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4.5
20 Reviews (20)
5 Stars
3
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
5
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
4
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.7
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.8
Pace
4.9
Amenities
4.5
91.0%
Recommend this course
14 out of 20 reviews
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About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 72
Length 6555 yards
Slope 129
Rating 72.6

Hidden Oaks Golf Course is a must play for every golfer. Renowned golf course architect Jerry Matthews has created one of Central Michigan's finest golfing masterpieces on 256 acres of wooded, rolling terrain, and natural wetlands which feature some of the best greens in Michigan. Hidden Oaks is a beautiful, natural course that challenges golfers of all skill level. Previously known as Edgewood Hills Golf Course. Front nine was designed by Bruce Matthews in 1970 and the back nine was added by Jerry Matthews in 1999.

Course Details

Year Built 1970
Fairways Kentucky Bluegrass
Greens Bent Grass
Golf Season April through November
Architect Jerry Matthews (1999) Bruce Matthews (1970)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes
GPS No

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Caddies No
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted Amex MasterCard Visa Discover card(s) Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes

Reviews

4.5
20 Reviews (20)

What Golfers Are Saying

Course Challenges Include:
Forced Carries 11
Narrow Fairways 10
Water Hazards 10
This course/club is great for:
Locals 8
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 8
Advanced Golfers 7

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

hidden GEM

As an avid golfer playing many courses in the state of Michigan and even playing courses out of state, I carry a 1 handicap and I have played on this course for 8 years every summer and the year 2022 has been the best year for this course. Greens rolled EXTREAMLY true, Fairways where always tight collars were also mowed, and staff has been the best it has ever been. also, some changes that happened this year happened inside and outside the club house!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 34
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Save your money

Assuming this course used to be a gem, found out the hard way that its not. $40 for 18/cart was ridiculous and I wouldn't have paid knowing the conditions. There was literally more crabgrass than fairway grass. It was everywhere in the rough and tee boxes and fringes. The greens were nice and smooth, mostly because nobody plays here. Parking lot was empty on Friday afternoon.
The front 9 is open with uphill green complexes and hilly terrain. The back 9 is closed up with overgrown wetlands, swamps, and much of the same grass quality. Seriously, drive another 45 minutes north and play Pohlcat for $35 Monday-Friday after 2pm. That course is picturesque. This course needs a major supply of weed killer and fertilizer.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Hidden Oaks needs to remain hidden

Maybe at one time this was a nice course but not now.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course is a nice challenge for 40 to 50 shooters

It's a fun place to play.
Nice challenge, but not to hard.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Average weather
Used cart

What A Track

The Front and Back Are Like 2 Different Courses, The Front 9 Challenges Your Tee Shots, and Putting, While The Back 9 Challenges Your Accuracy and Pride. Greens Rolled True, Fairways Were Great, and The Staff Was Very Nice. 18 May Be The Best Finishing Hole In Mid-Michigan. What A Ride!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Needs a lot of work

What can I say for a Hot Deal at $10. I would have like to seen-played this course when it was built or at least when it is in better condition. I really liked the green complexes, but the current state of maintenance around the rest of the course is very sad to say the least. Poor mowing all around and DANDELIONS were EVERYWHERE, tee boxes, fairways and they went on forever in the roughs. I liked the layout (even with a couple blind tee shots) and would only go back a play again if/when I could get another $10 Hot Deal even though published rate is only $25 for 18 w/ cart.

Conditions Poor
Value Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

it's like playing 2 different types of courses

The back nine is very different from the front nine and I like this change within the same 18 holes. Both nines are challenging in a different way but the back nine is tougher and interesting. The greens are in good shape, some fairways are weedy, and the grass was mown well but may not have been mowed for a while as there were grass clumps laying around.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Save the trip and cash

I have not written any bad reviews on any courses but for this one I had to. It is important to all of you so I will be honest here.
The tee boxes had very tall grass mixed with weeds, the fairways had more crab grass than I have ever seen in my life and it was not cut well at all. The staff was very nice and the overall condition of the building was good as well as the carts. The front nine is okay for a challenge but the back will give you more of a challenge forcing you to either carry or lay up. This course could be so much more and has the potential to be a very nice place to golf but not now. I would not play this again if it was only $10 that is how bad it was. Save the trip and the cash and go elsewhere.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/18/2015

Hey Matt,

My name is Nick Brennan Hidden Oaks Golf Course in St Louis MI, 48880 has just recently been sold to a new owner whom I trust very much. I am emailing you to see if you would like to come down and play a free round on us this summer?

I have been a member there since I was a kid, and I couldn't agree more the past couple of years have been managed poorly, we have been busting our butt's out there to get it back in good shape.

If you are interested please email me back thanks!

Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Good Course, Love the Back 9

Greens in good shape, fairways decent, but could use a little more upkeep. Tee boxes were decent as well, also could use a little more tending to. Front nine is the original nine, kind of has that 'farm land turned golf course feel,' which isn't necessarily a bad thing. 6,7, 8, and 9 are a nice stretch of holes, the others on the front aren't anything too special. The back nine makes this course really interesting - tight, some water and forced carries - Jerry Matthews did a nice job with the land they had. If you're in the area, check it out. But if you're interested in playing more upscale courses, stick to Mount Pleasant (Pohl Cat, Bucks Run, Riverwood). I'd play there again just for the uniqueness of the back nine, or if you're only out to play 9, try to play the back 9. When I was at CMU 10 years ago, my buddies and I liked the variety of Hidden Oaks, we would drive down from Mount Pleasant and play it - less crowded and decent rates.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Very nice

It's a very nice course.... The 4th & 5th hole are very hilly but makes it amazing.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Tough Back Nine

The course was overall in pretty good shape, a couple of dry areas around the fairways and plenty of weedy areas that were tough to hit out of. The Front 9 plays fairly open and is the scoring 9. The Back is very hazardous and can get frustrating very easily, some of the hole layouts force long layups which is a disadvantage to the average golfer. Beautiful greens that are hard to stick but roll well.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great for the money

Very challenging layout. Conditioning so-so but greens were excellent.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 35
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Challenging but fair condition

This is a Jerry Matthews design which are always challenging, intuition says there is not a lot of capital to keep course in good condition. The greens ran a little slower than most courses. But was an interesting course to play with not a lot of people pressure the day played.(Friday 11:30PM_)

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

half and half

Front 9 easy; back nine very hard. Just a place for hot dogs and drinks at the break.

Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Hidden Gem!

Great layout.
Parkland and target golf combination.
Super greens.
Fairways could use some attention.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Hay field

Course was empty so it was a relaxing round. However, there was no discount as stated on golf now app. I paid the same price that non-golf now customers paid. Course had a severe mole problem, greens where long and patchy,, wouldn't go back for free!

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/18/2015

Hey,

I just wanted to let you know that Hidden Oaks is now under new ownership. I wanted to extend a free round for you sometime this summer to come out and check out the improvements we are making.

Please email me at nick2d2@outlook.com so I can make sure we take care of your. I have been a member out there since I was a kid and I couldn't agree more with what you said, however the new owners are legit and you will be impressed with the action thats been takin thus far. Thanks For Your Time!

Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Not a bad course for the $ paid

Four of us went out and played Hidden Oaks. Overall it was a decent time. The best thing was the pace of play - we didn't have anyone in front of us or anyone pressing us at all. Very enjoyable.

The course conditions left a little to be desired. Some of the tee boxes were pretty uneven and bumpy. One even had overgrown weeds filling the box. Fairways were in reasonable shape for the most part. Bunkers weren't great, but weren't terrible. Greens were a bit long and slow.

The back 9 seemed to be a little more challenging and potentially less playable because of the target golf nature as well as several forced carries.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Had the course to ourselves

We had an early tee time (8:12 a.m.) and there was no one on the course except us for the entire first nine. We turned the corner to the back nine and had the back nine to ourselves also. The course was in good condition with a few areas of burned up grass on the front nine. The back nine was extremely challenging with many of the tee shots needing to be near the fairway or risk losing a ball. We did not eat at the course so we didn't form an opinion of the food.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 22
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Hidden Oaks

Played an early round in 2.5 hours! The course was dry and some of the fairways were patchy. They said they had just fixed the sprinkler pump that day so I'm assuming the course will be in better shape in a few weeks time. I enjoyed the differing layouts of the front & back 9's (front - wide open, back - tree lined). Would return to play Hidden Oaks again especially for $15.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Average weather
Used cart

Tough Rough

With the wet weather early last week the rough was tall and being in the fairway was a premium. Greens are coming along nice for early season. Would like to play here again early July.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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