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Bent Tree Golf Club
by Randy McMinn
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 996 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2002-08-05 |
36,728,065 bytes |
72 |
7052 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
FICTIONAL |
PARKLAND |
Bent Tree1.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
| 0094c5c32af24a9787e0ccbb70e1bda8 |
8104749cf2163eaacf712bd04b0163fc |
|
LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewed by
Joseph G Reynolds CPA
September 2002
Introduction
Bent Tree Golf Club, the initial design release from Randy McMinn, was released on August 5th, 2002. This moderate download currently has an LC User Rating of 3 stars, and was awarded Honorable Mention for the August LC Links Recommended Seal.
This fictional course is based on 3 west Tennessee public courses opened in the late 1990s. Bent Tree GC served as the primary source of inspiration, and is seen in the hole previews. Design elements were also borrowed from the Bear Trace at Chickasaw and the Tennessean. A power stroke recorded round is included with the download, and while the course includes no tournament objects, sparse crowds are planted.
Acknowledgements
The designer recognized the following contributions in the brief read me file. Dexter Gresh designed the APCD hole signs, the panorama was borrowed from AlabamA (J & B Wood course - DLunatic pano), and Mike Savicki helped with bridges and steps.
Background
The public beta in March was apparently not helpful. The original final release under the name Bent Creek was subjected to harsh criticism in the LC forum boards, and the designer elected to pull the course from the download server. After completing numerous changes, and effective private beta testing, the course was released two months later as BTGC.
Overview
Bent Tree Golf Club is a set among woodlands, but open enough to have a parkland course feel. The layout has a mix of strategic and heroic design style. There is a penal quality to some of the holes, where careful thought will find the preferred route. On another handful of holes, options abound, and the strategic quality will make you appreciate the care that went into this design. The course has a few birdie holes you must capitalize on, and for the most part you'll need to choose your clubs wisely, especially off the tee. The greens are generally huge, with severe Augusta type slopes. With 18 pins widely distributed, it is inevitable you will find the occasional impossible hole location. There's no rule that says you have to try to birdie every hole, so when you find a difficult pin, shoot for the middle of the green.
Under firm conditions some of the greens will be difficult to hold, despite their enormous size, and if the ball does manage to stay on, lag putts will be a supreme challenge. Miss your snap and you'll be hacking out of deep rough, as there is no normal rough found on this course. This is balanced by a few holes you can overpower, and astute players will discover the strategic thinking necessary to score well here.
The elevation work on this course is exceptionally good. For this alone you simply have to give this one a look, for the undulations and mounding are terrific. The colors blend very well, although there are a few sharp edges where the textures join. The latter is attributable to the absence of a ring of verts. (SEE Notes for the Designer @ bottom) The planting is generally very good. There is an occasional odd tree that seems inappropriate to the surrounding flora and fauna, but the effect is not jarring, and I rather liked the designer's creativity here. In lieu of underbrush the designer has used grass clump plantings throughout the forest areas, and parts of the rough. The trees are not buried, but planted on top of the texture without grass tuff edgings, a technique mirrored often in nature. Some will find this 'floating' look unappealing but it is primarily an aesthetic personal preference issue. The walking paths take some creative meanderings unobtrusive to play. There are excellent railroad tie steps found occasionally on steep slopes.
Variety is achieved with many different aspects of Bent Tree GC, resulting in a beautiful and imaginative design. Nonetheless, there is an uneven quality to Bent Tree. There are 5 par 3s, 5 par 5s, and no par 4s in holes 14-17. While the unusual routing was refreshing, the flow of holes is disjointed at times. Some holes have wide, straight, fairways, and others would fall into the heroic design category where a less than perfect effort will be penalized. This may be in part due to BTGC being a compilation course, or perhaps first time designer experimentation. In addition, there are some minor flaws, addressed in the Issues and Oddities section.
I found the use of water hazards was in the main fair and offered some strategic options, though at times the course ventures into target golf design because of the rough. On several holes 20-24 yards of short grass define the target landing areas, but you will also find wider fairways sprinkled throughout the course. A light rough was used for the first cut, which immediately transitions to heavy rough. Shots more than a few feet off the fairway will be costly.
The strength of the Bent Tree design lies in the enormous greens, which feature diabolical placements, multiple levels, and wild undulations. Under fast, firm conditions playing for the center of the green is wise, and under most conditions two putts will often feel like an accomplishment. It is inevitable, given the severe slopes and sheer number of pins, that some placements will be less than fair. If someone told you golf (or life) is fair, then my apologies for your misconception.
Conclusion
I would strongly recommend downloading this course and giving it a trial run. I played several rounds here, and the appeal grew on me. It is a beautiful course to look at because of the appealing variety. It just misses being a really great course, but is a very worthy first effort, and it is obvious a lot of thought was invested. I enjoyed playing this course, but there are different courses for different horses. It is doubtful Bent Tree will enjoy wide appeal because of the severity of some of its design elements and minor technical flaws. It will stay on my hard drive, though, because the more I played it, the more I liked it. There is a preferred route to these holes, and the challenge lies in finding it. Make no mistake: this course is tough as nails. If you enjoy a test of golf that will reward good shotmaking, then go get this course. You won't be sorry.
For those who can endure it, a Hole by Hole Review is presented here. Minor technical flaws and aesthetic points follow in the Issues and Oddities section. This review is concluded by Notes for the Designer, included here to help other APCD hobbyists.
Hole by Hole Review
1st Hole Par 5 - 574 Yards
Two diagonal fairways split by a creek dictate a layup off the tee for the direct route, while playing to the right will necessitate a faded second. With a strong following wind, a well placed tee shot, and faded second, hitting the green in two is possible. Otherwise the second shot should be laid up near the end of the third fairway, leaving an approach from about 90-100 yards. If you pick the right club the landing areas for tee shot and second are sufficient. The large, undulating green has several pins offering challenging putts.
2nd Hole Par 4 - 433 yards
Two diagonal fairways with wonderful undulations confront the player from the tee. The smart play is a precise 4W/1I to first fairway, mid iron to large severely sloped green. The creek fronting the approach will rarely come in play.
3rd Hole Par 4 - 391 yards
Here is a good opportunity for a birdie, so take advantage of this hole. 3W should favor right side (Driver will run through the crowned fairway), 5I to relatively flat green. A large lake is set far enough from the front that any shot from the short grass will clear easily.
4th Hole Par 3 - 199 yards
The elevated tee shot to a wide kidney shape island green should be no problem for a crisp shot. One bunker in front, fairly flat green, well played shots will yield a good score.
5th Hole Par 4 - 423 yards
A 3W from these gorgeous peninsula tees will avoid the bunkers left and right of the straight and narrow fairway. Take plenty of club to avoid the single large bunker fronting this two-tier green, and remember, par is a good score here.
6th Hole Par 4 - 410 yards
Although on a peninsula surrounded by water, this fairway is fairly broad. A 3W avoids the bunker on right and offers a level lie, and although its tempting to pull out the big dog as the left side opens up here, the undulations should give you pause. If the pin is front right or front center, you won't be able to hold this severe slope, but as a consolation you'll be putting uphill. Water is beautiful to look at here but not in play.
7th Hole Par 5 - 553 yards
Easily the best strategic hole on the course, you'll love the tee shot options on this split fairway beauty. Play straight to the narrow fairway and two perfect shots will get you on in 2; lay up with a 3W to avoid the right side bunker; or draw a Driver over the trees and the lake to the second fairway, and if your snap is on, eagle is a possibility. Careful on the second, the hole path in APCD is wrong. If you're playing with Arnie, you'll swear he's been drinking again. Don't miss the beautiful mounding in the right rough as you stroll up to this massive green (I once had a 34 yard putt here). This, along with the 12th and the 16th holes, are classic Nicklaus architecture style holes, though I can't confirm Bear Trace inspired these. Fun hole, and you'll improve your score here.
8th Hole Par 3 - 198 yards
Mid to long iron over a large lake to a kidney shaped green. Flat enough to score the occasional deuce, and you'll par it more often than not.
9th Hole Par 4 - 416 yards
Semi-blind tee shot, a 3W will avoid the identical triplet bunkers found left and right of this narrow fairway. Mid iron to elevated green, which is again kidney shaped, and again guarded by a lone massive bunker. Long is wrong - a huge dropoff lies behind the green - and if you are on the opposite tier (left and right) as the pin, fahgetaboutit, you just 3 putted. The scorecard yardage is deceiving - this is one strong finishing hole.
10th Hole Par 4 - 391 yards
As your partners are lining up their tee shots, have a seat on the bench, smell the roses, and take a close look at the excellent hole sign. You're about to see a fine example of OUTSTANDING elevation work. 3W on this straight narrow hole will take you to the end of the fairway, leaving a PW to a green that looks straight out of Augusta. Neither bunker will come in play, but that 2 tier putting surface will offer plenty of challenge.
11th Hole Par 3 - 222 yards
Ever wonder what golf architecture buffs mean when they say 'it's a Redan hole' - well here is the diagonal green, though the length misses the classic definition by about 40 yards. Another gigantic single bunker fronts this green, which favors a draw, and is deep enough it will hold a well struck shot. Good luck - pars are just fine here, but once in awhile you'll drop a putt on this relatively flat green.
12th Hole Par 5 - 543 yards
The first true dogleg on the course features water bending with the fairway along the left side, and pinching the cape green opening. Very large bunker on the right, so a well struck Driver to the moderately wide fairway is essential. If you're feeling frisky a faded 4W or 1I can find this green, but take care - the left side slopes severely from right to left, towards the water. The back and right of the green will, however, receive the well struck shot. Strong play will yield many birdies, but for the most part eagles will be a fluke.
13th Hole Par 4 - 303 yards
The green sits some 40 feet below the tee, but the lake fronting the green doesn't allow the option of going for it. Be content with a long iron and SW combination, as this green will reward you well.
14th Hole Par 3 - 209 yards
From the elevated tee, take a mid to long iron over the large lake to a kidney shaped green. Flat enough to score the occasional deuce, and you'll par it more often than not. Hmmm..yes, pretty much the same hole as number 8, but take note of the four back bunkers which frame the hole. Though largely not in play, these are very well done, and are reminiscent of the bunkering of the 13th at ANGC.
15th Hole Par 4 - 532 yards
Tee shot should favor the left side, and the slope of the fairway will help direct your shot to the proper angle. There are no hazards or bunkers on this hole, and you will reach this elevated elliptical green when your snap is on. Right pin placements are blocked by the trees, which are a little closer to the fairway than most holes. Definite birdie possibilities here, but you'll also see plenty of 3 putt pars. Check out the interesting up and down swale on the right side - this is quality workmanship. Interesting hole you'll enjoy.
16th Hole Par 5 - 570 yards
LET THE BIG DOG EAT. The bunkers on the right are cosmetic, and the fairway is generous. A true 3 shot hole, your full wedge will need to be precise to hold this severely sloping elliptical green. Play slightly to the right or above the pin, suck it down near the hole, and say please and thank you for the birdies you'll find here.
17th Hole Par 3 - 203 yards
The last of 5 par 3s at Bent Tree features an elevated tee shot to an oblong green, chipping areas front and left, and a long shallow bunker on the right.
18th Hole Par 4 - 471 yards
This long, uphill par 4 is a great finishing hole. The well placed bunker on the left of a medium width fairway must be avoided. The elevated green has a ridge through the middle, and birdies will rarely be found here. Size of the green is perfect for receiving long shots. An absolute gem of a hole.
Issues and Oddities
Much of what is cited in this section is aesthetic and will not affect playability. Some of the small plants and weeds along various water hazards have concrete properties. I found steel weeds throughout the course in the grass clump plantings in the rough. Some bunkers have shadows at the top or rear, and a few suffer from scalloping. A large rock on the creek bank of the 1st hole does not fit the character of the terrain, and is poorly planted, floating above the water, and jutting out from the bank. The 45 degree offset of the rectangular tees on the 2nd hole is strange. The walking path on the 3rd lacks a bridge over the creek, and I also could not find a bridge to the island 4th green. The water hazards often have unnatural geometric shapes. The creek should wander throughout this course, but instead has abrupt fits and starts, and it is doubtful it was piped underground at these points because sometimes the ends are adjacent to forests. On too many holes there is one gigantic bunker when several small bunkers would have been more effective and appealing. On the 3rd hole, and again the 10th, enormous bunkers are found beyond the fairway; neither will come into play. On the huge10th tee, the lone rose bush seems oddly placed in the middle of 5 tee markers. Next to it is the only bench I saw on the course, notable only because it sticks out. Out of the 324 pins, I found a couple where there was no hole cut (odds are you'll never see it, you can still putt, and eventually you'll hole out). I liked the stairs at the end of the 18th fairway - these are very well done - but the planting seemed wrong, like it was floating, and from some angles the texture bleeds into the steps.
That might seem like a big laundry list, but that is my style as a reviewer, to point out all known flaws I have found. You could find a similar number of flaws in other courses that are highly rated; every designer will tell you there are mistakes in his course. None of these will greatly affect your playability or enjoyment.
Notes for the Designer
Throughout the design we see evidence of a creative mind at work. Sometimes that is reflected in the quirky aspects of this course, but it is inspiring to designers take chances. No one will ever accuse you of being bland. In particular, I found the variety you attempt to be highly imaginative: tee shapes, greens undulations, width of fairways, broad use of tree types, rocks, all display an artist with a broad sense of taste. On the other hand, I think those creative forces needs to be channelled somewhat to obtain a more coherent design. It's a bit like a poet or writer 'finding their voice'; it is quite subjective, and often means enduring experimental phases. This course is a little uneven in quality and style, but I honestly believe if you keep striving you're going to find that intangible 'it' that suits you best.
The APCD work is adequate, but I must admit a sense of frustration in looking it over. The mesh on holes 16, 17 and 18 show marked improvement, as does the lake on the 12th hole. Yet there are other portions of Bent Tree where it appears you barely turned a vert. One suggestion - albeit a tedious one - is to experiment with using a ring of verts, and sometimes even a double ring of verts, to achieve smoother transitions between textures. You're way beyond the beginner stage, but as a suggestion, try reviewing the Dark Horse Design video series to continue improving your methodology. In addition, many designers have excellent intermediate tutorials on their personal web sites.
I'd also encourage you to network with other designers, study courses in APCD, and experiment with different methods. You forged a lot of relationships in the course of completing Bent Tree, and now have an opportunity to leverage those new friendships to further your knowledge. We all started in the same place, and in my experience 90% of the designers will freely give their time to help another APCD junkie improve their craftsmanship. With practice, hard work and dedication, you'll make the leap from a fair designer, to one whose work really stands out.
Your extraordinary perseverance in redesigning Bent Tree Golf Club is to be complimented. It takes courage to release an APCD design for public consumption and critique. Your course was subjected to criticism far more severe than the slopes found on the greens of BTGC, but you accepted and utilized those comments to improve upon your creation. Well done, sir.
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 72; 5 sets of tees; 7035 yards from back tees; holes are handicapped.
Included/Not Included:
Cameo: Yes
Splash Screen: Yes
Hole Previews: Yes
Tee Signs: Yes
Custom Tee Markers: No
Custom Flags: Yes
Read-Me: Yes
Handicaps: Yes
Custom or added Sounds: No |
This course is available as a FREE download.
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