Pros:
A unique tract of land with 100'+ of elevation change on a 90 acre sinkhole.
Substantial elevation changes on 14 of the 18 holes.
The emphasis is on accuracy and placement shots and does not require a big arm to score well.
A "jungle" setting that is convenient to downtown Mt Dora or Eustis.
All but 1 fairway is well-shaded.
7 par 4s that require a variety of shots.
3 fairways provide multiple routes from the tee, and 7 have split fairways to different pin positions.
Cons:
No drinkable water or permanent restrooms on site. Plan accordingly.
There are few, if any, fairways where a big arm can 'open-up'.
No concrete tee pads, but the rubber mats are grippy, if not a bit short, at 8' long.
NO PETS or bicycles allowed.
Beware yellow jackets! (Though we've removed several nests thus far)
Several of the fairways are brand new and still have vines, roots and sticks in the fairway. ALL of the equipment and course maintenance is performed by the Lake County Disc Golf Club.
(Course rule: Throw at least TWO sticks off (way off) of each fairway as you play !!)
Only ONE garbage can, which is at the entrance to the preserve. Pack it ALL out... PLEASE!
Other Thoughts:
If you enjoy North Carolina-style disc golf, but are stuck in Central Florida, Hidden Waters Preserve Disc Golf Course will fill that void. Set in a nature preserve on a 90 acre sinkhole, HWP's disc golf course winds through the lower areas, which are adorned with copious mature live oaks, cherry laurels and the occasional camphor and palm tree.
The course was designed through dense forest in order to steer clear of the previously existing hiking trails that wind through the preserve. The earlier 9-hole version of HWPdgc had 3 holes in the more open upper areas, but were relocated, in order to be more gopher tortoise friendly.
As of this writing, 10 of the 18 holes have alternate pin positions. Given that the land is designated as a nature preserve, this designer felt the need to reign-in the tree cutting. As a result, many of the fairways are quite tight flights, which will only reward those who demonstrate control & accuracy.
The topography can be a bit of a calf-burner at times, particularly on the walk to the 7th tee. Holes 6 & 8 are FUN downhill shots that will temp you to empty your bag. But it is easy to lose a disc in the dense underbrush, if you aren't paying attention to each flight. Some of the par 4s have low distances... 310'... 410'... but the uphill placement shots and subsequent upshots can be tricky.
Most hikers have been accepting of disc golf. Some have taken to walking the disc golf fairways, because they find them "more-interesting", though we've attempted to let them know that this could be tempting fate. The course also has the occasional 'green-vigilante' who has stolen O.B. string lines & ribbons.
Hole #14's B pin will ONLY be played during league and tournament play. The approach to the right is a steep drop off, where a creek seeps out of the side of the hill... and is O.B.!
Every item on the disc golf course (tee mats, lumber, signage & baskets) had to be walked in, as we've never been given permission to drive into the preserve. All of the materials were donated. As a result, HWP's dgc is a rustic, bare bones track that may, in certain places, look 'thrown-together', despite quite a lot of planning and work. Several of the tees were built on the side of a hill. More directional signage is needed, and was planned. Additional tees were approved, but were not implemented.
The Florida summer months can be brutal on this course. Be sure to bring PLENTY of water & bug spray. You will be closest to the parking area after hole 11. Sorry about the uphill climb!
Hidden Waters Preserve disc golf course is a wonderful departure from the Florida 'norm" and will test your ability to hit your intended line, while giving you the impression that you are miles from civilization.
When playing hole #18, take a moment to look up when standing at your lie off the tee. We named this hole "The Cathedral' because the spacious oak canopy has the feel of a cathedral and it definitely makes you want to practice Frisbeterianism. We are all DISC-iples!
Last thought: Permissions for this course were hard fought and are not actually over. Which means that disc golf is still AUDITIONING. PLEASE be on your best possible behavior. Be polite. Quiet when near the parking area. Smoking & alcohol are strictly forbidden. And, as always, LEAVE IT CLEANER THAN YOU FOUND IT. Thanks!
It is with a heavy heart, that I must say that the permissions for this course will not be renewed in mid 2017. The local N.I.M.B.Y. crowd waged a campaign of fabricated complaints, and they gained the support of some local heavy hitters to sign their petition. Frankly, it was a disgusting display of treachery and ignorance. But, to continue to fight it would have endangered a much larger project in Lake County.