Post by pixelgolf on Mar 29, 2020 17:47:37 GMT -5
Hi all - it seems my quarantine escape from my inability to hit a real golf course is to try my hand at making some courses in TGC. I've finished the first half-decent front 9 that I've been willing to publish, and would love feedback if anybody wants to take a crack at it (be merciful - first course). It's published as "Pixel G.C. Blue (Front 9)".
I'll try to add some screenshots, but here is the short version of how I recommend you try it:
- Medium wind to the East.
- Everything else on default.
- Blue Tees if you play expert clubs, White tees if you play pro clubs. White or Green with Beginner clubs, though Green tees are very far forward and not very play-tested.
- Pin set 1 for the basic character of the course, pin 4 is hardest, pin 3 is probably easiest.
Laconic hole descriptions:
1 - "Drawing Board": A dog leg to the left tempts you to cut it for a shorter approach to the green, and the fairway will tend to funnel you a bit further down if you hit it right. Most approach shots are on an angle to a large but tricky green.
2 - "Edge": The green is very reachable in two, but the fairway has two distinct sides - the left side follows the property line and risks O.B. if you hook your drive, but gives the most friendly approach angle to the green. The right side is safe from hazards, but forces a carry of bunkers if you want to reach the green in two. (Please pardon the sloppy fairway ridge sculpting, and note that I did forget to tweak the actual O.B. settings so if you hook a certain amount, you'll feel pain but not get the O.B. designation.)
3 - "Punch": A stream crosses the fairway but probably is not in play in most conditions. The hole plays uphill, to a somewhat tricky green. Birdies are possible, but so are three-putts.
4 - "Commit": The green of this downhill long par 3 is quite large, but some pin positions are perilously close to the water. While the green is large, it has extreme slopes in some places. If you pin-hunt on auto-pilot, you might find yourself coming away with a frustrating bogey.
5 - "Cutthroat": This dogleg right provides a very short approach if you cut it, but the fairway narrows significantly. Most would take out their 3 Wood and play for the large part of the fairway. The two-level green isn't the easiest, but it will give you birdie chances if you read the breaks.
6 - "Pita": It's a short par 4 at just 352 yards, but the fairway is narrow and has extreme slopes at Driver distance - pulling out a hybrid to go for the flat part of the fairway isn't a bad plan. The green is extremely difficult, so if you go autopilot thinking you'll have a sure birdie on a short par 4, you'll probably end up with a bogey or worse.
7 - "Redan": It's my attempt at a Reverse Redan par 3. The fairway area is extremely receptive to a punch shot, and an accurate bump and run will probably put you on the center of the green. Multiple bunkers await to consume missed approaches, and pin hunting is often punished. The green slopes from left to right and isn't the hardest green on the course, but it isn't the easiest when many putts go downhill.
8 - "Angle": A fairly straightforward dogleg right. Driving to the far side of the fairway tends to give you a better angle to the green, which is protected to the front right with bunkers. The green slopes from right to left, so approaching to the left will give you easier, uphill putts.
9 - "Hazard": My attempt at the "Great Hazard" template par 5. Reaching in two is hypothetically possible if the wind is right, but this is best played as a straightforward 3 shot approach. If you stay on the good-sized fairways, you'll be rewarded with the easiest green on the front nine and a good look at birdie. Hit off line or into a hazard, and you might get a big score.
Really open to feedback on this. I'm definitely still getting the hang of everything.
I'll try to add some screenshots, but here is the short version of how I recommend you try it:
- Medium wind to the East.
- Everything else on default.
- Blue Tees if you play expert clubs, White tees if you play pro clubs. White or Green with Beginner clubs, though Green tees are very far forward and not very play-tested.
- Pin set 1 for the basic character of the course, pin 4 is hardest, pin 3 is probably easiest.
Laconic hole descriptions:
1 - "Drawing Board": A dog leg to the left tempts you to cut it for a shorter approach to the green, and the fairway will tend to funnel you a bit further down if you hit it right. Most approach shots are on an angle to a large but tricky green.
2 - "Edge": The green is very reachable in two, but the fairway has two distinct sides - the left side follows the property line and risks O.B. if you hook your drive, but gives the most friendly approach angle to the green. The right side is safe from hazards, but forces a carry of bunkers if you want to reach the green in two. (Please pardon the sloppy fairway ridge sculpting, and note that I did forget to tweak the actual O.B. settings so if you hook a certain amount, you'll feel pain but not get the O.B. designation.)
3 - "Punch": A stream crosses the fairway but probably is not in play in most conditions. The hole plays uphill, to a somewhat tricky green. Birdies are possible, but so are three-putts.
4 - "Commit": The green of this downhill long par 3 is quite large, but some pin positions are perilously close to the water. While the green is large, it has extreme slopes in some places. If you pin-hunt on auto-pilot, you might find yourself coming away with a frustrating bogey.
5 - "Cutthroat": This dogleg right provides a very short approach if you cut it, but the fairway narrows significantly. Most would take out their 3 Wood and play for the large part of the fairway. The two-level green isn't the easiest, but it will give you birdie chances if you read the breaks.
6 - "Pita": It's a short par 4 at just 352 yards, but the fairway is narrow and has extreme slopes at Driver distance - pulling out a hybrid to go for the flat part of the fairway isn't a bad plan. The green is extremely difficult, so if you go autopilot thinking you'll have a sure birdie on a short par 4, you'll probably end up with a bogey or worse.
7 - "Redan": It's my attempt at a Reverse Redan par 3. The fairway area is extremely receptive to a punch shot, and an accurate bump and run will probably put you on the center of the green. Multiple bunkers await to consume missed approaches, and pin hunting is often punished. The green slopes from left to right and isn't the hardest green on the course, but it isn't the easiest when many putts go downhill.
8 - "Angle": A fairly straightforward dogleg right. Driving to the far side of the fairway tends to give you a better angle to the green, which is protected to the front right with bunkers. The green slopes from right to left, so approaching to the left will give you easier, uphill putts.
9 - "Hazard": My attempt at the "Great Hazard" template par 5. Reaching in two is hypothetically possible if the wind is right, but this is best played as a straightforward 3 shot approach. If you stay on the good-sized fairways, you'll be rewarded with the easiest green on the front nine and a good look at birdie. Hit off line or into a hazard, and you might get a big score.
Really open to feedback on this. I'm definitely still getting the hang of everything.