Pillbug Golf

Pillbug Golf is an educational shareware game from Curry Software (curry@kagi.com) that mixes math drill with mini-golf. Players tee off using points, slopes, or angles, working through Beginner, Amateur, and Pro categories that scale to a wide range of student abilities. It is the first release in Curry's Birds' Math Picnic series.

Gameplay and skills

Each shot is solved by computing a point, slope, or angle. The unregistered demo lets players use Points at Beginner level, while showing the opening problems on the other skills and levels as a preview. A 360-degree protractor and a built-in calculator are available as accessories on some strokes, but not all, encouraging mental math and estimation.

Built-in help

Pillbug Golf ships with help screens that combine textual explanations with simple interactive demonstrations of each math skill, so students can learn as well as practice.

Versions and platform

Version 1.2 corrects graph line and label issues and tweaks game play; version 2.0 adds a nine-hole course, a high scores screen, saved games, music, speech, and a printable player's guide. Both versions require a PowerPC Mac for adequate speed (greater than 100 MHz recommended in 2.0).

Pricing

Pillbug Golf is $12 (US) shareware for one home or $120 for one business or school location; registration unlocks all skills and levels.