| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1289 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2003-06-05 |
65,681,491 bytes |
72 |
7118 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
REAL |
PARKLAND |
Le Gold National_locked.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
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LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewed by Bob Hankla July 2003
Le Golf National is a real course located outside Paris, France, and plays host to the French Open on the European PGA Tour. I'll start off by saying that this is one of the more exciting real layouts I've seen for Links. Water plays a role in at least half the holes, and it makes for a fun round of golf. The course is set in an environment of various tall grasses and small scraggly trees, presumably near an airport judging from the constant planes flying overhead. The planting is very well done, giving a very natural, real feeling to the course.
Although listed as a 2003 release, I didn't see much usage of 2003 features. The textures used were 2001 textures, and there wasn't much seam-blending either. I felt that the course could have really benefited from some high-resolution textures, which along with the good planting would have really brought the course to life. The lack of seam blending isn't as noticeable, but would have helped as well. The course construction was a little above average. I did notice some sharp texture transitions, but nothing that affects play. The bunker construction is interesting. All of the bunkers I noticed had some sort of lip, but not very pronounced, just enough to outline the shape of the bunker in some cases. The numerous water hazards were bulkheaded to a large degree, which was done well. Where they weren't bulkheaded, the transition to the water was a little abrupt in some cases.
The elevation work felt natural for the most part, but I did encounter some undulations in a couple greens that felt over the top. Other than those few spots, the greens played very well. As I said at the top, the layout itself is the real strength of the course. There are no boring holes on the course. When the water isn't present, there are other challenges waiting, from bunkers to deep grass close to the fairways. The fairways are spacious for the most part, so that's one thing less to worry about. As far as 'extras', there are very good hole previews, a modest tournament option, and sounds galore. I hope you don't mind planes flying overhead, cause you'll be hearing a lot of it.
Favorite Hole: I'm going to select two holes, numbers 15 and 18. #15 is a 400 yard par 4 with water all along the right side, splitting the fairway into two segments, and creating a virtual island green. The water bisecting the fairway prevent the use of a full driver, leaving a wedge or short iron to a green surrounded on almost all sides by water. #18 is a great strategic finishing hole, a 518 yard par 5. That doesn't sound very challenging, but going for the green in two requires a 240 yard shot into a green once again surrounded on three sides by water. Finishing with this hole, especially in match play, could make for some very interesting decisions.
Recommendation: I would recommend this course to everyone because it's just a lot of fun to play and pretty nice to look at. Thanks to the designer for bringing it to us.
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