Assume that someone would TAS a computer golf game (a relatively modern one, ie. one with realistic physics and rules, in 3D, etc). The obvious goal would be, naturally, to finish the course in as few strokes as possible. However, since holes-in-one are usually impossible in many of the holes (the par 4's, except maybe the very shortest ones, and par 5's), the question becomes how should the tee shots be played in the TAS.
One could argue for two possibilities:
1) Aim for absolutely perfect play.
TASing is all about what would it be if a perfect, god-like being would play the game. In this case every single shot should be absolutely perfect. All tee shots should go as far as the game allows, and hit the fairway dead-center (or in the most optimal location possible). If the green is reachable with the tee shot (but a hole-in-one is not physically possible), then it should obviously be done. If the game keeps score of fairway hits and greens-in-regulation, the natural secondary goal is to get the highest course records on these.
The reasoning for this is obvious: The player is simply perfect, like a god-like being, and hence every single hit should be as perfect and sublime as possible, with no flaws nor deficiencies.
2) Showing off.
While the aim is still the absolutely minimum score achievable in the course, the TASer makes his own task as difficult as possible, usually by hitting the tee shot way off course, and then succeeding in sinking it in regardless, from the most unlikeliest of places (from far-away bunkers, deep grass, from behind trees, etc). The TASer also tries to make incredible trick shots, like the ball going way off, bouncing on a tree and then going to the hole.
The minor "problem" with this is that the tee shots now become imperfect, and only the second shot (or subsequent shots if the hole is impossible to reach in two) is perfect. So in a way it's not a god-like perfect being playing an absolutely perfect and flawless game, but more like a complete beginner making the tee shot and the god-like being patching up. So while the trick shooting might be more amusing and entertaining, it introduces a degree of imperfection to the play.
So I was wondering what would be the preferred way of TASing such a golf game, if one would ever be made.
