Winter Harbor Golf Links (ported to 2K21)
Feb 22, 2020 10:38:04 GMT -5
rich68, Avakrac, and 1 more like this
Post by gforce41 on Feb 22, 2020 10:38:04 GMT -5
It has taken a little longer than expected, but I am happy to announce Winter Harbor Golf Links is open for business!
This linksy, rough around the edges course originally started out as a true links course. Inspired by a course in the Isle South Uist called Askernish, which Tom Doak has called one of the most underrated courses in the world, I quickly realized I couldn't pull that one off, but used some of the ideas and relocated to the shores of Winter Harbor, Maine.
The course should play as a fairly simple layout ideal for a relaxing round with your favorite beverage, a friendly match, or a simple tournament. It is not meant to be particularly difficult tee to green, however, for added challenge, feel free to crank up some wind. A wind coming in off the water, (east or south east) should play the hardest. Most greens are fairly simple and rolling at 175, but should hold up at 187. The course is a Par 71 that plays 7142/6938/6753 from the Gold/Blue/Green respectively. The firmness was "stuck" on soft no matter what I did, but I recommend "moderate" for best results (or crank it up to firm if you like a test).
The Gold are meant to be Tournament tees and are designed with Master Clubs. Pro clubs players certainly can play Gold but be aware you might have trouble reaching a 5 in two etc. Blue should be just fine for standard play for Pro clubs or beginners and Green is there just in case you really need to take it easy!
The light is set at mid afternoon, but the course looks real good at dawn or dusk, just note you will get more shade from the tall trees on greens and across fairways and tee boxes.
A quick tour around the course:
1. Fairly simple start, mid length par 4, simple green.
2. Mid length par 3 with slightly more challenging green that has 2 levels.
3. The first par 5 heads out to the water and will be tough to reach in 2 with the wind blowing in off the water.
4. Long par 4 heads out along the water to a *slope alert*...sloped green that is a double green with 7. Could be a tough one, especially in higher winds.
5. Shortish scenic par 3 framed by the harbor and a few tall trees.
6. Interesting short par 4 heads out over the water to a raised green fronted by a wall of bunkers.
7. The next par 5 heads back towards clubhouse and is the shared green with 4. The 7th section of green is not as sloped, but you could slip down the back onto 4 if you are playing up tees with wind (*Local Rule: OK to chip/pitch from 4th green if needed, just don't let the groundskeeper see you)
8. Longer par 3 plays downhill and is enclosed by hills/bushes etc...if you pull one left you might just get a bounce you like off the hill.
9. Medium length par 4 back towards clubhouse.
10. Interesting tee shot to a very sloped fairway. Longer hitters can carry the brush/hazard left toward bottom of hill depending on wind.
11. Longest par 3 is next, which might play tough into the wind
12. My favorite shot on the course is next, the tee shot plays straight out to the water. The idea from this one comes from #9 @ Askernish.
13. This par 4 heads back inland and is my first attempt at adjoining fairway (with 15). Watch out for the fairway bunker. Favor the right side, the rough/brush area is purposely pitched to direct your shot back towards the fairway.
14. Another shortish par 4 goes hard right to a plateau green. Birdie opp.
15. This par 5 heads out to the water and has the adjoining fairway with 13. Using 13 for an angle in might not be the worst idea ever but might lengthen the shot.
16. Another scenic Shortish par 3 in the corner of the course along the water.
17. Medium par 4 goes left to right off the tee. Shape your tee shot here.
18. The original idea for this was Askernish 12, a split decision off the tee. You can go right or left depending on the wind or the angle you want in to the green. Tough to reach in two from the Gold without a big wind behind you, but is doable from Blue or Green. Back will be tough to get to, but hopefully a worthy finish.
A few pics (sorry, horrible at taking pics with PS4)
1st green, how's that for an easy hole location?
5th hole, par 3
10th hole par 4
8th hole (dawn lighting)
This linksy, rough around the edges course originally started out as a true links course. Inspired by a course in the Isle South Uist called Askernish, which Tom Doak has called one of the most underrated courses in the world, I quickly realized I couldn't pull that one off, but used some of the ideas and relocated to the shores of Winter Harbor, Maine.
The course should play as a fairly simple layout ideal for a relaxing round with your favorite beverage, a friendly match, or a simple tournament. It is not meant to be particularly difficult tee to green, however, for added challenge, feel free to crank up some wind. A wind coming in off the water, (east or south east) should play the hardest. Most greens are fairly simple and rolling at 175, but should hold up at 187. The course is a Par 71 that plays 7142/6938/6753 from the Gold/Blue/Green respectively. The firmness was "stuck" on soft no matter what I did, but I recommend "moderate" for best results (or crank it up to firm if you like a test).
The Gold are meant to be Tournament tees and are designed with Master Clubs. Pro clubs players certainly can play Gold but be aware you might have trouble reaching a 5 in two etc. Blue should be just fine for standard play for Pro clubs or beginners and Green is there just in case you really need to take it easy!
The light is set at mid afternoon, but the course looks real good at dawn or dusk, just note you will get more shade from the tall trees on greens and across fairways and tee boxes.
A quick tour around the course:
1. Fairly simple start, mid length par 4, simple green.
2. Mid length par 3 with slightly more challenging green that has 2 levels.
3. The first par 5 heads out to the water and will be tough to reach in 2 with the wind blowing in off the water.
4. Long par 4 heads out along the water to a *slope alert*...sloped green that is a double green with 7. Could be a tough one, especially in higher winds.
5. Shortish scenic par 3 framed by the harbor and a few tall trees.
6. Interesting short par 4 heads out over the water to a raised green fronted by a wall of bunkers.
7. The next par 5 heads back towards clubhouse and is the shared green with 4. The 7th section of green is not as sloped, but you could slip down the back onto 4 if you are playing up tees with wind (*Local Rule: OK to chip/pitch from 4th green if needed, just don't let the groundskeeper see you)
8. Longer par 3 plays downhill and is enclosed by hills/bushes etc...if you pull one left you might just get a bounce you like off the hill.
9. Medium length par 4 back towards clubhouse.
10. Interesting tee shot to a very sloped fairway. Longer hitters can carry the brush/hazard left toward bottom of hill depending on wind.
11. Longest par 3 is next, which might play tough into the wind
12. My favorite shot on the course is next, the tee shot plays straight out to the water. The idea from this one comes from #9 @ Askernish.
13. This par 4 heads back inland and is my first attempt at adjoining fairway (with 15). Watch out for the fairway bunker. Favor the right side, the rough/brush area is purposely pitched to direct your shot back towards the fairway.
14. Another shortish par 4 goes hard right to a plateau green. Birdie opp.
15. This par 5 heads out to the water and has the adjoining fairway with 13. Using 13 for an angle in might not be the worst idea ever but might lengthen the shot.
16. Another scenic Shortish par 3 in the corner of the course along the water.
17. Medium par 4 goes left to right off the tee. Shape your tee shot here.
18. The original idea for this was Askernish 12, a split decision off the tee. You can go right or left depending on the wind or the angle you want in to the green. Tough to reach in two from the Gold without a big wind behind you, but is doable from Blue or Green. Back will be tough to get to, but hopefully a worthy finish.
A few pics (sorry, horrible at taking pics with PS4)
1st green, how's that for an easy hole location?
5th hole, par 3
10th hole par 4
8th hole (dawn lighting)