PGLS

I don't want to trash specific courses and certainly not their creators, so I will just say this in general: There are so many fine courses out there that are challenging and fun, but it seems like every week lately, we are getting stuck with the oddballs that i sure wouldn't pick for a fun round. I seriously got to the point this week that I just didn't want to play any more: just not fun and very, very frustrating. I embrace a good challenge as much as anybody, but these courses were just one crazy, unrealistic shot after another... And based on the number of people actually finishing, I don't think that I am alone in this evaluation.

What might not be fun for some may be for others. The course setters can't pick and choose the courses based on individual players likes and dislikes.

As an example this week, Black Swan is a tough course but it's going to be tough for every player who takes part in the PGA 9.

Going back a few years to the beggining of Perfect Golf Willow heath, Black Swann and Karen were among a handful of courses available outside of the few Standard courses you got when you purchased the game and they were very popular back then. Willow Heath was the very first course I played on. I remember playing Karen and constantly scoring +20 per round. Jump forward a few years and I am no prolific scorer but it's been great playing Karen this week and being just +7 after 3 rounds. With these 3 courses its not just a case of hitting the ball as hard as you can down a straight fairway, because of the many hazards there is a lot to consider, Distance to hit, angle of approach. where to hit your ball to give you the best opportunity on your next shot. These courses have stould the test of time and it was great to hear on the forum a thank you for using them this week. You cant win them all I know that from experience but I genuine try to make things fun and if you look at the conditions for these three coursesthey are not extreme. I get criticized for not making them tough enough sometimes but I try not to cater for the top 10% but for all at whatever skill level you hold. Play both Karen and Black swann a few times and you will become a better player as I have found.

Seasider revisiting these older and very difficult course has been really fun this week and we should revisit a lot of the older ones. Black Swan is not for the faint of heart but everybody plays the same course and it's also fun to see all struggle to stay near par vs shooting 59 every round and that course can bring the best to their knees. There always been courses like this and most who played Links remember Rivendel as it was a monster. Keep putting these oldies up as they are what we played in the begining and they are still very enjoyable.

Thanks Greensborunclion for your coments. Its refreshing to hear from players enjoying the courses and conditions. PGLS has a dedicated team of course setters who work hard to keep the site running. Some like Alan Riddler) and Tbone are on thier first season and have done a spledid job others have been doing it for some time. Its not alway easy. Skills is a good example, only a few courses have challenge holes and the setter has no contol over where the ball will be placed but dunc does a splendid job at rotating the courses available and setting the pins each week. We have recently lost a couple of setters due to the pressures of work and family life but the team pulls it all in, If anyone would like to try there hand at it speak to Mark.

A few of the courses used this week are from 2015 and you have to appreciate how well they were done and indeed challenging. Think how much courses have improved, with the new tools available, since 2015. Always a pleasure to revisit classics that deserve our admiration. I only add that pin selection is extremely important when using difficult courses. Using unfair pins with certain conditions only frustrate our members.

Is it Kablammo,s birthday this week?

At least 3 events have his courses.

They were ok back then when there were few courses to choose from.

Not that I know of... I just decide to pick 3 of his best courses, I already had Black swan down in my programme of courses and I had a b lank spot on PGA18 So decided to showcase the 3 courses together.

Mwh65 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 17, 2020 8:09 am What might not be fun for some may be for others. The course setters can't pick and choose the courses based on individual players likes and dislikes.

As an example this week, Black Swan is a tough course but it's going to be tough for every player who takes part in the PGA 9.

Couldn't have said it better. Personally, I am not a huge fan of K11 courses...but...everyone has to play the same course under the same conditions, so it is fair. I find the challenge enjoyable, trying to score low on courses I don't particularly care for. Liking the course is not a prerequisite for having fun, IMHO.

TheOtherRick wrote: ↑Tue Aug 18, 2020 12:49 am

Mwh65 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 17, 2020 8:09 am What might not be fun for some may be for others. The course setters can't pick and choose the courses based on individual players likes and dislikes.

As an example this week, Black Swan is a tough course but it's going to be tough for every player who takes part in the PGA 9.

Couldn't have said it better. Personally, I am not a huge fan of K11 courses...but...everyone has to play the same course under the same conditions, so it is fair. I find the challenge enjoyable, trying to score low on courses I don't particularly care for. Liking the course is not a prerequisite for having fun, IMHO.

Spot on Rick. Some weeks it's target golf, others you have to think a bit more. Don't tend to worry about what the actual score is, just what I got to beat, be it -25 or -5, all good fun in the end.