| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 550 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2001-08-26 |
22,492,723 bytes |
72 |
7600 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
FICTIONAL |
TROPICAL |
tiger_isle.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
| 223bf6209a6f11d5986ad32fe59cb84d |
402368c17421d1432dea2b7801af16f4 |
|
LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewed by Dave Campbell
Expectations: I'm expecting an island setting with many tigers and lots of tropical feel.
First Impressions: Tiger Island is the first of two designs release by Dave Everett and was posted at the Links Corner in August 2001. His latest offering is called Lost Woods Golf Club and received a 73% score in its review. It is a 7,600-yard par 72 with three tee choices. This course is indeed set in a tropical, island environment with many palm trees and ocean views, as well as lava formations. It is listed as fictional but I would definitely place it in the fantasy/imaginary course type myself. Your game will be severely tested at every turn and the layout is unconventional to say the least. I will give Dave some props for originality but I'm not sure it all quite works. Lets dig inside the design a little bit.
Playability: This course really falls into the fantasy category more so than fictional design. There are many pinpoint shots required to stay safe and have even a chance at par or better. Just miss the short grass and you'll be in deep rough and have a tough go at saving par. There are multiple holes with forced carries in excess of 240 yards or more from the tee, which is too much pressure on me and my 3W (the lowest club I carry in my bag). To top it off there are multiple island type fairways with small landing areas that really force you to be on with your snap. The planting was done fairly well and fit the environment, and the lava boundaries around many of the fairways and green complexes look good.
The tee boxes are standard in shape and the red tee markers are actually the back tees. Some of the views were quite nice and I like the fence and floral work that were constructed around many of them. I have a question about the 1st and 11th tees though? I play in panoramic view and I rendered behind some object on the 1st tee and couldn't see a thing in the main view. On the 11th tee there are trees planted right on the tee texture, with branches blocking your view? Even though I could aim in the top cam and hit unimpeded I question whether this was tested at all? If it was planned I question that even more?
The fairways are different as I mentioned earlier. Many long (too long) force carries to reach safety. Some did offer good targets and were of decent construction, barring some sharp edges on texture boundaries and the occasional mesh shadow. Elevations are ever present so expect an uneven lie most of the time. There are bunker placed about at most of the usual places and they are of average quality, what you would expect from a first design. You will notice the occasional wavy texture and shadow, but they are playable and not the worst I've seen by any means.
The greens are also playable but exhibit much of the same beginners errors. Dave has put many hills and swales to give you a test but they can certainly be putted. Most of the problems come from texture borders and inconsistent fringe thickness, and the occasional creased mesh.
I want to mention the nice splash and cameo provided along with some great-planted sounds. The constant chattering of birds and the tiger roars are well done and add greatly to the tropical feeling of the design.
Drawbacks: I've already touched on some. The main thing is the beginner errors in mesh construction. Wavy textures in the bunkers and too many mesh errors. I mentioned the red tees are used as the back tees. Not a big deal but unconventional.
Some of the hole layouts just don't make sense. Too many are just do or die, hit a perfect drive or you're fighting to save bogie. Case in point; the 591-yard par 5 7th requires a 250-yard carry just to reach the fairway. You will then need a 240-yard second shot to a ribbon thin island fairway. Just too demanding and I felt lucky to finish this hole with only a double bogie. There are others that just didn't seem right. A perfect drive rewarded with a stand of tree plantings that didn't allow an approach. Had to knock a wedge a bit further to allow a green approach. Just seems like too many of the holes were not thought through in the design stage. And I already mentioned what I consider the overuse of small island fairways, surrounded by deep grass. Way too punishing.
Best Hole: Even though this hole was a bit odd looking I liked the feel of the 392-yard par 4 10th. You have a choice to tee off with an iron safely (and leave a long approach over water) or go for a floating island fairway and leave a shorter approach. The island fairway is tight though and will obviously cause problems if you don't stick it. Good design and pretty hole here Dave. My screenshot shows that I chose to hit safely but left myself a monster approach over the lake. You can also see some of the lava formations around the fairways that I spoke of earlier. Incidentally, my approach came up short and I went into the water, and ended up taking a big number anyway. So much for playing safe.
Test round stats: +9 30% FIR 27% GIR 24 putts.
Comparable courses: the Island by Paul Nicholson
Overall: Tiger Island is course that has some beginner errors and some layout flaws, but also shows some creativity. Dave shows a willingness to take some chances and not fall prey to the same old thinking as far as course design. There are too many good options out there now for me to recommend a download but it is a playable course, and if you like fantasy you may want to have a look. As mentioned Dave has another course released that got a good review so that may be the better option. I do appreciate your time and effort and look forward to another of your designs.
Course Info :
Cameo Screen? Yes
Splash Screen? Yes
Text file? Yes
Hole Previews? No
20mb
Reviewed January 2002 |
This course is available as a FREE download.
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