| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1947 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2010-04-15 |
178,728,127 bytes |
71 |
7011 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
REAL |
LINKS |
Portmarnock Links Final_locked.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
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|
CLIPNOTES by Ben Bateson (ousgg) |
Description
Real, links course |
Location
TBA |
Conditions
TBA |
Concept 9/10
A very modern take on the oldest of course styles, this is a terrific homage
to the classic links courses such as Troon or Prestwick, and in many ways
it's hard to believe that it's barely fifteen years old. A little slow at first, it is
by far at its best when it moves away from the hotel and into comparative
isolation. Hundreds of pot bunkers litter the course without being
confrontational and the carefully-shaped fairways put strong demands on
your tee shot. The whole atmosphere has been brought to PC with
startling conviction by John Aherne. |
Appearance 9/10
Gorgeous texture use fits the course perfectly, but for real beauty you have to go and take a close look at the sod walls of the bunkers.
Planting is - given the terrain - almost entirely restricted to grasses, but even they are laid out with a careful hand, and even bend with
the prevailing wind. I have to confess that I was little put off by the panorama, which seems off-colour, and the identikit houses
bordering the hotel, but once you get out by the sea, all is amazing. |
Playability 10/10
Within a very limited brief, Bernhard Langer seems to have produced a course that will consistently inspire awe. No, there are no
gimmicks or dramatic elevations. There's very little water, and barely a tree on the course. Which makes it all the more unusual that
these holes are so addictive, compulsive and brilliantly varied. If your drive fails to hit the fairway, there could be any lie from mild to
horrific waiting, and the littering of bunkers are good hazards without being penal. John does more than his bit for the playability with
lifelike course reproduction and a terrific soundscript. |
Challenge 8/10
False fronts to quite a few greens are about as tricked-up as the course gets, but the narrow fairways and undulating greens at
Portmarnock are always difficult to play, and catching a bunker will almost certainly cost you a stroke. The Links golfer might expect to
pick up a stroke or two at the Par 5s, but this is a Real course that - especially on suitably windy conditions - will provide an excellent
stiff test. |
Technical 10/10
With John's mapping methods, we can expect courses to be accurate to every square foot. And you can't really ask for more than that.
There's a lot of square feet to play with here. |
| Overall |
One of the most lifelike creations you are ever likely to encounter. Lowland,
brilliantly created links. |
46/50 |
Please remember that Clipnote reviews are the opinion of one person and do not constitute an 'Official' Links Corner review of the course. |
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