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Forest Legend @ KISS Tours 2004
by Bob Hankla
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1502 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2004-11-11 |
43,454,464 bytes |
72 |
6941 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
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FICTIONAL |
WOODLAND |
forest_legend_2004.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
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LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewed by: Chuck Clark
Background: This is an update of a previously released course. Mr. Hankla stated in his read-me that:
The primary thing that I wanted to change and the main reason for this update was the green elevations. Each and every green has been re-contoured to allow much more realistic putting. I also manually checked every pin placement to insure they were not on a slope. The fairway elevations were also modified, but not nearly to the extent of the greens. It will still be rare to have a flat lie. The layout was only slightly changed. One hole was shortened into a reachable but dangerous par 4, and a couple landing areas were widened. The textures were swapped just to provide some variety, and the primary rough now plays as rough rather than deep grass. I figured the fairways were narrow enough without overly penalizing slight misses. On the visual side, the planting has been spruced up and spiced up, and all of the bunkers have refinished. The bunkers are a result of some playing around I did trying new things, at least for me. I also attempted to correct a sound problem that some experienced in the original where the cursor would freeze momentarily and could only be resolved by turning off ambient sounds.
Overall Impression: This is a beautiful woody golf course with lots of nice elevation work. The layout is quite interesting and there is also a lot of water in play. Bob has obviously put a lot of work into this course and it shows. This course is very well done and is a lot of fun to play. I had a few tiny quibbles but nothing that should stop you from giving this course a look. The greens are very Mod friendly and the course works well if you like playing the Mod.
Playability/Shot Values: I enjoyed the playability and values of this course. There is a number of interesting tee shots on this course. Uphill, downhill, dog legs, tightly enclosed by trees and open meadows you've got it all here. I like courses where you are asked to work the ball off the tee on occasion. I also like courses with some tee shots that are a bit scary. Forest Legend gets a thumbs up on both these issues. The other main important issue to keep in mind are the bumpy and sloping fairways. Bob works these in nicely and this gives the course a bit more pizzazz than normal.
Favorite Hole: I really liked the 14th hole; a medium length par 4. If you want to hit driver on this hole you better hit a big fade (or draw if you're left handed). The fairway is nicely bunkered all along; so even if you lay up there are bunkers to threaten your tee ball. I like having a hole now and then that really makes you work the ball and this is definitely true here. The green is elevated and nicely bunkered as well. A fun and interesting hole that make you think!
Visuals: Very nice looking course; this course is lush and green and has deep and dark forests. It is a mountain course with creeks and ponds and lots of nice underplanting. I liked most of the textures used except for the greens. I didn't care too much for it; but that's just personal taste. My other little nit pick was the bunker edges. They really don't look very realistic looking to me; but what do I know? The planting on this course is very well done and really gives you the immersive feeling we've come to expect. There were a few repetitive trees here and there and I did find one floater. Of course you will never be able to find it yourself; because I doubt anybody else will ever hit it that bad on that hole! The grass objects were scaled pretty big; but I thought they looked pretty good nonetheless. I may actually experiment with scaling them a bit larger on my next course because of this.
Technique: Very good technique was on display throughout. Mr. Hankla obviously has the program pretty well figured out. The blending and elevation work are all top notch. The cart paths were a nice touch and the planting was very well done. Other than the few small things mentioned above I couldn't find a thing wrong on this course from an APCD standpoint.
Summary: A nice woodsy golf course with an interesting layout and fun holes. I can heartily recommend it to anyone who likes these types of golf courses. Unless you really don't like forested mountain golf courses you won't be disappointed.
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CLIPNOTES by Ben Bateson (ousgg) |
Description
Fictional, forest course |
Location
This has a Mid-west feel to me, but it’s only a guess. |
Conditions
Plays at F*/F*, probably safest a notch slower. |
Concept 7/10
Immaculately conceived amid dense forest, this is a real treat from an experienced designer and still retains a lot of credibility some seven years after the release of the latest version. Water plays parts both decorative and challenging, and the course takes a lot of inspiration from the likes of Riviera, Augusta and Medinah. The overall presentation is let down slightly by hasty hole previews and no real sense of location, but there's enough golf here that you can overlook that. |
Appearance 8/10
Age has been kind to the textures, which still look great even in this high-res age. The bunkers are well sculpted and blended, although you get the sense that the more extreme elevation changes were a quickly-added afterthought. The woods are deep, dense and underplanted, with genuine mystery, although there has necessarily been some cloning. The reeds and suchlike by the waterside have stood the test of time very well too. |
Playability 9/10
An excellent gradient to this course gives you the benefit of several open and honest holes to start, before slyly adding in the water as you pass the turn. It's never done to excess, and there's plenty of replayability with subtle line changes and green approaches all the way around - pin positioning can be a huge bearing on your round here. This is still holding up strong after some time. |
Challenge 6/10
The greens are extremely accommodating here, and even though the forest looks menacing, you'll have to be a pretty wild hitter to get lost in the trees. Forest Legend relies principally on its water hazards for a stern test, and even good golfers will probably have to concede a penalty stroke or two. But, by then, they might be six or seven ahead of the game, thanks to an inoffensive front nine and plenty of reachable Par 5s. |
Technical 7/10
Some lumpiness in the extrusions and one or two sections which haven't received any work are still apparent, but it's a huge compliment to this course to say it remains credible after all the developments and advancements which superseded it. If anything, it's perhaps improved slightly over time. |
| Overall |
A cut above the average sterile woodland course. Planned in detail and plenty of fun to play. |
37/50 |
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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