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Jackson Hole Golf and Tennis Club
by John Dudis
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1529 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2004-12-22 |
88,854,528 bytes |
72 |
7168 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
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REAL |
PARKLAND |
JHGolf&Tennis_locked.crz.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
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| COURSE NOTES |
Extract from the Readme
Jackson Hole Golf and Tennis Club is a real course located just north of Jackson, Wyoming. The course was originally opened in 1963. In 1973 it was re-designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. The course, located at the foot of the Teton Mountain Range, was built at an elevation of 6,200 feet above sea level (you gotta love that thin air when it comes to driving the ball, hehe). The layout features numerous scenic views, as well as several lakes and creeks that are dotted throughout the natural landscape and come into play on several holes. The greens are large and well bunkered. While mountains surround the course, the land the course was developed on is quite flat and most of the elevations in it are man-made.
"Golf Digest" rated it 10th among the "Top 75 Resort Courses" for 1992, and 13th best out of the "Top 75 Public Courses" for 1990. The same publication rated it the "Best Public Course" in the state for 1999, and 40th among the "Top 75 Upscale Courses" for 1996. In the Category of "Best in State," Jackson Hole Golf and Tennis Club was named #1 for the years 1995 through 1998. It was the site of the 1988 men's and women's Amateur Public Links Championships, two of the USGA's top events.
My re-creation may not be technically accurate as far as elevations to the foot, but I believe it gives a fairly true representation of the real course as far as yardage, looks and feel. Because I kept the yardages true, it may play easy for the more experienced Links players, however, if you trick up the play settings I think you'll find it challenging.
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LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
REVIEW BY JON WEINRIEB
From The Course Notes: Jackson Hole Golf and Tennis Club is a real course located just north of Jackson, Wyoming. The course was originally opened in 1963. In 1973 it was re-designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. The course, located at the foot of the Teton Mountain Range, was built at an elevation of 6,200 feet above sea level (you gotta love that thin air when it comes to driving the ball, hehe). The layout features numerous scenic views, as well as several lakes and creeks that are dotted throughout the natural landscape and come into play on several holes. The greens are large and well bunkered. While mountains surround the course, the land the course was developed on is quite flat and most of the elevations in it are man-made. 'Golf Digest' rated it 10th among the 'Top 75 Resort Courses' for 1992, and 13th best out of the 'Top 75 Public Courses' for 1990. . . . My re-creation may not be technically accurate as far as elevations to the foot, but I believe it gives a fairly true representation of the real course as far as yardage, looks and feel. Because I kept the yardages true, it may play easy for the more experienced Links players, however, if you trick up the play settings I think you'll find it challenging.
The Basics: This is a real course set at the feet of the massive Grand Teton Mountains out in Wyoming. This is John's second course for Links. He previously released Hop Farm Golf Course back in 2001, a course that was quite well-received. Jackson Hole is a 7,168-yard, par-72 course that plays fairly easy but is not a pushover. John includes 2 recorded rounds (1 champ - 1 elite) for the player's enjoyment, as well as a nice read me file and scorecard image.
The Course: The Tetons make for a gorgeous backdrop for a golf course and John does a nice job of recreating that feeling here. It all starts with some attractive splash screens that depict the sheer jaw-dropping beauty of this area of the western United States. The pano is, likewise, spectacular and one of the strengths of the course, visually.
Jackson Hole is a fairly straightforward layout that runs through the parkland at the base of the Teton mountains. Lots of good doglegs, a solid, yet mostly long, variety of par 3s and exciting par 5s challenge the player. As is the case with many real courses, though, this is a birdie course so the better players and pro clickers will eat it up. The holes are not overly memorable and it is hard to pick out one or even several that stand out above the others. But that is not to say it is not a fun course. Hitting wedges into par 4s and going low is a lot of fun and there are a slew of under-400 par 4s, so the course really is there for the taking. It is relatively flat and, although it is not a pushover, some moderate elevation work would have toughened things up nicely. John indicates that his elevations are not meant to be completely accurate so it is hard to know what exactly is different. As it is, though, it certainly makes for going low.
APCD Technique: As a general matter, the APCD technique employed on Jackson Hole is quite good. The bunkers are sound, the greens roll nicely and the tees, fairways and water hazards are well-constructed. It is not among the very best out there in terms of APCD skill, but it is quite good enough to convey the feeling of being in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and to know that you are indeed enjoying a round at the Golf & Tennis Club there.
The two things that I would change slightly are the textures and the planting. The textures are good but I would have liked to see some sharper ones with some better coloration and enhanced congruence among the first, fairway and rough cuts. I also believe some additional seam blending around the greens would improve the overall look and feel of the course. I was a bit more disappointed, however, in the planting. It is the one real weakness of the course and holds it back from achieving greatness. Although John used good objects, they are, in many places, too sparse, too big (grasses) and not cohesive enough to create a coherent appearance. Although there are no per se errors, the course simply does not look as good as it could. By no means does this fact significantly detract from the enjoyment of the game play, but it knocks the course down a little.
Aside from the textures and planting, however, the course is great with respect to its technical construction. One thing, in particular, that I found to be exceptionally well done and really sets the tone is the use of custom 2D houses that have a ski town look and feel to them. Their use places you right in Jackson Hole, enjoying the dry mountain air, longing for the cold winter days when Corbet's might reopen for another chance at glory.
The course also features a number of custom extras, including hole descriptions on rocks at each tee and a sweet pool area for some sunbathing. The course also includes hole previews, which are decent but could be a bit better, leaving out information that I think the players not using overhead cams would appreciate.
Overall Impression & Recommendation: Particularly for those players who enjoy slightly easier, more straightforward and realistic courses, I wholeheartedly recommend Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club to you. John worked very hard to bring to us this very fine rendition of a beautiful golf course.
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CLIPNOTES by Ben Bateson (ousgg) |
Description
Real, farmland course |
Location
TBA |
Conditions
TBA |
Concept 5/10
A down-at-heel rural dream, Jackson Hole encompasses shacks and prairie. Hole design is mostly benign, although the wicked 11th adds a sadistic twist. Generally, though, players should expect the norm from a public course: lengthy Par 3s, reachable Par 5s, and a gentle, unthreatening round of golf. |
Appearance 6/10
The main problem with this course is flatness. There really is a missing element in terms of elevations, and it doesn't do either the appearance or the test any favours. The planting is sparse and could be toughened up too. Holding the presentation up nicely are some brilliantly understated textures and an impressive and well-fitting panorama. Could be a lot worse, on the whole. |
Playability 5/10
Most players will enjoy an infrequent ramble around Jackson Hole, although in truth it is a little bit unstimulating. Some shot-shaping is necessary off the tees if you persist in taking your driver, but the pattern of play becomes formulaic well inside the front nine. |
Challenge 3/10
The lack of elevations really make approach shots a doddle, and the greens are very gently sloping and easy to read. Additionally, the planting doesn't really come into play, thanks to the large expanses of rough between the fairway and the scattered trees. The bunkers are easy to escape and a mid-60s round should be your target. |
Technical 8/10
Apart from the lack of attention to elevational detail, this course has been pieced together very well. The low-level planting adds tone and the hazards look realistic and unforced. Use of textures is authentic and suits the course perfectly. The soundtrack is worthy of mention, too, being atmospheric and unintrusive while being varied and interesting. |
| Overall |
An understated real course which is pleasant enough but lacking the cutting edge that will stimulate or challenge most Links golfers. |
27/50 |
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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