Sumter, SC

Hidden Park

Permanent course
1.55(based on 3 reviews)
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10 0
Shadrach3
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 5.6 years 319 played 310 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Truly Hidden 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 20, 2022 Played the course:once

Pros:

A tiny neighborhood park with par-2s.

As Craig mentioned, this park is really hidden. I scouted out the driveway on street view and still second guessed myself pulling into the park. Once inside, it's a tiny track of land entirely visible from any point. The neighborhood dogs will greet you loudly from across the fences.

What can you fit in a tiny park? A par-2 course. So that's, of course, what happened here. Nine Mach II baskets are paired with cute tee signs pointing the right way. No tees mar the green grass.

There are seven holes under 150' that demand aces to make up any ground on the course. It's pretty classic from what I've seen from par-2 courses - holes have one, or maybe two, major obstacles. It's right there, and odds are pretty good of striking metal. Mixed in are two par-3s, which are a bit longer and have overhanging trees that force low ceilings. These may provide the best birdie opportunities on the course, and definitely the most interesting gameplay choices.

I guess a big pro of this Hidden Park is that it doesn't do much wrong. It's hard to rant and rave about a par-2 course, but this one is pleasant and private. It loops correctly, there are no double-backs in navigation, and the equipment is in good condition. Plus, you'll likely have the space to yourself.

Cons:

The course is what it is, which is a tiny little track where some people will jump-putt more often than throwing. It won't be interesting except for the ace chances.

There are a few flawed holes, though. I don't see any ace line on (4). (8) and (9) are also somewhat sketchy from the ace perspective, which is kind of the whole point of the park. I can't decide if hole (7) has too low of a ceiling or whether it's just a very demanding line.

The only other con I can really even come up with is that it kind of feels like trespassing to play here. Those who don't like to see others' backyards should definitely not venture here.

Other Thoughts:

Hidden Park is aptly named. Perhaps it should be renamed Hidden Ace Park to be a fully encompassing title, since those two attributes are the important features. Want a tiny ace romp? Take a trip. Don't be too mad if a couple of holes don't give you a line, though.
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13 0
DiscGolfCraig
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 19.9 years 596 played 543 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Where is it?

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Oct 24, 2020 Played the course:once

Pros:

Hidden Park is an interesting, unique layout. Encircled by yards, this common area was turned into a short course.
- I would like to know how this piece of land got baskets installed on it. Somebody had to know this about this piece of land. Somebody had to decide it was worth convincing the city to spend money on baskets. And somebody had to be getting some use of it. A neighbor perhaps?
- There's a paved road leading into the park. As the description says, it looks like a driveway. Even reading that, I drove right past it until I realized which driveway didn't lead to a house.
- Nine baskets in an area of about two and a half acres. More impressive is that none of the fairways overlap.
- It's a pitch-n-putt course save for one hole (#7) that might be in the 250 foot range. Everything else is far shorter.
- Seven of the nine holes are listed as par 2. Only #6 & 7 are par 3s. The point being is one should be making runs at the basket. Aces are encouraged and expected here.
- Course is very navigable. From the entrance of the park, you immediately see the first baskets. Across the way, you see the marker and tee sign for #1. After that's it's an easy flow for all nine holes.
- Nice homemade tee signs. Also, a nice touch that there's a basket with loaner discs at the first hole. If anyone is going to steal these discs, you're not getting any money for them.
- Great for kids, families, and beginners. As long as you don't throw a disc over a fence into one of the backyards, this course will appeal to the those skill levels.

Cons:

The course feels very invasive. I played at 7:45 on a Saturday morning. Even though every yard is fenced, I still felt like I was people's backyards.
- Little challenge to this course. Several holes have a singular tree as the obstacle. Otherwise, it's a simple putter/mid-range disc off the tee and a putt (or two). Even for beginners, it's hard to imagine bad scores.
- Almost nothing else to complain about. Very few people know about the course and even fewer play it. Talking to locals, I get the sense it's not played much.
- Natural tees. No trash cans or benches. Really, this course doesn't have many flaws.
- I guess it's a relatively long walk back to the beginning as you do walk past several holes. I'm reaching for cons.

Other Thoughts:

Many courses have odd, unimaginative, or unrelated names. Hidden Park is the 'Snakes on a Plane' of disc golf courses.
- It goes without saying, if you live in the neighborhood, specifically if your house backs up to the course, it would be great to have a course in your backyard. I wonder if it will be a selling point for any houses on the market.
- Great for practice. Plenty of room for safari golf. Great for an ace race.
- Other than trees playing factors on #6 & 7 or the slight dogleg rights on #8 & 9, there's very little variety or anything noteworthy here. A hole-by-hole breakdown is not needed for the Hidden Park.
- Great for a quick round. You can play through twice in less than 30 minutes; possibly 3 rounds in that time. You're also only 5 minutes from Dillon Park, so consider this a great warm up or cool down.
- Perfectly suited for a backyard, beginner friendly course. If you're not in one of those two categories, the course probably isn't aimed at you.
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9 0
kmelton
Experience: 29.9 years 148 played 12 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Backyard Pitch and Putt 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 13, 2020 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

A great course for kids and true novice players. All holes are under 200' except one. Most are between 90 and 150 feet. There are some shots that require shaping. It is in a neighborhood park surrounded by back yards so it can be peaceful if everyone has their dog inside.

Cons:

Since there are backyards with fences and dogs against every hole, if you throw in there I am not sure how friendly the neighbors are going to be. Even though it is on city property, the residents around the park treat it as their own personal park and may not be too friendly to the idea of people "in the their backyard" and even moreso, in their actual backyard retrieving a disc.

Other Thoughts:

The new Mach 2 baskets are prone to spit outs but since you'll park evrey hole, not a biggie. It is called hidden park for a reason. To get to it, you will think you are driving down someone's driveway. Careful making your own safari holes, this is how you might sail a disc into someones yard or window.
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