Absinthe

ABSINTHE

By : DanO and Joker

Type : fictional parkland course

Par : 71

Lenght : 6956 yards

Every once in a while we have the chance to play a truly great masterpiece. A course that offers a solid test of golf with beautiful views and a great polished look. Absinthe, coming to us by D.L.Bunch and Joker, have all these nice qualities within the same package, putting the result almost in the instant classic category. All in all this is a course that you just got to have on your hard drive, and here’s why…….

Design : 9/10 A lot of time have been put in this course and it clearly shows. The layout is just superb and the elevation changes realistic and varied. Tons of little touches here and there (bridges, rock formations, parallel holes), and fantastic overall presentation. You’ll remember some things about the course for a long long time. The course as a whole is a testament to the visual and technical capacities of the JN designer.

Strategy : 9/10 If you still haven’t played this course, go grab a copy as soon as you can. This is a superb course that has it all and plays well. We see here the benefit of a co-design work; every hole is expertly crafted and gives plenty of different challenges to any level of player. If you like narrow drives on short par 4s, or water that awaits any errant 2nd shot, or solid par 5s with choices off the tee, and even some well strategically built bunkers and greens shapes, look no further, this one’s for you. Take a look at the par 3 10^th hole, one of the best fictional par 3 ever made for GBC in my opinion.

Visuals : 9/10 The course has the kind of same feel than Augusta National. A gentle and relaxing setting with beautiful colored flowers and matching colours. This is a fantastic work and everything is very professionnal. There are a lot of parallel hole work on the course, which enhance greatly the overall look and gives plenty of realism. The little rock formations here and there adds a nice touch too.

Greens : 8,5/10 Plenty of contours and ridges to these greens that ask for great confidence with the short stick.

Bunkers : 8,5/10 Great bunkering, period. I just love the cloisters of bunkers that catch any errant shot.

Water : 8/10 The water is a real challenge here. When close to the greens, the designers have chosen to join the putting surface and the water by fringe only in most of the cases. Results?? Some Augusta National "hitted soft on the front of the green but spinning back in the blue stuff " type of shots that can frustrate some players. Personally I think it’s a great feature if used properly, which is the case on the course.

Textures : 9/10 The textures have nothing spectacular in them ( I think it is the Sherwood texture set with some slight alterations) but they fit so well with the setting…… really incredible. The textures are the base that make the nice look of the course here.

Overheads : 9/10 Really good work here. Not only are they clean but each hole has it’s own name on small signs on the overheads. These are a work of art.

Splash screens : 8/10 The course info screen is pretty nice, even if the pic is a bit fuzzy. I would have liked a bit more info on the course, but otherwise this is standard and solid work.

Others : 9/10 One of the best text course guide avalaible is more than enough to enhance the overall playing experience. It gives the feeling of a well-worked and polished package. The course is I think one of the best value course avalaible for GBC. It gives something to just every kind of player. Fabulous overall work by the designers to say the least.

BOTTOM LINE : I think we can use the word keeper for that one J From the 1st tee to the 18th green, Absinthe offer a first rate experience to any cybergolfer. You just got to have this one on your hard drive.

No particular advices, just hit the right shot at the right time. You got to control the irons from uneven lies, and you must know how to hit the ball from left to right as well as right to left with all the clubs. The 10^th and 11^th hole are two holes that may kill a good round. At all costs be sure to avoid the water on these two tough holes……… I know it from experience J .