Hidden Valley Lake GC, near Middletown, CA

[David_Tepper]

While trying to find the location of the under-construction Brambles course on a map of Lake County, CA this morning, I noticed the Hidden Valley Lake course located 6-8 miles east of Middletown and not all that far away from the Brambles course. I had never heard of the course, designed by the younger William Bell, before and had no idea it was there.

Has anyone ever played it?

https://www.golfhvl.com/

[Steve Salmen]

Hi David,


I've played HV probably 6-8 times. It's not bad. The front is pretty flat and the back has some crazy elevation changes. Probably worth driving 90 minutes to see if you do t have a lot of options, not much more.


Steve

[David_Tepper]

Steve -

Thanks. In the 50 years I have lived here I don't think I have ever heard or read a single word about the Hidden Valley Lake course.


I am hoping to drive up that way in the next month or two to take a look at the Brambles course under construction. Now that I know HVL is there, I will definitely swing by to take a look.

DT 

[Kevin_Reilly]

I played it a bunch back in the early 80's.  One time, I was paired in a tournament with Scott McCarron.  That was fun.


I only really remember one extremely elevated tee shot.  Maybe more elevated than #3 at Clear Creek Tahoe.  But that was a long time ago, and maybe my recollection is wrong.

[David_Tepper]

Kevin -

You remember correctly about the elevated tee shot. From the course's website:

Fabulous, head-turning vistas on this par-72, 6708-yard jewel include special touches like the signature 15th hole’s 250-foot drop to the fairway below.

[Tim Leahy]

Kevin -

You remember correctly about the elevated tee shot. From the course's website:

Fabulous, head-turning vistas on this par-72, 6708-yard jewel include special touches like the signature 15th hole’s 250-foot drop to the fairway below.

A friend played out there many years ago and said that so many extra drives were hit off the 15th tee that they had to put in an artificial turf tee on that hole because of the wear and tear. Don't know if that is still the case.

[Mark Kiely]

Kevin -

You remember correctly about the elevated tee shot. From the course's website:

Fabulous, head-turning vistas on this par-72, 6708-yard jewel include special touches like the signature 15th hole’s 250-foot drop to the fairway below.

Coincidentally, there's a Southern California course (in Norco) called Hidden Valley that also features a huge drop from the signature 15th tee. Weird.

[Tom_Doak]

Kevin -

You remember correctly about the elevated tee shot. From the course's website:

Fabulous, head-turning vistas on this par-72, 6708-yard jewel include special touches like the signature 15th hole’s 250-foot drop to the fairway below.

I was going to call b.s. on this number since it would be impossible for a 6-foot-tall human to see anything 250 feet below the tee unless he was within 10-15 feet of the front of the tee.


But, I looked on Google Earth, and the drop from tee to fairway is slightly over 200 feet.  I don't know why they felt the need to exaggerate; that's as much drop as I have heard of anywhere in golf, other than that stupid 19th hole on some course in South Africa where you need to take a helicopter to the tee.


From the looks of the hole at Hidden Valley Ranch, you're about 80% likely to hit that drive into the trees, or possibly into a house on the far side of the fairway.

[jeffwarne]

Kevin -

You remember correctly about the elevated tee shot. From the course's website:

Fabulous, head-turning vistas on this par-72, 6708-yard jewel include special touches like the signature 15th hole’s 250-foot drop to the fairway below.

From the looks of the hole at Hidden Valley Ranch, you're about 80% likely to hit that drive into the trees, or possibly into a house on the far side of the fairway.

Which is pretty much how I feel on every elevated tee shot......

[Tommy Naccarato]

With a tee shot like that, I instantly think Ted Robinson.  While Francis Bell did one or two elevated tee shots, the worst being Industry Hills-Ike #2 it was Ted who capitalized on that in his many lethargic designs…

[Kalen Braley]

Pulled this up on Google Earth as well and I got slightly under a 200 foot drop.  Either way, looks like an abysmal hole and I would hate to live in one of those houses on the other side of the fairway...

[David_Tepper]

Video flyover of the 15th hole:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnWkhWELmWc
 

[Jordan Standefer]

Video flyover of the 15th hole:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnWkhWELmWc

What a death trap!

Tommy, it reminds me of 11 at Marine Memorial (minus the homes).

[Kevin_Reilly]

Ha...now my memory is stirred a bit.  Back in the day, we always aimed our tee shots toward the green, which was blind from the tee.  Of course back then, we were using Orlimar or similar persimmon drivers and balata balls.  I can't imagine how dangerous it is for that house at the opposite side of the fairway with today's equipment!


Can someone measure the vertical drop on #3 at Clear Creek Tahoe?

[Jeff Schley]

With a tee shot like that, I instantly think Ted Robinson.  While Francis Bell did one or two elevated tee shots, the worst being Industry Hills-Ike #2 it was Ted who capitalized on that in his many lethargic designs…

Bingo
I think he did Glen Ivy out in Corona as well which hole 18 is around a 200 door drop as well.

[Jeff Schley]

Also not sure if Robinson or Hills did The Journey at Pechanga in Temecula which has another huge drop.  Forget the hole number for this par 4.  Great view no doubt.

[Kalen Braley]

Ha...now my memory is stirred a bit.  Back in the day, we always aimed our tee shots toward the green, which was blind from the tee.  Of course back then, we were using Orlimar or similar persimmon drivers and balata balls.  I can't imagine how dangerous it is for that house at the opposite side of the fairway with today's equipment!


Can someone measure the vertical drop on #3 at Clear Creek Tahoe?

Kevin,

I took a few measurements on Google Earth

From the back tee it looks to be an approx. 150 foot drop to the primary landing area.
From the next tee up, where I presume most would play from, its about 120 feet.

Then from there its another 30-35 feet down to the green

Although given the entire hole is over a mile high, maybe everyone just lets it fly from the tips!

[Tommy Naccarato]

Some, if not most of the Ted Robinson drop shot drive holes are downright horrible architecture!  At least I’m not a fan of it!

[Kevin_Reilly]

Ha...now my memory is stirred a bit.  Back in the day, we always aimed our tee shots toward the green, which was blind from the tee.  Of course back then, we were using Orlimar or similar persimmon drivers and balata balls.  I can't imagine how dangerous it is for that house at the opposite side of the fairway with today's equipment!


Can someone measure the vertical drop on #3 at Clear Creek Tahoe?

Kevin,

I took a few measurements on Google Earth

From the back tee it looks to be an approx. 150 foot drop to the primary landing area.
From the next tee up, where I presume most would play from, its about 120 feet.

Then from there its another 30-35 feet down to the green

Although given the entire hole is over a mile high, maybe everyone just lets it fly from the tips!

Thanks, Kalen.  That really puts the Hidden Valley tee shot, at 200 feet, in perspective! 


The Clear Creek elevated shot is really fun to play.