CANT GIVE THIS COURSE ENOUGH CREDIT!thank you innova and harold duval for painting this beautiful picture known as west jefferson dgpark.my first thoughts upon entering this park was mesmorising. it has every type of shot possible. over water, around water, long woods to short open, long open to short woods, double mando. mostly one set of pads with am and pro baskets(pro r blue) but a couple have both pro pad and basket. hole 9 and 18 are great 500 - 600 ftshooting out of the woods 300ft up with no tree limbs shooting into the grass covered fairway. the trees are 200 feet tall with no limbs so its like the coolest fair way in the worlod.THROW A MIDRANGE OR PUTTER ON 18 PRO. its 400 feet down and mountain golf will teach you down hills and up hill. throw your biggest driver going up hill. not tight at all just very shoot demanding. a few holes its a reven of 400ft down if uslip off the pad of miss throw ur disc.best to play with a local if you can for they can show you the bad spots, i was lucky enough to do that. i played to games in the middle of july and didnt drink half a bottle of water. no humidty there, cause we played ashville the day b4 and it was 90+. but in july its like 72 degrees fn nice!!!!!!! the more people you play with the better there. we played to rounds of doubles and hav never had so much fun laughing and every one(including myself) hiting trees try to get there early to play to games .

in middle of no wear if you hardcore get a motel room you wont be let down best course in nc hands down!!!!

has running water a SHATE PARK BRING UR BOARD crystal clear pond u can swim for ur disc in awsome.

Excellent use of elevation. Beautiful course with unique hole layouts. very relaxed park. Perfect setting for disc golf, secluded,quiet, every hole is scenic it seems. Elevation changes on some holes are unreal. A little bit of water to keep things interesting but good shots are generally never in danger of going in the drink (other than the small creek but discs are easily retrieved from this hazard at least).

Difficult course in a good way(the difficulty of the course helps keep you from getting bored more than it discourages). Very challenging but not impossible to end up at par. you are supposed to turn in any discs found in the pond (other than your own) to ashe county parks.

Long hike and sort of out in the middle of nowhere. but for some that might be the best part.

- Multiple Teepads
- Great use of Terrain and elevation
- Variety of shots.
- Easy to Navigate
- Great Amenities
- Beautiful Mountain Area

Not often I play a course and have no Cons. As others have said it can get a little slippery after a rain and the course is a work out hiking, but neither should deter anyone from experiencing this course.

A very well designed course in a beautiful mountain setting. The course requires a great variety of shots with a mixture of open holes and tight fairways. Even with the tight fairways the risk/reward of the course is very fair, as well as a good course for newer players thanks to the multiple teepads. I heard that the course was a top 10 in the state so I made the 2 hour drive to see what it was about and wasnt dissappointed. Truly a wonderful course and well worth the drive to see for yourself.

Absolutely amazing course! First few holes fairly easy and then it turns into a beast of a course! Good job of making every hole a little different! Beautiful mountain and beautiful weather! Gives you a good hike while playing.
Signs very helpful, all holes very easy to find!

Some wooded areas have some annoying trees in the way! haha but really no cons at all for this course! Some poison ivy but not too bad

Overall Fantastic course!! Not too hard to find in Ashe county and well worth trip. Great times always!

Wear good shoes cause its a lot of walking!

Review based on the amateur/white length:
-Course is in great condition e.g. tees, pins, fairways, woods, etc.
-Plenty of benches, trash cans, and other amenities on site
-thehighcountrydiscgolfclub.com has downloadable score cards that print as a scorecard/map on one page and as a detailed map on the other, nice touch.
-Two sets of tees with two sets of pins offers great variety in the course
-The scenery here is absolutely amazing, your playing in the mountains after all
-Shot selection here is excellent and the variety of shots that you'll throw is unparalleled: monster drives, accurate shots, downhill, uphill, right/left, etc.
-Holes #8 and #9 offer an alternate tee/pin so that you don't have to trek up the mountain
-Holes #9 and #18
-Course design is wonderful and fairly fluid throughout
-Risk/reward is absolutely top notch with kind of goes hand in hand with design

Honestly, I can't think of any cons. Listed are potential 'drawbacks' for some:
-Course location, hey you can't have it all. It is secluded and it is in the mountains therefore it isn't entirely accessible.
-Not for beginners. I'm not saying that a beginner can't come out and enjoy themselves, but I would have found it frustrating if this was my first time out.
-The trek up and down and up and down the mountainside.
-Mountains can offer up a bit of wind. My round had to contend with 30mph gusts. Frustrating to say the least.

Memorable holes (mentioned here are the some of the best too):
#5: I enjoyed this one because of the pin location. Nestled in a little clearing in the woods, the pin is accessible off the tee with a small creek guarding the "green".
#8 Original: Uphill shot doesn't even begin to describe this hole. Straight uphill 231 foot drive. It will eat up your D off the tee.
#9: Well, its easily one of the best holes I've ever played. You sit on the mountainside with an extreme downhill shot. Your drive, ideally, will take you far out into a clearing where you'll have an open shot to the pin.
#12: If you like holes where its open AND downhill, then this is for you.
#13: Lovely sweeping right downhill shot that is a good birdie chance.
#16: Gauntlet hole will punish errant drives. This hole is tight, making the course variation here all the more apparent.
#18: Wait a minute, are we back at #9? No, this is 18. Pretty much a carbon copy of #9 which is fine because how many times do you get to throw 604 feet down a mountain into a clearing? Great way to finish.

Ashe County Park has a major advantage right off the bat: location. Its in the mountains so elevation and scenery is a given. Front nine is fairly open with the back nine offering up some of the best woods holes ever. The design here is brilliant, the condition of the course is immaculate and above all, Ashe County is an extremely fun place to play.

- The course is set in an absolutely beautiful park. Tons of elevation, water, open and wooded.
- Great use of the huge elevation changes.
- Great mixture of shots.
- 2 sets of tee pads that are fairly different pretty much making two distinct course.
- Short 9 hole loop if you don't want to take trek up the mountain on Hole 8 and 9. Alternative Holes 8 and 9 go back to the parking lot.
- Hole 3, 9, 15, and 18 are all signature holes. Hole 9 is one of my all time favorite holes.
- As of right now, this is my favorite course, designed by one of the best course designers Harold Duvall.

- A lot of people complain about hole 11. I think it's a very unique and interesting hole design that could have possibly been executed better. I love the out of the box design even if it can be an extremely frustrating hole.
- It is a physically demanding course. Tons of hiking and takes a good 2 hours to play the long tees.

This course is not talked about enough and not played enough. It's in a kind of remote location in the mountains of NC, so I guess I can understand it, but more people need to come play this course.

RIGHT out of the gate and MOST importantly...I want to thank the people who care for, designed, and have made this course what it is...an OUTSTANDING DG course. Here are my list of Pros:
- There are two courses, really...PRO and AM and I really appreciated that. We all know our limits, but you have the opportunity on every hole to make a decision.
- It takes so much effort to upkeep and maintain acreage this size...you guys are awesome. Holes 13-18 are a testament to the dedication the local club and the county take. These holes show the love.
- Tee pads were awesome, signage was awesome, and even the little X's in the steps going down hill on 9 and 18...nice touch!!
- PLENTY of risk/reward, even from the AM tees. This couse works every facet and makes you walk away KNOWING what you need to work on at the practice field.
- Technology....the club has the score card and course layout in pdf on line. I printed this out in case the score cards were out in the mailbox. I drover about 1.5 hrs to play today and I was glad to have had the card and layout to look at on the way over.
- MEMORABLE shots...9...my best drive ever...11...shooting through a keyhole in the trees...15...I shot from the PRO tees and man what a cool hole....

I can't dance around just a few comments/CONS-
* I really did not care for the front nine, with the exception of 3 and 6. The other holes were just okay...WHEN I go back, I will play the back nine twice...this is where the challenges are...the back nine holes are what die hards practice so much for...the front nine, in my opinion, would be a good beginners course.

***I lost my beloved Discraft Stratuson 18...yellow disc. It made past the treeline break down below then we crazy left...if you find it, please call***
Other than losing my favorite driver (my fault, not anyone elses!!!) I loved this round of disc golf. This is a place where I will take my best friend when he comes into town (18 here and 18 at Warrior's Path would be one helluva weekend!!!). My 5 y/o daugher walked the entire couse with me and I mention this because it was safe, well maintaned, and allowed her to spend some quality time with her dad.

Breath taking.......... No humidity very nice score cards. very nice water shoots i had 4 discs go in the water. They dont care if you go swimin for your discs. Very sexy down hill shoots. The best smoke hole in the world. Pro holes are very nice... lots of lost disc to find put your number on your discs.

Wear boots.. Lots of hilly walks. But worth it.

shelter with runing water with sink. Building a skatepark..... My friend wonts to have his ashes spread across the course when he dies...

Course has multiple tee pads and a couple of extra baskets to make there two different layouts, that vary in difficulty.
Great scenic drive to the course along the New River.
Lots of elevation used throughout the course to the top of its potential.
Unique hole layouts that are unmatched anywhere in our area.
Great park staff and locals to help guide and always guarantee a good time.
It is a hike, you will get a work out when you play a round.
There is a alternate 8 and 9, so that you can play a quick nine vs. hiking up the mountain to play the entire 18 and the longer 8 and 9.
Very large tee pads throught the course, going from cement pads in the open and leveled fly pads in the woods.
Innova Disccatcher Baskets
Innova sponsored and champion designed course. This course is designed and maintained by Harold Duval, who gives this course special attention before the annual High Country Throwdown. This means Innova staff, club members and park staff all work together to make the course in prime condition before their touraments and it shows.
Dedicated club members, suchs as Todd P., really go out of their way to raise money and put in needed work for this course. The amount of work that has gone into this park is remarkable from the steps in the fairways to the lines in the trees. This is one of the best courses NC has to offer.

The only con is that it is located in a Remote Location, about 30 mins. from Boone and 45 mins. from Hanging Rock in Northwest NC. Well worth the trip and the several trips back to play!

This course has sheer beauty.
The longs will challenge even the best pros. Any score in the 50s is something to be proud of.
The short tees are a very fun course, and rely on key shot making abilities. Once I played the shorts I immediately wanted to play them again and again. The longs are very fun as well and I would strongly suggest getting to the park early so you can play both layouts.

Simply amazing! This course has everything: challenging holes, interesting holes, great variety of holes, beautiful scenery, easy navigation from hole to hole.
-You can tell the course designers put an incredible amount of time into planning everything from the large ideas, like course layout, to small details like lots of signs warning park-goers to watch for flying discs.
- The view of the scenery when you first enter the park is stunning. Before even seeing any of the holes, this course has a tremendous advantage because of its location.
- Great Tee signs and pads. Tee pads are wooden, giving the true feel of the mountains. Tee pads are large and surrounded by log borders. Just the amount of time it took to construct the logs around the tees must have taken a ton of time. Have I mentioned a ton of time was spent on this course?
- On wooded holes, plenty of logs used to help navigate ascending & descending slopes. Especially #9 & 18, you needs the logs to navigate down the bottom of the hill. Logs also serve as disc catchers to stop any disc that starts rolling down the hill.
- Great flow to holes. A map is helpful, but I hardly, if at all, used it the first time I played. First seven holes are mostly wide open, essentially playing around the pond. Water comes in to play directly on #3 & 7, and indirectly on #2 (if you get a disc rolling down the hill, it may get close to the water) and #6 (water is about 20 feet behind tee pad, so don't throw long). From #8 on, the course plays mainly in the woods, so accuracy takes on added importance.
- Loved how the course takes advantage of the elevation. #6, 8 & especially 14 (from the short tees) are uphill throws. #14 is a humbling hole because drastic elevation increase greatly reduces length of throws. 3 on that hole is a great score. #15 & 17 in the longs have serious elevation increases too, with #15 having a punishing slope to the left.
- Then there's #9 & 18. If your shot goes straight, it's one of the most impressive views watching your disc sail forever. If you don't control the tee shot, better watch that shot closely as it goes sailing deep into the woods. The walk down the hill doesn't seem bad after a good shot, it's twice as difficult after a bad shot. #9 is more wide open, especially from the short tee pad. Great hole to throw a bunch of extra discs.

It speaks to the true excellence of the course that there are no major problems. You know a course is great when you have to nitpick to find any problems. That said here it goes:
- #1 was an uninspiring, bland wide-open hole. It's the only wide-open hole on the course, with nothing between the tee pad and basket. I guess that wanted to start everyone off with a chance at birdie.
- The short tee for #3 could use a little bit better of a natural fairway. For those of us not brave enough to attempt throwing over the water on #3 long, the short tee wasn't great.
- The double mando on #10. I don't mind mandos as long as there as real reason for them. Mandos that are forced/unnatural, just don't feel right and seem way too much of a gimmick. If they wanted to make the hole challenging stick the basket 30 feet further back into the woods, not by placing a board between trees for a mando. If you have to force a hole to be difficult, maybe the hole needs to be laid out differently.
- Course can get real slippery with just a little bit of rain. That's to be expected for such a wooded course. Still, it was a little dicey walking down the hill on #9 & 18 with just a light drizzle.
- Lost disc potential on the wooded holes. You better have everyone paying close attention to your tee shots on #9 & 18, unless you want to walk down the hill looking for a disc, then walk back up to re-tee.

The course really demands patience. It took more than 2 hours to play a round on a quiet Sunday morning. It's well worth the extra time to absorb the surroundings and some of that fresh mountain air. You really have to pace yourself walking up and down the hills. It's a great thing they built so many benches on the back 9, you'll need them. Make sure to bring something to drink. You'll need it.
- This course, along with Renaissance, were the two most mentally (& physically) challenging courses I've played.
- I loved some of the interesting hole layouts. I don't think the layout for #11 is that bad. I like the uniqueness of the hole, playing the natural design of the land. The only negative is that it comes right after the double mando on #10, so having the only 2 unique holes in a row seems a bit odd.
- This is the first course I ever played where I would drive several hours solely to play that course. Now, a 2-hour drive from Charlotte doesn't seem so bad. Add in Highland Hills, and you've got an incredible 1-2 punch for a day trip.
- This course is a must play. The short tees are plenty challenging, but fair, for the casual player. Pros will be challenged from the longs. I'd love to hear from anyone who comes away from this course disappointed.

best all around course in the carolinas, with clean virgin lands, friendly folks at park, lots of exercise, wild life (copperheads and black snakes a plenty)
Big bombs off Pheonix mountain, water hazard on three and six, nine and eighteen will make you smile wider than any other course, and empty your bag.I lose discs here and don't even care, it is that amazing. I was born in this town and live in Charlotte now. I owe the HCDGC my sanity, for this course makes me focus on what is important in life.
Better living through aerodynamics.

the only bad thing is it will tear your feet up if you are not in hiking mode, this course is not a flat stroll, it is a hike, a long beautiful hike

I have been playing NC courses for years, living in Charlotte makes me a better player, and I can get my fix even on lunch breaks at Renny. Drive to Ashe county and stay a few days (I will give you a tour if I'm there, I was raised in Beaver Creek) pick a tune, get some bbq from Byron at Smokey Mountain, live the high life in the high country.

Variety: Front 9 open, Back 9 wooded. Course designer is brilliant. Uphill, downhill, long distance, over pond, alt holes, tree placement mandos, pro-am tees etc.

Challenge: Every hole has a personality different than the other, and all of your skills will be tested.

Playing on a mountain: Can't beat that.

Holes #9 and # 18

Sometimes you gotta go swimming!

Caretaker staff are awesome guys that really love that course.

Hole # 11 can really piss you off, but then again, I've never seen anything like it. Least its a par five.

Last time I played only rubber tee pads, but work was being done on holes #1-#3 to put in concrete pads, hopefully they keep it up.

Far drive from anywhere (Except W.Jefferson). Lived in Boone so it was def a 4-5 hour affair (if you count driving)

By far one of the best courses in the world, in the middle of the Appalachian Mts., A.S.U. students need to make the trip towards W.Jefferson

First course I ever played on. You don't really know what you have til its gone!

- The natural beauty of this course cannot be overstated. The mountains alone add a scenic backdrop to just about any hole, but the view looking down on the pond was equally breathtaking. I can only imagine how it looks in the fall with the leaves turning or in the winter with some snow on the ground.

- The course has a great flow. Getting from one hole to another was no problem, even on the wooded holes.

- Tees, signs, and baskets were immaculate. I love the flags that help you locate the baskets - that did not go unappreciated on a course as hilly/mountainous as this one. You can tell that this course is the High Country DGC's "baby" and they put a lot into maintaining it.

- Another great byproduct of the course design is that there are so many different combinations of tees/baskets/holes to play. Between the pro and amateur tees, the three holes that have blue (pro) baskets, and the alternate holes for #8 and #9, you could play the course many times through and actually be playing a different course each time.

- I appreciated the numerous benches in the back nine portion of the course. After climbing up to #18, you almost have to sit and catch your breath and appreciate the moment.

I liked that the back nine, particularly holes like 15-18, had cut logs positioned down the mountainside to catch roller discs. You're punished enough if your disc starts rolling - there's no reason you should have to walk all the way down to the bottom of the mountain and back up to finish off the hole.

- Also, the elevated and intricately cut log tee pad "borders" throughout the back nine were impressive. You could tell that a lot of work went into them.

- The scorecards available at the start were, as always, a nice touch.

- Any issues I had with the course are more with course design itself than anything else. Let me reiterate that the course is in immaculate shape and is obviously a product of a lot of thought and hard work, which is very much appreciated. So, anything mentioned here is more out of being picky than anything else. I feel like a course of this magnitude deserves the highest level of criticism. So, that said...

- The double mando on #10 seemed a little forced to me. It was almost like there was nothing else about that hole to set it apart, so the designers said, "Hey, let's just make it a tight double mando." I guess it's better than nothing at all, but it just seems a little gimmicky.

- #1 seemed like another wasted hole to me. It was too bland compared to the rest of the course. I realize it was meant to be a warmup hole, but I didn't think that was necessary. The course might as well have started with #2, with another hole added in the woods.

- This may be more a criticism of the park than the course, but there was an area on the back side of the pond - I think around hole #6 - that looked a little run-down. It was almost like a drainage/overflow area that hadn't been filled in a long time. For a course and park with so much natural beauty, that part detracted from it a bit.

- I didn't even play #11 pro - for reasons mentioned below - but it also seemed a little gimmicky to me.

- Our plan for this course was to play the first 18 holes from the amateur tees and then play another 18 from the pro tees/baskets. Unfortunately, we got rained out before we could start the second 18, so we never got to experience pro #11 or pro #15, as well as the other pro holes. Luckily, we had thrown from pro #18 the day before just because we had to see it - and that is an experience unto itself.

- #9 and #18 are what I consider the signature holes for the course - well, at least for a course like this that really has many signature holes. They are both looking down off a mountain at a steep dropoff into the valley below. I can only imagine that they both would make for great spectator holes for folks down below.

- #9 isn't quite as deep a drop, but the drop is (in my estimation) a little more steep. Also, it's more open. So, you can get your disc through without much worry, and it's easier to just let it fly and see where your disc ends up below. It's 553/660, but obviously plays much shorter than that because of the drop-off. This is just a fun hole to empty the bag.

- #18 - especially from the pro tees - is a much deeper drop, although not quite as steep. Also, it's a very tight shot. All of that makes it much tougher to get out of the woods if you can't throw straight. You really have to be smart with your shot here. I'd say that the nature of the hole along with the elevation - causing shots to dig into the ground upon impact - make this an easy hole to lose discs.

- I can't wait to get back here and finally finish off what we started. This is the kind of course that leaves you itching for more. It's definitely a must-play for the serious disc golfer.

This course is absolutely stunning. The course is set in a lovely park in the middle of the mountains. The baskets are in great shape and most of the blind baskets have tall flags showing you were it is. The teepads are large and in excellent shape and almost every hole has pro and am pads. There are signs on every hole with distances and signs all over the course telling you were to go next. It was very easy to follow for a huge long course. There were scorecards with a map on the back of them at the first tee.

We played the pro pads and the course starts out in the open with throwing over a hill to a basket on a downslope. Then you have a great anhyzer hole that if not thrown well with bring the lake into play due to the slope. Then a 410 ft downhill water carry on the next hole. You play the first several holes mostly in the open with some well placed trees and water to impede your progress. #7 is a very interesting short hole that is easy to blow up on. Then you start up the hill with a brutal #8 hole on an extreme slope going up into the woods. On #9 you are throwing literally off a mountain side to a basket 600+ ft below. The hole is absolutely stunning.

I hope you scored well on the front because the back nine is much harder. #10 starts with an extremely tight double mando then you go to #11 which is the most unique hole I have ever played. You have to trow to spots because the fairway is sectioned off by huge bushes. You just have to play it to understand it. I noticed several people complained about it but if you don't like it just play the short basket. You do not have to play the brutal long one. Personally I loved it. From there you start throwing in and out of the woods Some are in the open down hill into the woods. Some are up hill, and some even start at the bottom of the hill and go over it down the the other side. #15 was my favorite hole on the course. It is a great long drive in thick woods over a large valley. A bad throw could really be punished here. From there you have a few more tough ones in the woods then you finish out throwing off the mountain again then a long dogleft right hole. We could not find my drive on th #18 so I had to hike back up the mountain and retee after looking at the bottom for 30 minutes. My lungs were on fire!!!

I can't imagine how much work went into putting this course together. The amount of signs, steps on the hillsides, etc must have taking a ton of work. The variaty of shots from the long tees coupled with the mix of woods and open make for a great round of golf. This course is extremely tough and bad shots will be punished severly. The par is very accurrate and only a really good player is going to sniff it from the pro tees.

There is not really any cons that I have other then some poison ivy. Not much you can do about it if the course it in the woods though. The course is a brutal hike for the pro pads so bring plenty of water and be in decent shape or you might die on the mountain in the summer. Watch your discs like a hawk. The holes are long and it is easy to loose track of them on some of the downhill throws

This is the only course I have given a five and I think it is a must play if you are anywere close at all. We drove 6 hours to play the course and it was worth it. I promise you we will be driving to it again at first chance. I personally rank it just ahead of idlewild because of the elevation changes and the landscape is just unreal. It is so unique to any other course I have ever played.

Just go play it!!! But be warned about the hiking and expect a long tough round.

This is based on original 9 holes (and lots of feedback on the rest....I want to make it our there again badly!)

What I personally like and how this course stacks up:
1) Holes with good risk/reward -- A
2) Holes that have rewarding birdie opportunities -- A-
3) More wooded than open - lots of variety of shots required caused by hole shape and topography -- A-
4) Natural beauty (Appalachian beauty preferred) and seclusion -- A
5) Multi-shot holes with defined landing zones, good risk/reward and multiple options to play them -- B

I ranked this course subjectively based on my own personal enjoyment factor...more accurately my "personal addiction factor". Since I have played a decent number of courses (115 18-hole, 50 9-hole as of early 2009), my hope is that players/explorers who have similar tastes will find my ratings list helpful as they chose courses to play and explore.

Over time, I expect to fill some of my reviews in with more descriptive verbiage...if what I say adds anything to what has already been written. For now, my list is more important to me than the verbiage of my reviews.

I fully expect others with different tastes/philosophies to disagree with me. See my profile for my rating philosophy.

Just driving to the course in the rustic beautiful mountains of western Carolina builds your anticipation, and once you get there the mountain views all around don't disappoint. The view looking out over the pond with the hills and trees behind is spectacular. A few inches of snow on the ground completed the idyllic setting.

With two sets of tees, this Harold Duvall designed course will challenge players of many skill levels. Three holes (8, 11, 17) also have an extra blue basket for the Long layout. The elevation changes are the course's most memorable feature; there are lots and some are quite hefty. There's a pretty even balance of up and down, with some holes that are down-then back up, and some up-then back down. On a few holes if you get a bad kick you might be way down in a ravine and have to claw your way up a steep hill. Holes 1-7 are moderately hilly, but then 8-18 start the real ups and downs. For example, Hole 8 Long is +45 ft. uphill, then on 9 you have a big downhill drive (Short: -54 ft/ Long: -72 ft). There are also alternate fairways for holes 8 & 9, though, for those who don't want such a strenuous hike, so there are actually 20 holes on the course. To give you an idea of the huge elevation changes consider this string of holes from 14-18 on the Long layout: 14 is +45 ft, 15 is +25 ft, 16 is -45 ft., 17 is +42 ft. Then you get to 18. This hole has the distinction of having the greatest elevation change in North Carolina-- a 140 ft drop! The course's terrain also has excellent variety with slightly more woods holes, balanced by many with mixed trees and grass. The woods are mostly on 8-18, while 1-7 are more open mixed terrain. Only hole 1 is wide open. There's also fantastic length variety. (The Long layout should challenge the Big Arms: 4<299/ 7 of 300-399/ 5of 400-499/ 1 of 660/ 1 of 818.) The greens are excellent too, with many treacherous side slopes to be careful on. Add in rhododendrons and other woods foliage and it's a beautiful setting. The front and back nines both start and end near the parking lot, so it's easy to just play 9 holes if you want to. Nice. Oh yeah, there's a great shot over the scenic pond on hole 3 too. All in all, several holes are epic, and the Long layout is especially tough.

The Basics are pretty well covered. Very good double chain DISCatcher baskets with the 3 extra Carolina blue longs. The lower holes each have 2 sets of raked concrete tees that are quite long, and the higher holes (9, 11, 14-18) have large rubber mats. It must have been a huge amount of work to get those frames and mats up the hills!

As for Amenities... much care was taken to put up lots of navigational signs and bricks pointing the way to the next tees. Very helpful! There's a great map and score card online, and some at the course too. There's also a good message board, a warm up basket, and lots of benches. I'm amazed at how much they've done here in a relatively short time!!

-Hole 11. Ahhh yes... without a doubt this unique hole will generate more reaction than any other hole on the course. Hole 11 Long is one of the most unusual holes I've ever played. From the tee you can't see the blue basket because the fairway ends abruptly at a high wall of rhododendrons that you have to go over with a thumber or tomahawk shot. Clear this, then there's after another short section of fairway ending at a second high rhododendron wall to go over, then you finally get to the blue basket. Also, if you go off the fairway you're in thick woods, so you may have to pitch back out to a spot where you can get up over the wall. I didn't like the hole, but YMMV. They need to post good directions on where to find the basket and how it plays, though, because you can't even figure it out without walking the entire hole. Even the walking path to the long basket was hard to find and needs to be better marked.
-I was disappointed the regular holes 8 & 9 were closed when I was there, and I hope that this won't be a regular occurrence.
-A small quibble- the online map and score card need to be updated on a few holes to show the current layout.

Course Level: Long layout = Blue (most suited for Advanced players rated 950).
Short layout = White (most suited for Intermediate players rated 900.)

-Restrooms were locked (maybe locked for the winter?).
-If you play in the winter you may well have some snow on the ground.
-I can imagine that the foliage in the woods can get pretty thick in the summer.

My favorite hole- Long 18-- drive down a corridor in the woods with the huge 140 ft elevation drop.

All in all, this is a classic mountain course with many epic holes. It's one of the best in North Carolina, so it's worth making a trip to play. Don't miss it!

<span class="underline">A note about my rating:</span> My rating is a subjective measure of my enjoyment of the course, on the day I played it, and it is NOT intended to be a measure of the quality of the course. My ratings are given "on the curve" in relation to all other courses I've played.

-More detailed "Overall Rating" notes and "Hole-by-hole Ratings" are available in the Files section.

Great mixture of open and wooded holes. This course is perfect for both beginners and and pros. The back 9 is very hilly and you constantly are walking up and down the mountain so be prepared for a workout. The course is very well made and professional looking.

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Course is big and if you play all 18, it will take a while but trust me its definitely worth it

Great mix of wooded and open holes that requires a wide variety of shots. Separate amateur and pro tee pads made of either concrete or rubber, which are long and adequate size. Course is easy to navigate with helpful signage directing you to the next hole and nice benches at most holes. Most of the back nine holes are located on the side of a mountain, which makes for some huffing it but well worth effort. There are several drives where you can get some serious distance due to the extreme elevation change. Water comes into play on hole 3: the pro tees requires a 400' drive over the lake which will test out the ol' nerves.

A couple of the rubber tee pads on the back nine were a little slippery and it was difficult to get good leverage on the drive.

Playing this course was well worth the hour and a half road trip and two lost discs and I will definitely make more trips to this course. If you're not used to playing mountain courses you will enjoy and appreciate what this course has to offer. Very well designed and very fun/challenging to play.

This course has an excellent blend of open and wooded holes. The front nine flows nicely out in the open, around a pond with rolling hillsides and fast greens. The back nine is mainly wooded and is routed beautifully on the mountain with some extreme elevation. The High Country has it all where holes range from short and technical to long bombers. There are nice long concrete tee pads on most holes and good rubber mats on the others. The course is located in the Ashe County Park, so all of the amentites are availiable here including bathrooms, picnic area, information board, scorecards, practice basket, etc.

None.

The overall experience from this place is second to none; with more exposure, this course could become one of the best courses in the world.

great elevation !!! chalenging and exciting. without a doubt worth the trip. The course description is accurate.