Spotsylvania, VA

Hawk Hollow

4.745(based on 23 reviews)
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22 0
swatso
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.8 years 755 played 414 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Veni. Vidi. Obstipui. 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Oct 8, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

The terrain may seem well-suited to be a cow pasture, but its true calling is to be a disc golf course. The rare blend of openness, lines of trees, patches of woods, and varied elevation changes form a perfect landscape for a scenic and challenging course.

Course maps, extremely important for the first-time/infrequent, unguided visitor, and score sheets are available in the mailbox near the parking area.

Cons:

The land the course is set upon is a private cow pasture first, and a disc golf course second. This means:
- the course isn't open 365 days a year
- there will always be cows
- there will always be a seemingly endless supply of cow pies
- most tees, those located in the open areas, are natural
- signage is minimal, as the owner knows where the tees/baskets are located, and the cows don't care

Other Thoughts:

Variety is on display as the course plays up, down, and across the open pastures, and into, out-of, and within the lines of trees and pockets of woods that form the pasture boundaries, with the omnipresent creek wending its way through the middle of the course

Elevation changes: Only a few holes are quite flat, but these, except for 975' #7, require specific lines to be hit to score well. About 1/3rd of the holes have extreme elevation changes, both up (2, 5, 9), and down (1, 4, 10). Up-then-over, down-then-up, gentle ups, gentle downs, mainly flat with an extreme-but-short drop or gain can be found on the other holes

Tightness: About 1/3rd of the holes are quite open, but will challenge you with a major elevation change, a tree line to swing around, or have the creek lurking not too far away. About 1/3rd of the holes are tight throughout, forcing a specific line to be hit. The remaining 1/3rd of the holes are a blend of open and tight, requiring a specific window or line to be hit early/middle/late, but more open during the other portion of the hole.

Distances range from 210' to 975', with an average of ~450'. The five holes under 300' are on the tight-side, requiring specific lines to be hit to have an ace run/ birdy opportunity. The four holes over 600' are primarily open, but challenge you with either elevations changes (10, 18), or woods early (7) or late (15).

Shot-shapes/types: While you'll need the occasional left/right turner, being able to throw straight, hold a line, and account for elevation changes will be the primary challenge presented by these holes.

My favourite holes - all of them? Standouts included:

#4. Steadily down an open slope the first ~200', then passing through an opening of hardwoods, to a steeper descent past scattered trees to a basket an additional ~200' away, just before the creek.

#12. A steady-but-moderate right-turn is needed for ~275', then a slight ~75' fade left up a gentle slope to a basket atop a tree-lined ridge. Turn too sharply, and find the creek running parallel to the optimum flight path. Don't turn enough, and find the trees directly in front and following the left side of the flight path.

#15. After crossing ~400' of relatively flat open space, you hopefully will be aligned with the small opening into the woods, as the basket is another ~250 away, downhill, with a tree-filled left-to-right slope along the left side of the optimal flight path, and scattered trees and the creek over to the right.

Consider yourself lucky if your feet and your discs manage to miss the cow pies.

Consider yourself fortunate if you ever have opportunity to play this course!
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11 0
forehandfranz
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 31.9 years 226 played 128 reviews
4.00 star(s)

The Hawks and the Cows are Home here 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 2, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

Super-secluded course located in the wilds of Virginia farmland. Up and down through cow pastures, cowpies, along creekbeds and through forests- this place will throw everything at you. The course really demands strategy with the placement on many of the shots (especially par 4 & 5 holes). The terrain is used quite well, especially around the creekbed and fencelines that keep both the long and short holes honest. The best part of this place is the seclusion, followed by the great variety of holes.

My favorites would be #8 - a medium sized hole that runs the length of a creekbed, #12 - another hole that goes along the edge of the creek as well- (lots of danger here), #15- a hole that starts in a field, then bottlenecks downhill into woods along a creek (a real strategy hole).

personally think that you will love this course more if you have a big arm. Many of the holes will give you an advantage to score birdies if you have distance. The rest of us will look at holes like #7 (about 1000'), #10 (very long) as a bit of a chore when throwing across big open fields without many obstacles.

Cons:

Some holes take awhile to find (even with the maps provided), due to the fact that all the tees are natural and have no posts (just rocks) on the tees. This is just a perspective of a first-time player.

Three holes (#7, #10, #18) are very long and open - long-armers will probably love these holes. I thought they would benefit more from having more obstacles in/along the fairway instead of depending on length of the hole. This is a very minor criticism, but just need to be honest.

Other Thoughts:

I wish I'd had time to get 2 rounds in - it's way off the beaten path and scenic, so it would make it more worth your time to stay awhile!
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