i also play tiger woods alot...2007 right now.
i like the burnout series too.
when you need to check ratings...i use
http://www.metacritic.com and Official XBox magazine.
once you get your xbox live up and running...i highly recommend going to the download section and downloading some games there to try out. i found a few that i otherwise wouldn't have purchased like blazing angels.
regarding gh3...i like the controller better but i like the set lists on gh2 better. that's just me.
i really like halo 3 so i also recommend that. its a good game.