| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 459 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2001-06-26 |
33,186,932 bytes |
72 |
7120 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
FICTIONAL |
LINKS |
goosnk2.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
| 50aa58aa6a1b11d5b58ccffe7d9ab263 |
cf2cd3d895670ae21551f6ab06dc95fa |
|
LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewed by Chris Gormley
July 2001
Initial Impressions: Gooseneck Bay Tournament is a Links style of course ala. St. Andrews. The terrain is very undulating, which at times was distracting to the player. Not a negative thing, just a personal preference on my part. No visual defects can be seen in the construction of this course. The layout seems to be well done and thought out with plenty of risk/reward on each drive as well on approach shots into the greens. The sounds used on the course were very nice but tend to be used to much. The wave sounds were nice, but by hole #4 I was turning my sounds off just to finish the round.
Greens: Most of the greens were pretty well designed. Bad shots are rewarded with tough putts. Most greens were sloped pretty well but a couple would be very challenging in Fast/Firm conditions.
Fairways: The fairways are designed pretty well. A couple were narrow in the landing zones, but for the most part all players will like the design of these fairways. Many elevation changes in the terrain make a player think about the shot before taking it.
Tee Boxes: All were large and clear from obstructions for the drives. There are 3 tees for variety.
Bunkers and Water Hazards: Bunkers are done in a St. Andrews sort of style, being very deep with a rather large lip on the green side. Some of these even had grass growing in them, which was a very nice tough. Most were placed in strategic places to effect a players shot selection.
Planting: The planting of the course is very characteristic of a Links Style of course, nothing extravagant but well done nonetheless.
Fairness: Ok for all swing types. There are a couple of fairways that will give PS players a tough time hitting. Greens are pretty fair as well, with only a couple being a real challenge in Fast/Firm conditions.
Best Hole: #4 would be my choice even with the narrow landing areas in the fairways. A lot of thought went into the design of this hole. There are 2 different landing areas for your drive. Each landing area has its own risks/rewards. Nicely designed hole.
Overall: Gooseneck Bay Tournament is a pretty decent course. There are no visual faults that bring the course down. I personally could have dealt with out all the constant wave action, but that is just my opinion. Some will like this feature, I did not. Gooseneck is a very characteristic course for a links style course. I have not played the previous version of this course; therefore all views are not a comparison to the original version. I would recommend this course to anyone who enjoys playing a round on a course that is similar in design to St. Andrews.
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Review Addition
by Dave Campbell
This is a seaside links course featuring beautiful cliffs, ocean and undulating fairways and greens. Randal supplies a custom soundfile with the download, plus tournament objects and crowds, that really immerse you in the golf round. This course is incredibly tough, with tee shots needing to be near dead on with snap (and shot path for PS) to stay on the short grass. If you do leak into the fairway or scrub you will almost always have open looks, but sticking and holding the green from one of these lies is a different story. I felt like I was constantly fighting to save par, which isn't all bad. It just doesn't make for the most relaxing round of golf.
I loved the custom textures used, looking wind-blown and sun-washed. Custom sounds are present the whole round with crashing surf, screeching gulls and blowing wind. Very nicely done and I highly recommend using the Gooseneck soundfile. Very solid from the APCD perspective, didn't notice one thing that looked wrong (with the possible exception of all those mounds, but I believe that was planned). I have to agree with 'Loner' on one point, a steady diet of this course may drive you crazy. Taken in measured doses, and appreciated for its construction in the APCD, it is really a wonderful course.
Comparable courses: Northern Dunes by Mike Jones, Cuckmere Links by Jim Gates
Test round score: +1 42%FIR 50% GIR 28 putts. After three bogies over the first 6 holes this wasn't a bad round. Came within 27" of a hole in one on the par 3 16th.
Best hole: I really like the par 4 18th hole with the green pearched out on that rocky cliff.. This hole is reminicent of the par 4 17th at Congressional. Looks real good with all the tournament stuff around the green.
Filesize 31MB
Course Info :
Course Text File - Yes
Hole Handicapping - Yes
Course Yardage - 7120 yds.
Par - 72
When I review a course I do so as a player and as a Tour Coordinator. I look at things like playability, aesthetics, design, originality and construction. Since I have not created a course with the APCD I am not an expert on the in's and out's of the program, but do understand the amount of work that goes into a course. I will try to make any comments helpful to the designer from a players stand point and not from a designers standpoint.
Tested using Classic Swing with Pro Ability from the back tees. Played twice using the standard stroke mop with No Wind, Moderate, Medium and Windy, Firm, Fast conditions as well as numerous walkthroughs in practice mode. |
This course is available as a FREE download.
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