Balthaser - Canadian Rockies. 'beta3 thsr' last beta

[Bob334OH]

'beta2 thsr'

Balthaser is  swiss themed golf course based in the Candaian Rockies.       This is my 4th course in my designer journey and I hopefully am improving.

 Balthaser is a destination resort, featuring a championship 18 hole golf course,  convention center, hotel, casino and rental properties. 

As you can see in the first picture we are still in the construction phase but are nearing completion.    Please enjoy your complimentary round and to show our appreciation you will receive $250 upon completion of  your round and a bonus of $25 if you don't exceed 10 strokes on any hole. 

Bonus $$ if you find the 2 Easter eggs.   hint - adventurous water loving squirrels

Please leave feedback - will be greatly appreciated.   Thanks for looking. 

                                                                                              Thanks,  Bob

'beta3 thsr'

[blindwolfgolf]

Gave it a play thought it was a pretty fun track.

Overall think the elevation and sculpting a touch too harsh in spots but nothing obscene. Bunker sculpting could use some help, think I noticed some really weird ones right if 4 fairway.

Number 7 was funky, didn’t help that I can’t see all the fairway below the tee. Waypoint also started at a very weird spot putting 6i in my hand.

8 I wouldn’t mind being able to see the planting below the tee but get the challenge there. Maybe drop the tee 10 feet or so and that might help or cut the land a little closer to the tee box. City buildings to the right look nice.

Waterfall on 9 might need some help. Some of the mist is coming up on the green looks out of place and some of the mist appears to be floating above the water too.

11 apron might be a touch big in the front. No use for it really short of 190 where the hill breaks.

12 I don’t know you need to split the fairway. If you lay up off the tee it really punishes that second shot and forces a blind shot into a fairway cut quite a long ways. Think you’ll have to pay up in a headwind too.

13 no complaints here liked this hole a lot.

14 waypoint issue again here starting me with 8i that would probably go into the water. Pin 1 a little crowned

15 Mound where fairway begins looks weird, maybe drop that land down to see bunker and rest of hole more. Cool hole design here.

16 bunker style here changed all of the sudden very late on the round. Also rocks look out of place the the right but this may be planting not being done. Land elevates very quickly doesn’t look super natural maybe work on sculpting this a little more. Tough to pull off with such dramatic elevation.

17 big elevation again done a little better here. Fairway for layup doesn’t need to be cut around planting imo. i might remove that planting all together and just join the fairway as the way it’s cut doesn’t make a ton of sense to me. Fun second shot into this green.

18 again no real need to split this fairway. Will look better joined up. Sculpting around the green looks unnatural and needs a little help. Bunker sculpting here too needs some work.

Overall I enjoyed it look forward to the finished project. Hope the feedback helps!

[Bob334OH]

Feb 21, 2022 16:13:22 GMT -5 blindwolfgolf said:

Gave it a play thought it was a pretty fun track.

Overall think the elevation and sculpting a touch too harsh in spots but nothing obscene. Bunker sculpting could use some help, think I noticed some really weird ones right if 4 fairway.

Number 7 was funky, didn’t help that I can’t see all the fairway below the tee. Waypoint also started at a very weird spot putting 6i in my hand.

8 I wouldn’t mind being able to see the planting below the tee but get the challenge there. Maybe drop the tee 10 feet or so and that might help or cut the land a little closer to the tee box. City buildings to the right look nice.

Waterfall on 9 might need some help. Some of the mist is coming up on the green looks out of place and some of the mist appears to be floating above the water too.

11 apron might be a touch big in the front. No use for it really short of 190 where the hill breaks.

12 I don’t know you need to split the fairway. If you lay up off the tee it really punishes that second shot and forces a blind shot into a fairway cut quite a long ways. Think you’ll have to pay up in a headwind too.

13 no complaints here liked this hole a lot.

14 waypoint issue again here starting me with 8i that would probably go into the water. Pin 1 a little crowned

15 Mound where fairway begins looks weird, maybe drop that land down to see bunker and rest of hole more. Cool hole design here.

16 bunker style here changed all of the sudden very late on the round. Also rocks look out of place the the right but this may be planting not being done. Land elevates very quickly doesn’t look super natural maybe work on sculpting this a little more. Tough to pull off with such dramatic elevation.

17 big elevation again done a little better here. Fairway for layup doesn’t need to be cut around planting imo. i might remove that planting all together and just join the fairway as the way it’s cut doesn’t make a ton of sense to me. Fun second shot into this green.

18 again no real need to split this fairway. Will look better joined up. Sculpting around the green looks unnatural and needs a little help. Bunker sculpting here too needs some work.

Overall I enjoyed it look forward to the finished project. Hope the feedback helps!

Hey blindwolfgolf,

       Greatly appreciate taking the time to play and give feedback.  Exactly the kind of advice I'm looking for.  All points are spot on - have them printed out and will be working to make adjustments.  I really struggle with sculpting - think i need to look from the ground level for better perspective.  Thanks for your help.  

                                                                                                    Bob

[blindwolfgolf]

Feb 21, 2022 19:20:23 GMT -5 Bob334OH said:

Feb 21, 2022 16:13:22 GMT -5 blindwolfgolf said:

Gave it a play thought it was a pretty fun track.

Overall think the elevation and sculpting a touch too harsh in spots but nothing obscene. Bunker sculpting could use some help, think I noticed some really weird ones right if 4 fairway.

Number 7 was funky, didn’t help that I can’t see all the fairway below the tee. Waypoint also started at a very weird spot putting 6i in my hand.

8 I wouldn’t mind being able to see the planting below the tee but get the challenge there. Maybe drop the tee 10 feet or so and that might help or cut the land a little closer to the tee box. City buildings to the right look nice.

Waterfall on 9 might need some help. Some of the mist is coming up on the green looks out of place and some of the mist appears to be floating above the water too.

11 apron might be a touch big in the front. No use for it really short of 190 where the hill breaks.

12 I don’t know you need to split the fairway. If you lay up off the tee it really punishes that second shot and forces a blind shot into a fairway cut quite a long ways. Think you’ll have to pay up in a headwind too.

13 no complaints here liked this hole a lot.

14 waypoint issue again here starting me with 8i that would probably go into the water. Pin 1 a little crowned

15 Mound where fairway begins looks weird, maybe drop that land down to see bunker and rest of hole more. Cool hole design here.

16 bunker style here changed all of the sudden very late on the round. Also rocks look out of place the the right but this may be planting not being done. Land elevates very quickly doesn’t look super natural maybe work on sculpting this a little more. Tough to pull off with such dramatic elevation.

17 big elevation again done a little better here. Fairway for layup doesn’t need to be cut around planting imo. i might remove that planting all together and just join the fairway as the way it’s cut doesn’t make a ton of sense to me. Fun second shot into this green.

18 again no real need to split this fairway. Will look better joined up. Sculpting around the green looks unnatural and needs a little help. Bunker sculpting here too needs some work.

Overall I enjoyed it look forward to the finished project. Hope the feedback helps!

Hey blindwolfgolf,

       Greatly appreciate taking the time to play and give feedback.  Exactly the kind of advice I'm looking for.  All points are spot on - have them printed out and will be working to make adjustments.  I really struggle with sculpting - think i need to look from the ground level for better perspective.  Thanks for your help.  

                                                                                                    Bob

No problem, I enjoy helping out! Don’t take my feedback as gospel by any means, just one man’s opinion. Maybe could get someone can help stream a playthrough for you with some more feedback. Keep it up looking forward to see how it turns out.

[fargo]

Hey mate, playing now. Here are some notes as I go. FYI I haven't read the other comment on this page, wanted to go in blind.

Back tees, it's given me pins 4 and a 9mph wind from the West.

1 - nice view from the tee, rocks and waterfalls on the left are nice. The waterfalls could do with a little tidying up but it's only noticeable if you go looking for it. I've got to say I don't like the little boat - I don't like that asset generally because it's too small - I find it throws off the perspective a little. There's some grass in the bunker on the left beside the green that doesn't look like it should be in there. Otherwise the planting is real nice especially around the green (in fact this is true of the entire course, I won't make the same comment on every hole).

2 - fairway drops off unnaturally at the start of the fairway bear the rocks - either lift the fairway or adjust the splines.

3 - there's one patch of yellow / orange on the entire green and the pin is right on that slope. I'm not a huge fan of that and would prefer it to be maybe just at the top or bottom of the slope where it flattens out a touch.

4 - live the outlook over the valley. The fairway splines near the fairway could be neater.

5 - I think you could do with more planting behind the fairway bunker so it can be seen from the tee. Bit of an issue with draw distances here. It's a nice oar 5 but is there any benefit to going left? I went right and still hit the green in two into the wind

6 - this one's better because there's a clear benefit to taking the riskier option. It's a little strange because the drive has an almost identical strategy as the previous hole.

7 don't like where the waypoint is

8 drop off in front of the green is maybe too severe. You can get a similar effect without trying to kill the groundsman who's got to mow that.

9 - same deal with the previous waterfall - could use a little tightening up. Much prefer that white boat to the little one on 1.

12 - great driving hole. Maybe the layup area is too narrow?

14 - waypoint is in the wrong spot. I think the fairway on the left slopes too severely - nobody's going to hit it to the most sloping area but it looks a little off to me. The river / waterfall / bridge etc near the green looks nice

15 - I like the drive over the crest of the hill.

16 - you've got that planted out waste bunker which doesn't fit with the rest of the bunkering. I don't think the very white sand suits a planted out waste bunker generally. It's a reasonably small area so maybe just one or two normal bunkers would work better in the context of this course. Otherwise it's a good hole, but hard to get the ball close due to requiring a 3 wood to a green elevated by 60 feet. I think it would work better if you lower the green a bit and give an opportunity for a better shot in

17 - ties into my previous comment - the tee shot is nice but the severe downhill is on the verge of being a little bit too much for me. If you dropped the previous green down then you could take this tee box down and I think it would make both holes better. Second shot is excellent

18 - nice closing hole with an open drive then a tough second.

All in all it's really nice, great environment and planting so far. I think it could do with more planting near the tee boxes. The big hotel / city complex is a little much for me and I don't think it's necessary in keeping with the rest of the environment. Look forward to seeing how this course progresses upon final publishing. Good job. As with any Wip it could do with a little more polish, sculpting around the bunkers etc.

[Bob334OH]

Feb 21, 2022 21:45:19 GMT -5 fargo said:

Hey mate, playing now. Here are some notes as I go. FYI I haven't read the other comment on this page, wanted to go in blind.

Back tees, it's given me pins 4 and a 9mph wind from the West.

1 - nice view from the tee, rocks and waterfalls on the left are nice. The waterfalls could do with a little tidying up but it's only noticeable if you go looking for it. I've got to say I don't like the little boat - I don't like that asset generally because it's too small - I find it throws off the perspective a little. There's some grass in the bunker on the left beside the green that doesn't look like it should be in there. Otherwise the planting is real nice especially around the green (in fact this is true of the entire course, I won't make the same comment on every hole).  

2 - fairway drops off unnaturally at the start of the fairway bear the rocks - either lift the fairway or adjust the splines.

3 - there's one patch of yellow / orange on the entire green and the pin is right on that slope. I'm not a huge fan of that and would prefer it to be maybe just at the top or bottom of the slope where it flattens out a touch.

4 - live the outlook over the valley. The fairway splines near the fairway could be neater.

5 - I think you could do with more planting behind the fairway bunker so it can be seen from the tee. Bit of an issue with draw distances here. It's a nice oar 5 but is there any benefit to going left? I went right and still hit the green in two into the wind

6 - this one's better because there's a clear benefit to taking the riskier option. It's a little strange because the drive has an almost identical strategy as the previous hole.

7 don't like where the waypoint is

8 drop off in front of the green is maybe too severe. You can get a similar effect without trying to kill the groundsman who's got to mow that.

9 - same deal with the previous waterfall - could use a little tightening up. Much prefer that white boat to the little one on 1.

12 - great driving hole. Maybe the layup area is too narrow?

14 - waypoint is in the wrong spot. I think the fairway on the left slopes too severely - nobody's going to hit it to the most sloping area but it looks a little off to me. The river / waterfall / bridge etc near the green looks nice

15 - I like the drive over the crest of the hill.

16 - you've got that planted out waste bunker which doesn't fit with the rest of the bunkering. I don't think the very white sand suits a planted out waste bunker generally. It's a reasonably small area so maybe just one or two normal bunkers would work better in the context of this course. Otherwise it's a good hole, but hard to get the ball close due to requiring a 3 wood to a green elevated by 60 feet. I think it would work better if you lower the green a bit and give an opportunity for a better shot in

17 - ties into my previous comment - the tee shot is nice but the severe downhill is on the verge of being a little bit too much for me. If you dropped the previous green down then you could take this tee box down and I think it would make both holes better. Second shot is excellent

18 - nice closing hole with an open drive then a tough second.

All in all it's really nice, great environment and planting so far. I think it could do with more planting near the tee boxes. The big hotel / city complex is a little much for me and I don't think it's necessary in keeping with the rest of the environment. Look forward to seeing how this course progresses upon final publishing. Good job. As with any Wip it could do with a little more polish, sculpting around the bunkers etc.


Hey Fargo,  thanks for your time with  play and the feedback - really appreciated.   You have a great eye for detail and I have to agree with all your observations.    Ground crews have been working all day to correct and hopefully after a whataboutameobi playthrough I can wrap this up.    Thanks again,   Bob

                                                                                                                                    

[retteach]

Hey Bob,
I didn't read any of the above reviews to give my 1st impressions.Hope I played the correct beta(2?).Here we go:
First off- major improvements overall from Kelpie Myst. Better layout, routing, planting for sure.Lighting looks good and framing is improving as are bunker placement for strategy.You and I tend to do the same rookie stuff.
#1. tee box on a steep slope,I like a fairway fringe before hitting heavy rough. Also find the setting for heavy rough only gives 65-75%.I tend to hit it alot so it was tough reaching some greens since the course is on the long side if you miss fairways like I tend to do.Strong fairway camber and fairway needs smoothing in places.Back edge fringe is too severe.
#2. Bunkers overall seemed a bit shallow but I build bathtubs so what do I know...ha!Fairway edge transitioning to the right side of the green is sharp or awkward.Camber to the green is too severe.
#3. Grass needs to be taller or a sharper contrast colour(IMO).Plant a tree or two on the right for framing.The hole seems too open.
#4. Good framing.Soften the hill on the left.Bunker sculpting.Fairway edge around the bunker is lumpy or awkward- smooth.Strong camber around the green.
#5. Camber is strong.Plant more around rocks throughout the course to soften and sink them a bit to look more natural.Nice view across the water.
#6.Widen fairways around all the greens if you want to use this as a runoff.Shallow bunkers.Why the right fairway option? But the left is too narrow.
#7. More planting needed to fill space on the left.Not enough risk reward for a driveable 4.Add something(more danger)
#8. Nice rock work and view overall(soften with shrubs growing amongst them).More planting left and long.Too much blank space behind the green.
#9. Great look off the tee.Bunkers are too flat( Bunkers are too bright for this environment- try something more to the beige side.Waterfall is nice from a distance- Tone down and shorten the flow rate.Mist is floating too high.More plants in the rocks.Roll off camber is too strong around the green- but consistent - soften throughout the course.
#10. A solid look off the tee.Camber around green needs scuplting. Close in green with a tree or two.Needs fairway smoothing.
#11. Close in behind the green for framing and depth.A long hole 230 and uphill 20( green may be too small)Back green camber is too severe.Mountain terrain in general may be too severe- has some tearing.
#12. Nice look again.Smooth fairway between bunkers.Fairway is too narrow before reaching the green- hard to layup easily.Quirky fairway shape around green.Soften fairway slopes- I eagled this bad boy!
#13. Nice look and framing overall.More rock work and sink them and plant to soften.
#14. Why go Left? Liked waterfall idea and where it is visually but needs more tiers or levels to soften the flow( looks awkward up close)
Slow and shorten the water flow.Too severe a runoff-camber to the left of the green.
#15. Nice look overall- neat to see the other two holes off behind the green.Stagger the small tree sizes off in the distance to look more natural.Great look at the lake.
#16. Fairway is too narrow after the 290yd mark.There is an interesting floating shrub above the rock on the left.Behind the green shrink the rocks a bit, add more small ones, sink them and soften with shrubs- these look good.
#17. Nice look.Awkward 2nd shot if you miss the fairway, as I did, hard to find a safe landing spot for layup.
#18. Rocks on the right are good but too sharp-sculpt.Fairway apron should surround the complete green.(front left edge).Soften the green shape overall.

I really see major improvement and consistency overall.Soften the slopes,hills,rocks etc.Bunkers need sculpting overall and I felt the camber around the greens was a bit too severe.Green contours seemed great and logical.Can't wait for this publish...great effort!
My Tropical/Hawai'in course is done overall and I am in the final planting stages- hole signs,clubhouse,etc. Should be completely done and published within two-three weeks unless I get into National Treasure and draw a tropical state and can use it...ha! Hope you will send me a review when it comes out.Later buddy.

Troy

#11.

[Bob334OH]

Feb 23, 2022 19:21:18 GMT -5 retteach said:

Hey Bob,
I didn't read any of the above reviews to give my 1st impressions.Hope I played the correct beta(2?).Here we go:
First off- major improvements overall from Kelpie Myst. Better layout, routing, planting for sure.Lighting looks good and framing is improving as are bunker placement for strategy.You and I tend to do the same rookie stuff.
#1. tee box on a steep slope,I like a fairway fringe before hitting heavy rough. Also find the setting for heavy rough only gives 65-75%.I tend to hit it alot so it was tough reaching some greens since the course is on the long side if you miss fairways like I tend to do.Strong fairway camber and fairway needs smoothing in places.Back edge fringe is too severe.
#2. Bunkers overall seemed a bit shallow but I build bathtubs so what do I know...ha!Fairway edge transitioning to the right side of the green is sharp or awkward.Camber to the green is too severe.
#3. Grass needs to be taller or a sharper contrast colour(IMO).Plant a tree or two on the right for framing.The hole seems too open.
#4. Good framing.Soften the hill on the left.Bunker sculpting.Fairway edge around the bunker is lumpy or awkward- smooth.Strong camber around the green.
#5. Camber is strong.Plant more around rocks throughout the course to soften and sink them a bit to look more natural.Nice view across the water.
#6.Widen fairways around all the greens if you want to use this as a runoff.Shallow bunkers.Why the right fairway option? But the left is too narrow.
#7. More planting needed to fill space on the left.Not enough risk reward for a driveable 4.Add something(more danger)
#8. Nice rock work and view overall(soften with shrubs growing amongst them).More planting left and long.Too much blank space behind the green.
#9. Great look off the tee.Bunkers are too flat( Bunkers are too bright for this environment- try something more to the beige side.Waterfall is nice from a distance- Tone down and shorten the flow rate.Mist is floating too high.More plants in the rocks.Roll off camber is too strong around the green- but consistent - soften throughout the course.
#10. A solid look off the tee.Camber around green needs scuplting. Close in green with a tree or two.Needs fairway smoothing.
#11. Close in behind the green for framing and depth.A long hole 230 and uphill 20( green may be too small)Back green camber is too severe.Mountain terrain in general may be too severe- has some tearing.
#12. Nice look again.Smooth fairway between bunkers.Fairway is too narrow before reaching the green- hard to layup easily.Quirky fairway shape around green.Soften fairway slopes- I eagled this bad boy!
#13. Nice look and framing overall.More rock work and sink them and plant to soften.
#14. Why go Left? Liked waterfall idea and where it is visually but needs more tiers or levels to soften the flow( looks awkward up close)
Slow and shorten the water flow.Too severe a runoff-camber to the left of the green.
#15. Nice look overall- neat to see the other two holes off behind the green.Stagger the small tree sizes off in the distance to look more natural.Great look at the lake.
#16. Fairway is too narrow after the 290yd mark.There is an interesting floating shrub above the rock on the left.Behind the green shrink the rocks a bit, add more small ones, sink them and soften with shrubs- these look good.
#17. Nice look.Awkward 2nd shot if you miss the fairway, as I did, hard to find a safe landing spot for layup.
#18. Rocks on the right are good but too sharp-sculpt.Fairway apron should surround the complete green.(front left edge).Soften the green shape overall.

I really see major improvement and consistency overall.Soften the slopes,hills,rocks etc.Bunkers need sculpting overall and I felt the camber around the greens was a bit too severe.Green contours seemed great and logical.Can't wait for this publish...great effort!
My Tropical/Hawai'in course is done overall and I am in the final planting stages- hole signs,clubhouse,etc. Should be completely done and published within two-three weeks unless I get into National Treasure and draw a tropical state and can use it...ha! Hope you will send me a review when it comes out.Later buddy.

Troy
As always a big thank you for taking the time and attention to detail to play and give honest feedback.All your observations are spot on and I believe I have addressed them all.  Note to hole #6 - right is a safe option to the narrow left side.  #14 - Left is the safe play by not taking on the water with a driver. I reduced the landing area going right by enlarging the pond and reducing the fairway.  Side wind or head wind makes going right rather risky.    Just published my 3rd and last beta -'Beta thsr'   
Thanks again Troy for your kind words and help,  Bob