Where Fantasy Meets Reality - GOLF+ Unveils "Canyons"

For the first time in two years, a GOLF+ original design is now live. A breathtaking and captivating addition, "Canyons" brings an immersive, fantasy-driven experience that will captivate both seasoned golfers and newcomers alike. Go behind the scenes with the GOLF+ team to learn more about the newest project!

You Asked for Fantasy? We're Giving you Fantasy!

The newest member of the GOLF+ course team, Michael Conner has been designing and publishing golf courses for video games for more than 25 years. Conner was brought on board to help fill a void that had been an ongoing topic of conversation among the GOLF+ community - the desire for more fantasy courses.

"I first started designing golf courses for the Jack Nicklaus 5 computer game back in 1997," said Conner. "As I started designing courses, I started learning more about golf course architecture and building out my own design philosophy."

Conner notes that inspiration for his first GOLF+ fantasy course was drawn directly by the player community.

"Our players were really looking for something that was more in line with what you would see in the old Tiger Woods video games. Wolf Creek is one of our most popular courses currently, so we wanted to try something that would blend the two."

Indiana Jones Meets Old Westerns

Using Wolf Creek as a baseline, the course team decided on a "Grand Canyon"-like backdrop and drew inspiration from rugged, daring energy of Indiana Jones along with the nostalgia of Old Western mining towns.

"The whole vibe of the course was Old West mining town," recounts Eric Bowman, Senior 3D Artist at GOLF+. "We really tried to stick to things that you would see at the Grand Canyon or a desert environment. There are definitely some terrifying things that you can look out for."

Bowman says his favorite part of the project was the rendering of a mine cart that players will see riding along the track that stretches throughout the course.

Pushing the Limits

Both Conner and Bowman note that the most exciting, and at the same time difficult, parts of creating a fantasy course is that their no limitations when it comes to the land or terrain.

"You try to push the boundaries to make it something that's quite unrealistic, yet realistic at the same time," explains Bowman.

"Even when you're designing a fantasy course that is going to be played by a lot of people, there are certain design rules that you still have to follow," added Conner. "I really tried to incorporate opportunities for dramatic risk-reward type shots, while also keeping it within the realm of playability."

A Course for Everyone

The beauty of Canyons lies in its ability to create an emotional connection, drawing players into the sport with its immersive world. The course isn't just for those looking to improve their handicap—it's for anyone ready to embark on a new kind of adventure.

"Ultimately, my hope for Canyons is to spark interest in the game of golf from people who may not be interested in it as it is," said Conner.

"Not only golfers, but people that are golf curious. That's really the goal here, to get more people interested in golf."