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Devils Lake South@
by Mick Prendergast
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 716 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2001-12-31 |
15,914,204 bytes |
72 |
7788 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
FICTIONAL |
MOUNTAIN |
dls.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
| b3f1505bd89d473789d0fb785b3d9cc7 |
07548c0c16fd0e1e785240c0b0607b37 |
|
LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewed by Pete Dixon
March 2002
Well here I am again, after a lengthy break due to horrendous work commitments and also moving house, life is calming down and I am getting some spare time again, not much, but some.
I digress, my first review since sometime last year and by complete coincidence it is one I would have loved to have come back to, one of my friends, Mick Prendergast's latest offering, which is an update rather than a fully fledged new course, a final edition as it calls itself.
After looking at the read me that is attached I learn that this is a fictional course set in Montana, the upgrades from the previous version, which I must say I haven't played, is that all the greens have been redone, there are now 18 pin placements on each green, not at the same time I hope!! Hole previews by Alligator are now there and GS Unnar has done cameos, splash screens and part of the previews.
Mick also states that the course has been designed to be a very tough test of golf and that the course is a true test which should be played on firm, fast greens, with difficult pins from the back tee. Well as that is the case I have been playing it on medium conditions!!! Hey, I have gone off the back tees and this is only in the interest of the review, nothing else!!
To the course itself is a lush pine forested mountain style with some wonderful backdrops to look at as you try and come to terms with the stern test ahead. The holes undulate; you may be driving downhill on one hole to be hitting your next tee shot or approach upwards.
The bunkers, and there are some large ones, have steep slopes and are placed just where they should be, to trap your ball if you play a bad shot or try and hit a ball too hard or too soft, they don't penalise a good shot.
There is also water, in fact, quite a lot and the placement is as for the bunkers.
The greens have already become a talking point so I wasn't sure what to expect, I knew they were going to be tough, but I was hoping that they weren't going to be so tough that it spoilt the course, which is something that can happen. Well, you can relax, the difficulty level is pitched just right, remember I played this on medium settings and although I had a lot of steepish downhill or uphill putts this wasn't spoiled by ridiculous breaks, these were subtle and I made a good share of first putts or put it dead, but I did have to be on my game. If the anti were upped then the greens would be an excellent test of players who think they have it too easy. Love the flags too!!
Ok, what about the negatives, well, I know it's his trademark but I still find some of the colour choices to be a bit too bright for me, although this is far less bright than say POGA final edition. I also think some of the planting, particularly if you get close up to some of the plants in the water hazards aren't as tidy as the rest of the course and maybe the choice of plants in that area are wrong too, although they do look good from distance.
Another thing, and this isn't something that bothers me, but this may not appeal as much to the real golf course lovers out there, this is definitely fictional but has been designed in that way so that it gives linksters a real challenge, something that the design of the game doesn't allow as much for on a 'real' course because the designer can only create what is already there and what is difficult in a real life game of golf needn't be the same on a computerised version.
Personally I like both styles so it doesn't worry me in the slightest but I thought I had better point that out.
Best Hole: All the holes are well put together and the course is a treat all the way around, so pay your money and take your choice! I did make a 418 yard drive off the 15th!!
Overall: Mick has achieved what he set out to do and that is to design a course that is a true, but tough test of golf and one that is accessible to dial up users.
The course is good to look at, technically excellent, mind you my technical knowledge is not great, and a real challenge. The planting is still something Mick can improve on in future releases.
Club selection and skill on the greens are what is important here and the difficulty never eases.
The best course Mick has designed to date? Unquestionably, yes! Well done and not a giant bench in site!!
Special mention for Alliegator who has produced staggering hole previews!
Filesize - 19MB
This review will be based on playability, aesthetics and originality. Please keep in mind that this is only my opinion following my play-testing of the completed course.
I fully understand the hard work and immense skill that is involved in the designing of these courses and my comments will try to be constructive and without bias.
Tested on classic swing Pro level from the back tees |
This course is available as a FREE download.
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