| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1974 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2017-04-16 |
125,706,240 bytes |
71 |
6686 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
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FICTIONAL |
MOUNTAIN |
CrystalHD.crz.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
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| COURSE NOTES |
HD update, re-released April 2017 as a freed download - thanks Mike.
User Poll covers this and previous versions of Crystal Pines |
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CLIPNOTES by Ben Bateson (ousgg) |
Description
Fictional, mountain course. |
Location
TBC |
Conditions
TBC |
Concept 9/10
A remarkably short course, by any standards, Crystal Pines uses sheer effrontery to achieve its goals. Possibly the most fantastical of Mike Jones' oeuvre, it uses postage-stamp sized greens, the swooping mountain elevations, and contour-hugging sand and water to really force the player into difficult decisions. After a few rounds, one does find ones self wondering if it's all a little bit too clever for its own good, but the die cast for the course has been rigidly stuck to: the consistency and atmosphere of Crystal Pines is second to none. |
Appearance 10/10
New HD rendering brings the clean-cut lines of Crystal Pines perfectly to life, and the quality of textures and blending is undeniable. The colour palette is smoother than previous editions and the planting is absolutely perfect for the environment. The work on different bunker types is a notable highlight, and the waterside bunkers on the 3rd and 7th are as good as any we've seen. A number of high-quality 3D buildings are dotted around the course and provide the perfect final touch. Faultless. |
Playability 8/10
A real test of shot shaping and ball-control, here, which virtually eliminates the need to take a driver out on course. It's refreshing, almost short-course golf, and set off perfectly with typical mountainside sound and necessarily informative hole previews. I found my experience tainted a little by one or two un-negotiable bunker lies, and it's true that the overall gameplay might be making unnecessary demands of the golfer, particularly on Mod conditions. |
Challenge 9/10
It's difficult to know how to place this: the relatively tiny course length is balanced out very well by some extreme target golf and very tough greens. Undoubtedly it is thoroughly playtested, and comes from a designer of great renown and skill, so the point should be conceded that it probably is a very fair test: perhaps the most credible aspect is that it will test parts of the short game to a degree that most Linksters are not used to! |
Technical 10/10
As ever, there is commendable attention to detail here and rings of texture and blends where other designers just wouldn't conceive of putting them. The course extras - while not as legion as in other Mike Jones courses - are a treat for the eye. |
| Overall |
Beautiful mountain golf and a genuine test of short-range accuracy to the limit! An outstanding course in many respects. |
46/50 |
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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