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Arrowhead CC
by Art Patscheck
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 22 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2001-01-09 |
7,350,042 bytes |
72 |
6646 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
REAL |
WOODLAND |
ArrowheadCC.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
| db9d97e8e61f11d4b35b00a0cc63d419 |
f45b6df4f728247ff94f3a660add7dc1 |
|
LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Arrowhead Country Club - Designed by Art Patscheck
Reviewed by Pete Dixon February 2001
This is a late review on a course that has been available for some time now and is a real course from Myrtle Beach, California. The course is set amongst a mixed pine forest with an abundance of water, which you can see from the opening splash shot, which whets the appetite before you have even got onto the course.
Under 6MB to download? Must be a load of rubbish, right? WRONG! This course is a gem of simplicity and good design and is much better than some courses that are 5 times the size.
I will go through the faults as I see them, these include, there is a loss of definition/lack of depth on some areas around the waters edge, this is not prolific but it does exist in some areas.
The bunkers have good depth but lack a little texture and although rounded off nicely at the lip are more basic than some that are out there.
This is a short course, even from the back tees, but as this is a real course then there isn't much Art could do about that. This aspect lets you play within yourself so there is less chance of error when playing your shot, however hazards are well placed and there is plenty of water for you to dive into if you get it a bit wrong. I must admit I was getting some low scores consistently in all conditions, but then not all courses have to make you want to tear your hair out.
There are no buildings, the panorama is the pine forest (although none the worse for that), there is minimal furniture, just ball washers on the tees, but there are several bridges that have been well positioned and sit well in the landscape.
The paths run smoothly along the perimeter of each hole and stay in perspective, the fairways are well contoured and have a variety of undulations and there is a nice cut strip between the fairway and rough. The planting is very well done although there is not much variety, the water looks good and reflects well and generally there is good depth to the banks and even some nice stone edging around the water on the par 3 12th.
The tees are basic but in scale, this is an area that could be improved on in ways of finesse.
Best Hole: I had a few to choose from here but finally plumped for the par 5 11th where you have to play your tee shot across water onto a fairway that is separated from the tee and the green by a stretch of water that runs all the way up the left hand side. Your second shot is into a tapered part of the fairway, or if the wind was in the right direction, those of you brave enough, may well have a go for the pin.
If you go for the safe option you are left with a short chip onto the green where you will have either a simple or difficult putt depending on the pin placement.
Overall: Most people will already have this downloaded by the time you read this; it just goes to show that bigger isn't always better. Sure it may lack some of the bells and whistles that other courses have, and may not be quite as well finished in places, but at under 6MB this is a must have course and one you will not be disappointed in. Any new designers could do a lot worse than have a look at this and see what can be done with so little.
Funnily enough I have just downloaded Art's new course, Avocet, which in complete contrast, is a whopping 36MB, I look forward to reviewing this soon and comparing the two.
Nice one Art, and if any of you haven't downloaded this yet, do it now!
Links Corner Design Analysis
With a file size of only 7mb, not much was expected, but this is a beauty of a course. To pick faults is to pick flowers from a glorious garden. But I would like to see this designer go on to more quality courses, so here's the small amounts I found. The main points that I would personally like to see improved, are the areas where the fringe and fairway merge. Both are similar textures and can confuse in some areas. The terrain meeting terrain can also make for some elevations not necessarily wanted. The 6th hole has an area that looks like a sharp edge but is simply raised when the fringe/fairway meet. And on the 11th, the area across your shot path is more of a mound, and possibly intended, but it makes bounces very unpredictable. There are other odd areas through the course too. Paths are another area that need improving, as they twist and elevate sharply in some areas. The 7th and 15th were noted, but again other areas exist. Also on the 7th around the dogleg, the area where the dry bush meets the rough needs attention too. Mapping on the rocks on the 3rd hole is the only final point I'd like to note that could be improved. Aside from those, this a real risk and reward course, nicely done and well worth a look.
Filesize 7MB
Course Summary
Par 72
Tees : 5
Cameo Picture : Yes
Splash Screen : Yes
Handicap Holes : Yes |
This course is available as a FREE download.
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