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Torres del Paine
by Hugh Campbell
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1478 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2004-07-29 |
50,331,648 bytes |
71 |
7535 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
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IMAGINARY |
MOUNTAIN |
Torres del Paine.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
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LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewed by Chris Gormley
Background Info:
This is the first course submitted to Links Corner by Mr. Campbell. It is an imaginary design set in the mountains. Here is a little bit from the readme:
'This course is purely fictional and the famous Torres del Paine and Cerro Torre mountain ranges in Argentina inspired the scenery. The green water is common in mountain areas and the rolling hills panorama was chosen as when you visit Torres del Paine there is no indication of the spectacular scenery until you get there, the surrounding lanscape is fairly flat and uninteresting. There are many elevated tees to provide views of the course and to allow the player to hit some awesome drives as a result some holes are way long but still reachable. On first play it may seem that some of the slopes on greens and fairways are difficult but most are easily avoided if some thought is applied. If you play from the forward tees with easy pin positions it's a pussycat but from the back tees with hard pins it's a fearsome tiger as hard as they come.
This course is about fun and was written for LINKS not as a replica of real golf, if you want that go play outside. It should provide a good test for all abilities, be truthful; anyone can hit round sub 60 off forward tees, easy pins, amateur with no wind. LINKS should be about hitting outrageous shots on holes you would never see in real life and sometimes having to think a bit to get a low score.
There is no seam blending, crowds, tournament objects . and for the perfectionists it may seem a little ragged round the edges but these omissions do not detract from the playability.'
Overall Impressions:
As the designer stated above in the readme this course is not a replica of real golf, I cannot agree more. This course from the very first tee goes straight into the Imaginary Course Realm.
I think Imaginary courses are some of the toughest courses to design, because of their very nature they will push the limits of the APCD to pull off what the designer wants to accomplish. Therefore the designer must have a firm handle on not only the basics of the APCD but the advanced techniques as well in order to construct a course of this nature. Mr. Campbell has a good start on the basics but does need to refine them a bit more.
There are many design flaws throughout the course that really should have been corrected before its release. There are more sharp edges than I care to count, and there were quite a few areas where textures just sort of stuck out into other textures thus making the design seem like a giant puzzle that does not quite fit together. Only in a couple of areas do these problems have an effect on the play but after awhile they become a distraction to the player, thus taking the fun out of the round in this reviewer's opinion.
The overall idea of the course is not bad and there are a lot of good ideas going on throughout the course. The planting is done pretty well throughout the course. There are many elevation changes and hazards placed throughout the course to challenge and make a player think but the APCD work just does not pull it all together to form a quality course.
The hole that I can say I enjoyed playing the most was #10. The tee box is 188 yards above the green and it was kind of fun to hit a 509 yd drive.
I hope the designer takes the time to visit the Forums and uses some of the resources that are available to him. I don't doubt that with more practice to refine his skills and using the resources available to him that he will produce many quality courses, but I cannot recommend Torres Del Paine as a course that everyone should download. If you really like Imaginary courses though then this one is right up your alley, but be aware that there are quite a few technical flaws in the design of this course.
"I am writing this review from the viewpoint of not only a player but as a Tour Director. Although I am not a designer I understand the work that goes into a design as I have beta tested many courses and look at every course that is released. M review is simply how I as a player/Tour Director would view this course after a couple of rounds."
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CLIPNOTES by Ben Bateson (ousgg) |
Description
Imaginary, mountain course. |
Location
TBA |
Conditions
TBA |
Concept 6/10
If you've ever wanted to play golf in a cartoon, then Torres del Paine is the
nearest place you'll get! Rounded pinnacles of rock tower over crystal-blue
water and masses of colourful flowerbeds. You half-expect Sonic the
Hedgehog to roll into view at any point. In truth it's all a bit silly and
amateurish and would certainly benefit from a bit more fine-tuning. Some
entertaining hole designs make for a surreal and gimmicked-up round of
golf: it's likely to divide people into those that love the course and those
that loathe it. |
Appearance 3/10
Generally, not good. The landscape is littered with poor extrusions and the bunkers look dreadful. The English-country panorama is
laughably unsuitable, and the textures are bizarrely matched (I'm sure I found myself playing off leopard-skin at one point). The
planting has clearly been the designer's focus and, to be fair, it is carried off with aplomb and style, saving the course from disgrace. |
Playability 6/10
There are quite a few frustrations on this course. Impossible lies are sadly all too common, and you'll find yourself having to play
backwards on occasion for a good lie. Blocked views are another gripe and people will have to depend on the Top View on quite a few
holes. But you can certainly never say that the course becomes dull or repetitive; there's a decent line in risk/reward; and only the
hardest-hearted person wouldn't enjoy booming out drives from the 188-yard high 10th tee! |
Challenge 4/10
A lot of the challenge has been artificially created with the many water hazards and the large rock formations which must be
negotiated. It's likely that the course's technical flaws will cost you strokes too. The greens are hard work and single putts will be a
rarity unless you lay up very close. This is purely target golf, which won't appeal to many golfers in terms of the amount of 'give' in the
course (very little). Those playing with advanced swing types might be well advised to steer clear altogether. |
Technical 1/10
Lots of work required here, I'm afraid. First job would be to iron out the course and remove any potential for unplayable lies - they are
the fastest way to ruin a round. The elevations could do with smartening up and if the designer wants the cartoony look removed, I
would suggest some new textures. A new panorama and some more forgiving greens wouldn't hurt, either. |
| Overall |
A bizarre experience, certainly not to everyone's taste, but possibly worth a visit if
you can stand a certain amount of silliness. |
20/50 |
Please remember that Clipnote reviews are the opinion of one person and do not constitute an 'Official' Links Corner review of the course. |
This course is available as a FREE download.
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