I learned golf from the NES, and the SNES changed my perception of how far the concept could go. One of the most engrossing games I've ever played was Kirby's Dream Course on the Super Nintendo. I waltzed right into a Blockbuster Video one day and picked it up just because of the cover, and three days later I wasn't ready to return it.
If you've never played it before, think traditional Kirby, powers and all, melded with golf. It's easy to explain, but once you get involved and start experimenting with tactics like blowing up walls to reach the hole faster or jumping over obstacles, it gets more and more addicting. There haven't been very many hybrids in the space since, until Golf Zero [Free] came along that is.

The premise is basically Super Meat Boy meets (ha) golfing. There's wall-jumping, hazards to avoid, and of course, golf involved. But I really appreciate how the team doesn't go overboard with the former. There was probably a natural temptation to make players go through obstacle courses and ostensibly turn the game into a platformer, but those bits are secondary. Instead, there's usually a unique angle to figure out so you can get to the most important part, the shot. Hazards occasionally get a little dicey, but there are multiple ways to solve most of the levels, so you'll also be relying on your ability to aim. While Super Meat Boy is a much faster game overall, the comparison is apt in more ways than one. You're going to die a lot, for starters. Well, die, and...