Best score (within the seed's limitations) for 18 holes in Nintendo Switch Sports Golf. This is a set seed (with restarts). In this game, restarting does not change the winds, allowing me to perfect each shot through repetition. This is the end product of hours of such repetition. There were countless restarts.
About the run itself in general, this took approximately 45-50 hours of trying with these exact conditions. My goal was -40, which allowed for one missed shot given the seed. I had gotten -38 many times and -39 four times. I was expecting -40 soon, but I ended up skipping it! I know the best score attainable is -43, but finding a seed for that would take hundreds of hours and most likely require complicated curve shots on Hole 3 and 16. It would require tons of dedication, even more ambition than I had for this one.
I searched for a seed for seven hours, hoping to get suitable winds for Holes 5 and 9. I ended up using Hole 3 instead along with a suitable wind for Hole 5. I decided to use this seed because it is very draining to search for seeds.
Run specifics/insights:
Hole 2 was the easiest hole in the entire seed. The margin for error was very generous. More than Holes 1 and 10.
Hole 3 has one reliable wind out of forty-eight. It is 11mph N.
Holes 4 and 6 were made to use the exact same power. It's easier to memorize one shot than two.
For Hole 9, I originally tried to go for a flag shot, but it was inconsistent. The second shot on Hole 9 is very consistent, however. I had full power and a maximum curve, which landed barely on the fairway (it was intentionally that way). I also originally tried flag shots for Holes 11 and 15, but they were inconsistent too.
Hole 15 had a very poor wind and ruined multiple runs that were on pace for -40. It took the longest to find a strategy for.
Holes 16, 17, and 18 were all quite easy. Hole 16's first shot worked out perfectly. Hole 17 was just a full-power 3-iron shot, and Hole 18's shots were both full-power.
For a lot of the holes, such as 1, 7, 9, 10, and 16, I didn't aim a shot at all. This is so I can have better consistency with the shot that follows. If I hit the ball at full power without aiming it, It will land in the exact same place for the next shot because the game fixes the aim beforehand.
Occasionally, you'll see me switch to clubs I don't use. Holes 2, 3, 4, 7, 13, and 16 I switch to a different club that I can use to base my aim of off. Usually because there is an easier reference point to go off of. For instance, the blue bar intersects with the flag on 4, 13, and 16. Or if the white tip is in an easier reference point (2, 3). Common reference points include the fringe, a fairway line, the squares on the green, a bunker, the black circle under the flag, or the edge of a tree. Darker areas like the rough are better reference points because it contrasts the white tip. Then I count how many pixels are between the reference point and the white tip or blue bar. It has to be a small amount because its easy to lose track.
If you're wondering how the record went from -34 to -41 so fast, it's because I didn't try this record since January, I improved since, and started using my recording software to enlarge the minimap so I can see closer where I aim.
When trying to achieve big milestones like this, it's very easy to succumb to the pressure. I found that it helped to not look at the scores between holes and to play low-key music to keep my heart rate down. It also helps to look away from the screen and out the window. The music I listened to was very dark and sad when I got this (Cryo Chamber if you're curious). I was happy after the fact but you get the point.
The "Perfect" on the thumbnail is from bowling. I had to go get a perfect game of bowling despite not being very good at it. I think I can get away with putting "Perfect" on the thumbnail because I didn't miss a shot.
For those who question the legitimacy of this run, many of whom probably won't read this, I can understand your doubts. I will admit that I could not do this without my recording software. The aim I need for a lot of holes is more precise than my naked eye can make out. I am looking at a separate zoomed in feed while I take aim. There is a notable pause at the very beginning of Hole 14; there I am adjusting the view of my magnified feed. However, every shot is still aimed and taken with my own hands. Nothing tells me where to aim or does the adjustments for me. I still have to figure out where to aim, and put my aim there myself. Does it look like Hazelnut is being controlled by a computer or a person? No hacks or aimbot are involved. I have no idea how to modify the game anyways.
00:00 Hole 1
00:50 Hole 2
01:22 Hole 3
02:34 Hole 4
03:15 Hole 5
04:36 Hole 6
05:48 Hole 7
06:54 Hole 8
07:46 Hole 9
09:13 Hole 10
10:11 Hole 11
10:57 Hole 12
12:13 Hole 13
12:50 Hole 14
14:01 Hole 15
15:18 Hole 16
16:14 Hole 17
16:50 Hole 18
18:13 end