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Golfcom C. C. South Course
by Richard Doty
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 118 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2001-05-09 |
28,341,549 bytes |
72 |
7018 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
FICTIONAL |
PARKLAND |
golfcomccsc.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
| bdf6a0c026c411d5a2dd0010b5508bbe |
a32d6d07a34790f8d8e44416158a33f9 |
|
LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewed by Pete Dixon
I have been given the honour of reviewing the very course that has just won the PC Gamer competition for the best Links 2001 APCD, and this is it.
This is, I believe, Rick's first course that has been available on this site and is a fictional with a magnificent custom mountain panorama, lush green grass, scrubland, palm trees and an ocean beside it for good measure. To add to that impressive list it is also home to many animals and birds and I suppose it could be likened to an African costal course, not that I have ever been to one, but that's the image I get.
I had some pre conceived ideas about this course before I saw it, I wondered if it would be a course that was designed purely to win a competition in a computer magazine judged by members of the staff, most of whom had never played golf games before, although I am told it was judged by someone who does know a thing or two about our beloved game or designed as if it was for us linksters who are now highly critical given the magnificent courses that have been released to date, a different set of judges if you like. I thought my own thoughts would be correct, but after corresponding with Rick I discovered this was totally a labour of love and that he had even more custom objects to include but ran out of time and that this would be the course he released if there had been a competition or not.
Richard obviously knows his way around the APCD, as this is a course, which is nigh on technically perfect, with the odd glitch, which may well, being the fault of the APCD rather than the designer himself. He has doubtless spent a long time getting the layout right and mastering the skills needed to get the quality to this level.
The panorama is excellent, as I have said; the fairways are fairly wide but have very nice natural undulations. The greens are well done and have some very subtle breaks in them making you have to plan your putt to account for this, in fact these are some of the best greens I have played on as the breaks are not obvious and really have you groaning in despair as you think 'how the hell did the ball slide off to the left!'.
Bunkers are excellently done, very well finished off, good variety and nice depth and texture. Water is also very well placed and expertly finished off. The bright blue ocean is also original as is the scrubland, which gives good contrast to the lushness of the grass, and all these are custom textures, of which there are 18 in total.
Sounds perfect (and by the way the sound is excellent)? Well it does, but, and there's nearly always a but, the course is crammed full of extras, wildlife abounds, the tamest wildlife in the World! There are hot air balloons, sailing boats, lighthouses and planes that sit on the water as well as all manner of buildings etc.
There are also a lot of different colored plants and bushes in view but they seem to have been put there to catch the judges eye rather than thoughtfully placed to enhance the course, this isn't to say the planting is bad, the palms are excellent as are some of the rocks, but again with the rocks, you wonder why some of them are where they are, I am all for little touches and originality but I feel there are a tad too many bells and whistles here and this detracts from the realism aspect of the design even though he has to be highly commended for his use of hundreds of custom objects.
Best Hole: The par 4 7th which has a split fairway giving you the option to play short or go for the second strip, the second shot is back towards the ocean to a large green that has some tricky slopes and is guarded to the right by a long bunker.
Overall: It is difficult to review a competition winner and then be critical of it, I hope I haven't sounded too negative about this as that is not my intention, I am trying to get over my feeling the course gives me when I play it although I must say the course grows on me each time I play it.
Can I see how this has won the competition? The answer is yes I can, the course looks bright and appealing and some elements are first rate, in fact there is no doubting this guys talent. The other question is, will it be as well received by the Links community? Well I think it is going to be one of those courses you either love or hate, personally I feel that there is just too much going on and this detracts from the golf itself. I would have preferred it much more if this had been toned down and lost its sweetness, there is a great course in here but for me it has been spoiled by the fact there is just too much going on.
I have no doubt that Richard will design some fantastic courses, of which this one could be once it has been taken back to the bones, toughened up a bit and had some of the dressing removed, this is only my opinion and I know that he may well be a little upset with my conclusions.
Will I keep coming back to it? Yes, I think so, but I wait with anticipation for his next course and also for feedback from himself and others to the review and to the course itself.
One for you to make your own minds up about!!
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Chris Gormley's thoughts..
Initial Impressions: Golfcom South is set near the ocean it appears, or some other large body of water. There is lots of planting to catch a player's eye. Specifically planting near the ground, very extravagant looking. There are not to many trees when compared to other types of vegetation. Very open course both in design and planting aspects. Some very good scores could be posted here especially if you can hit the ball long and accurate.
Greens: All of the greens are large and spacious and shaped uniquely. All are also contoured nicely. The greens are almost too big, it was rather easy to get the ball on the green and keep it where I wanted. A little smaller green size in places would have made for more of a challenge, IMHO.
Fairways: All fairways are well thought out and shaped nicely. But they like the greens are very large and open. The elevation changes that are here are done very well, and things are smooth and natural looking. There is only a little risk/reward here as the fairways are open and free for a player to grip and rip the ball as far as they can, as long as you keep things under control and straight.
Tee Boxes: Done pretty well. There are also 5 tees on this course which is a refreshing site.
Bunkers and Water Hazards: Bunkers were well placed around the course, with most coming into play if your shot is a little wayward. Water hazards are also abundant and place well also. Makes a player think about their shots before letting them go. I found myself altering shots because of both hazards just to make sure I did not end up taking a swim or on the beach.
Planting: Planting throughout this course has to be talked about in two forms: ground level, and everything else. The ground level planting was very detailed. There are many grasses, wildlife, and things to catch a players eye. Some areas, especially around the tees, it felt as if the designer was planting things just to plant them. There was no pattern to the planting that I could see. Not a complaint just a criticism, a little more use of a pattern here would have been nice. Now the 'everything else' planting (ie. Trees) was a little sparse. Trees were here and there on the course, with most being in great spots to shape a players shot, but a little more would have made the experience better.
Fairness: A pretty fair course. A player should not have a problem playing this course in Windy/Firm/Fast conditions and scoring decent. All swing types should have an enjoyable time as well.
Best Hole: I liked #17 a par 3. You have to tee off over water to a moderate sized green that is protected by bunkers on both sides. #17 is also one of the most visually appealing holes on the course. Very nice design.
Overall: Overall Golfcom CC - South is a great course. The terrain is smooth, and the planting is visually pleasing, although not overly challenging. There are no construction type flaws(ie. Bad verts) to distract a player during a round. Rick took some times planning and laying out the course in its overall design and it shows. Just about everyone should enjoy a round or two and Golfcom CC South.
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James Wood's thoughts..
This is a very pleasant course to play with abundant wildlife, buildings, hot air balloons, and many other objects to see as you make your way around. The panorama was well done and seemed to fit the setting very well. Planting and other aspects of the course would certainly place it in some kind of resort type of setting. The whole feel of the course gives it somewhat of a fantasy theme. There are abundant sand bunkers and other hazards which are well done. The fairways while very wide are also very contoured and this leads to many sidehill lies. The greens are also contoured nicely while still being very fair to the player. The par 5's are reachable and the course plays very wide open. Good views of the fairways and greens off the tee boxes make the time while playing the course seem to fly by. An easy course to score on if you use the click method of swinging and probably easy even for someone who uses the Power Stroke method of playing. The course is certainly interesting and it really is quite a lot of fun to play. I would recommend it to anyone and I would think that this course is one of those that would be great to play on-line with friends.
Course Info :
Cameo Screen?
Splash Screen?
Text file?
Hole Previews?
26mb
Reviewed May 2001 |
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