After playing the Jubilee course, nicely designed by TeeOffTowersey, I decided to extend my "stay" at St Andrews by playing... three different versions of the Old course (!) : the EA stock version, released in 2007, and the two custom versions done by Neil Munro in 2012, and the CGX team in 2016.
Needless to say, it is not easy to compare all three, especially considering that the yardage has evolved a little bit, along with a few "cosmetic" changes, but this version is definitely better than the stock course.
Unlike the EA's rendition, this updated version has more realistic textures, more deep rough areas, not to mention the ocean closer behind the green on the par-3 11th hole, a nice sandy beach on the right of the par-4 12th (gone on EA).
On the front 9, my favorite holes are the par-4 4th, with plenty of deep rough and well-placed bunkers, the par-4 7th hole, with a tee shot over plenty of deep rough and with that wide "Shell bunker" in the middle of the fairway, not far from the elevated green, and the short (around 355 yards) par-4 9th with a few bunkers in front of the green.
But I prefer the back 9, tougher with more pot bunkers and some tricky greens to watch for.
Besides the par-3 11th and the par-4 12th holes, mentioned above, I like the par-4 13th with a few bunkers in the middle of the fairway and plenty of deep rough as your reach the green, the right dogleg par-5 14th hole, with that big “Hell bunker” in the middle, halfway, and the right dogleg par-4 15th, with plenty of deep rough on the right side.
The par-4 16th hole is not easy either, with bunkers on the left midway near the "Principal Nose", but my favorite is definitely the right dogleg par-4 17th hole, with a tee shot cutting the corner over the railway shed (next to the hotel) and a tough approach to the green, guarded by a small pot bunker on the left, whereas the par-4 18th is easier but pretty too, with all those houses and buildings along on the right and that big clubhouse.
If the EA version has nicer buildings, and fans and stands (which Neil decided not to use as he explained below), playing-wise, this version is the one to keep in my book !

Really nice rendition of St. Andrews. Looks good and plays good. Very good planting and greens were great. Love those monster greens. Plays a bit too easy in normal conditions - shot 63. St Andrews (I think)needs to be played in gusty and windy conditions with heavy rough - make it tough to get a idea of what it really must plays like. Thank you for a wonderful creation.

in answer to brucman, there is no wall beside the 14th Championship Tee, it begins to the left side the 14th Medal Tee which is 45yards further forward than the "Tiger" tee

I have to admit I have never given AI players a thought when designing courses. The green texture was used in the hotel grounds purely for cosmetic purposes. If anyone would like I can easily fix it and send them a copy. If enough people want one, I can release another version.

Great course! Play had that real Open feel. One thing... The 17th hole has an area in the hotel grounds behind the wall that is set as a green. Its a trap if your playing ai players. They can't figure it out. But other than that its great!

Gr8 Job as always Neil

Point well taken JJ. I will have to go back and try those courses.

Neil, this rendition is a much truer reflection of this great course. you actually feel a art of it as you work your way around.
would be great to see you team up with the new golf course game group to produce more of your masterpieces m8.GREAT JOB MY FRIEND WORTH 5 STARS in a blink of an eye.

Dave, why would you not download a stock course remake? I have yet to see a remake that didn't blow a stock course out of the water and put them to shame :) Many of the stock courses are just downright innaccurate...I know Neil killed TPC Boston and Firestone as well...cgx did excellent renditions of East Lake, Doral, and Cog Hill that are far superior to the stock, and if I may humbly say so, My Ocean course is way more accurate than ea's, especially since the course had an overhaul since ea made it and my course reflects the changes.
I'd love to see someone redo the national and k club...maybe I will tackle the national soon, who knows ;) I just need someone to get me a good dem (hint hint)
The custom designers have put ea to shame, you should try the custom versions of stock courses, they are way way better imho

I usually don't download remakes of stock courses, but considering this designer, I had to give it a try. I agree with previous comments, it rivals the original. Totally enjoyed my round here, great job Neil - 5 stars

Nice touch to an olde course, ty for allowing us all to re-play an olde favorite.

Neil,
Wonderful rendition of the Old Course. Captures the visual atmosphere of the place without attempting to be comprehensive. I think minimalism works best with a game like this. I miss, however, the ambient sounds and the general auditory atmosphere. Game play is even more authentic with the excellent rendering of Hell Bunker on 14, the Principle's Nose on 16, and the Valley of Sin on 18. The presence of the sheds on 17 is a welcome improvement over the original 08 version from EA Sports, and thank you much for ending the out of bounds nonsense over the Road Hole. I hit a drive onto the Hotel grounds on 17 and was surprised to discover I wasn't out of bounds;That was the only unrealistic quirk I encountered. I wonder why you didn't include the wall beside the 14 th tee?

Overall, I would rate this version 4 and a half stars. Great job!!

thanks for this course neil,your efforts are appreicated!

I think this is a big improvement over the stock course. I appreciate your labor in making it. Thank you.