Holes We Love: Hidden Creek
Four of our favorites in New Jersey
Zach Hamilton, Head Golf Professional
Hidden Creek Golf Club is an 18-hole, heathland-style golf course located in the pines of southern New Jersey. Founded in 2002, the course offers a premier experience for golf purists. These four get my nod!
Hole #3
Par 5 (424 – 537 yards)
The opening par five on the front 9 is a spectacular one. In typical Coore and Crenshaw fashion, bunkering is used on the left side of the hole to make it appear as if the generous landing area is much smaller than it is in reality. This typically pushes tee shots to the right side of the hole, leaving an intimidating second shot. This shot is guarded by a small pot bunker in the middle of the lay-up landing area, as well as by a seemingly endless waste bunker up the right-hand side. From the fairway it seems as if the waste bunker runs right into the front of the green, when in reality there is a gap of fairway stretching roughly 25 yards. Long hitters can go for the green in two but should not be surprised if their ball ends up in a collection area—leaving them a difficult third shot.
Hole #8
Par 4 (232 – 329 yards)
Don’t let the yardage of this hole fool you. a four on this hole is still a good score. Slight elevation change from tee to green as well as a prominent bunker in the center of the fairway make the pin blind from the tee on most days (depending on pin position). If the player can carry the center fairway bunker, they have a good chance their ball will end up on the front fringe of the green or even pin high—that is where things get interesting. The contours of this green are among the most extreme on the property, with the primary element being a large “elephant” buried directly in the center. Threes can come easy if you are on the same side of the slope as the pin. If you are on the opposite side, pray for a two-putt and get out of there!
Hole #11
Par 3 (86 – 130 yards)
“Oh it’s just a wedge—this should be easy” is the thought many players have when playing the 11th at Hidden Creek for the first time. The seasoned veterans know this hole packs a punch stronger than the yardage leads you to believe. The green complex is protected by a large, deep bunker short left, a small bunker short right, a coffin bunker on the right aligned with the center of the green, and a strong false front. In addition to that, the entire green slopes from back to front and from right to left so shots with too much spin tend to end up off the putting surface. Pin hunting on this hole can lead to some difficult second shots. The best play on this hole is to take one more club than you initially think and hit a knock-down shot to minimize spin and put the ball in the center of the green.
Hole #13
Par 4 (312 – 423 yards)
Once again, Coore and Crenshaw use a seemingly perfect bunkering technique that makes the landing area appear near impossible to find. While it may not appear so from the tee, the landing zone in between the bunker on the right and the few up the left side is about 40 yards long and about the same wide. The carry-over past the bunker on the right ranges from 151 – 263 yards depending on your tee, so the best shot for success on this hole is to play just inside the bunker on the right and blast away! An approach to the center of this relatively small green will set you up for a makeable two-putt as well as the occasional birdie.
Zach Hamilton
Hidden Creek Head Golf Professional
zach-hamilton@hiddencreekclub.com
