|
Trapper Lake
by Jim Grafner
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 975 |
| Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2002-07-21 |
9,236,293 bytes |
71 |
7001 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
FICTIONAL |
PARKLAND |
Trappers Lake.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
| c5236dba77ca4ce288fa4685718dc4ca |
3ea5907a7d2571f9716fc1d0c9e8109e |
|
LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewed by
Joseph G Reynolds CPA
October 2002
FORMAT FOR REVIEW:
Intro/Overview/Conclusion/Hole Descriptions/Issues/Notes for the Designer
METHODOLOGY:
Play test one round from each tee at breezy/medium/moderate, one round from back tee at windy/firm/fast, and one practice round for inspection, hole descriptions and screenies.
Introduction
Trapper Lake, a fictional lakeside course, was released on July 21, 2002, without announcement or beta testing. This initial release from Jim Grafner is made from stock textures, planting and objects, with a custom panorama presumed to represent the real life Trapper Lake near Boulder, Colorado. Two user reviews yielded a generous average rating of 2 stars. A one paragraph readme introduces this small download.
Overview
This tree lined parkland layout loops aimlessly around four manmade lakes and one narrow stream. Long (60-100 yards), narrow (15 feet) bunker are found on 12 of the 14 driving holes. In fact, I would say the 42 bunkers represent some of the least imaginative bunkering I have ever seen. Some elevation work is attempted, but is very poorly done with hard edges everywhere. The greens are often flat with very basic shapes. Even at the moderate pins setting, hole locations 4 feet from the fringe are common. There is a first cut on each hole, which transitions to normal rough. The pano as a stand-alone subject is interesting, but at no point does it properly match the plot. There are multi-colored raised flowerbeds with wood sides found on 13 of the 18 tees. Identical rock retaining walls - unmapped and thus blurry in anything except near view - are found along all the water hazards.
This is an unimaginative layout, technically poorly constructed, with little or no shot values. I shot a 59 during one of my test rounds, and frankly couldn't wait to get off the course. If you've ever paid less than $10 to play a backwater publinx, Trapper Lakes will evoke that horrid memory. This was one of the worst virtual golfing experiences I have ever endured.
Conclusion
I believe the screenshots tell the story. I do not recommend Trapper Lake for download.
Hole-by-Hole Description
Strategy in any flavor is absent at Trapper Lake. Though an occasional heroic shot is called for, there is little risk reward, and seldom will you find the need to fire a neuron.
1st Hole 247 Yards Par 3
225-yard carry over a lake, bunkered right front and along the left of a large green.
2nd Hole 409 Yards Par 4
Slight dogleg left around lake, long thin bunker on left, twin symmetrical boomerang shaped bunkers guard the front and sides.
3rd Hole 465 Yards Par 4
Dogleg left with long thin bunker on left, interesting undulations in fairway guarded by lakes left and right. Green in bunkered on the right.
4th Hole 611 Yards Par 5
Dogleg right guarded by lakes left and right, fairway is sloped sharply from left to right, bends back to the left, three bunkers around green.
5th Hole 179 Yards Par 3
Green is 60 feet above tee, long, deep C-shaped bunker covers left, front and right.
6th Hole 421 Yards Par 4
Dogleg right guarded by lake left, bunkered in front, green falls off sharply behind putting surface.
7th Hole 376 Yards Par 4
Avoid the bunker on the left, drive and a SW birdie.
8th Hole 382 Yards Par 4
Very narrow driving hole, water left, bunker right, if you're dry no worries.
9th Hole 378 Yards Par 4
8 yard landing area between 2 football field length, symmetrical boomerang bunkers, flop to a flat circular green.
10th Hole 506 Yards Par 4
Tee is elevated 20', narrow landing area between (surprise) a long narrow bunker left, stream left. 4W to rectangular green.
11th Hole 428 Yards Par 4
Island green, bridge is the long 3D object found on Trapper Lakes.
12th Hole 547 Yards Par 5
Narrow driving area between mirror image bunkers, drawn 3W over stream, S-shaped bunker back right is cosmetic.
13th Hole 204 Yards Par 3
53 foot drop.
14th Hole 366 Yards Par 4
Dogleg right.
15th Hole 351 Yards Par 4
Dogleg left
16th Hole 389 Yards Par 4
Dogleg right.
17th Hole 556 Yards Par 5
Driver then 3W over lake.
18th Hole 186 Yards Par 3
Somehow the windmill seems ironically appropriate.
Issues and Oddities
I'm not a big fan of par 3s as opening or finishing holes - TL has both.
Bunker shapes are very unimaginative. There are over a dozen long, narrow bunkers with an aspect ratio of 10:1.
The repetitive themes of the raised flowerbed boxes, undergrowth planting, and rock retaining walls all contribute to boredom.
The strategic design of Trapper Lakes is very weak - you could play this course in your sleep, not because it's too easy, but because no thought is required. I never felt any need to examine or weigh my options.
The pano isn't lined up properly on any of the edges of the plot - very noticeable on no less than 6 holes. Just flat out ugly in places.
The course layout was not well thought out. Not sure how anyone could get down from that odd hill the 5th green is on. #17 ends near #18 green, necessitating a lengthy route around the lake to the final tee. There is no clubhouse, but presumably #1 tee and #18 green would be closer than 475 yards apart. No paths anywhere linking the holes together.
Bad sharp edges and shadows throughout, i.e., behind the 5th and 6th greens, off the right front of 7th tee.
Notes for the Designer
Releasing an untested design without beta testing is a waste of everyone's time: players, reviewers, and yourself. Far better to upload a beta version first and get some feedback so you can correct and improve on your work. Many of the errors found at Trapper Lakes would be obvious even to casual players. I cannot imagine why you have recently released two courses when neither was ready, but I hope it is a mistake you will not repeat.
If you want to continue designing you'll need a lot of help. Fortunately, it's available right here at Links Corner.
A suggestion would be to open up designs you admire in APCD. Study the mesh, mapping and textures of top designers. If you see something you like or want to use then import into your object library (though of course you should acknowledge the designer in your readme file if you utilize others work).
Here are some tutorials for specific areas you should concentrate on:
APCD Videos:
Download Camtasia to view the video tutorials
Firehead & Golfzilla - APCD My Way - one of the best videos ever made on APCD
Course Layout:
Chris Perry step by step hole layout - even if you've looked at, a good refresher.
Mike Jones - look for an APCD 1.5 tutorial soon. - while you're waiting for him to update the tutorial section, study the green elevation and pin locations on MJ's courses.
Verts & Edges:
Firehead & Golfzilla - Verts & Edges - great methodology
Mesh Advice & Mesh Control:
Lee Harris Advice on Mesh - good if inset shapes
Eric Loft on Cleaning Mesh - solid application methods.
Mapping:
Firehead & Golfzilla - Basic Mapping & 3D from Terrain - learning how to use the gizmo is one of the fundamental steps you must take to get to the next level of design.
I would also recommend spending a lot of time reading through old threads at the Designers Forum at Links Corner. If you have specific issues, try the 'Search the Forums' function. If you are stuck, post your Q and someone will quickly help you.
Good luck. I hope you continue to strive to become an adequate designer.
I am both a player and a designer. I review courses primarily from the standpoint of strength of design, style, and overall ascetic appeal. I am cognizant of the enormous effort required to complete an APCD design, but out of a sense of duty to the Links community I will not hesitate to point out flaws. This review is intended to be fair, helpful, and constructive to the designer. However, this is merely one person's opinion.
Course statistics: Par 71; 7,001 yards from back tees; 5 sets of tees; 14-18 sets of pins.
Included/Not Included:
Cameo: No
Custom Flags: No
Custom Tee Markers: No
Custom or added Sounds: No
Handicaps: No
Hole Previews: No
Read-Me: Yes
Splash Screen: No
Tee Signs: No
Tournament Crowds/Objects: No |
This course is available as a FREE download.
|
|
Download course
|
Please support Links Corner
|
|
|
