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Saint Kilda Castle Links
by Stewart Parker
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1986 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2011-01-24 |
94,793,728 bytes |
72 |
7652 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
FICTIONAL |
LINKS |
St. Kilda.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
| 16132ea0d1c2451b960c189fea18e5ca |
a5cbceb31e87d5c8b14bc2814039b08e |
| COURSE NOTES |
A Big thanks to everyone who helped with this design.
The course and surrounds were designed by me, Stewart Parker, but all the additional 2d objects, planes, boats, etc. were made and added by Zeke. He also designed and added Tournament Objects, Crowds, Hole Previews, and Splash Screen. There is a lot of work in creating a course but I think Zeke put in as much work as me, by creating all the other often overlooked parts of the game.
The pano was created by Daniel as therapy, following his recent illness. Very interesting therapy, Daniel. I don't know if it made him feel better, but it did wonders for the course. Superb, as always.
I really cannot thank these two gentlemen enough.
I must also thank Don for his beta and pin testing and Jerry for his Ani testing.
Also thanks to Paul for teaching me all I know about APCD.
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CLIPNOTES by Ben Bateson (ousgg) |
Description
Fictional, links course |
Location
Outer Hebrides |
Conditions
S*/S* would probably be most realistic, but the course plays fine on M*/M*.
Select pins carefully if you want to play any faster. |
Concept 7/10
It was an inspired idea to drop a golf course layout on the remotest part of the British Isles, and it's also no bad thing to conceive of a
tough links that rewards conservative shot-making and course knowledge. Whether the two belong together is something of a moot point.
What can be certain is that Saint Kilda is a very tough course, mixing acres of thick rough with some huge holes (notably some Par 5
slogs). The castle (presumably acting as clubhouse) and an offshore runway add a quirky touch. For the large part it's been executed well,
but it does feel slightly other-worldly. |
Appearance 8/10
Stewart's typical selection of rough has been jazzed up beautifully by incorporating native heathers and gorses, and although the textures
are not high-res, you'd hardly notice it. The castle has been ported in well, but I'm not really convinced by the runway, nor by the sea. The
former needs more to delineate it, and the latter if anything is too well outlined and needs another texture around the beach. |
Playability 7/10
Saint Kilda, above all else, calls for intense amounts of concentration. A misfire or unthinking shot could well result in hefty penalties,
and this applies to every single hole. What's required to play this well is a learning process and a lot of course knowledge, because
shot selection has to be very precise, with several blind lies increasing the difficulty. It's a worthy conceit, but the average Links golfer
probably has a large enough course rotation that he'd rather not devote all the time to this one course. |
Challenge 2/10
Tight landing areas, horrible two- or three-shot rough and cavernous bunkers are all contributory factors to what inevitably turns out to
be a long scramble for par. Birdie chances need to be seized, which isn't easy with greens that are fair but awkward to read. Play it
with suitably windy conditions and you'll be sorry that you did! |
Technical 9/10
As long as Stewart doesn't make a habit of giving courses this level of difficulty, there is a lot of credit attached to this course. An
inspired location, intrinsic understanding of strategy and links golf, and largely flawless APCD-work all put the convincers on for this
course. Given that the difficulty level was always intentional, it's remarkable how that's been achieved without resorting to silliness. If
you can blank out the coastline elements, there's plenty here. |
| Overall |
It's rare to find courses that come this tough but are still believable and put all the
test firmly at the golfer's feet. |
33/50 |
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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