is highly recommended, along with a 32-bit operating system.

The choice of browser also has a big impact on the performance of the program. The applet will run under any Java-capable browser, but I have found that Microsoft Internet Explorer gives significantly smoother animation and higher frame rates. If you are experiencing poor performance, give Internet Explorer a try.

How To Play

Starting a Game

To play a round of Carpet Golf, you must start by selecting a course and a mode of play. You have a choice of three courses, represented by the three putting greens in the frame at the left. The courses can be played in either Practice Mode or Tournament Mode, accessed by clicking on the words "Practice" or "Tournament" beneath each of the putting greens.

In Practice Mode, you are allowed an unlimited number of strokes to finish a hole. In addition, the following Cheat Keys can be used:

Cheat Key		Function
N		Next hole
P		Previous hole
R		Restart this hole

In Tournament Mode you are allowed a maximum of seven strokes per hole, and (worst of all) the cheat keys are disabled.

Aiming and Swinging

When the mouse pointer is brought close to the golf ball, a black line will connect the pointer and the ball. The angle of the line represents the desired direction of the backswing (the ball will go in the opposite direction); the length of the line is proportional to the force of the swing. If the ball is close to the edge of the view, you may need to scroll the viewpoint to aim in certain directions.

The force of the swing is also indicated by a red line on the Swing Meter, which is located at the lower-right corner of the applet window. As the force of the swing is increased, the red line moves clockwise.

Initiate the swing by pressing the mouse button. The progress of the swing is indicated by a black line in the swing meter; the black line revolves clockwise as long as the mouse button is held down. The shot is made when the mouse button is released.

The accuracy of the shot depends on the positions of the lines in the swing meter when the mouse button is released. If the black line exactly coincides with the red line, the aim of the shot will be exact; if the black line has not yet reached the red line, the shot will be wide to the left; if the black line has passed the red line, the shot will be wide to the right.

From time to time, you may want to cancel a shot. You can cancel a shot at any time before you release the mouse button; once you release the the mouse button, it's too late. To cancel a shot, press and hold the X key before you release the mouse button. While holding the X key release the mouse button; then release the X key.

Scrolling

You can scroll the viewpoint by using the scroll control in the applet window. Pressing the center button (the one with the dot) will center the view on the golf ball.

You can use the keyboard to scroll; and on many computers, you can also use the numeric keypad (be sure the set NUM LOCK mode).

Keys	Function
8,I	Scroll up
2,J	Scroll down
4,K	Scroll left
6,M	Scroll right
5,C	Center on ball

When the ball is rolling, the view will automatically scroll to keep the ball visible.

Zooming

You can change the magnification by using the zoom control in the applet window.

You can also use the keyboard to zoom:

Key	Function
+	Zoom in
-	Zoom out

Course Obstacles

	House
	The house has an opening for the ball in each of its four walls; the openings are located at the center of each wall. A ball may enter the house through any of the four openings. The roof of the house is divided into four sections. There is always a roof section which is bright red; the red section changes every two seconds. The ball is ejected from the house about half a second after it enters one of the openings. It is ejected from the opening in the side of the house with the bright red roof section.
	Pipeline
	Pipelines carry the ball from higher sections of the fairway to lower ones. A pipeline entrance looks like the cup, except it is colored red. Pipeline exits are small black tubes which extend from the fairway walls.
	Rotor
	The rotor is comprised of a spinning disc enclosed in a yellow housing. The rotor housing has openings in two, three or four of its sides; if present, the opening is located at the center of the side. A ball may enter the rotor through any of the openings. A ball may enter an opening only when it is not blocked by one of the orange rotor blades; if the ball hits one of the blades, it will rebound. Once the ball has entered the rotor it rides the edge of the spinning disc until it comes to an opening. When the ball reaches an opening, it is ejected from the rotor.
	Slope
	Slopes are indicated by darker or lighter sections of the fairway. When a ball rolls up a slope, it quickly slows down; when it rolls down a slope, it quickly speeds up. The shades of the slopes are consistent with a light source at the upper-left corner of the view window. Slopes with their higher ends nearer the right or bottom edge of the window appear lighter than the level portions of the fairways. Slopes with their higher ends nearer the top or left edge of the window appear darker than the level portions of the fairways. The image at the left represents an elevated section of the fairway with four slopes leading up to it.
	Water Hazard
	When a ball enters a water hazard, a one-stroke penalty will be assessed. The ball will be placed in play on the fairway next to the point where it fell into the water.