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Quidnet Golf Club by Jon Weinrieb
Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1475 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
2004-07-08 |
62,844,928 bytes |
72 |
7187 yards |
Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
FICTIONAL |
LINKS |
Quidnet Golf Club (Final)_locked.crz |
Course ID |
Course Key |
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LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewed by: Chuck Clark
Background: This is the second Links course released by Mr. Weinrieb. The first was Seahawk GC released in February of 2003. For a first course it wasn't a bad effort. However, with the release of Quidnet Mr. Weinrieb has stepped up to the upper echelons of APCD designers. The following is an excerpt from the read-me:
' Quidnet is the name of a hamlet on the easternmost portion of Nantucket. There is no real golf course in Quidnet, but Nantucket Island plays home to several excellent courses, including Nantucket Golf Club and Sankaty Head Golf Club. The latter sits directly across the Sesachacha Pond from Quidnet and is visible from many of the homes in Quidnet. Like Quidnet, it is set atop a gorgeous piece of scrubby linksland rarely seen on this side of the Atlantic.
With Sankaty and Nantucket GC in mind, I crafted Quidnet out of the Siasconset/Quidnet DEM in an effort to obtain the most realistic look and feel to a course featuring both subtle and significant elevation changes. I think you will find that those moderate hills keep Quidnet GC both interesting and challenging without being unfair or repetitive. The course is straightforward but hardly a pushover. The fairways narrow and the deep grass comes in at critical points, necessitating accurate, long drives as well as sensible lay-ups and approach shots. Some strategic diagonals mixed in with the occasional blind shot require the player to call on his most sensible iron and fairway wood play in order to position the ball on the proper section of the green to avoid a difficult two-putt. Several of those blind shots can be averted by playing to the proper side of the fairway off the tee.'
Overall Impression: Quidnet is a fictional links-land type course. It is beautifully built, gorgeous to look at and a joy to play. To give you an idea I would say it's a cross between Atlantic Point and Prairie Dog golf courses. If you liked both of those courses, then you'll love Quidnet. The soft textures/seam blends, wispy grass plantings and distinctive bunkering really make this course stand out. The pano is just terrific as well; and blends perfectly with the course. There are numerous extras and features which add to the immersive feel. Just one look will tell you that the designer has gone the extra mile. A truly extraordinary effort in every way!
Playability/Shot Values: A very fun and playable golf course. The fairways twist and turn around scrubby and sandy areas. Many of the holes seem to play downhill; offering the golfer a good chance to view his options. Quidnet is also very bumpy and rumpled. Some of the holes play around and thru these low hills. You had a number of diagonal type tee shots; which are a fascinatingly strategic question to ask of the golfer. The approach shots to the greens are complicated by deep bunkers and numerous multi-level greens as well. Some of the greens are unusually shaped; so careful planning is necessary on your part. Getting your ball on the correct level can be a key to scoring well here at Quidnet. There were a few blind shots; but this is to be expected on a bumpy links course built over sand dune type terrain. I had more fun playing this course then I've had in some time (playing Links that is).
Visuals: An absolutely stunning visual course. Between the pano, textures, advanced seam blending, wispy grasses, bushes, widely scattered trees and the occasional pond this course is fantastic to look at. The planting is close to Mike Jones type quality; which is saying a lot! There were lots of nice extras to look at as well; such as wood staircases, warn-out looking turf, divots on some tee boxes, the occasional building and even a cranberry bog!
Technique: The technique here was flawless. There were frequent examples of advanced techniques. I couldn't see one thing wrong! It is very smoothly constructed with attractive elevation work throughout. The seam blending techniques are highly advanced and wonderfully carried out. Quidnet looks like a real course; need I say more?
Favorite Hole: Hard to pick just one good hole here; as I liked just about every one. But since I have to pick one I'll take the 8th hole. This is a long three-shot par 5 played down and around a big hill on the left. You can grip it and rip it off the tee and try to cut around the hill as much as you dare; but you're still going to be laying up. Your third shot is a short pitch to an angled green over a deep bunker. This hole is very pretty to look at and a lot of fun to play.
Summary: A fantastic fictional creation that shouldn't be missed. I heartily recommend it to everybody out there. It is beautiful to look at and very fun to play. Download it now; if you haven't already!
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CLIPNOTES by Ben Bateson (ousgg) |
Description Fictional, heathland course |
Location TBA |
Conditions TBA |
Concept 8/10 A delightful little course, with some testing and carefully thought-out holes
winding their way down some coastal moorland. It's not really a links-style
course - the hazards are too tightly placed, and the fairways too narrow -
but each hole is well presented and a stiff challenge. |
Appearance 10/10 This is an immaculately constructed golf course. Blends and textures look excellent, and the panorama is a beautiful backdrop to some
excellent golf. Planting is first class - quite possibly the best I've seen - and the customisation of the buildings is authentic and pretty.
The bunkers are a hybrid of sand and hard rock, which looks utterly convincing and menacing at the same time. Despite the read-me, I
get the nagging impression that this is a British course, which are of course the best looking! |
Playability 8/10 Quidnet requires a great deal of inventiveness if you are to stay out (and get out) of trouble. The varied planting of the deep rough and
the rolling, changing elevations will call you to vary your approach shots continuously. Some, however, might get bogged down in
constantly missing the too-narrow fairways and find this course a drag. It picks up on the wonderful closing stretch, though, and I defy
any golf enthusiast not to be hooked. |
Challenge 9/10 Despite the narrow fairways, punishing rough, and somewhat evil water hazards, Quidnet remains a fair course. The greens are easy
to hit and easy to putt on, in typical links style. It's the sort of course where you'll gain and lose strokes in proliferation and hit relatively
few pars. It's not an idealistic challenge, but it's a very, very good one indeed. |
Technical 10/10 Utterly flawless. Seam blends are excellent, custom textures are perfectly chosen and the planting and panorama are utterly beautiful.
This is the sort of course that I reserve perfect marks for. |
Overall |
A brilliant and exciting links-esque course. Can be frustrating at times, but the
genius behind it shines through on repeated plays. |
45/50 |
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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