Pros:
Plays as a pitch and putt with attitude.
+ some tricky shots that use terrain and landscaping well
+ good balance of L/R dogleg throws
+ course map near start
+ orange "next tee" indicator arrows hanging below baskets
+ course secluded from other park amenities
+ plenty of space to create alternate, safari-style holes
Cons:
Beware of scratchy rough on very short course.
- awkward walk between holes #1-2
- really short throws
- ivy and thorns aplenty in rough just off fairways
Other Thoughts:
INFO
The Hollow park in the community of Wildridge offers nine, short holes that nestle into thick woods and grassy fields within sight of neighboring homes. Most hole average 150 ft. in length with one longer hole around 250 ft. The park also features a playground, natural amphitheater and stocked pond.
EVAL
This short course hides several holes behind mischievous doglegs that play through woodsy areas of parkland, forcing touchy pitch and putt shots along with several ace run opportunities. Though trees abound on this course, a few holes escape the woods for open throws. Tee pads of packed gravel suffice since drives require little more than standstill throws with a putter or midrange disc. The aesthetically pleasing tee signs, fashioned from tree trunks, simply display hole numbers.
A few minor complaints include an awkward layout between holes #1-2 that requires walking the hole in reverse before throwing it. Fairways are clean and inviting, but ivy and thorns abound in nearby rough. Despite holes being highly visible from streets surrounding the park, the start of the course is somewhat hidden and tucked away in the woods within the park.
NOTE
The Hollow is one of several park amenities within the 340-acre community Wildridge open to residents and their guests.
LAYOUT
Course begins in woods behind pond (west of the natural amphitheater) with the first hole throwing towards backyard fences and landing above a casual creek. A short walk through the woods leads to the open fairway for hole #2 which starts next to Sunset Ln. and finishes just tucked out of sight in the trees. Hole #3 tightly curves along a shaded path in the woods. Continuing on the trail past hole #3's basket (and apparently past a previously planned tee box) leads to hole #4 outside the trees (the tee pad is to the left) which throws to a basket out in the open.
Beyond the corner of a backyard fence in the distance lies hole #5 which plays as a quick throw to a green beneath a canopy of tree branches. Hole #6 crosses a drainage creek, and nearby hole #7 flies over open field to a basket mounted atop a boulder. Off to the right in the woods, hole #8 throws back across the field to another stand of trees. Then hole #9 returns through woods toward the sidewalk on the backside of the pond.