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Timberlands 2005
by Peter Gemmill
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1627 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2005-11-14 |
100,347,904 bytes |
73 |
7363 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
FICTIONAL |
WOODLAND |
Timberlands_2005_Final.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
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| COURSE NOTES |
Timberlands 2005 is a fictional woodlands course loosely based upon Bonville International Golf Course (www.bonvillegolf.com.au/) on the New South Wales north coast halfway between Sydney and Brisbane.
This is my second course released to the public but is more than an upgrade of the original Timberlands Golf Club with changes made to many of the holes. |
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LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
This is an update of a 2001 version and is Peters' second release. Having never played the 2001 version all is new to me, so the course will be reviewed on its merits alone and not as a comparison to the original.
The Players Point of View.
Played MOD, B/F/M
First impressions were of a neat, tidy and pretty course, with plenty to catch the eye, flowers and shrubs abound, and in most parts look very natural. The course rolls beautifully over hills and among tall Augusta like pines, with lakes and a pine mountain panorama that suit the textures and surroundings very well. Bunkers are strategically placed catching a poor shot but not hindering an accurate one, once in a bunker you may find that the ball reacts a little differently than usual, flying further than normal. I didn't find this a problem once I got used to the extra yardage, but personally found it a little unrealistic. The course is sculpted very well from the terrain and there are a lot of uphill, downhill, and side lies to be found, hole 2 in particular has a 60 foot drop to the green from 150 yards back in the fairway, there are also a lot of doglegs, ranging from slight to severe especially on the par 4s, which does tend to give a sameness to the course. One of the par 4s has 3 bunkers placed right across the middle of the fairway, something I usually do not like, designers have often used this ploy of placing bunkers smack bang in the middle of the landing areas offering no choices other than a lay up, Peter however has placed these bunkers in such a way that a good drive with a little draw cutting the corner will clear them and a well hit straight drive will land just short. This typifies the course as a whole; where choices and thought accompany almost every shot, this tells me that Peter has put a lot of thought into the strategy of the design, even if there may be too many doglegs. Having said that, there are a couple of forced shots here and there, hole 9 is a short par 4 playing at around 290 yards, there is next to no fairway and what short grass there is, is unbelievably narrow giving the player only one real option of going for the green which makes the hole play like an incredibly long par 3, (see screenshot 6.) Unfortunately this one stands out because of how well the other 17 holes play.
Unusually playing to a par of 73 at a length of 7363 yards Timberlands is not a short course, but the designer has definitely not tried to force difficulty by adding length. The greens differ in size from huge to enormous with nice little rolls and breaks, though I have not played the course with every pin setting I couldn't find an unfair pin anywhere. Fairways do not have the usual fringe placed around them, running directly into rough. There are plenty of real courses around that have this type of set up and it was refreshing to see a designer taking a break from the norm by using this style of design.
Timberlands is a fine course, it is a joy to play, and I for one will be playing it for a long time to come.
The Designers Point of View.
As a designer myself I tend to be picky about certain things, my comments are in no way meant as a criticism of the design or the designer, they are meant as pointers to things that might be improved to help with the next design.
There are a few cloned trees and bushes to be found, there's nothing in your face but none the less some are quite noticeable, there are a few floating and 'steel' trees; all in all the planting has been accomplished quite well, the designer needs to keep an eye on the scaling of some of the bushes which were way too large especially some of the succulents, also a lot of the 3D fences planted around the course were way too big, some stand at over 6 feet high with posts bordering on 3 feet in thickness, little things amongst a nice planting style that would have enhanced the look of the course a great deal.
Bunker lips have not been mapped, this would have added immensely to the over all polish of the course, there is also the odd blend that either does not exist or the edge sharpness has been wrongly set, leaving a sharp 2001 like transition from one texture to the other.
Some of the paths that run around the course are on some very steep slopes which would make them impossible to walk along in real life, thus rendering them unnatural.
Notes on the plus side are: there are a few 3 way blends that have been made extremely well, anyone who has tried this will attest to how difficult it is to make 3 textures butt up together with blends and not have bleeding from one texture into one of the others. The layout of the course is very nice and elevation work is superbly done, pin positions are well thought out and there is a great attention to detail and strategy which is evident as you play the course. Texture choices are spot on and the panorama chosen fits the course nicely. Weighing up the positives against the negatives there is nothing here to discourage you from downloading this course; the negatives mentioned are slight compared to the immense fun there is to be had, bring with you your best game and your thinking hat though.
Even at 94.6 Meg Timberlands 2005 is a course any serious, or not so serious Links golfer, should have.
I write this review as a designer and a player. Please remember that this is only one persons' opinion, and you may disagree with it. I have given my opinions in an objective and honest way. My comments are intended to help the designer and player alike. The comments come from a thorough analysis of the course and offer only advice. |
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CLIPNOTES by Ben Bateson (ousgg) |
Description
Imaginary, forest course |
Location
TBA |
Conditions
TBA |
Concept 6/10
Lushly planted and target-oriented, Timberlands ploughs its way through
mid-density forest and elevations. There are a whole host of rather daft
contrivances which make the golf difficult and help you lose touch with the
real world. As a result, the course often gets bogged down amid a
confusing set of styles. You often feel that you're playing through a market
garden, such is the distracting nature of the flowerbeds. It's not that the
course lacks coherence, but it's less a round of golf than a Kenneth
Graeme novel. |
Appearance 10/10
Peter Gemmill really knows how to push the boat out with custom planting, and the range of wild flowers planted around just about
every tee are northing short of stunning. The textures are an acquired taste, but actually suit the course environs very neatly. In truth,
there's magnificent views to be had on every hole, and very little that could be faulted. |
Playability 6/10
The golfing aspects to this course are what really catapults it into fantasy territory. There's very little natural about the way the course
winds around the woodland, and the hazarding is calculated to punish. It's very out of character with what is intended to be Australian
golf, and while it's not totally frustrating, you find yourself crying out for just one or two straightforward holes. |
Challenge 6/10
If the fairways were narrower, the course would be virtually unplayable. Thankfully, they're wide and accommodating, and there's
actually little by way of punishing rough. Sadly, the same could not be said of the hazards (sand and water), and some nasty pin
positions. It's tough golf; definitely not for tournament play. |
Technical 9/10
The only APCD flaw you could possibly pick up on here, is the possible need for texture change. The 'speckly' look isn't exactly easy
on the eye. It might be argued that the adding of elevations in somewhat unnatural locations and gradients is also a downside, but
remembering the beautiful planting and the designer's attention to detail means this course comes out terribly well. |
| Overall |
A slightly surreal addition to your Links collection. Best not to tackle the course
head on: if you do, make sure it's under perfect conditions. |
37/50 |
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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