Post by coruler2 on Jan 15, 2015 21:47:42 GMT -5
Welcome everybody to Fire Rock Ranch!
Course details:
Theme - Countryside
Type - Fictional with real course look and play.
Holes - 18
Par - 71
Distance- 7,087yds
Difficulty- Medium
This is my Tastegw contest entry (thread link for rules: www.hb-studios.com/forum/index.php?topic=8113.0).
About the course and design: I set out to achieve a realistic fictional course using the countryside theme. I wanted the course to have some minor to moderate elevation changes without anything being unrealistic or unreasonable. I also wanted some contrasting holes that play out in the open elements of the theme. The course will have a few similarities to my last course Eagleton Bend Resort, where I wanted to replicate an 'open' feeling to the course. I wanted you to be able to see the fairways from the tees without having to pan the camera, and have some variation of downhill and uphill shots to the greens. I also stuck with a slightly wider first rough cut band to keep from deeply penalizing marginal shots from rolling through the rough into the deep rough.
On the contrary though, here's some stark differences v. Eagleton Bend-
1. I wanted to give the player many more options. Options off the tee (most holes have 2 or more ways to play the drive), and multiple ways to approach the green. The par-5 15th hole gives the player 3 viable options off the tee...do you play a hook around the trees to the lower left position in the fairway which leaves a slightly shorter 2nd shot into the green but over trouble and a tougher angle to the pin...or do you play it safely out right of the bunker for a longer shot but better angle, or do you risk a drive over the trap to a narrower landing strip that gives the best shot at an iron in and making an eagle. Many holes have these types of decisions. This gives the course a lot more replay value in my eyes as you'll have a chance at a different experience each time over the 'grip and rip' courses.
2. I wanted to make a more risk/reward course. Your best chances of going low is trying to get close to these pins, but miss in the wrong part of the green or off the green and you'll be faced with a tougher chance to salvage par.
3. I wanted a more difficult track for tournaments. A lot of the difficulty with this course is on the greens and approaching the greens. While this isn't a try to break par difficult course...when the winds kick up into the 8-12+ range you'll be faced with more of a challenge and shouldn't see the high number of double-digit under par scores like on Eagleton. My best score in testing was -9, with one over-par round thrown in there.
4. I wanted to place a bigger emphasis on 'missing' in the right spots of the fairway and green. On Eagleton, most holes you can be 20ft away and still have a good chance at sinking your birdie putt. Here, the area/side you miss is very important for how your putt will look. Sometimes you just can't throw a dart at the pin, and choosing your safe play is a good option.
I hope everyone enjoys the course...please leave me any comments on your experience.
Images:
