Post by plawlor15 on Apr 2, 2021 13:31:56 GMT -5
I realize that publishing a new course in the middle of a design challenge involving the best designers in the game may not be the smartest move for a newbie, but when it's ready, it's ready!
Course: Balley Marrey (Old)
Yardage: 7,432
This is my third course, Balley Marrey, a fantasy course set along the east coast of Scotland in the ancient town of Balley Marrey, which is Scottish Gaelic for “seaside town”. The course is a links style and features three distinct areas as the layout transitions from the middle of town, out to the sandy coastline, and then into the forests at the foot of the highlands. Holes 1, 2, 3, 17, and 18 play alongside the streets and buildings of the town. Holes 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, and 14 play amongst the coastal dunes. Holes 7, 8, 9, and 10 wind there way through the trees at the base of the Scottish Highlands.
In its default conditions, the course plays in a typical Scottish morning - rain and fog one minute, sunshine the next with green speeds of 154. Higher speeds are playable, but not typical for this style a course. I'd recommend a moderate southerly wind with firm fairways and greens. Beware that this is an ancient links layout, so expect a few quirks along the way, including blind approaches and carries over out of bounds areas.
Hole 1 - Carrying the road and the out of bounds wall on the right is the best play off the tee. If you're not prepared to do so, expect a lengthy approach from an awkward and partially blind angle. Bunkers are also in play left.
Hole 2 - This drivable Par 4 is tempting, but being too greedy brings the creek into play.
Hole 3 - Looks easy, plays difficult, especially with the two forward pin positions. In the wind, beware of the out of bounds wall on the right.
Hole 4 - The first of four Par 5s on the course is definitely reachable with a tee shot that hugs the right of the left fairway. Doing so brings the cross bunkers into play, however.
Hole 5 - A long Par 4 set amongst the coastal dunes. The best approach requires you to challenge the dunes on the right off the tee. Carry them entirely, and you're in great shape for birdie.
Hole 6 - The second Par 3 on the front side takes you to the beach.
Hole 7 - The second Par 5 on the frontside transitions from the coastal dunes to the forest at the foot of the highlands. A drive in the fairway makes this hole reachable. Pull your drive left into the rough or bunker, and you're forced to layup.
Hole 8 - This hole requires an accurate tee shot as the fairway pinches in dramatically at 300 yards. Do so successfully, and your view of the raised green is opened up considerably.
Hole 9 - Another drivable Par 4 will challenge your accuracy off the tee.
Hole 10 - This hole begins the quirkiness that is links golf. Blast your drive downhill successfully, and you're left with a relatively short up hill approach. With the right wind, many shortcuts are also available.
Hole 11 - This Par 5 is reachable, but with a blind green that hides amongst the dunes, you'll be challenged to find the correct line.
Hole 12 - The first Par 3 on the backside can play short or long depending on the pin and wind. There is trouble left.
Hole 13 - Another drivable Par 4 requires accuracy off the tee. Nothing wrong with laying-up, which leaves a sand wedge second.
Hole 14 - A difficult Par 4 with a blind approach due to the dunes. Running your approach up to a left pin is possible, but becomes much more difficult with a right pin.
Hole 15 - This lengthy Par 5 plays difficult into the wind. An almost perfect tee shot is required in order to make the upper fairway reachable with your second. Failing to do so leaves a lengthy third.
Hole 16 - Enjoy choking up on a driver on a Par 3? You may or may not enjoy this one...
Hole 17 - Ode to the Road Hole! The more of the town you cut off on the right, the easier the approach into a difficult to hold green.
Hole 18 - What started as my least favorite hole in the beginning has over time become my favorite. Also a bit of a salute to St. Andrews. Drivable in the right wind or a real test of your short game in the wrong wind.
I hope you enjoy it!
Peter
Course: Balley Marrey (Old)
Yardage: 7,432
This is my third course, Balley Marrey, a fantasy course set along the east coast of Scotland in the ancient town of Balley Marrey, which is Scottish Gaelic for “seaside town”. The course is a links style and features three distinct areas as the layout transitions from the middle of town, out to the sandy coastline, and then into the forests at the foot of the highlands. Holes 1, 2, 3, 17, and 18 play alongside the streets and buildings of the town. Holes 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, and 14 play amongst the coastal dunes. Holes 7, 8, 9, and 10 wind there way through the trees at the base of the Scottish Highlands.
In its default conditions, the course plays in a typical Scottish morning - rain and fog one minute, sunshine the next with green speeds of 154. Higher speeds are playable, but not typical for this style a course. I'd recommend a moderate southerly wind with firm fairways and greens. Beware that this is an ancient links layout, so expect a few quirks along the way, including blind approaches and carries over out of bounds areas.
Hole 1 - Carrying the road and the out of bounds wall on the right is the best play off the tee. If you're not prepared to do so, expect a lengthy approach from an awkward and partially blind angle. Bunkers are also in play left.
Hole 2 - This drivable Par 4 is tempting, but being too greedy brings the creek into play.
Hole 3 - Looks easy, plays difficult, especially with the two forward pin positions. In the wind, beware of the out of bounds wall on the right.
Hole 4 - The first of four Par 5s on the course is definitely reachable with a tee shot that hugs the right of the left fairway. Doing so brings the cross bunkers into play, however.
Hole 5 - A long Par 4 set amongst the coastal dunes. The best approach requires you to challenge the dunes on the right off the tee. Carry them entirely, and you're in great shape for birdie.
Hole 6 - The second Par 3 on the front side takes you to the beach.
Hole 7 - The second Par 5 on the frontside transitions from the coastal dunes to the forest at the foot of the highlands. A drive in the fairway makes this hole reachable. Pull your drive left into the rough or bunker, and you're forced to layup.
Hole 8 - This hole requires an accurate tee shot as the fairway pinches in dramatically at 300 yards. Do so successfully, and your view of the raised green is opened up considerably.
Hole 9 - Another drivable Par 4 will challenge your accuracy off the tee.
Hole 10 - This hole begins the quirkiness that is links golf. Blast your drive downhill successfully, and you're left with a relatively short up hill approach. With the right wind, many shortcuts are also available.
Hole 11 - This Par 5 is reachable, but with a blind green that hides amongst the dunes, you'll be challenged to find the correct line.
Hole 12 - The first Par 3 on the backside can play short or long depending on the pin and wind. There is trouble left.
Hole 13 - Another drivable Par 4 requires accuracy off the tee. Nothing wrong with laying-up, which leaves a sand wedge second.
Hole 14 - A difficult Par 4 with a blind approach due to the dunes. Running your approach up to a left pin is possible, but becomes much more difficult with a right pin.
Hole 15 - This lengthy Par 5 plays difficult into the wind. An almost perfect tee shot is required in order to make the upper fairway reachable with your second. Failing to do so leaves a lengthy third.
Hole 16 - Enjoy choking up on a driver on a Par 3? You may or may not enjoy this one...
Hole 17 - Ode to the Road Hole! The more of the town you cut off on the right, the easier the approach into a difficult to hold green.
Hole 18 - What started as my least favorite hole in the beginning has over time become my favorite. Also a bit of a salute to St. Andrews. Drivable in the right wind or a real test of your short game in the wrong wind.
I hope you enjoy it!
Peter