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The Crucible reviews
18
1
Into the Smelter 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Oct 30, 2014
Played the course:once
Pros:
Layout - The Crucible is most definitely a gold level course; it requires accuracy over distance, precision drives through tight gaps and the ability to place drivers in spots while dealing with huge elevation changes and unrelenting rough.
The crux of the course is built upon forcing players to make a number of decisions right off the tee. You can lay up short and go for more accuracy while leaving yourself a much harder/longer approach; or you can try to push it down the fairway more and try to get a better angle.
Now the fairways on the more open holes are generous on the drives for the most part, though if you try to push it and get off line the rough here is untouched and brutal so you will definitely be pitching out.
The approach shots on many of the par 4's force you to be much more accurate through gaps while also placing your shot, the fairways skinny up in some places. On a few holes you're approach shot is in to a more wooded area.
You'll need the ability to hit different lines with power off the tee, this is a course where it pays to be able to forehand and backhand for distance.
The area where the course hits more serious woods is divided by a ravine which runs a long the wood line. A few holes use this ravine to add difficulty.
There's another few holes which utilize the wood line to create tight drives going out in to the open. You'll want to get more D to set yourself up for an approach but not making it out of the gap is punishing.
Again, on top of all of this there's the huge elevation changes. In a few places you'll deal with shorter more quirky up and downs but for the most part it's just big rolling hills and you're going up and down them.
There's some really well placed baskets on the course as well which is again really forcing you to think ahead and how you want to approach it. A few are on elevation changes, or tucked around corners in tight gaps.
Water comes in to play on one dogleg par 4. It's not really a danger unless you challenge it because you never are forced to carry over water.
The par 4's on this course are extremely well done and the two par 5's are phenomenal; definitely two of the best par 5's I've ever played.
I like that the few wooded holes are in to give the course some balance and break it up a bit, it succeeds at that and gives the course a nice flow to it.
This course is a true test of your game and your ability to hit big shots with accuracy over and over. It's tough but very fair and that's all you can ask of a well designed course.
Equipment - It did have signs listing distance and showing the fairway. We were also given a map/caddybook. They also put down rubber tees and the portable baskets were in good condition.
Atmosphere - It's a really beautiful and amazing piece of land. Huge rolling hills and dotted tree lines create the perfect environment for this type of course. The fact it's out in the middle of nowhere adds to it all.
The crux of the course is built upon forcing players to make a number of decisions right off the tee. You can lay up short and go for more accuracy while leaving yourself a much harder/longer approach; or you can try to push it down the fairway more and try to get a better angle.
Now the fairways on the more open holes are generous on the drives for the most part, though if you try to push it and get off line the rough here is untouched and brutal so you will definitely be pitching out.
The approach shots on many of the par 4's force you to be much more accurate through gaps while also placing your shot, the fairways skinny up in some places. On a few holes you're approach shot is in to a more wooded area.
You'll need the ability to hit different lines with power off the tee, this is a course where it pays to be able to forehand and backhand for distance.
The area where the course hits more serious woods is divided by a ravine which runs a long the wood line. A few holes use this ravine to add difficulty.
There's another few holes which utilize the wood line to create tight drives going out in to the open. You'll want to get more D to set yourself up for an approach but not making it out of the gap is punishing.
Again, on top of all of this there's the huge elevation changes. In a few places you'll deal with shorter more quirky up and downs but for the most part it's just big rolling hills and you're going up and down them.
There's some really well placed baskets on the course as well which is again really forcing you to think ahead and how you want to approach it. A few are on elevation changes, or tucked around corners in tight gaps.
Water comes in to play on one dogleg par 4. It's not really a danger unless you challenge it because you never are forced to carry over water.
The par 4's on this course are extremely well done and the two par 5's are phenomenal; definitely two of the best par 5's I've ever played.
I like that the few wooded holes are in to give the course some balance and break it up a bit, it succeeds at that and gives the course a nice flow to it.
This course is a true test of your game and your ability to hit big shots with accuracy over and over. It's tough but very fair and that's all you can ask of a well designed course.
Equipment - It did have signs listing distance and showing the fairway. We were also given a map/caddybook. They also put down rubber tees and the portable baskets were in good condition.
Atmosphere - It's a really beautiful and amazing piece of land. Huge rolling hills and dotted tree lines create the perfect environment for this type of course. The fact it's out in the middle of nowhere adds to it all.
Cons:
Layout - I have three problems with this course. The first is that it's temporary and not here all the time. I know there's reasons and blah blah blah but man... it would be awesome to be able to play it more often.
The second is that the majority of the wooded holes are just not what I would consider gold level and don't really fit in with this course. I wish they could of carved out more holes like 15, that's a solid wooded hole that matches the course.
The holes that just dont jive with me at all are 7, 12 and 16. On most courses 7 is a solid hole but it just seems lacking here. To me 12 and 16 are again okay holes but definitely have no business on this course. 12 compounds this by making you take a long transition past the pond where there very well could be a nice water carry shot thrown in.
My third and much smaller complaint is that a few of the more open par 4's kind of blend together, having better holes in the woods would of probably offset this feeling.
Equipment - It's a temp course so it's hard to complain about this stuff but to me more could of been done to level the pads.
Atmosphere - Another result of it's temp status and the fact it's been untouched for years is that the course very much looked the part, it needed a good beating in.
The second is that the majority of the wooded holes are just not what I would consider gold level and don't really fit in with this course. I wish they could of carved out more holes like 15, that's a solid wooded hole that matches the course.
The holes that just dont jive with me at all are 7, 12 and 16. On most courses 7 is a solid hole but it just seems lacking here. To me 12 and 16 are again okay holes but definitely have no business on this course. 12 compounds this by making you take a long transition past the pond where there very well could be a nice water carry shot thrown in.
My third and much smaller complaint is that a few of the more open par 4's kind of blend together, having better holes in the woods would of probably offset this feeling.
Equipment - It's a temp course so it's hard to complain about this stuff but to me more could of been done to level the pads.
Atmosphere - Another result of it's temp status and the fact it's been untouched for years is that the course very much looked the part, it needed a good beating in.
Other Thoughts:
The Crucible is easily one of the best courses I've played. It's one of those rare courses that blends a ton of elements together to give you both a serious challenge and a fun round as well.
Whenever it comes back I'll more than likely try to get back and play it again and suggest anyone else to do so as well.
Whenever it comes back I'll more than likely try to get back and play it again and suggest anyone else to do so as well.
0
17
hallroyal
Experience:
25.9 years
19 played
3 reviews
10/29/2014 Wednesday The Flying Eye Open practice day ! 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Oct 29, 2014
Played the course:once
Pros:
Great design! So much fun with the many varied shots. I think I used every disc I own. What a great challenge, a par for this course is a great score.
Cons:
Rubber tee offs can be slick in the dew or light rain. Understandable for a temp. course, I loved this course and I hope it will not be another 5 years before I can play it again.
