So many unexpectedly good things about this course. Originally intended to play Holloway (down the street), but it was closed so we came here... and what an amazing course!

Great course culture
Great tee signage
Nice "next basket" signage, never looked at UDisc (except on 9 and 18)
Each hole has it's own unique signature. Unlike other courses, the tree trouble is different on every hole. For example:
- #1 anhyzer tee, to a low ceiling approach
- #2 tunnel shot tee, to a pick-a-path approach
- #3 bowling alley tee, to a wide open approach
- #4 uphill horizontal pick-a-path

Each hole had a decent amount of shade (except 10-12), IT GETS HOT HERE!, and honestly, the openess of holes 10-12 was a nice change of pace from the forest holes.

The rough was thick, but not too punishing. Only a few holes had some unrecoverable disc areas (thinking 10 and 12).

Not very many long pads, still under course construction, it seems.. so for the long-ballers, this may not be the course for you. Great learner course for woods-play, not for stretching your game.

Overall I was really impressed by this place, and thought it was maintained as well as most of the other Florida courses... definitely on par with Barnett and DeBary in Orlando, Jonesville in Gainesville, or Picnic Island or Maximo in Tampa Bay.

Would give this a shot if you are wanting to drive a little south off I-4.

-Nice short course allows for a quick play
-Concrete tee pads on every hole. Longer holes even have "am" tees
-Multiple pin placements on most if not every hole to add variety over time
-Bathroom near the first tee
-Dedicated practice basket
-Elevation! Like, legit elevation. For non-Floridians it'll be "meh" but still, it's something!
-Great for beginners to learn "wooded golf"
- Brooms on just about every tee to help clean them off

-Most of the holes feels directly on top of each other. Several times I would throw and then as I was walking down the fairway realize if I had sprayed my drive I might could have taken someone out on the next tee pad. So just be aware.
-Clearly the most popular course in town with oodles of golfers on the course when I played. Not necessarily a bad thing but if you don't like playing through groups this could be an annoyance.
-Mountain bike trail VERY close to the course. The trail doesn't go THROUGH the course but you do have to cross it a few times to make hole transitions
-No distance. With the exception of holes 10 and 12 you could play the entire course without a driver even if you max out at around 350. For the 400+ foot driver just go ahead and leave your distance drivers at home.

Overall this was a nice course. It clearly gets a ton of play and with only two courses in town that makes sense. The only other option is Holloway which is an absolute gem but definitely not for the faint of heart. As a result it makes sense this course gets a ton of play from beginner players which is the vast majority of what I noticed today. As indicated in my cons really the only things I had a problem with were the closeness of all the holes to each other, the proximity to the mountain bike trail, and I'll add here the "what the f***" nature of a few of the holes. Many of the holes have extremely low ceilings which prohibit your ability to get close to the green. I love low ceilings because it negates just throwing over everything. But there's a good way to do it and a bad. Several of the holes fall into the latter category. Hole 9 in particular was really interesting. It requires for a predominant RHBH thrower either a forehand roller or an intentional early low hyzer skip barely 100ft from the tee to get anywhere near circle two. Hole 6 requires a super technical throw to navigate the fairway but then the pin is completely blocked by (admittedly beautiful) trees. In my opinion there is WAAAAAY too much luck on a few holes to get to circle one. But with the average hole length being less than 250 I won't complain too much. If you're in the area and want a challenge go play Holloway. But this course is not a bad course by any means. I give the course a 3/5 but that doesn't mean it's bad. It's good! you should absolutely play the course if you're in town!

Hidden Oaks DGC is new, has some lovely holes and actually has some elevation to deal with. This elevation is minor by comparisons with many other areas of the country but here in Florida, it's a pleasant experience and separates Hidden Oaks from the typical Florida flatlands course. I quite enjoyed throwing up and down the smallish hills.

The course is way back at the end of the park and is next to a wetlands area. There is a restroom here. There is a kiosk at the start with a nice course map. The baskets are the pretty green Prodigy models and there is a practice basket. There is also a course rules sign. The concrete tee pads are nicely sized. The metal signs show the usual plus they a have a hole hint for how to play the hole and the poles for the tee signs are the same color as the baskets. A new trend! A coordinated disc golf course! Take that John Houck. The course has next hole signs throughout. You also have to be alert for mountain bikers as this park seems to be popular with them, too.

There are two sets of tees, the Long Blues and the Short Reds. I played mostly from the Reds. From the Reds, the course plays mostly in the 200's. The Blues can get up to around 400'. With all the trees and some elevation, the course probably plays at a recreation level. Intermediate players will have their way with this course. I think I like # 8 as my favorite hole. It may not be the signature hole but it's just a pretty hole with basket set up a small hill. It was really quite a treat to play a a Florida course with some elevation.

I don't know if I can come up with much in the way of cons. I guess big arms will miss the chances really air it out. There's plenty of trees but there is no way you would describe Hidden Oaks as a technical course. Some might complain about the mountain bikers roaring around. There are some places where you want to look both ways before stepping out on a trail.

This is just a fun course to play. There are no open, boring holes here. I certainly prefer this to those more open courses. They were gearing up for their Sunday morning dubs tournament. If I had had a little more time, I would've have liked to played in their tourney. Nice course.

-Drive on the concrete road past the mountain bike trail for the disc golf course. You will see the green warm up basket.
- Variety of shots used for my rounds here today. Lots of short fairway drivers and mid ranges.
- Excellent use of space with the layout. Holes are generally close, well signed, and all have tee box signs with accurate distance and maps.
-Stay in the fairway to score well here. Rough is brutal and unforgiving.
- Nice elevation use on several holes.
- Great group of guys designed this course. I met a few of them durning my wam up and round. Incredibly friendly and hospitable group.
-Beauitful baskets, they just don't agree with my putting style.
- Bathrooms at beginnning of course.
-Excellent concrete tee pads at every hole.

No trash cans or benches
Need a transition sign from 9-10. Only transition I got confused on during my rounds
Sign for the disc golf course would be super helpful. Maps left me searchingly for a bit.

Excellent course and well designed. I shot a 51 blind here from the longs. All skill levels should have a great time on this course.

Dedicated parking with course map and bathrooms. Great baskets, concrete tees and informative signage,including "next tee" which makes for easy navigation. 1-3 are a nice warm-up, woodsy but not overly technical or long. The rest are situated on a minor hill (maybe a "rise"?) for some fun elevation shots for flat FL. 4 goes up a neat tunnel, 5 back down with a ceiling. 8 up a bit more, 9 down again finishing not too far from the parking lot. 10 a longer shot up...with the long tee requiring a water carry. Etc. Solid variety of shots leftish vs. rightish, with trees requiring certain lines while not being "poke and pray." The local support is great here, hence the beautiful condition of the course. I've seen props from other clubs too, with special road trips for doubles/handicaps.

Advanced players will want more distance, probably even more than the longer tees offer on 8, 10, 11, and 13, the only holes with dual tees. (Masochists and their 1,000 foot par fives!) Perhaps some day alternate basket locations can be added, along with perks like benches and bag hangers. The rough can hide errant shots, particularly the thick saw grass along a few holes. I recommend throwing a bright-colored driver.

It's amazing how polished this course looks for being only a few months old. Today, the fairways, greens and connecting paths were freshly mowed. The property is also home to a mountain bike trail, which I suppose could raise safety concerns, but it seems the two sports coexist just fine here, along with some nice wildlife too. Don't harass the gopher tortoises and haul out your trash (I picked up a couple bottles today, but the course was otherwise spotless).

- Tees are very easy to find. Next Tee signs on almost every
hole.
- The nature build up around the course is outstanding and will
only get better
- The changes in Elevation provide a good challenge.

- Rough is VERY rough, a true disc eater
- First few holes are still pretty wet, a lot of
mosquitoes, bring spray!!!

This course is a recent expansion of Loyce Harpe (Carter Road, for the locals) park, and was an outstanding course to play. My wife and I recently took up the sport, mostly to spend more time together in the outdoors, and the nature and scenery did not disappoint.
As this course develops, I am positive it will become a go-to destination for both visitors and regulars.

Short to medium length holes in a mostly tight and technical environment with some really nice elevation changes not seen too much in this part of Florida. The course has a nice tree canopy and is still pretty rustic. There are nice views of the lake and wildlife abounds. We saw a pair of large owls and several turtles/tortoises and plenty of butterflies on our way through. Nice Prodigy baskets, concrete tees, informative and descriptive tee signs, and plenty of next tee signs make for easy navigation and a fun round.

Unless you stray from the fairways. The course is brand new so the rough hasn't been thinned down yet. Keep an eye on your discs and spot where needed. The rough here is brutally dense in spots and disc loss is very possible.

The course starts out in a low area where water will collect during the rainy season. The course drys out though as you work your way up the hills. The lake provides a nice backdrop for a few holes, but you would have to really shank one to put it in the water.

There are no benches or places to sit/rest and no garbage cans on the course. Hopefully, they are coming. There are a few walks between holes and a bit of a hike from 18 to the parking lot. The course does come close to the parking lot by hole 10 though.

A fun scenic course that this area has needed for a long time. Mind the rough and you will probably have a good time here. There is plenty of room for expansion and upgrades and I envision this being a very popular course in the future.

Hidden Oaks is located in Lakeland's new Se7en Wetlands park area which was once one of west central Florida's old phosphate mines. Over the last few decades, this area has been used to naturally filter wastewater for the city. They are now actively making public access with hiking trails and parking. The result is a perfect location for a challenging disc golf course within a natural wildlife environment. This area of Florida has "hills" instead of the normal flat land. The course itself borders a mining dragline pit and there is a cliff on hole #14 with an impressive 100 foot drop overlooking the dig site.

PROS:
Loyce Harpe Park is easy to find and to locate the course just take the left at the split on the drive in and then keep going all the way to the end (currently a shell road).

There is new parking (dirt for now) and a new restroom (concrete structure) right by the path to hole #1. Just before #1 is a site map with good hole information. This course is probably cart friendly but I didn't bring my cart and didn't miss it since you could get by with only 3 to 5 discs if you wanted.

The course takes great advantage of the hills in the layout which is unique for the majority of Florida disc golfers. Even though most holes are in the 200 foot to 270 foot length, there are many challenges. The fairways have low ceilings with doglegs either left or right ending with tree guarded baskets. This is a short technical course with plenty of opportunity for birdies and bogeys.

Holes #10, #11, and #12 border the lake with nice views of the water. There is not much chance of losing a disc here unless you choose the water carry shot (#10 long) which is optional and the short tee is pretty safe since you are throwing on the dry side of the lake's boundary.

The fairway paths are surprisingly well worn and the course is pretty easy to navigate but I recommend you bring a course map for the first time around.

The concrete tees are a nice size and the tee signs give helpful hints on your shot placement and usually directions to the next hole. The neon green Prodigy baskets are new and are easy to see and catch well.

Only two cons as others have mentioned. First, there are no numbers on baskets and no arrows pointing to next tee. An easy fix and hopefully in the works. Second, there are spots of thicker rough with the possibility of losing discs. During the summer, rainy months the rough might get a little thicker and discs harder to find.

One of the features that stood out to me was just how quiet and peaceful it is, something that is getting rare as Florida over develops.

There were bike paths through the course but I was there on weekday so there weren't any riders.

Most of the course is under an oak canopy which will make things a lot cooler during the Florida summer and should block the wind in the winter.

A very enjoyable course although the fairways may be a little tight for newbies.

Played this course in it's early stages. The parking lot just barely opened up for vehicles to park there. I'm very impressed!
Met up with a friendly local who showed us around. I'm blown away by how much work went into this place. Info board, bathrooms, concrete pads, signage... they really came out swinging!
It's a tight, challenging track. Limited 'open' holes, most require finesse and accuracy. This place will test you on a variety, if not all, shots in your repertoire.
I like the hole lengths, for how technical the course can be, it's nice that the holes aren't super long.

One or two holes were difficult to find from the previous basket.
A poor shot into the rough on some holes can lead to a miserable search for your disc, if not an outright loss.
It wasn't clear where the first hole was when we first showed up. Only after talking to three different locals did we find directions. ( drive deeper and deeper into the park until you run out of road)

I loved this course, even though it kicked my butt! I'd love to come back someday and see how much it has progressed!

Good use of hills and natural foliage.
Even temporary signage shows hole length and route.
Concrete tees adequate for short run-up.
New baskets.
Challenging lines.
Pleasant walk in nice scenery.
Cart friendly- had to lift over a log a few times, but even my small wheels pulled easily.
Well laid out to avoid clashes with bikers (except errant throws, of course).
Rest rooms on site.
Some elevated tees - always a plus!

"Next tee" arrows and or sign with directions would help the flow of the round.
Practice basket needed.
Parking closer to course would help.
Not long enough for big arms.

Very enjoyable departure from flat Florida courses. Anyone looking to work on stand-still shots or technical game will appreciate this well designed, well kept course.

I stumbled on this course while in the area, and was surprised at how rewarding it was to play. It's really quite beautiful, and you can tell a lot of thought and love went into it. There's lot's of old craggy trees to navigate around (and through), and it really requires a lot of thoughtful decisions and accurate execution. It's a relatively short course, but the technical nature mostly makes up for it. You really have to hit your gaps and angles, and there's quite a few low ceiling areas, too, so there's a really important you not only control your left/right but also your up/down. There are also short/long pads on several holes which adds a bit of variety, and one of the longs takes you over water, which is really cool. Kudos to the locals that put this in. Super fun!

Not really any long holes, which is due to the terrain.
Although I wonder if the layout could be tweaked in the future to stretch a couple of these closer to 500ft? There are also some really thick bush and grass areas, so pay attention to where you throw...very easy to lose a disc or two here!