[TeeJay0218]

Let me start this off by saying i'm not very good at this game. 

Now that i've gotten that out the way, lets get to the details. Even though I suck (my best round w/ aids was probably 8 under) I enjoy playing TST (sim) style. Scout Cam/Green Grid/Wind/etc off and driver setting on "Hardest".


I feel this best replicates the feel and at least thinking side of golf when you're actually out on the course..just my opinion. (Small cone for driver/woods)

I usually score between 5 and 2 over, and 1 over to 2/3 under on some GREAT days.

Don't ask about the bad days. 

I still enjoy this game a great deal and it has definitely knocked EA out of my rotation when it comes to golf games. I've said it in numerous posts, despite the knocks to the devs and some hiccups with gameplay this is still the most realistic golf simulation imo.

Everyone has an opinion, so here' s my 0.02

Disclaimer:

I play sim, and am very partial to Real Course Recreations because I bought this game to replace PGA Tour. Thanks to the many talented designers, we have an array of accurate courses to navigate.

When creating my top 5 I just asked myself this question:

If I was showing TGC to a first time player who already loved golf and was looking for a video game to play what courses would I have them play?


My top 5 is purely my opinion and i'm not saying any other courses aren't great, and I plan to cover other courses and topics along w/ my blogs if I haven't put you to sleep yet lol.

My Top 5 Courses to play as of right now:


5. Spyglass Hill 2016 by Yeltzman





I couldn't find a picture of the course so I just used a real life picture.

Anyways the course is very accurate (for my taste) and provides a great challenge. Ever since I started playing sim I think i've only broken par once on this course and it was a 1 under. I love that the signature holes are recognizable and the starting 4 holes are very tough just like IRL. Driver and approach shot placement is key.


4. TPC Sawgrass (Blacks) by FriendBomber


I will tell you right now i'm biased  because Sawgrass is one of my favorite courses IRL, its a southern beauty and who doesn't love the 16/17/18 stretch right? (Don't forget to put your tee shot a little shy of the right bunker on 16) As a person who has played this course over and over again on Tiger Woods PGA Tour, I can say this course was done perfectly (in my opinion) and even has the greens spot on straka. Everytime I play 18 I try and get the ball to softly land on the small hill to the back right of the green so I can get a soft bounce to the green..Only at Sawgrass. I can shoot about 3 over to 1 under on this course..

3. Golf Club of Houston by Williamhotel69

Wow. That's all I could really say about this one when I first played it. I'm familiar with the course because of the Shell Open, but if i'm correct this course has never been in a video game. (At least TW PGA Tour) The designer did a great job replicating the look and feel of the course, which has an "Augusta" type feel to it..but a friendlier Augusta. I played this course along with watching the Houston Open and was amazed at the accuracy. Should definitely be played by all, and is a great course to introduce yourself to sim style play.

Edit: There are the public tees and a tour set up. Give the tour pins a shot..definitely a challenge.

2. Magnolia National 2016 by CLV



What else needs to be said about this one? CLV did a great recreation of "the course that must not be named".   

As a somewhat RCR "snob" I had only one criticism of CLV's previous release (Magnolia 2015) and that was that there was no pine mulch or colored flowers to more replicate the feel of *******. That killed it for me. Everything else was A-1.

Let's just say he came back w/ a bang on the 2016 release. From the 1st tee to the "Hallelujah Corner"  to the 18th is a perfect experience of country club golf played in Georgia. Also, very very tough. (for me at least) I've only shot under par once here while playing sim and it was 1 under. I have a 2014 Masters Program with the Yardage Book and you can play along with the pros advice and end up with great shots. (its that accurate)



1. Pebble Beach Golf Links (Blacks) by FriendBomber


Perfect. One of my favorite courses IRL, and everything (to my standards) is accurate. You don't need to use driver off the tee unless you plan on being accurate, and if you can keep the ball in the fairway amd slightly below the hole you can score. Another course i've played time after time on TW and this one rivals EA's version very well.


Honorable Mentions: (Other great courses I play alot, all in my favs)

Merion East, Ardmoire, PA by CLV *****

Montreux Golf Club, Reno, Nevada by NevadaBallin *****
St. Andrews Open Friday by colinmafia ****
Harbour Town Golf Links by colinmafia  ****
(I know the complaints about Colin and he would easily be one of the top RCR creators if he puts more time into his greens. Nevertheless, i enjoy some of his renditions as i feel they replicate the look (and some tee to green decisions) well.

Bethpage State Park (Black Course) by BoomBoom *****
Riviera Golf Club (Black Tees) by Boom Boom ****
Walker Course @ Clemson by *****
Southern Hills Country Club by StormGolf *****

Fox Chapel Golf Club? by *****
Crooked Stick by *****


What are your favorite courses? Do you agree or disagree?

photo credit to CLV btw.

[FRSTDWN]

There are a lot of great courses for TST play. That is great list you have there and most of those are in my fav list.

I you have not already you should join the TST tour. Tons of fun and those guys pick some great courses.

[McBogga]

The Friendbomber Pebble is better that the tiger one IMO. He got the greens close.

You are missing Congressional - easily one of the best courses in game . It's a challenge, but it's a US Open set up. The par threes are maybe the best in game and 18 is such a great hole.

[theclv24]

photo credit to CLV btw.

Except for my own courses, all credits should go to Vic, aka Karma!

Nice write up, too!

[PinHi]

Nice! Liked your choices- This is a top list of my choices - some are not RCR but certainly are very well done. Here is my top 31. Had to make it 31 as the last one I have liked since it was first designed some time back.

1   Magnolia National 2016 ( Sunday Tour )        thclv   
2   Augusta National 2015  ( Sunday Pins )       Yeltzman   
3   Royal Lytham & St. Anne                        Yeltzman   
4   Merion East                                     thclv   
5   Pinehurst #2  16 ( Sunday )                  thclv   
6   Pine Valley  New Jersey  ( Champ )           Craig118   
7   Royal Troon 2015  ( Old )                   Yeltzman   
8   TPC at Sawgrass  ( Sunday )                   friendbomber   
9   Congressional                               Rodsimo                        
10   Royal Birkdale 2016                         Yeltzman   
11   Elmview Open  ( Day 1 )                         Reebdoog   
12   Fresh Water                                     ArticFury   
13   Oceanic Club                               ArticFury   
14   The Belfry - The Brabazon                   Han   
15   The Timberwolf                               CrazyCanuck   
16   Whistling Straits  Sheboygan                   Craig118   
17   Bethpage State Park  (Black)                  BoomBoom   
18   Crawford Mines Remastered                   CrazyCanuck +Csugolfer
19   Firestone South  ( Rustic )                   friendbomber   
20   Glenn Abbey                                   BoomBoom   
21   Muirfield 2013  ( Sunday )                   Yeltzman   
22   Old Beaver Creek                               Reebdoog   
23   Ottaberry  ( Sunny )                        ArticFury   
24   HooDoo Hills  ( Remastered )                   DrYeti   
25   Kahiko Beach                               CrazyCanuck   
26   Kipahulu                                     Set my path   
27   Pebble Beach   ( Blacks )                 friendbomber   
28   Ross Society                               thclv   
29   Royal Birkdale 2015                         Yeltzman   
30   Spyglass Hill  2015                         Yeltzman   
31   TGC Players Club - Logan Farm                     Csugolfer   

[TeeJay0218]

thanks  guys

Sent from my SM-G360P using Tapatalk

[Oswinner]

Had a couple of fantastic live turn based rounds with TeeJay last night at Houston and Montreux. First time I ever played with hardest difficulty setting and I had a blast. Hit +2 at Houston and EVS on my first ever play at Montreux - what a course!

You should really play the TST tour more often TeeJay. Start out by playing the easier Secondary Events for a while. I know there is no option for hardest swing but 4 rounds a week playing on normal swing won't be too bad for you :-)

Plus, with the amount of fairways you were hitting on hardest swing means you will be great on normal swing and can concentrate on your putting.

As for the list I feel the best RCR's are the ones with strackaline true to life greens. Congressional/The Belfry/Bethpage/Sawgrass/Pebble? The greens are the heartbeat of the course and too many courses created by designers don't have enough slope in them. I'm not sure if Magnolia is true to life greens but they sure feel like it and it's probably number 1 for RCR's. The TST Masters was great fun. The Belfry runs a close second though, truly amazing.

[FRSTDWN]

Took me six or seven tries but I finally got Southern Hills of my list.

[SCL]

Good list Teejay0218

I'm in the same situation as you. I love the recreation courses. That's pretty much all I play. I've played a lot of FriendBomber's courses, and also theclv24's courses (all of his stuff is gold standard!!!).

I keep track on here, what I have played, and my favorites. Here's my list:

REAL COURSES#, Par. Course Name. . . . . . . . . . .  My PR . . . .  .Rank/#Plays . %rank . .#1-#9 . . . Course Creator..
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
01. [70] Pine Valley, New Jersey-Championship Tees 60,-10 . . . .  13/4,411 . . .0.2 % . .-16/-10 . .Craig Frey . .TOP 10
02. [70] Chambers Bay, WA (Thursday) . . . . . . . . . 62, -8 . . . . . 14/4,145. . . 0.3% . . -10/-8 . . theclv24 ~ . .TOP 10
03. [72] Magnolia National (Georgia) Sunday . . . . . 65, -7 . . . . .140/26,197 . .0.5% . . -18/-14 . theclv24 ~
04. [70] Pinehurst #2 (2014 US Open) . . . . . . . . . .62, -8 . . . . . 32/6,029 . .  0.5% . . -11/-9 . . theclv24   
05. [72] Pebble Beach Golf Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64, -8 . . . . . 60/7,526 . . .0.7%. .  -17/-12 . friendBOMBER
06. [71] Copper Creek National (Q-School)  ** . . . . 66, -5 . . . . . 43/5,792 . . .0.7% . . -10/-8 . . theclv24 ~
07. [71] Bethpage Black Official Pin A . . . . . . . . . . .64, -7 . . . . . 14/1,183 . . .1.1%. .  -10/-8 . . ?
08. [72] Promenade Golf Course **  . . . . . . . . . . . 63, -9 . . . . . 32/ 2,978  . . 1.1% . . -14/-11 . unknown
09. [72] Whistling Straights Sheboygan WI (Thurs). 64, -8 . . . . .  10/791  . . . .1.2% . . -12/-10 . Craig Frey
10. [72] St. Andrews Old Course 2015 . . . . . . . . . . 65, -7 . . . . . 16/1,036 . . .1.4%. .  -13/-8 . . ? No clue ?

11. [70] Chambers Bay, WA (Sunday) . . . . . . . . . . 65, -5 . . . . .  65/3,991 . .  1.6% . . -10/-8. . .theclv24 ~
12. [72] TPC Sawgrass 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67, -5 . . . . .31/1,337 . . . 2.3%. . .-11/-7 . . Yeltzman
13. [72] TPC at Sawgrass Stadium Course III . . . . . 65, -7 . . . . 110/4,027 . . . 2.6%. . .-14/-12 . friendBOMBER
14. [72] Magnolia National 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63, -9 . . . . . 63/2,174 . . . 2.8% . . -17/-10 . .theclv24 ~
15. [70] Merion East - Ardmore, PA (Sun) . . . . . . . .64, -6 . . . . . 64/ 1,976 . . .3.2% . . -12/-10 . theclv24
16. [72] Pebble Beach Golf Links (blacks) . . . . . . . . 67, -5 . . . . .102/1,624 . . .6.2% . . -15/-13 . friendBOMBER
17. [72] Spyglass Hill 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66, -6 . . . . . 66/ 776 . . . .8.5% . . -12/-10 . .Yeltzman
18. [70] Oakmont Country Club (US Open A) . . . . . .68, -2 . . . . . 23/ 218 . . . .10.5%. . -11/-4 . . theclv24

xx. [72] Doak Valley (CC Champ D) . . . . . . . . . . . . 00, -0 . . . . . 00/1,378 . . .0.00% . . -13/-10. .theclv24
xx. [71] Royal Troon 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xx, x . . . . . .??/ 1,611 . . .0.0% . .-13/-7 . .  Yaltzman
xx. [71] Muirfield-The Honorable Company. . . . . . . . 71, E . . . . . .??/ 722. . . . 0.0% . . -10/-6 . . Yaltzman

[BoomBoom]

SCL, You have plenty of the wrong credits to designers there. Really Bethpage Black Official Pin A is number 7? Pretty sure CLV would not want credit for that course. Its a name only RCR, bears only minimal to micro resemblance. However granted it looks done when the tools were non existent, but done by someone named Mojo. I thought I did a much better job of getting much closer with my Bethpage. However it's all subjective I suppose.

PinHi: Love your list.

Teejay, Love your list as well.

Is it not wonderful that we have so many fantastic courses to play here. Not a spec of licensed content, and absolutely no need for them either.

Great game......Love it immensely.

[SCL]

SCL, You have plenty of the wrong credits to designers there. Really Bethpage Black Official Pin A is number 7? Pretty sure CLV would not want credit for that course. Its a name only RCR, bears only minimal to micro resemblance. However granted it looks done when the tools were non existent, but done by someone named Mojo. I thought I did a much better job of getting much closer with my Bethpage. However it's all subjective I suppose.

PinHi: Love your list.

Teejay, Love your list as well.

Is it not wonderful that we have so many fantastic courses to play here. Not a spec of licensed content, and absolutely no need for them either.

Great game......Love it immensely.

Not surprising, I haven't updated the above list in ages. I'll have to recheck that and fix it. Thanks for the head's up. I'll try to update it at some point. If I am remembering correctly, sometimes the game doesn't accurately list the name of the author. I think this is the case?

I made the list a while back so I could remember all these great courses in this game. There are just to many to count and so hard to keep track of them. I originally put them down on a piece of paper, kept the list by the XBox, but then my wife tossed it out as garbage. So now I just keep them on this board, and just track the list down in an old thread when it's needed. Keep the list handy, so I can remember all of them. I sort by percentages, as that kind of tells me which courses I might have some improvement room still. If I am in the top 1% or so....I'm probably capped out. I just will never catch some of those guys above me. My putting sucks to much  :-(

Right now, I am taking on the Oakmont Country Club by clv. Play a game or two a night, try to get on a few times a week.

[FRSTDWN]

Oakmont and Oakland Hills are on my to do list. Both are a blast to play with no aids.

[McBogga]

Southern Hills and Galveston Country Club by Trey Coursey are both great as well.

[BusDriver555]

I think colinmafia's "Atlanta Athletic Club Members T" is fantastic.  I'm a new player, but it's my favorite so far. 

I need to check many of the ones above out!

-Bus