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Charleswood Golf Club
by Paul Nicholson
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 414 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2001-05-28 |
13,427,966 bytes |
73 |
7735 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
FICTIONAL |
WOODLAND |
charleswoodgc.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
| 9701c241535811d5bf7a00105ac838ea |
3bd8012fb64acda3a7489606c1199019 |
|
LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewed by Mick Lenton
July 2001
Thoughts from the 1st: After perusing Pauls 5 other reviews, I wondered what I was letting myself in for, reviewing his latest course. I was very pleasantly surprised, as it was IMO a very nice course. Actually though, what I was thinking as I stood on the 1st tee, was, 'Well with courses like this, there will be no timber shortage'
The Course: This is a very long, par 73, tree lined course. When I say 'tree lined', what I am really saying, is that Paul has found the thickest wood he possibly could and cut a course into it! It does come off, in a way. It is not a hilly course, but there is some elevation on some of the holes, which add a bit to the character, which the course does lack a little. The trees are extremely dense, meaning that you do not wander far off the fairway, or off of drive line on the few doglegs, or you will be in deep do-do's. Even if there are no trees, Paul has used a grass object planted VERY thickly to simulate an inescapable rough. So, if your driving is a bit off, be prepared for a high score.
Blue grass custom textures have been used and do look pretty good. The tee areas sit direct on the rough and 3 are available. Back, middle and forward. No ladies again!!! The crosscut fairway has a first cut which leads first to a standard rough, then to a heavy rough, which is crammed full of trees and the grass. The crosscut greens have a fringe and are fairly simple shapes, some quite steep, but nothing exceptional. The bunkers have a nice custom colour which is a beige/fawn colour. Does look nice. The edges have been extruded very slightly and given an unmapped dirt edge. The fact that the edge is unmapped does not cause a problem as it is so narrow. There are a few sharp edges on the bunkers, but nothing that stands out. There are a couple of lakes on the course. Quite nicely done, but planted with the grass used on the rest of the course and I would have like to have seen some specific, waters edge, style of planting. The custom pano is simply a line of trees, but it does all work together. I would have liked a BIT of a view occasionally though. Also I am not a great fan, personally, of the shell cart path.
So basically you are wending your way through narrow avenues of trees, without much of a view of the outside world. It can seem a bit claustrophobic at times. Some people might not like the 'closed in' feeling, but it does not really detract from the gameplay itself.
A nice, tight, well built course. By the look of Paul's other reviews, I would say this is his best yet.
Playability: Hit straight, hit long and you will be alright. Go off line and be prepared to drop or rehit. Ps'ers will have to be on song to score well, but it is playable. A lot of the fairways are generous, but a few are quite tight. Again, referring to Paul's other reviews, I was surprised by the number of straightaway holes,as he seemed to be a fan of doglegs. Most of the greens are quite large, some with a few steep slopes!! Although it is quite a long course, with 2 par 3's, unusually the 9th and 18th, and 3 par 5's, of which 2 are pretty reachable in 2, it does not seem unreasonably long and I think most people could play this course. On a good day!!!.
Good Points: Very nicely put together course, well planted, if a little, how can I put this, not samey, not boring, it just isn't quite right, but I don't know why. It is just a feeling. It may be the thickly planted grass that doesn't sit well under the trees. But remember, this is a very personal thing.
Bad Points: As I say above, There is something, but I am not sure what. It may be the unremitting greeness, or the sheer lack of a view. I would like to have seen the stone cliffs mapped, to improve them a bit.
Favourite Hole: The 4th hole, above, a fairly short par 4 with a slight dogleg right, to a long, narrow green, which can be difficult if your line is out, especially if there is an awkward pin position.
Least Favourite Hole: Difficult, but I will say the par 3 18th, as I like a bit of a special for the 18th and I did feel a bit let down.
Final thoughts: Although I haven't played any of Paul's other course I would have to say that this is probably his best, if I am wrong in this, I stand to be corrected. A nice course which is worth a download, especially if you like wood. A keeper for some.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chris Gormley's thoughts..
Initial Impressions: Charleswood is a course that resembles Innisbrook in its design, a nice wooded course. The layout seems to be pretty well done with an adequate amount of risk and reward on most holes. Yardage markers, that is something you don't see to many courses have and this one does. Charleswood is one of those courses that has a natural look and feel. Keeps a golfers attention without being distracting with obnoxious amounts of planting to impress the golfer.
Greens: The greens are very large and some have such a severe slope that playing in Fast/Firm conditions would be a challenge. Most of the greens though are very well done with just enough slope to them to make putting a challenge. Only a couple had an extreme slope to them. These in no way make the course unplayable, just challenging, the way it should be.
Fairways: The fairways are very well done. There is plenty of risk and reward to each fairway. All of which were well thought out and designed.
Tee Boxes: All were large and clear from obstructions for the drives. There are 3 tees for variety.
Bunkers and Water Hazards: All were well placed to make a play think about their shots and were well designed. There is very little lip on the bunkers edges which is refreshing because as of late it seems you have to have a monster lip present to have people consider that the bunkers were created correctly. This design of very little lip works really well on this course
Planting: The planting done on this course is very tastefully done. A lot of detail and planning has gone into the planting process. Nothing extravagant here just a golf course that looks real. This course could really exist without the management having to take out a special loan just to cover the grooming of the course. You even have your golf bag for you present at each tee just incase you need to change clubs, and not to mention the yardage markers in the fairways.
Fairness: Ok for all swing types. The course is really fair to play. All players, no matter of what type of play, should like this course. A couple of the greens would be challenging in Fast/ Firm conditions but these few do not degrade the course in anyway.
Best Hole: #14 would have to be my favorite. Nice elevation change to a green that is protected by water. Nice design that fits the main ideas of the course.
Overall: Charleswood is a great course to play. None of the usual faults like bad design, out of whack verts or anything like that are present to take away from the players experience. Charleswood feels like a real golf course and I enjoyed playing it. A must see for all players who enjoy playing Links.
Filesize 12MB
Course Info :
Splash Screen? Yes
Cameo Screen? Yes
Custom Flag? Yes
Custom Tee Markers? Yes
Hole Previews? n/a
Readme file? Yes, short intro to course
Par - 73 7735yds
This review will be based on playability, aesthetics, design, originality and construction. Please keep in mind that this is only my opinion following my play-testing of the completed course.
I fully understand the hard work and immense skill that is involved in the designing of these courses as I am a designer myself and my comments will try to be constructive and without bias.
Tested on Power Stroke swing - Champ level - from the back tees - Breezy/M/M Moderate |
This course is available as a FREE download.
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