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Crystal Ball GC
by Francois Cristallo
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1342 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2003-10-08 |
22,874,524 bytes |
72 |
6940 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
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FICTIONAL |
WOODLAND |
Crystall Ball Golf-Club.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
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LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewed by 'loner'
Included: read-me (in French only), cameo, splash, hole previews, ball washers, gravel path, buildings, sounds and other objects.
Not Included: recorded round, custom flag, custom tee markers, hole signs or numbers.
Statistical Information: par 72, 6940y, an 'F' type woodland course, 3 sets of tee markers, 4-3 pars, 10-4 pars, 4-5 pars, played pro, clicker, bck/nw/m/m/e, a 21.3mb download with a 2.28mb shadow file.
By my count this is course number 4, I've reviewed 2 others and this is 'graphically' his best. It starts off with a checkerboard pattern to the tee box, and has the same general pattern to the fairway with a doubtful first cut which leads into a deep dark lush rough. The green is also checkerboard patterned but a little lighter than the others and has a fringe. I feel that his colors are rather dark; at first I thought it might be shadows but it is the colors he chose. Does it detract from the overall look of the course, I don't think so, in a way it might fit in with the heavily planted tree areas along each fairway which have an undergrowth of 'Horslimt', I don't wish to translate that, I'm afraid the censor might fire me J(I've been informed that Hors Limit = O.B., my thanks to the designer).
. Take narrow fairways, overhanging trees at the tee boxes and the fairways, mix with well placed bunkers both at the greens and along the fairways, throw in a few water hazards and you have Crystal Ball golf course. The bunkers are nicely done and the course looks very good. As mentioned the fairways are narrow in many places, the greens are less than medium sized and all have slight to medium slopes but are surprisingly easy to putt, lets make that a shade over easy. Large fields of buttercups or deep grass can be seen in the top views and add to the overall feeling of a course in the wilds of the woodlands.
The elevations vary, for the most part they are 'normal' but there are the occasional long low drops off the drive, which will give you the distance, one of my drives exceeded 300y. The 5-par 569y # 10 hole is the only one that is a forced lay-up hole. A 2 iron will get you to the water hazard that bisects the fairway, the second shot is not remarkable by any means and then there is a fairly east lob wedge to the green, an eagle hole. sorry, but it is a birdie hole. His elevations where interesting and the caddie was excellent. I found it interesting that it is such a small download but is heavily and nicely planted with a pleasant assortment of trees and has (bird) sounds, which usually adds considerably to the course size.
I could say that the holes had interesting shapes but I'd rather use the term 'tricked up', they wouldn't be found on a normal course, to narrow and winding, too many narrow landing areas, not the type of course that the Sunday duffer would drop a 50 to play. Has his technique improved since his first course, most definitely so. I didn't care for the extrusion look at the greens but I see that many do and mention it I will. If he loses the fear of a large download and has beta testing on a course down the line he can and will be a fine designer. I would recommend this course for download, both because of its playability, looks and extremely small size.
I am a player not a designer and therefore rate a course as a player for other players.
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CLIPNOTES by Ben Bateson (ousgg) |
Description
Fictional, woodland course |
Location
TBC |
Conditions
TBC |
Concept 8/10
A well-named course indeed. You'll need all your foresight to play Crystal Ball successfully. With a premium on shape and judgement of length from the tee, a missed drive will almost certainly result in a struggle. It's a new and innovative premise amid courses that rely too much on approach shots and putts, and for the large part works exceedingly well. Consequently, hole shapes tend towards the narrow and fantastical, but you never once feel unfairly pushed. |
Appearance 6/10
The lush, almost lurid, green colours take some getting used to, and the planting is somewhat sparse. Old problems like extrusion edges rear their head too. But there's some impressive and lifelike views to be had too, and a good combination of panorama and realistic terrain. |
Playability 8/10
With the emphasis on a part of your game that might not usually be tested to the full, this course provides a stimulating round and you'll always be wanting to beat the course's danger spots with a shaped or held-back drive. It's perhaps a little too soulless to be really addictive, but is certainly one of those important courses that helps you workout all aspects of your game. |
Challenge 7/10
You've probably got the idea by now that everything depends on your tee shot. Hit smack into the target area, an excellent birdie chance is yours; hit under the trees or into the rough and you'll do well to make par. While this is a decent challenge in itself, it would be nice if the course had the flexibility to put all parts of the game to the test. The putting is sometimes tricky, but shots from the deeper grass are routine, to say the best. |
Technical 5/10
The terrain is handled with subtlety, but the planting is lacking this finesse. Also problematic are some hard texture transitions and some off-colour texture assignations, especially in the rough. I would question the choice of colour scheme, too: with the brown overtones to the forest, wouldn't a less verdant colour of grass be more apt? |
| Overall |
The ultimate test of your driving. At heart, a very interesting and immersive golf experience. Not without its flaws, but provides sufficient novelty to compensate. |
34/50 |
Please remember that Clipnote reviews are the opinion of one person and do not constitute an 'Official' Links Corner review of the course. |
This course is available as a FREE download.
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