sure you could shoot -8 on Links in beginner mode... and eventually you can work you're way up to championship mode where par is a great score.
"cartoonish"? maybe the sim golfer looks a little cartoonish- however the game play (physics) is much more realistic. wind, slope, putting the ball in front or back of your stance etc... and no you cant control spin while the ball is in the air (ie TW)...
also- Links included the APCD- course designer- where any Schmoe can design or replicate an existing course and put it online for everyone to play... you could go weeks and not play the same course twice... Augusta, Bethpage, Oakland Hills, Sawgrass, Pebble Beach, fantasy courses... any course on the PGA and European tour- they're all there.
this game is allright- but i'd put it on par with the the Links LS 98 version (2nd year)