Links had Top Golf style tracking long before it was available on television (with top cam and others). The guys at Access Software were pure genius. I think I played a bit of Perfect Golf very early on and the ball flight characteristics were not nearly as realistic as Links.
I wrote the guy I got The Masters pin placements from suggesting that they do an article on Links... based on the fact that it's been around in one form or another for over 30 years. About the only game I can think of that's been around longer is Solitaire.
It's a bit like the SR-71 "Blackbird"... still, as far as the public knows, the fastest highest flying jet engine aircraft in the world. In service in 1964 and developed with slide rules, not fancy computers. Every single thing about the aircraft was new ground.
Links similar in its own way.