| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1846 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2008-09-19 |
53,465,088 bytes |
72 |
7626 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
FICTIONAL |
WOODLAND |
Caledonian Forest.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
| 482e200395cf4541875241e11d6145fd |
b51b379a371db060bd8f1e1627a10c8d |
| COURSE NOTES |
| A fictional Woodland/Moorland course set in the highlands of Scotland |
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CLIPNOTES by Ben Bateson (ousgg) |
Description
Stymied by technical flaws, but not to the extent where you couldn't go out and
enjoy some creative golf. |
Location
TBC |
Conditions
TBC |
Concept 5/10
A rarity from Stewart Parker, Caledonian Forest is a fictional course,
rather than a celebration of Scotland's finest. It's given the designer an
opportunity to go to town with some sumptuous hole designs, the
exceptional 12th hole being a particular standout, but sadly it doesn't all
quite cohere. The opening holes are fairly typical links, but it descends
into a more target-style around the turn as the course loses its way.
This is particularly obvious in the over-stretched and silly final hole,
which brings water into play for the first time, and is completely atypical
of the 17 holes that have preceded it. |
Appearance 9/10
Very soft textures, almost to the point of velvet, mark the lovely surface work. They are complemented by some excellent low-level
grass and flower planting which feel very authentic to the region. There's an indefinable feeling, though, that it doesn't all quite fit
together, such are the difficulties of having to squeeze a fictional course into real landscape. |
Playability 8/10
There are more than a handful of truly excellent holes on this course: those that leave you with a memory and a lasting impression of
the course. The variety of challenges are accentuated by the sweeping Highland elevations and the clever golfing puzzles worked into
the fabric of the course, but if I'm to be honest, it's still not quite as much fun as playing Spey Valley. |
Challenge 9/10
A fascinating test of accuracy and strategy results in a very good challenge indeed. Perhaps the fairways are fractionally too easy to hit
and the bunkers fractionally too easy to avoid, but good shot values and sensible planning are treasured by this course, and Par is
very much the right number. |
Technical 8/10
While Stewart's touch with the visuals is beyond doubt, there's an atmosphere at Caledonian Forest that is a little less than believable.
This may not be the fault of the designer, but comparing two similar Scottish courses such as this one and Boat of Garten does
illustrate the size of the gulf that can be opened between Real courses and Fictional ones. |
| Overall |
An interesting and very playable foray into fictional course design. Interestingly, not
half as convincing as the designer's Real courses. |
39/50 |
Please remember that Clipnote reviews are the opinion of one person and do not constitute an 'Official' Links Corner review of the course. |
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