Golf Orbit

One button, one swing

There is very little to learn in Golf Orbit, and that is the idea. The game uses a single button, the left mouse button, and the moment you choose to click decides how much power goes into the shot. The game describes itself as easy to play but hard to perfect, which is the usual shape of a good one-button game: the rules fit in a sentence, and all the skill lies in the timing.

Bounces and distance

Once the ball is in the air, the swing is not the whole story. On its way, the ball bounces off various objects, and those bounces can carry it further than the strike alone would. Every shot’s distance is recorded, which gives you a clear number to measure yourself against from one attempt to the next. As the game puts it, each swing is about reaching the longest distance you can.

Tips for longer shots

• Take a few relaxed shots first to get a feel for when to click.
• Treat your recorded distance as the number to beat on the next swing.
• Notice the timing of your best shots and try to repeat it.
• Stay patient. In timing games, a small change in when you click can make a big difference.

Who it suits

Golf Orbit suits anyone who wants a simple game with nothing to set up: one button, one goal and a number to improve on. It is free to play in the browser with no download, and each new shot is another chance to send the ball further than the last one went.