A Golfer's Disappointment: Hidden Hills Golf Club Review

A Golfer's Disappointment: Hidden Hills Golf Club Review

Introduction

Golfers judge a course not just by how challenging it is, but by how well it’s maintained and the overall experience it offers. In Jacksonville, Florida—a city with no shortage of golf options—Hidden Hills Golf Club stands out, but unfortunately, not for the right reasons. Instead of a scenic, enjoyable round of golf, what I encountered was a course in poor condition, one that left me—and others I know—disappointed time and again.

The Premise of Disappointment

I've played golf all over—on everything from top-tier courses to basic municipal layouts—and I’m generally pretty forgiving when a course is a little rough around the edges. But Hidden Hills wasn’t just rough. It was in such bad shape that I left wondering how it's still charging for tee times at all. Despite giving it multiple chances over time, the course has consistently failed to meet even basic expectations.

Ground Conditions

The fairways were in the worst shape I’ve seen in Jacksonville. Large areas were dry, dusty, and bare—more dirt than grass. It was clear the course was suffering from long-term neglect. From tee to green, the fairways played more like hard-packed soil than maintained turf. Walking or riding through them felt like traversing an unkempt field rather than a proper golf course.

Greens and Tee Boxes

Let’s talk about the greens—the worst I've ever played on. Patchy, overgrown, and inconsistent, they made putting a nightmare. The ball would bump, skid, or stop unexpectedly, making any read nearly pointless. The tee boxes weren’t much better: sparse grass, bare dirt, and uneven surfaces made it hard to find a clean spot to tee off. For a course that was once considered a decent local spot, this level of deterioration was shocking.

Pricing and Policies

I paid $48 with a senior discount, which proves they do offer one—but honestly, it still felt overpriced for the condition of the course. Even at a reduced rate, the value just isn’t there. A round of golf, even discounted, should come with the expectation of basic upkeep, and Hidden Hills simply doesn’t deliver. I’d feel more justified paying $25 or $30, given the state of the grounds.

Conclusion

Hidden Hills Golf Club, in its current condition, is not worth your time or money. The course is in desperate need of attention—greens, fairways, tee boxes, everything. For $48, I expected at least a playable round, but what I got was one of the most frustrating golf experiences I’ve had in years.

Jacksonville has many great courses that offer better conditions, better playability, and better value. Until Hidden Hills undergoes a serious overhaul, I strongly recommend golfers look elsewhere. This course, sadly, is a shadow of what it could be—and what it should be.

Note: The photo posted was pulled from the internet and does not reflect the actual condition of Hidden Hills Golf Club.