| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1385 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2004-01-18 |
14,919,443 bytes |
69 |
6232 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
REAL |
WOODLAND |
Bishopbriggs.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
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LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
2/5/03
Reviewed by: Chuck Clark
Background: This is the second version of this course that Mr. Parker has released to Links Corner. According to the designer Bishopbriggs is a real course in Scotland; that is relatively level and surrounded by many trees. The first version of this course was just released a couple of months ago as part of a seven course pack; all being real courses in Scotland. The designer further states that this course was done to give the members of Bishopbriggs a chance to play their home course on the computer when they're not able to do the real thing. You should also know that this is a Links 2001 design. Since I reviewed the first seven courses from Mr. Parker it will be interesting to see how much it was improved from the first version. I have to admit I was not very impressed with the first version.
Overall Impression: This version is definitely an improvement over the first; but not exponentially so! There are still mostly stock shapes used, stock textures, redundant planting and simplistic construction methods. The course did look better; the planting has definitely changed. The major thing that jumps out at you is the size and scope of the surrounding trees. They are huge in places! Because the trees are so large, so densely planted and so close to the fairway and greens; you feel claustrophobic! If you can make it around this course without hitting a tree; I'll be happy to buy you a drink! There are some short dog-legs here that if you're not paying attention you will drive it right thru the fairway and into the deep dark forest! Good luck getting out again!
Playability/Shot Values: If you can keep it between the trees then this course is very playable and pretty easy. It is fairly short and generally flat. The greens are generous and very level. If you can hit a lot of fairways then you should shoot a pretty low score. There is not much to say about shot values though; there just isn't much variety to the shots and holes.
Visuals: As stated above there are lots of trees; and they are very large! The under planting is ok, but very redundant. There are no advanced apcd techniques on display here; the construction is basic at best. There is no first cut around the fairways and the bunkers are very simply built. The greens are built with the same standard shape and very mundane to look at and play on. One interesting thing Mr. Parker did, which I liked, was the hole previews. Each preview is an actual picture of the real hole you are playing. This is a very neat idea for real course renditions. The quality of the pictures was not very good; but I liked the opportunity to compare what I was playing to the real thing.
Technique: Unfortunately the technique displayed here did not improve markedly from the earlier version. Besides the items mentioned above there were lots of sharp texture transitions. Nothing makes a course look and play more unnaturally than this.
Summary: I guess this course succeeds at what the designer was attempting; giving the members a decent rendition of their course to play on those long winter nights. However, for the rest of us I can't really recommend this course. It is just too simple looking, there are too many errors and the course is (frankly) kind of boring to play. This rendition is definitely an improvement over the last one; but I was hoping to see a bit more! I would recommend that the designer learn the techniques for customizing some of the greens and bunkers. Use more than a few trees and bushes; and work on making the course really look like the one you are recreating.
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