Hidden Creek (C&C): a photo tour (broken URL's have been fixed)

[Joe Bausch]

A couple of weekends ago I was playing at Cobb's Creek and met a fellow that grew up near Cobb's and continues to play in the men's club events.  We have many friends in common but had never met before.  He was kind enough to invite me out last weekend to play Hidden Creek, his other 'creek' course!  After KBM's very interesting HC thread recently highlighting lots of the small mounding, I figured there are others out there that might like a tour of this Coore and Crenshaw layout in south Jersey.

An excellent review of Hidden Creek was done by Ran back in 2010:

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/courses-by-country/usa/hidden-creek-golf-club/

I had not played HC since an early December round in 2008 with some other GCAers.  I was anxious to get back and see it again here in early spring.  It was sunny and cool with a nice breeze to make the game more fun.  I wish there had been some whispy clouds around, but I'm still quite happy with the photos. 

Here is the hole-sequencing from a December, 2011 Google Earth aerial.  [Note:  a handful of new tee boxes have been added recently].

(many images in this thread are 'clickable' to obtain a larger size)



HC does not have yardage books, so I'll supplement the tour by grabbing hole aerials from Google Earth.  On the club's web page are descriptions of each hole, which I'll 'borrow' for the tour.

#1.  Par 4.



Hole description from the HC's web page:

The par 4, 392-yard first certainly eases you into your round. The slight dogleg-left offers ample room in the landing area, leaving a mid to short iron approach to a generous false front green. The lone greenside bunker will collect shots left short and right.

Tee view:



Contrast that view to the one from Ran's review taken with the fescue in season:



Approach view, where the bunker left is well short of the green:



From short and left of the green.  And the greens are big and super fun with lots of subtle contours.



From behind the green:



More later.

[Josh Smith]

Cannot wait to see rest of tour.  I walked the course a couple of winters ago and it really impressed me.  A work of art for sure.

[Joe Bausch]

#2.  Par 4.



Hole description from the HC's web page:

The par 4, 374-yard second requires an accurate 240-yard tee shot to avoid two well positioned fairway bunkers. A properly placed tee ball will leave a short iron to a deceptive green. Although a shorter par 4, the green prevents this from yielding many birdies.

Tee view:



Center line bunker just for you Bart.  ;-)



Approach view, where the large, high bunker right is also not green side:



From short of the green, where this was an excellent pin all the way back with falloffs (and the hole playing downwind):



A view of this excellent pin from long and just right of the green:



#3.  Par 5.



Hole description from the HC's web page:

The par 5, 501-yard third demands an accurate tee shot to avoid three fairway bunkers placed both left and right. Even though a well placed tee ball could make this hole reachable in two, the average player will be forced to lay-up. A well placed 2nd shot will avoid the fairway bunkers left and large waste area right, leaving a short iron or wedge to a false front green.

Tee view:



Second shot view:



From 200 yards out (note, the large waste bunker right appears to run all the way up to the green, but does not):



Play the hole conservatively and many will have a short iron in for their 3rd:



From short of the green to an excellent all the way up front pin:



Three more tomorrow, leading off with the Redan-inspired par 3 4th.   

[David_Elvins]

I was never sure how well the second hole worked as a complete hole but the green isone of my favorites.  Just beautiful contours. 

Here is another view from the back right.

[Patrick_Mucci]

David,

I think the second hole is a terrific hole and that the stretch of 2 thru 6 is terrific as well

[Cliff Walston]

Joe,

Great tour.  I am looking forward to the rest.  Thanks for doing this.  It is very interesting to compare with Ran's photos and others and see the course in its different colors during the different seasons.

FYI:  Your aerial of hole 3 is actually a repeat of hole two.  Thought you would want to know.

[Joe Bausch]

FYI:  Your aerial of hole 3 is actually a repeat of hole two.  Thought you would want to know.

Fixed!

[Mark McKeever]

JWB,

Given its location, where are most members from?  Is this a "second club" type place?

Mark

[Joe Bausch]

Given its location, where are most members from?  Is this a "second club" type place?

Good question.  I don't know.  But I bet Mr Green Ink might weigh in here.

[Thomas Dai]

Joe,

Very impressive course and interesting to compare the seasonal differences between your photos and those from Ran's review 2110. I especially like that central bunker on the 2nd hole, a nice feature, although I'd prefer the grass at the front of it to be cut at fairway height so shots will roll into the bunker rather be held up in the slightly longer grass a few inches short of it.

Even though this bunker is on a very different type of course, it's use immediately brings to my mind the 16th at TOC and the 2nd at Carnoustie and how the use of the central bunker(s) makes those holes more thought provoking and challenging. Although such a feature mustn't be overused it's nice to see one every now and then.

Out of curiosity, what would the annual fees (and joining fee) be at a course like this?

I'd also be interested to know how many guys/gals are on the maintenance crew (my pet subject of the moment).

Looking forward to the rest of your tour. Super photos. Well done.

All the best.

[Joe Bausch]

#4.  Par 3.



Hole description from the HC's web page:

After a soft opening to the course, you turn the corner from the 3rd green and are greeted by our signature hole. The par 3, 202-yard fourth is a downhill one-shotter that intimidates the eye. The Redan-style green sits in a natural valley, sloping from front right to back left with a large ominous bunker guarding the entire left side of the green. Ideally, the tee shot should be played toward the right center of the green and let the natural contours feed the ball into most pin locations. Don`t get fooled by the downhill - it still plays to a true yardage.

Tee view:



Similar view from Ran's review:



From short of the green:



Greenside view from Ran's review:

[Mark Saltzman]

It looks there is a focus on visual deception.  I always wonder how well this works on repeat play, but it certainly makes for a very interesting first round at a new course!

How well does that kicker function on the redan?  Looks subtle.

[Joe Bausch]

How well does that kicker function on the redan?  Looks subtle.

It works.  One of my partners was able to use it somewhat [me, I just hit a 3 wood directly at the flag and held the green, grin].  It doesn't seem to have quite the tilt of say the Redan at Somerset, but it's fully functional.  :-)

[David Stewart]

These pictures really make me want to play golf.

[Mark Saltzman]

How well does that kicker function on the redan?  Looks subtle.

It works.  One of my partners was able to use it somewhat [me, I just hit a 3 wood directly at the flag and held the green, grin].  It doesn't seem to have quite the tilt of say the Redan at Somerset, but it's fully functional.  :-)

Awesome!  That redan at Somerset does have quite the KICK.  Not sure how you keep the ball out of the rough long-left of the green there.

[George Freeman]

These pictures really make me want to play golf.

I was just thinking the same thing!  Especially after viewing this photo:



Thanks for the tour Joe!

[Joe Bausch]

#5.  Par 4.



Hole description from the HC's web page:

The par 4, 381-yard fifth offers a breather after the demands of #4, with a generous landing area for the tee ball. A well positioned drive will leave you a mid to short iron approach to an elongated green on this bunkerless hole. The left side of the fairway will repel most shots towards the trees, so keep it right for a sure par.

Tee view:



2nd shot view, where that mounding is well short of the green:



Similar view from Ran's review:



View from just over that mounding to a green 50 yards deep.



From long and left of the green:



#6.  Par 4.



Hole description from the HC's web page:

The par 4, 426-yard sixth is the most demanding hole on the front nine where a long tee shot is essential. From here you will be left with an uphill approach to a green that slopes severly from right to left. Greenside bunkers will collect shots long or left and a long narrow fairway bunker will collect shots short and right.

Tee view:



2nd shot view:



From short of the green:



View of the 6th green from Ran's review:



More later.

[Jim Briggs]

JWB,

Given its location, where are most members from?  Is this a "second club" type place?

Mark

Mark,

Approximately 20% of the membership are National members.  While the other 80% are considered local for lack of a better word, I think for many it is a second club (with their home club in the Philly area) and the reason they don't fall/qualify as National is that they have a shore house in the area.  Their use tends to more concentrated in the Memorial Day to Labor Day timeframe.  Works out great as I was able to play hooky yesterday and we basically had the place to ourselves.

Jim

[Jim Briggs]

It looks there is a focus on visual deception.  I always wonder how well this works on repeat play, but it certainly makes for a very interesting first round at a new course!

Mark,

There certainly is some focus on visual deception and yes, there will be familiarity on repeat play.  Having said that, as an example (for me), that high right bunker down the right on #2, when I've ended up on the right side of the fairway (despite having tried to play over the centerline to open up the green), I KNOW that bunker shouldn't come into play (except for a miss-hit).  I KNOW that there is plenty of room past that bunker to the green, and even space to miss green right.  Despite that there must be something mentally which plays with my head and causes me more times than I care to play my next shot too far left (and away from that bunker)...which more often than not leaves me in the greeside bunker left, where you do not want to be.  I then finish the hole, curse C&C and move to 3 tee.

Now I'm a mid/high teen handicap, so I'm sure the above speaks to my ability (mental included), but there is definately some of the deception that still plays with my head, even though I know better.

Jim

[Jim Briggs]

Joe,

Thanks for these pictures.  One of the things that I love about #4 green is that the tilt from top right to left on the back portion of the green has these very subtle mini ridges as you work you way down, so it not just this linear judging of speed from ball to cup, but you need to give a little consideration to the subtle ridges, what you need to get there and how speed is going to be affected as you work your way down (and towards and through the next subtle ridge).  They are very very subtle, but really add a bit of interest.  Hope I explained that well.

Jim

[Jim Briggs]

On #6, you will notice that the centerline of the fairway is situated left of where the green sits relative to the tee.  I've seen many first time players being counseled to focus left off the tee, but they are still lulled (despite the counseling) into setting their sight towards the green, leaving them no room to miss right.

Really, really tough green particuarly for pins from center of the green and foward.  Big, big breakers if you are not directly below the hole.  Love that green.  Don't want to leave yourself in wrong spot.

[Joe Bausch]

Joe,

Thanks for these pictures.  One of the things that I love about #4 green is that the tilt from top right to left on the back portion of the green has these very subtle mini ridges as you work you way down, so it not just this linear judging of speed from ball to cup, but you need to give a little consideration to the subtle ridges, what you need to get there and how speed is going to be affected as you work your way down (and towards and through the next subtle ridge).  They are very very subtle, but really add a bit of interest.  Hope I explained that well.

Jim

You are so right about those ridges.  On my first visit I simply didn't notice them.  But on this 2nd play I did.

I went back and noticed in my photo collection this pic from the December, 2008 visit from just left of the green where the subtle ridges are visible (click on the picture to see it larger):

[David_Elvins]

I think the second hole is a terrific hole and that the stretch of 2 thru 6 is terrific as well

Agree about the stretch from 2-6. 

I think the front nine is very strong. 

[Joe Bausch]

#7.  Par 3.



Hole description from the HC's web page:

The par 3, 161-yard seventh showcases the native grasses of Hidden Creek. Typically, a mid to long iron is played for this tee shot. Club selection is critical to this well bunkered green which is two tiered from left to right.

Tee view:



From short of the green:



#8.  Par 4.



Hole description from the HC's web page:

The par 4, 273-yard eighth is reachable under the right conditions. For a conservative play, the fairway bunker located 210 yards away in the center of the fairway must be avoided. A well-placed tee shot will leave a wedge into a green that features a challenging hump in the middle. For those daring enough to challenge the green, take out the driver and let it fly! Finding the correct side of the green allows for a chance at birdie.

Tee view:



Tee view from Ran's review:



An approach view from the right:



From behind the green, note the large pimple:



#9.  Par 5.



Hole description from the HC's web page:

The par 5, 551-yard ninth requires an accurate tee shot to avoid the native grasses left and the dense trees right. Even though a well-struck tee ball and favorable conditions could make this hole reachable in two, typically a lay-up is called for. A well positioned second shot will avoid the cavernous fairway bunker that bisects the hole, being careful not to run through the fairway on the right. A short iron or wedge approach will be left into a triangular shaped green that sits directly in front of the clubhouse.

Tee view:



Second shot view:



Approach view:



View from near the clubhouse porch:



I'll fire up the back nine after the Masters on Monday.   

[Joe Bausch]

#10.  Par 4.



Hole description from the HC's web page:

The par 4, 447-yard tenth is the first of three mammoth par 4`s on the back nine. A strong drive is needed here if you have any chace of making par. If accomplished, a mid to long iron will be left for the approach to the green. A drive not carrying the crest 250 yards from the tee will leave a long iron or fairway metal. Pay close attention to the pin location as the green is two tiered from front to back.

Tee view:



Ran's review tee view:



Second shot view:



Another view from Ran's review:



A view from the back of the green:



#11.  Par 3.



Hole description from the HC's web page:

The par 3, 117-yard eleventh is short but deceiving. A throwback hole with a skyline green, this hole is sandwiched between the two longest par 4`s on the course. A short iron or wedge is all that is needed from the tee to the false front green. The smallest green on the course is well guarded by bunkers. A great chance for a "duece".

Tee view:



Ran's review tee view:



From short of the green:



From just over the green:



#12.  Par 4.



Hole description from the HC's web page:

The par 4, 450-yard twelfth is the second of the three long par 4`s and the #1 handicap hole at Hidden Creek. Don`t hold back, a solid strike up the right-hand side is needed for the uphill tee shot. A long iron or fairway metal will be left for the approach to the green. Be sure to hit enough club, bunkers will catch shots left short and right. A very interesting green, the front left quarter is on one tier while the remaining green is on another tier.

Tee view:



Tee view from Ran's review:



Second shot view:



Approach view from Ran's review, a bit farther right than the picture above:



Frpm over the green:



More tomorrow.