The Cog Golf Course Strategy Guide

[Splink-Splink McGillicutty]

Originally Posted by The Dogfather

For a total of 23,300 stock options:
Assuming each set will take 90 minutes (1 hr and 30 min)

Middle 6 Courses (in set of 2s) take 6.23 total runs with a total time of 9.4 hours.
Back 9 Courses take approximately 6.96 total runs with a total time of 10.4 hours.
*The time indicated can vary

12 Mid-6 runs @ 1874 = 22488 options
12 Mid-6 runs @ 1874 + 1 Front-3 run @ 764 = 23252 options
13 Mid-6 runs @ 1874 = 24362 options

It looks like it takes 13 Mid-6 runs to get 23300 options. At 45 minutes each, that's 9.75 hours. (I'm assuming we're not taking the 12 Mid-6 + 1 Front-3 + 1 cog building approach).

7 Back-9 runs @ 3350 = 23450 options.

At 90 minutes each, that's 7 * 1.5 hours = 10.5 hours.

So, summarizing Dogfather's correct analysis, if a Mid-6 run is exactly twice as fast as a Back-9, then 13 Mid-6 runs are faster than 7 Back-9 runs.

I think it would be interesting for people to time their runs on Middle 6 and Back 9 courses so we can really compare the two. If an average Back 9 is just 7 minutes faster than two average Mid 6's, then the 7 Back-9 run approach takes less total time.

I realize that each run is different and you can't count on a run taking an exact amount of time. But let's take an average from what's stated in the guide:

Originally Posted by The Dogfather

Front 3 - 3 Golfing Holes that require approximately 20-25* minutes for completion.
Middle 6 - 6 Golfing Holes that require approximately 45-55* minutes for completion.
Back 9 - 9 Golfing Holes that require approximately 80-95* minutes for completion.
*All toons using sound

According to the above, an average time for a Middle 6 is 50 minutes. And an average time for a Back 9 is about 88 minutes. So an average time for two middle 6's would be 100 minutes, which is 12 minutes slower than a single average Back 9. And I'm guessing that doesn't include the extra gag-up time. If those numbers held, then doing 7 Back 9's (616 minutes) would be 34 minutes faster than 13 Middle 6's (650 minutes).

Again, I realize we only have approximate numbers. That's why I'd really be curious to see if anyone has actually timed their runs so we can use hard numbers to figure out which way is faster. I've seen at least one post that said a Back 9 can be done in a little over an hour. But maybe they used a bunch of Unites so they could sound through the whole thing.

This is only a discussion about how long things take. So even if 7 Back-9's can be done faster, that doesn't necessarily mean they're preferable. It's nice to know you won't run out of gags in a Mid-6 and it's nice to not have to commit to 88 minutes of playing time to get through it. I'm likely to take the Middle 6 approach even if the Back 9 way is faster.

CraigC

[The Dogfather]

Originally Posted by Splink-Splink McGillicutty

What makes up for the the fact that you're doing 3 more holes (at least 20 minutes) and having to get gags in between? Is it because you typically can't sound through the cogs on the last few floors of the 9 so the cog battles are slower?
CraigC

You are right, on a Back 9 you will usually run out of sound gags on the last few holes, which you have to take care of each cog single handedly. Of course the puzzles do offer sound restock, so there will be times that a single Back 9 will be faster than doing 2 Middle 6s, but that is not always the case, which means you just have to take each cog out one-by-one at the end.

Originally Posted by Splink-Splink McGillicutty

This is only a discussion about how long things take. So even if 7 Back-9's can be done faster, that doesn't necessarily mean they're preferable. It's nice to know you won't run out of gags in a Mid-6 and it's nice to not have to commit to 88 minutes of playing time to get through it. I'm likely to take the Middle 6 approach even if the Back 9 way is faster.

CraigC

Those numbers are just estimates from what I have been hearing from friends and people here on TTC. I know that a Back 9 can be done in just over an hour if the group is fast, but I would say the majority of the time for most people it will take about 1.5 hours due to lag, gags missing... so on and so forth. It would be nice to get a more exact figure.

I agree with you, even if 1 Back 9 is significantly faster than doing 2 Middle 6s, I too am likely to take the Middle 6 approach for many reasons. Some reasons I will take the 6s is because if invasion ends, which it always seems to end as the last cogs are blowing up, I would rather lose out on the Middle 6 points than a whole Back 9. Another reason being that there are major bugs in the Whack-a-mole game where the red moles sometimes dont come out. I have had a few friends tell me they had to get out of the Back 9 (near the end) because red moles never came out. Plus, if I am running a Middle 6, I know that I can quit and do RL stuff in about 45 min should I need to take off, whereas in a Back 9, Im stuck for about 1.5 hrs. Also, doing 2 Middle 6s gives you more stocks than a single Back 9.


The Dogfather

[PRW]

I'm not trying to sway anyone one way or the other... but here is my experience with this.
I've done quite a few of both the 6's and the 9's... most were with people that happened to be waiting to go (random).
For both the approx time per floor is 5-8 min. The average time for a 9 has been 55-70 min. Average time for a 6 is 30-40 min. The difference in time in large part depends on how lucky we are winning sound during golf. (obviously some of the times were longer and some were shorter than the average... but as a general rule, this is what I plan for time. ie... went home for lunch hour today and did a 6... took 34 min and then went back to work )

Additional items that affect the time (9 vs two 6):
9's - only wait for one invasion, no need to find 2nd group/stay with same group (learn how each other play), and currently there are fewer toons that want/need 9's so it is tougher to find a group to go with.

two 6's - need to wait for 2 invasions, usually more toons waiting to go, have to regag in between rounds (including the run back if no tp toon), then have to find a 2nd group to go with.

[Dr. Pancake Dandyroni]

Have to agree with PRW on this one.....Was running with Prof. Graham Soursnooker the other night and we did this exact experiment to see how long it would take. To do two sixes, we may have to wait for another two players to join if you don't all ready have a group you are all ready running with. (still your stopping and starting) In a nine you run till your finished. With a six, you go and get rid of excess gags and replenish the ones you need. The nine took a little longer then PRW's. but the time for the six was exactly the same.

[Splink-Splink McGillicutty]

For some reason, the run time comparison between 2 Mid6 or 1 Back9 really interests me, so I've started a thread that asks people to report their Middle 6 and Back 9 run times. I've already included PRW's 34 minute Middle 6 run and a double Mid6 I did this morning. But if anyone else reading this has some specific times they can contribute, it would be really helpful.

Thanks everyone!
CraigC

[Cool Chipper Crunchencrumbs]

Every bit as important as run times for doing two 6's or a 9, if they're close to the same times, would be how many Options you get each way. If you get fewer in the 9, then it would be pointless to do one of those even if it saved a few minutes.

[Splink-Splink McGillicutty]

Originally Posted by Cool Chipper Crunchencrumbs

Every bit as important as run times for doing two 6's or a 9, if they're close to the same times, would be how many Options you get each way. If you get fewer in the 9, then it would be pointless to do one of those even if it saved a few minutes.

You're absolutely right, but it also matters that any Options you get beyond what you need for a certain suit are useless. So even if the Back 9 gives you fewer options that two Middle 6's, as long as it gives you enough to make your suit, then it's fair to compare the time taken for each.

So it's quite true that if you needed 3351 options, it would be silly to do a Back 9 when 2 Middle 6's would do the job, even if they took a few more minutes. This discussion was mostly based on what would be the fastest way to get 23300 options. There, we can fairly compare 13 Middle 6 runs against 7 Back 9 runs, because both get you past 23300 with a minimum number of runs. It doesn't really matter how much past 23300 they take you.

CraigC

[Sponkey]

Thank You very much for this guide
It was my first time into the the golf course after reading this and it made this way easier than I first thought it was going to be . Thnak ou

[Prof. Dusty Cheezyslam]

this is a good guide

[LadyFrinkeltoes]

Okay...so we were a threesome. We completed the rounds of cogs, made it through the maze, the other games, back on the cart & then...poof we were back at the beginning. Can someone tell me why this is?

[Silly Pinky Nickelwhip]

That is normal.You're at the begining of hole 2.

[Patricia]

I have a question. I did this bossbot golf course the first time today. I have to get bossbot version 2.0 for my bossbot suit.

I went with 3 VERY experience toons this morning and we completed all the golf rounds. My question is: Can I just do the first round?? The front one? I think I remember there being one of those version 2.0's there.

If I can, how do I get out it there alive?

[elvatoloco]

Originally Posted by Patricia

I have a question. I did this bossbot golf course the first time today. I have to get bossbot version 2.0 for my bossbot suit.

I went with 3 VERY experience toons this morning and we completed all the golf rounds. My question is: Can I just do the first round?? The front one? I think I remember there being one of those version 2.0's there.

If I can, how do I get out it there alive?

unfortunately, you have to complete the whole thing. Good luck.

[Baron Skippy Rockenzap]

You always make such aweomse guides! lol Nice job!