After 7.5 million copies sold, you'd think the boys and girls at Clap Hanz would leave well enough alone. Then again, maybe it's just that they want to make sure they break double-digit million sales. Either way, those of us who've reserved ourselves to a little digital golf rather than the real thing have plenty to get excited about. The Hot Shots Golf (known in Japan as Minnano Golf or Everyone's Golf) games are arguably the best simulations of the sport on the planet, though most wouldn't know it just by looking at the cutesy characters and happy elevator muzak tunes.



Still for the 7.5 million converts, there's nothing better, and we being one of them (and by we of course I mean me since office tournaments quickly boil down to me screaming over a weeping staffer with repeated pelvic thrusts), the news of the unveiling of Hot Shots Golf Fore! (clever, innit?) caused us to go all misty-eyed. Debuting at the Waialae Country Club during the Sony Open in Hawaii yesterday, PGA Tour players got the chance to check the game out and compete in the "longest-drive competion" where the winner had a cool $5k donated to their favorite charity, the results of which will air on ESPN this weekend.



Given that Minnano Golf 4 was kicked out in Japan just a few months ago (November 27 for those that must know specifics), it's not a huge surprise that Sony has decided to bring the game Stateside, though it is a welcome relief considering the rather bizarre track record SCEA has had in the past in carrying over (or failing to, more specifically) some seemingly huge hits. (Gran Turismo Concept, anyone?) While there's been no official word on a U.S. release date, Sony promises more courses, caddies and golfers than ever before, as well as the welcome additions of minature golf (finally!) and online play.



We'll be sure to have more goods on HSG Fore! as we slowly approach the news tsunami that is E3, just a frightening four months away. Keep checking back until then.