Not to be confused with Lee Carvallo's Putting Challenge. (Or its itch.io adaptation)
Brendan Keogh's Putting Challenge is, to quote the store page, "about the parts of golf that other videogames cut out". Indeed, you must walk at a slow pace to your ball after a shot, to pick up the ball after putting it in the hole, and from course to course. You have 3 balls to work with - lose them all in the water, and you're walking back to the pro shop to get some more.
This sounds terrible and unfun, and to some people, I'm sure it is. However, I can't find myself 100% agreeing.
First of all, the idea itself is very funny. That's not enough to make something worth playing, but seeing the reality of how golf actually is compared to the games is worth a quick chuckle, and enough of the tedium was kept in that it was actually impressive. I found myself ragequitting my first attempt after realizing I had to walk all the way back to the pro shop for a refill. Aside from that, the "tedium" became somewhat relaxing after a while.
This game is still unrealistic in that, in real life, even par 3s take me 20 strokes.
Given the PICO-8's restrictions, Brendan Keogh's Putting Challenge is a decent golf game in its own right. Well, more of a putting game, as there is no verticality in the game. Meaning, you cannot shoot "over" obstacles, so touching water is an instant sink and sand bunkers will always catch you. On the plus side, as long as the ball touches the hole, you're good regardless of speed. After getting used to the idiosyncrasy, I didn't see it as much of a problem, and had a very good time golfing and walking.
The game has two different 9-hole courses you can play, as well as a Championship Edition if you pay $1 more. The special edition gives you a golf cart to help zip around the course with, cutting the time to move around but keeping the general spirit of things.
I enjoyed it. Brendan Keogh's Putting Challenge is a good game.