| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 823 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2002-03-16 |
25,471,464 bytes |
72 |
8474 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
IMAGINARY |
WOODLAND |
River Valley CC.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
| 1d21170038cc11d6ad8100eeb1018b93 |
9ce1962ac2133c74de4375399ff7a5bd |
|
LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewed by Chuck Clark March 2002
Background: This is the second golf course released to Links Corner by Mr. Sim. His first course was called Paradise Bay which I reviewed. It was a first effort to be sure, so hopefully this one will be better. In the read-me Mr. Sim says: 'This course is a mixture of Scottish links and woodlands terrain (It is an Imaginary Design of my Own). I have picked some of the very good holes from some of the great courses I have had the great pleasure to have played on in nearly 50 years of playing golf'. Sounds interesting, so let's go see the course!
Overall Impression: This is a very interesting and different looking golf course. One look at the scorecard though makes you gasp! This course is 8,474 yards long from the back tees! This has got to be a record. It is over 7,800 yards long from the ladies tees. Annika Sorrenstam and Karrie Webb couldn't break 90 from these ladies tees playing a scramble! There are 7 par 4's over 500 yards; including the twelfth which is 545 yards long from the back tees. I had 279 yards on my second shot here! Just ridiculous! It would actually be playable though if the fairways were a generous width. This course has some of the narrowest fairways I have ever seen. So the bottom line is this is an impossible golf course to score on. You are hitting 3-wood for your approach shot into most greens! Boy, does that get old fast.
However, despite the length and width, this is actually a very pretty golf course. There is good elevation work here with lots of rolling fairways. The planting is very good too, with lots of low bushy type trees and brush. It is actually stunning in places, but it is hard to forget that length and tightness of the fairways.
Playability: Well, if you read the paragraphs above you already know that the main area this course fails is on playability. This course is outrageously long and ridiculously narrow. The greens are pretty severe in places, with some pins placed in impossible slopes. I had one putt where if I missed the hole, the ball would keep rolling right back to my feet; it was that steep. Another issue with playability I had was the placement of pins near the edges of greens. I had a number of pins within 10-feet of an edge. They should never be closer than 15-feet in my opinion.
Shot Values: Well, if you want a course to test you on hitting fairway woods into distant or unseen greens, you have found the mother lode. That is pretty much the only shot you are required to hit though.
Visuals: As you can see from the photos, this is a really pretty golf course. The planting and elevations are really well done. I liked the rolling fairways and Humpty-Dumpty look.
Technique: This is another area that this course fails. There are numerous technical errors in places. There are many sharp texture transitions, incorrectly mapped bunker faces, invisible holes (course not validated) and other small things.
Summary: This is actually a very interesting looking golf course. Unfortunately, there are serious playability issues and technical errors. I would never recommend it to any PS player or Champ player (of any type). It is just too long and narrow for anyone but Pro clickers. It does have an interesting look though, so if the pictures catch your eye, you may want to give it a try. Don't expect to shoot a good score though, you have been warned!
Included/Not Included:
Cameo: Yes
Splash Screen: Yes
Hole Previews: Yes
Tee Signs: No
Custom Tee Markers: Yes
Custom Flags: Yes
Read Me: Yes
Handicaps: No
Custom or Added Sounds: Yes?
I am both a player and a designer. I review courses primarily from the standpoint of fun and playability. I appreciate courses that are beautiful to look at, but first and foremost I want a fun experience. I have spent many hours designing courses myself, so I understand the blood, sweat and tears that go into the design process. Any critical comments made here are meant to be constructive and helpful. |
This course is available as a FREE download.
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