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Post by b101 on Jan 20, 2020 17:00:33 GMT -5
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Post by theduke21 on Jan 20, 2020 17:06:15 GMT -5
Told you this in another thread but I absolutely love the look of this course, can't wait to play it.
For some reason it reminds me of some of my favorite courses in TGC1. Countryside was probably the most popular theme back then and this minimalist planting/open, weaving look through the oak trees just looks so great for a golf course.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2020 18:07:15 GMT -5
Fantastic good course Ben! I gave it a try since it was aimed to be realistic. You have nailed the realistic setting. Played USE style (ie. no aids, and also no loft box etc). In my opinion, a better course than your WCoD entry, but then again - I don't think you where aiming for that realistic setting on that course? The holes that stands out is the shorter holes on the course for me, I think perhaps the 15th is the signature hole? And the 10th had fantastic green for a short hole. Just a minor thing that I took notice on - and that is that you have 3 tees. I would highly recommend to use more tees (4-5) as the game provides, because this course is very good for simulation and one or two extra forward tees would feel even more realistic and give shorter hitters a better experience. Also, more tees in the game adds different possibilities even if you hit long. (Also, the falls front on the 4th green felt a bit weird on the left side with the dip in the terrain, but that could just as well be okay).
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Post by cplampman on Jan 20, 2020 20:12:50 GMT -5
Only got to play nine but I think you absolutely nailed what you were going for. Knowing your courses, I bet there a few tee shots you had to restrain yourself from sculpting/planting etc. lol. I don’t mean that as a negative or anything either. Made it very realistic. I expect to see this course to get A LOT of plays because it’s very good for any tour.
Good job!
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Post by b101 on Jan 21, 2020 0:40:48 GMT -5
Thanks, all! @andersnm - yup, Kaiuma was far more aimed at the fantasy side (although, based on Cape Kidnappers, so there is a realistic element to it. Just pushed to the max there!). Never really considered sim play and tees for that, so will bear it in mind for the future. It certainly won't be my last venture into more realistic courses as this was a lot of fun to make. Also agree with you on the dip to the left of 4. I knew what I wanted there and it serves a purpose, but came out a bit weirdly for some reason. I wouldn't say 15 is a signature hole per se (IMO, it's actually the one that sticks out a little bit and I'd have likely redone it were this a contest course - I wanted to put a Pete Dye tribute hole in there), but it'd be memorable for sure. I love making driveable par fours where nearly every other option has its downside. You can play it in par very easily, but for a straightforward three, you have to drive to the green. Oh, and yes, 10 is my favourite green as well - love that hole for such a simple thing. cplampman - let me know what you think of the back when you get there. Sculpting wasn't such an issue with restraint as I love the smaller detail work there, but not planting or bunkering everywhere was tough for sure. I would say that this is comfortably the course I've learned the most from doing in terms of green work, framing, planting and even subtlety of angles. theduke21 - hope the play is as good as the looks for you! Countryside is just awesome. Didn't take long to find a planting scheme and then had to stop myself from spamming it everywhere lol.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2020 5:40:12 GMT -5
Thanks, all! @andersnm - yup, Kaiuma was far more aimed at the fantasy side (although, based on Cape Kidnappers, so there is a realistic element to it. Just pushed to the max there!). Never really considered sim play and tees for that, so will bear it in mind for the future. It certainly won't be my last venture into more realistic courses as this was a lot of fun to make. Also agree with you on the dip to the left of 4. I knew what I wanted there and it serves a purpose, but came out a bit weirdly for some reason. I wouldn't say 15 is a signature hole per se (IMO, it's actually the one that sticks out a little bit and I'd have likely redone it were this a contest course - I wanted to put a Pete Dye tribute hole in there), but it'd be memorable for sure. I love making driveable par fours where nearly every other option has its downside. You can play it in par very easily, but for a straightforward three, you have to drive to the green. Oh, and yes, 10 is my favourite green as well - love that hole for such a simple thing. I was not that reminded of Pete Dye, but I had another well known architect in mind when I played the course - Dave Thomas (The Belfry). I'm not sure why you would have redone the 15th, I think it plays good even with pin 1 where it is tucked in that spot. I think that must be the most difficult pin on that hole. I had headwind on the hole, so I had to flop over to the pin, and that was no easy birdie - but the rest of the green was very accessible as far as I remember. Also the bunkerless par 5 where you needed to favor the left side of the fairway was very good. I missed right and had a very tough approach
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Post by b101 on Jan 21, 2020 6:09:41 GMT -5
I'm glad you appreciated those two holes in that case - they were the ones I felt were the most out of my depth and questioning whether they worked. 16 is definitely quirky, but I wanted one sorter par five with a real birdie opportunity given all of the long holes that are on the course. And yep, pin 1 is comfortably the toughest on that green, although back right just over the mound (I want to say pin 3, but not sure) is pretty tricky depending on the wind. I can totally see the Belfry resemblance with the 10th there - unintentional, but now you mention it, there's a clear parallel. This was originally inspired by wanting to do a Wentworth style course. It morphed a little along the way, as they always seem to do for me, but I'm happy with it
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Post by Terry Grayson on Jan 21, 2020 10:09:49 GMT -5
Beautiful track ben... .When Eric and I streamed it due to the horrific internet we didnt get to finish so I played a solo round on it last night
Lovely work, great planting, subtle strategy and great green work
finished up -11 I think it was, but this course is sneaky tough
Great work sir
Terry
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Post by meyo on Jan 21, 2020 10:19:41 GMT -5
Whoah... on my play thru list for later tonight.......
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Post by cplampman on Jan 21, 2020 12:12:15 GMT -5
cplampman - let me know what you think of the back when you get there. Sculpting wasn't such an issue with restraint as I love the smaller detail work there, but not planting or bunkering everywhere was tough for sure. I would say that this is comfortably the course I've learned the most from doing in terms of green work, framing, planting and even subtlety of angles. For sure. No it all looked great. Not implying you used "novice" planting but I hate planting so I really am going to take notes how you used minimal planting here. So you'll get lots of plays from me. What's next?. IMO I think you should try for a true links style course. I know there's awesome ones out there, but I feel like those are the most difficult ones to design...
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2020 13:29:20 GMT -5
This course is PURE! I feel like the realism really adds to the experience of this course, much like it does for a course like Brookfield. In this game we have the ability to create anything without respect for architectural cost, maintenance, reality, etc., and we use that to our advantage. However, it is very refreshing to play courses that make me feel like I could drive there and grab a tee time in real life. This course definitely does that, and it should be enjoyed for its simplicity of 'extras' just as much as it should for its solid design. Great work Ben!
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Post by mpad on Jan 21, 2020 16:44:24 GMT -5
Looks gorgeous. I so love the more restrained realistic courses, such a different approach between European and US designers based on a differing philosophy as to what a good golf course should look and play like.
Generally I vote Europe!
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Post by b101 on Jan 21, 2020 17:16:10 GMT -5
^ uh oh, don't look at the rest of my back catalogue mpad ! Eric, thanks for the kind comments and glad you enjoyed your round (until the 14th) meyo - look forward to seeing the playthrough!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2020 17:32:24 GMT -5
I’ll be back many times Ben, so I’m fully intending on getting to the 18th green!
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Post by meyo on Jan 21, 2020 20:50:41 GMT -5
This is a very well designed natural looking course. Really enjoyed the round, had me thinking on every approach shot. I noticed you went bunker less on 2 of your greens which actually looked like it fit. You are correct with the greens being the defense, but you had to pick your FW landing spot to get a good line to the pin, had me thinking the whole round, great job Mr. b101, look forward to more of your courses
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