-
Discover new ways to elevate your game with the updated DGCourseReview app!
It's entirely free and enhanced with features shaped by user feedback to ensure your best experience on the course. (App Store or Google Play)
Hidden Ridge DGC reviews
14
0
The Good Old Days
Reviewed:
Played on:Apr 14, 2024
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
Excellent design with a variety of holes rewarding control and shot-shaping
Beautiful wilderness course with lots of wildlife
Quiet and remote with very light traffic
Beautiful wilderness course with lots of wildlife
Quiet and remote with very light traffic
Cons:
Winter-only course (currently some holes will be available during the Summer for the on-site AirBnB customers)
Some people may find the hills and creek crossings to be strenuous
Must contact the property owner to play (some open weekends may be announced on the Facebook page)
Some people may find the hills and creek crossings to be strenuous
Must contact the property owner to play (some open weekends may be announced on the Facebook page)
Other Thoughts:
I get it. My first "frisbee golf" adventures were with a few friends picking targets in a wooded park and trying to avoid all the obstacles along the way. After a few trips we developed our own course and the competition became more about designing the most interesting holes. Perhaps fortunately, considering my sadistic early designs, I moved on to other interests and obsessions and left disc golf course design in better and slightly less cruel hands.
Hidden Ridge is a trip back to those days of basic course design and experimentation. The teepads are a mix of artificial turf, level ground, gravel, and wood chips (although some concrete pads are planned). The baskets are second-hand, but in good shape. Transitions can be a little tricky as there isn't enough traffic to create the well-worn paths between holes that we're familiar with on heavily played courses. Many holes have "next tee" signs, but they can be difficult to locate. Additionally, Tim will occasionally tinker with the layout (he is currently working on a land swap with a neighbor to add an additional three holes) to improve or freshen things up.
The biggest surprise at Hidden Ridge, though, is how good the design actually is. Tim started playing at Lincoln Ridge (Banklick) and Idlewild, and it is possible to see the inspiration for many of the Hidden Ridge feature holes in those two great courses. There are just too many memorable holes to list here, but I'll point out a few of my favorites.
#3 is a straightforward 260' par three, but will showcase what the course is about. It's a straight throw across a gulley with a number of trees and branches to avoid. There are a number of lanes available and a birdie is a possibility for many players, but hitting those lines is tricky.
#10 is 604' par four featuring a gorgeous view over a meadow and creek, requiring an enticing downhill drive. It's pinched enough so you'll need to throw a fairly straight drive. Big arms will want to cross the creek at the bottom of the hill for the up-hill approach to the basket. Most of us will play to the meadow at the bottom of the hill and hope to put our second shot somewhere on the hill. As usual, there are a number of well-placed trees around to swat away an errant shot.
If you survive the test of #10, the difficult 760' par five #11 will be a further challenge. You'll start by threading a drive between some giant trees. Those with a more modest game will be happy to clear the trees and land in an open field, but those wanting a real birdie opportunity will play left for a second shot down the fairway or right for an approach down the road. Either route will lead you (hopefully) to a tricky approach to a very tight green protected by the creek and (of course) a few trees.
In my opinion, you'll enjoy the course if you are either:
- An advanced player who can throw precise lines with decent (350+') distance.
- An intermediate player who is comfortable with facing adversity on most holes.
- A novice who enjoys the experience of playing a challenging course and can handle holes where par seems like an outrageous joke (me).
You probably won't enjoy the course if you:
- Have trouble climbing steep hills or negotiating muddy or slippery terrain. Carts will be a chore on this course.
- Need even, level teepads with lots of room for a run-up.
- Require precise signage to play and navigate the course. (The UDisc map was up to date and accurate on my last play.)
In summary, Hidden Ridge is one of the top courses I've played. It is definitely worth a visit if you are nearby when the course is open. A true labor of love, it's the work of one disc-golfer and a small team of volunteers. I'll keep returning. The good old days? These are them.
Hidden Ridge is a trip back to those days of basic course design and experimentation. The teepads are a mix of artificial turf, level ground, gravel, and wood chips (although some concrete pads are planned). The baskets are second-hand, but in good shape. Transitions can be a little tricky as there isn't enough traffic to create the well-worn paths between holes that we're familiar with on heavily played courses. Many holes have "next tee" signs, but they can be difficult to locate. Additionally, Tim will occasionally tinker with the layout (he is currently working on a land swap with a neighbor to add an additional three holes) to improve or freshen things up.
The biggest surprise at Hidden Ridge, though, is how good the design actually is. Tim started playing at Lincoln Ridge (Banklick) and Idlewild, and it is possible to see the inspiration for many of the Hidden Ridge feature holes in those two great courses. There are just too many memorable holes to list here, but I'll point out a few of my favorites.
#3 is a straightforward 260' par three, but will showcase what the course is about. It's a straight throw across a gulley with a number of trees and branches to avoid. There are a number of lanes available and a birdie is a possibility for many players, but hitting those lines is tricky.
#10 is 604' par four featuring a gorgeous view over a meadow and creek, requiring an enticing downhill drive. It's pinched enough so you'll need to throw a fairly straight drive. Big arms will want to cross the creek at the bottom of the hill for the up-hill approach to the basket. Most of us will play to the meadow at the bottom of the hill and hope to put our second shot somewhere on the hill. As usual, there are a number of well-placed trees around to swat away an errant shot.
If you survive the test of #10, the difficult 760' par five #11 will be a further challenge. You'll start by threading a drive between some giant trees. Those with a more modest game will be happy to clear the trees and land in an open field, but those wanting a real birdie opportunity will play left for a second shot down the fairway or right for an approach down the road. Either route will lead you (hopefully) to a tricky approach to a very tight green protected by the creek and (of course) a few trees.
In my opinion, you'll enjoy the course if you are either:
- An advanced player who can throw precise lines with decent (350+') distance.
- An intermediate player who is comfortable with facing adversity on most holes.
- A novice who enjoys the experience of playing a challenging course and can handle holes where par seems like an outrageous joke (me).
You probably won't enjoy the course if you:
- Have trouble climbing steep hills or negotiating muddy or slippery terrain. Carts will be a chore on this course.
- Need even, level teepads with lots of room for a run-up.
- Require precise signage to play and navigate the course. (The UDisc map was up to date and accurate on my last play.)
In summary, Hidden Ridge is one of the top courses I've played. It is definitely worth a visit if you are nearby when the course is open. A true labor of love, it's the work of one disc-golfer and a small team of volunteers. I'll keep returning. The good old days? These are them.
24
0
His Own Private Idlewild 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Jun 6, 2020
Played the course:once
Pros:
After seeking out a dream property, and taking the time to hike the woods, ridges and valleys literally hundreds of times, while building a family home, InnocentCrook (Tim Blanchet) began the arduous task of sculpting out the trees and underbrush, working in paths and fairways, adding bridges and stone creek crossings, then tee pads and baskets, with the result being a tremendous disc golf course. Tim's 5 year labor of love is coming into focus and available for others to enjoy (make contact before you go: private course on family land). It is currently a technical, hilly, wooded dream course geared very well between the intermediate to open skill set.
With DisCatcher baskets (acquired second hand from the original Holler In The Hills), and mixed teepads (carpet or mulch at present), new benches, a helpful map, next tee signage where needed, and variety galore, this is fast becoming a nice rural destination course. Hole designs range from an open bomber hole where big arms can gain a stroke on the rest of us, to super technical shorties where the crafty veterans can get that stroke back. The course has everything. The flow of the holes and the layout keep impressing with the fresh, different feel from each hole to the next. Here's a downhill, straight tunnel that you could reach for a deuce opportunity. The next hole is often a longer dogleg where the smart play is to reach that sweet spot landing zone off the tee (if you can avoid THAT TREE!).
The holes meander through the ridges and valleys, and give every look you can imagine (uphill, downhill, ravine crosser, left, right…). My favorite hole was 10, with a sweet downhill lane to the landing zone at or beyond the creek bend, followed by uphill shot(s) to approach the basket. It felt like a slightly more forgiving Idlewild #11 (hence the review title). I complimented Tim on NOT simply throwing in a generic hole that used the utility company's cleared lane, but crossing it instead with TWO holes any course designer would be proud of.
As the course matures, the design will utilize multiple tees and pin positions, and the variety will just get better and better. It's already stellar. Come help mature this baby!
With DisCatcher baskets (acquired second hand from the original Holler In The Hills), and mixed teepads (carpet or mulch at present), new benches, a helpful map, next tee signage where needed, and variety galore, this is fast becoming a nice rural destination course. Hole designs range from an open bomber hole where big arms can gain a stroke on the rest of us, to super technical shorties where the crafty veterans can get that stroke back. The course has everything. The flow of the holes and the layout keep impressing with the fresh, different feel from each hole to the next. Here's a downhill, straight tunnel that you could reach for a deuce opportunity. The next hole is often a longer dogleg where the smart play is to reach that sweet spot landing zone off the tee (if you can avoid THAT TREE!).
The holes meander through the ridges and valleys, and give every look you can imagine (uphill, downhill, ravine crosser, left, right…). My favorite hole was 10, with a sweet downhill lane to the landing zone at or beyond the creek bend, followed by uphill shot(s) to approach the basket. It felt like a slightly more forgiving Idlewild #11 (hence the review title). I complimented Tim on NOT simply throwing in a generic hole that used the utility company's cleared lane, but crossing it instead with TWO holes any course designer would be proud of.
As the course matures, the design will utilize multiple tees and pin positions, and the variety will just get better and better. It's already stellar. Come help mature this baby!
Cons:
When greened up in the spring, this course might be a bit rough on players from novice to recreational skills. The rough is thick, and it's difficult to stay on top of the amount of trimming and mowing this course would need to be 'park-like', so throw bright colors, keep an eye on your shot until it comes to rest, and if you toss one in the pond on 18, you're joining a 'cast of thousands'. There is potential to lose discs here in the rough or the water. But if you ink them, you're most likely to eventually get a call from a private course owner as he puts in his decades of course work.
Furthermore, Hidden Ridge is a true workout, designed to please the player who expects a hike, not just a stroll in the park. Even if he took another five years installing more bridges, stairs, and access paths, the changes in elevation will be difficult if you're not in at least decent shape. It is likely a challenge when wet… What I'm hinting at here is, it's probably best to leave the carts in the car and carry a bag. …that contains fluids. …and some protein booster!
Furthermore, Hidden Ridge is a true workout, designed to please the player who expects a hike, not just a stroll in the park. Even if he took another five years installing more bridges, stairs, and access paths, the changes in elevation will be difficult if you're not in at least decent shape. It is likely a challenge when wet… What I'm hinting at here is, it's probably best to leave the carts in the car and carry a bag. …that contains fluids. …and some protein booster!
Other Thoughts:
Reach out to Tim on Facebook, message and set up a time to play (or better yet, volunteer AND play). Bring course donation $, and/or buy some merch. It's all going back into the course, and it shows.
Tim mentioned it, so I'll pass it on: there are DGA baskets viewable, but they're out there for the kids and family, so don't get confused. You're playing to the DisCatchers with the bands (he's currently in the process of applying a set of attractive "Hidden Ridge" vinyl wraps).
I gave Hidden Ridge a 4.0 rating because it's comparable to the others I've done that for, at least in terms of design fun, challenge, and to some extent, potential. I was tempted to go as high as 4.5, but it's being still a little rough. It's definitely worthy of ratings in this range.
Tim mentioned it, so I'll pass it on: there are DGA baskets viewable, but they're out there for the kids and family, so don't get confused. You're playing to the DisCatchers with the bands (he's currently in the process of applying a set of attractive "Hidden Ridge" vinyl wraps).
I gave Hidden Ridge a 4.0 rating because it's comparable to the others I've done that for, at least in terms of design fun, challenge, and to some extent, potential. I was tempted to go as high as 4.5, but it's being still a little rough. It's definitely worthy of ratings in this range.
