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Rating Index Rating
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2.6
1795 Reviews (1795)
5 Stars
434
4 Stars
690
3 Stars
309
2 Stars
180
1 Stars
182
Conditions
2.1
Value
2.7
Layout
4.0
Friendliness
4.0
Pace
3.5
Amenities
3.3
41.8%
Recommend this course
1285 out of 1795 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
2.3
104 Reviews (104)
5 Stars
5
4 Stars
12
3 Stars
24
2 Stars
26
1 Stars
37
Conditions
1.7
Value
2.3
Layout
4.0
Pace
3.4
Amenities
3.2
StaffFriendliness
4.2
30.8%
Recommend this course
32 out of 104 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
2.3
139 Reviews (139)
5 Stars
7
4 Stars
17
3 Stars
34
2 Stars
30
1 Stars
51
Conditions
1.8
Value
2.3
Layout
3.9
Pace
3.5
Amenities
3.3
StaffFriendliness
4.1
30.9%
Recommend this course
43 out of 139 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Hidden Hills features one of the area's most distinctive layouts, with rare elevation changes and challenging water holes that reward strategic play. Friendly staff and smooth pace of play consistently enhance the overall experience here.

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 72
Length 6892 yards
Slope 136
Rating 74.0

Tucked away in the beautiful Ft. Caroline area near Jacksonville, Hidden Hills Golf Club stands on a historic battleground that witnessed the fierce struggles between France and Spain and continued into golf history with searing competition during the heyday of the Greater Jacksonville Open.

The 6,892-yard public golf course, built in 1966 on an ancient sand dune, was redesigned by Arnold Palmer in 1986. Palmer's creativity helped create a championship-caliber golf course unmatched in natural beauty that makes excellent use of rare hilly terrain to create a unique Florida golf challenge. The fairways are lined with majestic pines and stately oaks, and the unpredictable greens have helped Hidden Hills gain the reputation of being one of the most challenging courses in North Florida.

Sharp doglegs, strategic placement of water hazards and putting surfaces that are mostly elevated serve up a mighty test for the low handicapper. Approaches are narrow and many of Hidden Hills Golf Club's greens are well bunkered.

Hidden Hills has a rating of 74.0 from the championship tees, and the slope rating is 136.

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Hidden Hills Golf Club
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Course Details

Year Built 1966
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Arnold Palmer (1986) Ed Seay (1986) Robert Walker (1986)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
GPS No
Pull-carts Yes
Caddies No
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Metal Spikes Allowed No
Fivesomes Allowed Yes, with permission only
Walking Allowed Yes
Dress code Collared shirt req, no tanktops or cutoffs

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities

Available Activities

Swimming, Billiards

Available Sports

Fitness
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Reviews

2.6
1795 Reviews (1795)
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Recommended
Handicap
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Played On
Reviews 51
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Previously Played

SAD Conditions

The conditions for Hidden Hills are the worse I have ever experienced since playing this course for decades! After hitting numerous fairways from the tee (which were also in run-down condition) we realized there wasn’t any grass left to hit from on all 18 holes except the par 3’s. It was better to aim for the rough to be able to hit off the weeds. Honestly, there wasn’t any fairway grass for one cow to survive. Very sad to see what used to be a great golf course turn into the poorest conditions of any Florida golf course we have ever played. By the way the staff needs to improve their attitude also.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Default User Avatar
Commented on 07/15/2024

Hello, Ajdrew081699. Thank you for reviewing the course. We would like to apologize for your recent experience.

We're sorry to hear you were less than satisfied during your round. We pride ourselves on our providing great service and the high-quality standards we maintain.

We would like to make things right. Please reach out to our management team at the pro shop.

We hope to hear from you soon.

Played On
Reviews 1
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fairways are all dead. Dirt and sand.

Looked forward to playing this layout but the conditions were awful. Greens had been punched which isn’t a big deal, but then clearly weren’t watered. Fairways were all dead. Brown and sandy.

Course presented some good holes, but the course condition was so bad it just spoiled the experience.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 07/15/2024

Hello, Perdont13. Thank you for taking the time to review and leave your feedback on your recent round with us. It is always our utmost goal to provide our golfers with a fun and enjoyable time and we apologize if we missed the mark. Please feel free to reach out to our staff in the pro shop with any additional concerns. Thanks for choosing TOP PICK
Hidden Hills Golf Course.

Played On
Reviews 184
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 250 Contributor
Previously Played

Good challenging golf course with excellent friendly staff!!!

Good challenging golf course with excellent staff.. Course is very dry and could use a good bit of rain!

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 22
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Good course but need a little TLC

I always love this beautiful golf course. However lately with the hot weather in place, the fairways almost lost all of its grass. It’s kind hard to hit with the drying grass all around. But overall still love this course.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/25/2024

Hello, u314164731041. Thank you for visiting us at TOP PICK
Hidden Hills Golf Course. We appreciate your 5-star rating and review. We hope you join us for another round soon!

Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played

FAIRWAY GRASS IS DEAD

I understand the history and the amazing layout. However, the course is completely dead right now. The starter said because of the drought that they only water the greens. He said the city only allows them to water so much? Blue cypress has better fairways. The water limitations may be true but the rest of the city is not dead like that. Go look at my other reviews. Pains me to say, because I love this layout. Paid $90 with a bag of 25 balls. Sunday morning prime time. Worth $50. Greens were punched but almost filled in, should be good next week. It’s really hard to find any good grass to hit out there. It’s almost nice to be 3 yards short of the green because you finally get to hit off alive green grass.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/18/2024

We appreciate your feedback and sincerely apologize for the less than perfect condition of our course due to the current drought restrictions. We are continuously working on improving our fairways and hope to have you back when the conditions improve. Thank you for visiting Hidden Hills Golf Club.

Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

I want to love this place..

As someone from NC, this course is such a breath of fresh air compared to the typical flat par 4 holes you see all over Florida. The elevation changes at this course really make you feel like you’re playing in the foothills of the mountains. Some holes are 100 ft below the tee box.. some are 100ft above it. I can honestly say this is my favorite layout in north Florida.. but man they need to spend some real money on course maintenance. Greens aren’t bad at all which is what really matters, but the fairways are completely dead. This could be a $100 round course if it wasn’t for that simple fact. Pro shop staff could be friendlier but i don’t let that bother me.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/18/2024

Thank you for your kind words about the unique layout of our course and for recognizing the quality of our greens. We apologize for the condition of the fairways and the experience at our pro shop; your feedback is invaluable as we strive to improve.

Played On
Reviews 21
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

A Lazy Summer Day

Played at a good pace for 18 holes, not busy at all. Course fairways were unusually brown and on their way to Dust Bowl status. Surprisingly, the day was very enjoyable, fast paced due to low attendance.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/18/2024

Hello, TFG22. Thanks so much for your review. We're so glad you enjoyed your round at TOP PICK
Hidden Hills Golf Course. That's what we like to hear! We hope to see you again soon!

Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Pray for rain

My friends and I have been playing at this course for a couple years now, and this is the worst shape I've ever seen it. Sad, because the layout is awesome. The fairways are gone, all sand and dead grass. This course needs a lot of water before we come back.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/18/2024

We're truly sorry to hear about your recent experience; our team is already working on improvements for our fairways. Thanks for your feedback and we hope to restore the course to its best condition soon.

Played On
Reviews 31
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Hot 🥵

The course was in pretty good condition for the most part but it was 102* and some of the fairways were starting to burn. Hope that are able to get some water to them

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/25/2024

Thank you for your feedback. We're addressing the fairway issue and ensuring better maintenance, especially during the hot months. Thank you for choosing Hidden Hills Golf Club, and we hope to see you for another round soon.

Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The fairways were in terrible condition.

I was surprise to see how bad the fairways were. It looked like the fairways weren't watered for weeks.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/18/2024

Hi, u000001798290! Thank you so much for leaving us with your feedback. We value our customer experience, so your review is important to us. We will make note and we hope to see you back at TOP PICK
Hidden Hills Golf Course!

Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Brown Fairways

We were concerned the newly aired greens would be an issue, but the fairways are brown and sandy after no watering for months. Lakes are all down by many feet so an obvious watering ban must be in place. There is little bounce off the fairways now as the scorched grass has died leaving sand underneath. Tough course now and we put up some horrendous scores this round-that's our fault not the course but was blown away at how bad it has become and will be until Jax gets some regular rain.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/18/2024

We sincerely apologize for the condition of the course and understand your concerns. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback; we're working hard on improvements and hope for better weather conditions to aid our efforts.

Played On
Reviews 22
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Dry Fairway

The fairways green were not green. Most of them has little to no grass. They’re either dying or dead. The putting greens are still good.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/18/2024

Hi, u314164731041! Thank you so much for leaving us with your feedback. We value our customer experience, so your review is important to us. We will make note and we hope to see you back at TOP PICK
Hidden Hills Golf Course!

Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Hidden Hills

The person in the pro shop was very helpful. Unfortunately, the course has not been watered. Dried out sandy fairways and no grass on tee boxes or fairway. Very poor condition and needs an overhaul.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/18/2024

Thank you for recognizing our helpful pro shop staff and for bringing the condition of the course to our attention. We apologize for the inconvenience and are working on significant improvements. We hope you give Hidden Hills Golf Club another chance soon.

Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Greens and fairways

Mist of the greens had just been cored and sanded. The whole course needed water.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/18/2024

Hello, u907251183. We appreciate the review. You rated us 3-stars which means there is room to improve on your recent experience at TOP PICK
Hidden Hills Golf Course. Let us know, in the comments, how and where you would like to see changes from the course. Thanks for the feedback!

Played On
Reviews 27
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Getting Dry

Several greens had recently been aerated or are under minor repair. The fairways are drying out again. Still, enjoyed the round.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/18/2024

Hello, tspackman. Thank you for visiting us at TOP PICK
Hidden Hills Golf Course. We appreciate your 4-star rating and review. We hope you join us for another round soon.

Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Sad to see course in this condition

It was sad to see the course in this condition. The lay out was great and the front nine amazing. It was hard to differentiate the fairways from the rough. Hopefully some rain will help bring the course back. Will try to play one more time.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/05/2024

We're sorry to hear the course wasn't in its best condition during your visit; your feedback is greatly appreciated. We're optimistic that with a bit of weather's help and our team's effort, your next visit will be a much more enjoyable experience. We hope you visit us for another round soon!

Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 51
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 51
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
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