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Slainte Mhath [2005]
by Kjell Johansson
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1545 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2005-02-09 |
28,815,360 bytes |
70 |
6600 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
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FICTIONAL |
LINKS |
SlainteMhath_2005.CRZ.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
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| COURSE NOTES |
While the first version of the course was favorably received, there were a number of things I felt I could have done better. So I've been tinkering with it on and off since, and when the MOD was released I finally decided to go over the pins and greens, and to release a new version. This might only be of interest to those linksters who really liked the first one, but I feel that the course is now a lot closer to what I once set out to create. Enjoy!
Update notes:
* Extruded tee areas
* New textures - sodwall, bunker sand, fairway
* Elevations - lots of minor changes
* Bunkers - added some, deleted some
* New green area on #18
* New tee areas on #'s 5, 7, 18
* Tighter fairway on #17
* Added fields, trees and farm on other side of road alongside #16-18
* and, last but not least, modified green elevations for the Mod. The course is now fair on m/m, playable on m/f (I've stumbled to a 79 on PS once...) and, well, interesting on f/f... Some pins may be perceived as unfair, but only if you don't find the right spot with your approach shot.
(I've also tinkered with a new pano, but I just couldn't make it look OK. I know the old one is blurry and rather non-descript, but it fits the location so it stays.) |
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LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Designer: Even though Slainte Mhath in its initial release received both Links Corner Recommended and Players Choice awards, Kjell Johansson believed the course, even still as a 2001 design, could be improved upon, and with that being said, this is his second release as a designer.
Course: Classed as being a 'fictional links course located on the west coast of Scotland', Slainte Mhath is a very short course, but depending on the conditions used when playing this design, it can be extremely difficult. The course is realistic in its set-up, with the course relying on natural hazards such as the tall grass to make things more difficult for every player. Bunkers are not plentiful on every hole, but are devious in where they are positioned, while even though the course may be short, there are some very long Par 4's which can turn out to be disastrous if not played correctly off the tee. Being a Par 70 and only having two Par 5's, the numerous Par 4's may get tiring for some players, but this course is certainly unique and is truly a great Links design.
Favourite Hole: The Par 3 on Hole 16 would be my favourite hole on the course, as with wonderful visuals both up front and in the background, plus deadly placed bunkers surrounding the green, the hole is both great to look at and to play.
Playability: With each hole generally following a straight path, the difference between scoring low or high overall will simply come down to accuracy off the tee, as by having a high regulation percentage, each pin on the second shot will be approachable enough for good birdie opportunities. However, unless the ball is positioned correctly on the green, expect some difficult putts, as just like Links courses in real life, the greens have quite a lot of curve and slope to them, so it's very important to think about exactly where you want to be putting from before you hit the ball. The Par 4 on Hole 9 is drivable in the right conditions, while with only two Par 5's found on the course, you'll need two very good shots consecutively to have any chance at getting an eagle. Considering that the greens are quite small, the Par 3 greens can be difficult to hold in windy conditions, but with good course management, players can score well on this course if they choose to do so.
Technically: Considering that this is a 2001 design, there are many advanced APCD techniques that are missing from the course, but even so, from first glance, it is hard to actually tell the difference between this and a 2003 release. Perhaps the only things that would give away this course as being a 2001 design to players would be the beach and ocean areas, and some of the blending in the fairways and greens. The textures used throughout were perfectly chosen for this style of course, with the colour of each texture blending very well with each other. Even though technically there is no seam blending, each texture, especially in the bunkers, cart paths and tee areas looked superb, and because the course doesn't contain advanced 2003 APCD techniques, rendering times are very fast. Being a Links style design, the bunker texture and walls were amazingly well done, and in terms of elevations, the course was made to play as a realistic design, while the added extrusions in the tee areas were a great addition to this second release. The panorama may not be perfect, but rather than looking at it being of a low quality, I rather get the feeling that the hills are just really far away, which in the end, adds to the playing experience. The only addition to this version that I didn't like was actually the fields to the left of Holes 16 to 18, not because they wouldn't exist in real life, but rather because it is the only obvious feature that makes the course look like a 2001 design, and up to that point, players could well believe it was a 2003 course. With additional features such as an airport, clubhouse, fences, roads, walls, and very atmospheric sounds, this course technically is one of the best 2001 courses ever released.
Other: The course contains a cameo, custom flag and tees, handicaps, hole previews and a splash screen. Initially, the hole previews might not appeal to most people, but as they are personal drawings, it is much like what people might sketch for their home courses in real life, and thus, is a great addition to the playing experience. Even though this design has now been released twice, I would like to see a 2003 version of it in the future, or possibly, a 2003 sister course of some sought, as the designer has obvious skill with 2001 designs, so now it'd be great to see how he performs with the available advanced techniques possible with a 2003 course.
Download Value: Being just under 24mb, the course is a relatively small download, but unfortunately, doesn't contain any extras within the zip file. However, the course itself is an amazing 2001 design, both in terms of playability and technical application, and with the previous release of the same course being a multiple award winner, if you enjoyed that version, you'll probably like this one even more. It is certainly a remarkable course, and one that will be staying on my hard drive for quite a while.
Information:
Course Statistics:
2001 - Fictional Links - Par 70 - 3 Tees
6643yds (Back) - 5991yds (Forward)
Par 3's: 4 - Par 4's: 12 - Par 5's: 2
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CLIPNOTES by Ben Bateson (ousgg) |
Description
Fictional, links course |
Location
TBA |
Conditions
TBA |
Concept 10/10
This amazing wild and windy Scottish links both attracts and repels you,
but for all the right reasons. With nary a sign of life on the front nine as you
play away from the clubhouse, and the roaring wind and ocean breakers
booming in your ears, you feel in touch with nature at its roughest and
most brutal. In true links style, there is little regard to par layout, and there
are only two Par 5s on the course. The conditions and restrictive hole
design make for some testing golf, but the windswept beauty of this course
is such that you keep coming back. |
Appearance 10/10
Despite the remote locality, this course is impressive in the design. The planting of the long grass is painstakingly perfect, and the
extras such as the coastline, aircraft base and neighbouring croft are brilliantly rendered. There is no seam blending, but the textures
used are perfect and almost blend into one another regardless. The whole course is washed in suitably pale green with a decent
panorama functioning as the backdrop. |
Playability 8/10
Perhaps a third of the holes offer reasonably risk/reward, but this isn't the outstanding feature of links golf in any case. Your round is
assisted by the undulating and confusing elevation changes, and some true tests of putting on the greens. The backdrop of noise is
impressive at first but does become somewhat wearisome later, sad to say. But this is often a magical course to play around, and will
remain so for many people. |
Challenge 7/10
A tough round of golf, this, although never unfair. It's very hard to make putts, and shots will inevitably be lost from missing fairways.
The bunkers are often inclined to be small and deep, and will need a lofted iron escape in many cases. But the course is short (6600
yards) and good enough approach play might make a few birdies with easy pin placement. |
Technical 9/10
Lack of seam blending is a disappointment, although the textures are well enough produced to make this negligible to the visuals of the
course. What impresses me most about the technical work is the creation of a complete environment, through sound and visuals,
which makes the course utterly, utterly believable. |
| Overall |
A very real and windswept links course which provides a superlative experience.
Comparable with any links course out there. |
44/50 |
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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