Big Sexy JC wrote: ↑January 16th, 2025, 3:56 amSuggestions anyone? No real courses and no courses less than 100mb and preferably not less than 125mb. MB don't always = high quality, but usually MB = high quality. See what I did there?
About the file sizes - I do get what you're saying, when lacking anything better to go on, it can be a sort-of-decent method to avoid getting lost in the massive course library maze, but I still want to say that I think it is a big mistake to have a minimum 100 or 125 MB file size condition, and that is even
if visuals happens to be one's main priority.
The course file size is mostly a measure of how many different HD textures the designer put into the course, and more often than not, the extra HD textures that some courses feature are usually put into buildings and other stuff away from play areas, and you will probably never come close enough to be able to appreciate the high definition of those during an average round. There is also the fact that not all HD textures are prettier than all non-HD textures. The bigger difference in visual appeal often comes from how much work and expertise was put into the planting, and planting doesnt have nearly as much effect on the course file size as textures. Another side of the discussion is how some designers have been really good at optimizing the file sizes, whereas others havent bothered with that at all. With all that being said, you wont find me arguing that some large-file-size courses by the likes of Robert Miller, Mike Jones or Wayne Hewitt arent among the very prettiest, because they sure are, but you will miss out on a lot of great courses if you set a limit at 100 or 125 MB. Especially if you care about more than just visuals.
Here are some examples of pretty (well thats always subjective isnt it? but I think most would agree) fictional courses with lower file sizes (and I havent played that many fictional courses, so there must be plenty others):
Shaking Tree 89 MB, Wellington Point 84 MB, Craters Edge 76 MB, Adams Tree 73 MB, Zeitsbergen 66 MB, Coogans Bluff 61 MB, Spirit Hollow 59 MB, and finally my personal favourite among fictional courses - Meresbrook Forest with a whopping 42 MB - sure, it wont compete for any pure beauty awards when compared to the courses you mentioned, but it was made in 2004 and to me it is very beautiful.
Two among my favourite fictional courses which do make the 100 MB cut are Bartlett Springs and Rotherly Park. There is also the obvious choice of Crooked Creek since no one mentioned it yet.