|
Oakland Hills North
by Steve Avery
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1283 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2003-05-16 |
38,729,441 bytes |
70 |
6671 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
REAL |
PARKLAND |
ohillsccnorth_2003.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
| |
|
|
LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewed by Bob Hankla June 2003
The Oakland Hills Country Club is located near Detroit, Michigan. The best known of the two courses is the South course, where many major championships have taken place and the Ryder Cup is scheduled. The North course, being reviewed here, is the lesser known of the two. However, from what I have read, is nearly as nice, but not quite as tough. The course is a classic parkland course, with mature trees lining most of the fairways. The high-resolution textures used work very well together, including a first-cut rough, rough, and deep rough. The seams are blended in some places and not in others, most noticeably not the fairways and greens. I've learned to like the blended seams, but I'll not question the designer's preference. Cart paths connect the holes, but don't run the full length of the holes. This is a very well built course. You won't see any common construction flaws, such as shadows or sharp edges. The bunkers are well built, with the seams blended. The water hazards are well built and planted. The overall planting looks good, and makes the course seem real. A little more underplanting would have added to the look. The elevation work is limited to the real course layout, but looks natural. The greens are on the larger side, and are gently sloped. You will see a few big breaks, but nothing coming close to being unfair. I can't comment to the accuracy to the real thing, since I've never been there or even seen any pictures. The layout itself seems easy at first, but I found it to be more challenging than it looks. First off, the total yardage is only 6671, but for a par 70 isn't that short. Secondly, there are only two par 5s, and neither are sure birdies (at least for me). The fairways aren't as wide as a lot of the real courses we've seen, and are narrower at some points, with well-positioned bunkers. The greens are also guarded closely by bunkers. Although not everywhere, water is strategically used in two holes, and appears in 3 others. There is a tournament option available, as well as hole previews and sounds.
Favorite Hole: I'm going to select two holes, numbers 12 and 15. #12 is a 528-yard par 5 with a slight left bend. The fun comes on the second shot, where the green is bound on 3 sides by water and comes to a point in front. A good drive leaves app. 240 yards, and a fun choice to make. #15 is a short par 4 at 319 yards. A pond sits right in the preferred landing area, so your choice is to try to clear the pond to leave a chip approach, or get as close to the pond as you dare with a lay-up.
Recommendation: I would recommend this course to everyone. Real course fans will love it, and everyone will enjoy the round. Thanks to the designer for a good piece of work.
|
This course is available as a FREE download.
|
|
Download course
|
Please support Links Corner
|
|
|
