Post by NCFCRulz on May 22, 2015 9:23:38 GMT -5
Here's my (official) review of your course (waiting to be approved):
Rookery Park Golf Club is another entry for the US Open Course Contest @tgctours... and I can tell you, it actually plays like one, with all the tough targets in mind that have been issued by the TGCT-people!
Having played quiet a few entry courses already, I can definitely say that this design really makes you feel like playing on an US Open Course. Lots of trees, narrow fairways, elevated greens, etc. I really liked that, and I have not seen many so far doing a better job regarding this target.
The medium-fast greens are designed quiet varying. Some are on the easy side (with almost no break), while others have some enormous slopes that will test your putting skills extremely.
Strategic (game)play is an absolut must at Rookery Park GC. As said before, the fairways are really narrow on some/most holes. Sometimes they even split up, leaving you with the choice to go either one way or the other, and leaving you with the decission which way is better for your next shot. And if that is not challenging enough for you, make sure you take some of those trees into consideration that might be in your way when aiming directly at the pin(s).
But there's also things I (really) have to criticise on that course:
In my honest opinion, Hole #2 and Hole #8 (both Par3's with more than 200y) are almost unplayable, especially in high winds. I think they would have been fine if they were somewhere between 170-200y, but at it's current state (where you have to use at least a 5W from the tee), it is very hard to land the ball on the green at all (I'm totally not talking about near to the pin). And both greens are surrounded by creeks, so a ball or two in the water should not suprise you.
In addition to that, I'd say that at least a few bunkers could have a little more depth.
Summary: This is a very, very challenging course! Par really feels good on some holes! With the design contest in mind, the designer did a good job, as this is what they were looking for. I personally think that not so skilled players will be quiet frustrated with that design. I did enjoy it (apart from the downpoints I mentioned above).
Good luck in the contest, Rob!
Having played quiet a few entry courses already, I can definitely say that this design really makes you feel like playing on an US Open Course. Lots of trees, narrow fairways, elevated greens, etc. I really liked that, and I have not seen many so far doing a better job regarding this target.
The medium-fast greens are designed quiet varying. Some are on the easy side (with almost no break), while others have some enormous slopes that will test your putting skills extremely.
Strategic (game)play is an absolut must at Rookery Park GC. As said before, the fairways are really narrow on some/most holes. Sometimes they even split up, leaving you with the choice to go either one way or the other, and leaving you with the decission which way is better for your next shot. And if that is not challenging enough for you, make sure you take some of those trees into consideration that might be in your way when aiming directly at the pin(s).
But there's also things I (really) have to criticise on that course:
In my honest opinion, Hole #2 and Hole #8 (both Par3's with more than 200y) are almost unplayable, especially in high winds. I think they would have been fine if they were somewhere between 170-200y, but at it's current state (where you have to use at least a 5W from the tee), it is very hard to land the ball on the green at all (I'm totally not talking about near to the pin). And both greens are surrounded by creeks, so a ball or two in the water should not suprise you.
In addition to that, I'd say that at least a few bunkers could have a little more depth.
Summary: This is a very, very challenging course! Par really feels good on some holes! With the design contest in mind, the designer did a good job, as this is what they were looking for. I personally think that not so skilled players will be quiet frustrated with that design. I did enjoy it (apart from the downpoints I mentioned above).
Good luck in the contest, Rob!
really pleased with that review! Thank you! I certainly agree on Hole 2. If I am chosen as a finalist I shall set the tee positions to make at least 2-3 of them fairer