About Caddie Cards
Caddie Cards removes the swing meter and replaces it with a hand of movement choices. You select a card and a direction, then move the ball across the course according to that combination. There is no need to judge physical shot power; the challenge is understanding where a choice leaves the ball and what the remaining hand can do next.
Terrain changes those calculations. Rough limits movement to two squares, bunkers limit it to one, and water resets the shot. Walls can provide rebounds, while unused cards stay in your hand for later decisions. Created by Ross McCormick for LOWREZJAM 2025, the PICO-8 game turns a small golf course into a planning problem with changing resources rather than a test of mouse precision.
How to Play Caddie Cards
Use the arrow keys to select your card and direction, then press X, M, or V to play it. Plan around terrain restrictions, retain useful cards, and move the ball to the hole with an efficient sequence.
- Inspect the hole, terrain, and the movement options in your hand.
- Choose a card and direction that leave a workable continuation.
- Play the card and check the resulting position and available hand.
- Continue the sequence toward the hole, using camera mode when the route needs inspection.
Controls & Timing
A card sets the movement
There is no swing-strength meter to time. Evaluate the selected movement and direction before committing the card.
Terrain changes the distance
Rough limits a move to two squares and a bunker to one. Include those caps when calculating where a card can actually take the ball.
Your hand is a resource
Cards you do not use remain available, while new draws change the options. Preserve an important future move when another card can handle the current position.
Controls
| Input | Action | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Arrow keys | Choose a card or target direction. | During shot planning. |
| X / M / V | Play the selected card. | After checking the destination. |
| Z / N / C | Switch to camera control. | When inspecting the course. |
High Score Tips
- Work backward from a possible finish. Find a card and position that could reach the hole, then plan how to create that position. This gives the earlier moves a concrete target.
- Do not spend precision too early. A short movement can be essential for the final alignment. Keep it when a different card reaches the current objective without damaging the route.
- Use terrain in the calculation. A long card does not guarantee long travel from rough or sand. Check the movement cap before selecting it, and consider whether a different card preserves more useful options.
- Inspect before taking a water risk. Water resets the shot, so a route across a hazardous destination needs careful checking. Use camera control to understand the layout instead of committing on an incomplete view.
Key Features
- Card-based movement. Direction and card choice replace physical swing timing.
- Persistent unused cards. Unplayed options stay in the hand for later planning.
- Distinct terrain rules. Rough, bunkers, water, and walls affect the route in different ways.
- PICO-8 origins. Ross McCormick created the game for LOWREZJAM 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to control shot power?
No. Movement comes from the chosen card and direction rather than a physics-based swing. Concentrate on the resulting square and the options your remaining hand provides for the next move.
What happens to unused cards?
They stay in your hand, giving you a reason to save an option for later. Consider whether a card will be more valuable for the final approach before spending it on early movement.
How do rough and bunkers affect a move?
Rough caps movement at two squares, while a bunker caps it at one. Include those limits when planning the destination instead of reading the card’s movement in isolation.
What happens if the ball reaches water?
The shot resets. Check the destination and terrain before committing, especially when a promising card seems to offer a shortcut but leaves the route exposed to a water hazard.
How do I inspect the course?
Press Z, N, or C to switch to camera control and examine the layout. Use that view to understand the next route decision before returning to card selection and committing a move.