Highbridge, WI

Highbridge Hills - Blueberry Hill

4.675(based on 64 reviews)
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Highbridge Hills - Blueberry Hill reviews

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4 10
mmcfly101
Experience: 17 played 16 reviews
5.00 star(s)

1# course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 24, 2018 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This is widely considered the best course at Highbridge. It uses seven holes from the final round of the Pro Worlds when the complex hosted the event.
Amazing layout. Downhill bombs, technical shots, this course is perfect. Beautiful area. Must play for any disc golf fanatic.

Cons:

Courses are well kept but the campground and lodgings are run down.
Water is in play on several holes on Blueberry.

Other Thoughts:

There are also layouts that use alternate tees, Blueridge, granberry, ect.
The main courses are Gold, Blueberry, Woodland Hills, Granite Ridge, Bear. There is also a course at the campground.
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23 0
mrclc
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 10.7 years 736 played 47 reviews
5.00 star(s)

You'll Never Be Blue On This Berry Good Course! 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 5, 2018 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Blueberry Hill holds the widest appeal of all the Highbridge courses, and boasts off-the-charts fun factor and aesthetic beauty. The host venue for Nate Doss' 2007 Pro Worlds victory, Highbridge features five primary courses on-site, plus a bonus campground course used primarily for glow rounds. The five courses on the hill are the main draw, with each one unique enough to showcase a different flavor of the richly diverse land. Blueberry pitches to a difficulty level that's just right for the vast majority of us, an int/advanced layout that won't crush the hopes and dreams of rec level players. Nearly every hole is memorable in some fashion, be it downhill drives (Holes 3 & 10), tight greens (Holes 4 & 12), or dastardly hazards (Hole 13!). There's enough long but reachable Par 3's here to keep noodle arms like me from getting discouraged, but birdies are never a gimme. Hole 2 deserves special mention as the most well-designed parking lot hole I've ever played. Playing from an elevated tee down to a plateau green is unique and super fun, especially in the near-omnipresent wind. Even holes like 9, which feels like filler compared to the killer elsewhere on the course, can pleasantly surprise with the havoc-wreaking angle of its hillside fairway/green. Holes like this are extremely fun to throw, highlighting Blueberry's biggest positive. Gold, Granite, and (especially) Bear can feel like a kick in the teeth after a bad round, but Blueberry never loses its charm, even if you're struggling.

Blueberry is arguably the best looking course at Highbridge, with Hole 17 serving as the crown jewel. If playing up the rock face/boulder garden wasn't enough, the vista behind you seals the deal. This snuck up on me the first time I played, and that wow factor at the end of the round cemented Blueberry among my favorites. Other highlights include the terrific Hole 3 drive, idyllic Hole 4 green, and the heavily wooded Hole 18 approach. Even on the rare occasions when it isn't superlatively beautiful, you'll wish you had just one hole that looked like these on your home course.

The concrete pads on Blueberry are fairly easy to find and have some of the best tee signs at the complex. All holes play to gorgeous blue Mach IIIs that catch pretty well.

As the most played course at Highbridge by a wide margin, Blueberry feels a little more "weathered in" than the other routings, which helps ease the pain of the perpetually subpar maintenance.

Cons:

When you put aside all the drama and nonsense surrounding Highbridge, which are a con unto themselves for most (see other thoughts), there's really only one complaint that stands head and shoulders above the rest - Highbridge's inferior maintenance. It's a roll of the dice if the grass will be mowed on any given day, and tree trimming & rough control appear nonexistent. To make matters worse, Highbridge is approaching a relatively advanced age (14 years for most of the complex) where decisions should be made regarding tree removal, which will almost certainly never happen. When the courses are maintained, the level of maintenance is usually inversely correlated to its difficulty. You may come across an open fairway that's been mowed impeccably, only to play to a soggy green with waist-high grass. In all fairness to John, taking care of five courses with limited help is a rather difficult task, but that doesn't change the fact that unfinished mowing and trimming is a gigantic headache for us players. Depending on the status of the maintenance when you play, a course's rating could fluctuate by as many as two or more discs. Timing your visit to coincide with the intermittent mowing is just par for the course here. The Highbridge Hills - Wisconsin forum thread on this site is extremely helpful for providing detailed course condition updates.

Routing can be a little confusing, but the biggest struggles come at the beginning and end of the course. The natural inclination is to start at Hole 2, as Hole 1 is set back behind the clubhouse with no signage to direct you. Both times I visited I ended up starting at Hole 2's pad and backtracking the Hole 1 fairway to reach the starting tee. Hole 18 is a bit confusing as well, mainly because it differs dramatically from the map. The tendency is to walk straight ahead from the 18 teepad toward Hole 1 before realizing that the 18 basket is heavily protected, sharply downhill and approaching 90 degrees to the left.

Other Thoughts:

With more twists and turns than a telenovela, the saga of Highbridge Hills has captivated golfers in the Upper Midwest for years. Regardless of where you fall between the two extremes of "John is a con artist" and "John is a harmless dolt whose reach exceeds his grasp", it's hard to visit here and not be charmed by the ramshackle enthusiasm of it all. Sure, it'd be great if a competent management team took over the complex, maintained it to perfection, and charged $20/day in greens fees to play what is probably the greatest collection of courses at a single site in the entire world. But where's the fun in that? Up here, disc golf still feels firmly tied to its DIY roots, as one man tries to hold it all together with chewing gum and string. Even as people (including myself) complain about the neglect of these world-class courses, it's important to remember that this version of Highbridge holds value as well. If you're looking for a true frolf adventure, Highbridge is the best place to find one. For now, it's best to enjoy what we have and hope for better days down the road.

I struggled with how I should rate Blueberry, but ultimately settled on the full five discs. Yes, the maintenance on any given day can lower this rating dramatically, but with design and aesthetics as my primary rating considerations, I'd be remiss to hand out anything less than a perfect score. If the object of our game is "he who has the most fun wins", Blueberry is undefeated.

PROTIP: Walk ahead on Hole 13 to plan out your shots and identify the location of the ponds or you'll be sorry.
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9 4
Spike Hyzer 23
Experience: 30.8 years 92 played 88 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Disc Golf Mecca 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 17, 2005 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

The technical challenges of this course are astonishing, while it remains a fair and balanced test of disc golf. Mistakes are brutally punished out here by a combination of dense woods, steep elevation, wicked slopes in either direction, and fairly well--though not always--guarded greens. This particular track is long, but not overly so, but the elevation and distances between holes makes it a punishing walk (two rounds has seldom taken such a toll on my body).

It simply has to be experienced for one's self, and even the pictures don't do justice to the grandeur of the place (though it does give you some idea of the challenging golf you are facing, though it didn't prepare me quite enough).

Cons:

The single con is that it's so far away!

Other Thoughts:

The seclusion of the northwoods makes it a quiet retreat into nature and the overall elevation of the complex allows one to see far into the distance and appreciate the hills as far as the Mississippi on the Minnesota border.

Apologies to the folks in Georgia, but this is far and away the best and most challenging disc golf complex in the world.
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8 3
The1BoomShaka
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Frolf is a good walk, enhanced. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 12, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

Holes are challenging with a few that can be aced.
Good variety of hole length and the longer holes are spaced out.
The environment offers different obstacles on your way to the pin. My best picture of the entire camping trip was on top of a rock formation with the Northwoods-Gogebic woods behind the chains.

Cons:

I can't even complain about the disc golf. It was 5/5. How do you complain when you're separated from everything but your friends and disc golf while drinking a cold beer in the beautiful outdoors and staring up at the universe every night. I'm not attempting to be poetic, but I will say that if you come through the course complaining about anything more than your personal performance, it's likely not worth listening to.

Other Thoughts:

If you're a disc golfer or if you love a disc golfer, you need to travel however far it takes you to get here. Camp absolutely if you can, but if you can't go anyways. The other courses are just as good with the exception of Chestnut Grove which seems geared towards the night round and even that course has it's many charms. This place is more than a disc golf resort. Its an experience and I'll be back again.
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3 5
James McGirr
Experience: 11 played 11 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Fantastice coarse 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 23, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

The fairways are fair some of the baskets are tucked in and around trees and brush requiring a skilled approach shot or tee shot.The coarse doesn't overly reward a player for any exceputal abilitys.An average or above average player can keep a game competitive against a better player by keeping there disc in play. The coarse was well designed

Cons:

I got lost between 12th basket and 13th tee. Other than that a really fun coarse to play. I would say thewhole complex of coarses are fantastice. Although it is located in northern most Wisconsin

Other Thoughts:

I have traveled around past few summers and played a lot of disc golf coarses I have found nothing close to highbridge hills.All the coarses there have fair fairway and are very playable.
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10 0
BKRanger
Experience: 13.9 years 31 played 2 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Beautiful Blue 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 26, 2014 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Blueberry is one of the most beautiful courses you will ever play. The fairways seem to be the best maintained of any of the courses at the complex, which makes sense as it is the course John will always ask you to play barefoot, which is more than doable if you keep it out of the rough. Also with some new staff up there recently it is starting to turn around condition wise. All of the courses are in the best shape that anyone has seen in many years.
The challenge this course has to offer is amazingly fun. It is just the right amount of challenge yet not an absolute beat down that might upset some newer players. The tees are in wonderful shape and the baskets catch nicely (and they are blue a nice touch). There are far too many signature holes to list but hole two; is an amazing drive over the parking lot to a basket on a raised area (originally a tee for the ball golf course that was never finished there) with a gorgeous view off the tee, and hole 17 a uphill hole where the last 200ish feet are up a steep rock face that plays OB and at the top of the rock face you are rewarded with the best view the entire complex has to offer, which is really saying something! Also getting to hole 3 and seeing the sign for the beginning of the final nine of the '07 worlds is just an amazing feeling no matter how many times you read that sign. Also this year we played this course later in the day and had to finish the majority of the back 9 in glow mode. I was surprised how well the course played for night golf and looking up at the insanely visible stars was such an awesome feeling. If you have played this course before and know the layout relatively well, I highly recommend a glow round here!

Cons:

As mentioned in the previous reviews the navigation is definitely the biggest con to Blueberry. While there are some directional signs, it is not nearly enough especially when there is another course with tees near. I advise grabbing a scorecard even if you're not going to use it as there is a map of the course on the back which will help ease some of the navigational pains. A lot of people mention the course being too wet to play at times which while is certainly true you need to consider the area you are in. This area gets massive amounts of snow and in the spring all that snow melts and with it being such a varied elevation course water pools up in the low areas. I think that the best time to play any of the courses here is definitely during the fall.

Other Thoughts:

You can't help but have an amazing time here if you are truly a disc golf fanatic, regardless of conditions. Where else can you play five world class courses at the same complex? HBH is most certainly the MECCA!
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20 2
Hector Chain
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.9 years 222 played 191 reviews
5.00 star(s)

A sweet, textured berry 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 24, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Blueberry is one of the best combinations of design, elevation, variety, and challenge of any course I have played.

I really enjoyed the use of terraces here (a feature also used on Gold). On many holes the green or part of the fairway is raised above the surrounding terrain, creating some nice landing areas and a different feel.

The are a number of memorable holes here. Hole 2 is an open drive onto one of these terraces. Hole 8 is a challenging uphill shot through a fairway that won't allow for your max distance drive. Your next shot is a full shot through a gap into an open area, followed by an accuracy-testing approach into a wooded area. My slightly inaccurate shots left me awkward shots along the edges of the fairways.

Hole 9 is a sort of ace run but requires an arching turnover shot or forehand (for RHBH) to a steeply sloping green. You could ace it, but if your putt rolls the wrong way, it could be a bogey.

Hole 13 was maybe my favorite in the complex. A wall of trees blocks the landing area, another terrace that can be reached with a spike hyzer, a big forehand, or an accurate shot through the one gap. After that you approach the basket beyond a pond that is on another terrace above you. You have to walk this entire fairway beforehand, but it's so scenic that you won't mind.

Hole 17 is an epic uphill hole with the basket perched above a natural granite wall. I could go on with more of the holes but will spare you.

The course makes great use of fairways that go from wooded to open areas or vice versa, risky putts on slopes, narrow fairways alternating with long bombs that still require placement. There are multiple tees on most holes, but I only played the main tees (the white ones, I think). Navigation wasn't bad, but you'll want to have the scorecard/map with you.

Cons:

Same as with Gold, you never knew which position was in use. If you are going to play any course more than once (and you really should give yourself enough time to play all of them multiple times), I'd recommend Blueberry. The second time is more fun as you remember which route you want to take.

As with all the courses at Highbridge, the tee signs are mediocre. I'm skeptical of the distances shown (I think they underestimate the true distance). Some are faded and difficult to read.

All of the Highbridge courses have some issue with searching for discs. If you can play here with friends, do. Blueberry is not the worst for this issue, and the fairways were perfectly mowed when I played. But the woods will leave you searching if you get far off the fairways. Bring your bright orange discs.

Other Thoughts:

This seems to be the most played course at the complex, and for good reason. It is difficult to think of any element that this course lacks, and moreover, any element that it doesn't use really well. As I went through the course pictures before writing this, I had a lot of moments of "Oh, yeah, that hole! I forgot about that one, that was a good one, too."

Although this is the most recreational-friendly of Gold, Granite Ridge, and Blueberry, this isn't an easy course and true beginners might be frustrated. But this course would stand near the top of the heap even if it wasn't at Highbridge with all these other great courses.

When you're writing a review and get sad that you're back on your couch rather than getting another crack at those tough shots, you know you're reviewing a great course. This was one of my favorites.
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12 2
krupicmd
Experience: 5 played 5 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Blueberry almost perfect 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 26, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

If you are to play one course up at Highbridge Hills, it should be Blueberry Hill. It probably is the course that gives you the most of what Highbridge has to offer- incorporates the styles from of every course on the complex added with amazing views and striking landscapes. All baskets stick out with their Mach 3 dark blue color.

Beginners would probably enjoy this course, but it is for slightly more advanced to pro players. A variety of shots will need to be utilized since the holes have a nice mix of diversity- long holes, short wooded holes, downhill, uphill, left, right, etc. Unless you have well over a 400' drive, 1/3 of the holes are unreachable off the tee, leaving you with decisions to make on how to set up your next shot.

Signature Holes:
#2- downhill hole with a rock-wall-lined tiered green
#13- Hole with two large ponds- one right up next to the pin that you have to shoot over.
#17- uphill pump set among a large grouping of rock- John (the owner) is planning to put in a waterfall here.

NOTE: Some of the holes are very unique, with large moss-covered rocks amidst the trees. Hole #4, #16, and #8 have the pins set amongst this setting and could almost be signature holes themselves.

Solitude-
I rarely see anyone on this course and I've played it many times throughout the year.

Landscape/ Vistas-
Amazing views of the surrounding country side. Hole 2 and 3 have great views overlooking the Chequamegon National Forest- the best time to play is in the fall when the leaves change color. The landscape is a great setting with the rocky outcroppings among the trees.

Tee Pads- great large grippy pads.

Cons:

This course can get wet, so if there has been a lot of recent rain wear out some waterproof boots.

Other Thoughts:

Lastly, I will comment on the complex-Highbridge Hills. If you make it up here, chances are you drove a long way, so it doesn't make sense to play just one course. The great thing about the courses at HH is that they vary in difficulty, so pending on your skill level or what you're in the mood for, there is a course that will most likely fit your needs. As standalone courses, three are still absolutely amazing- Granite, Blueberry and Gold - if one of the courses doesn't satisfy you, you only have to walk a couple hundred feet to a totally different course- The Bear- long, tight and woodsy- very hard, Gold-very long, mostly open, Granite- mostly open, fairly long, Woodland Greens- short technical course through the woods, numerous ace runs, Blueberry- open and woodsy, some long, some short technical holes. The grounds are organic, beautiful and calm.
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5 6
metalheaddiscs
Experience: 18 years 101 played 4 reviews
5.00 star(s)

This is the forest stay home pretty boys. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 4, 2013 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Beautiful and totally peaceful. Yeah you might get a tick or skeeter bite but hey this is the northwoods. Over half of the holes would be a signature hole at most courses so enjoy the greatness. Great mix of shots. Views abound.

Cons:

Being picky: signs could improve a bit and a little better moving at times but its good enough when your next to a national forest. I didn't drive to the sticks to play in a city park.

Other Thoughts:

If you haven't been to Highbridge go, unless you can't live without your hair products and skirt. I'm not sure who the guy is giving this place a half disc but he must have a grudge. Highbridge is what disc golf is about. Great people, great piece of land, 4 courses that will challenge every level and 2 other courses and John the owner is very friendly and wants everyone to enjoy the outdoors.
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15 3
Money_Shot
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 19.9 years 127 played 39 reviews
5.00 star(s)

What Doesn't This Course Have 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Oct 13, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-Great signage throughout the course
-Has several holes that satisfy every disc golfers taste.
-Very clean
-Well maintained course
-Requires every shot and ability a person can have to have a good round.
-Natural beauty. I've played this course in spring and fall and this course has several holes that warrant a camera.
-Will challenge a good disc golfer while giving average players enough satisfaction to keep them coming back for more.
-Honestly im trying to think of one thing this course doesn't offer besides great winter play. However, i have not played any course in the northern winter that reaches anywhere near its summer potential.
-This course offers distance holes, short holes, up hill throws, down hill throws, water hazzards, prairie throws, rocky landscapes, hyzer drives, anhyzer drives, finesse shots, and anything else you can imagine. Play it!

Cons:

Ummmmmm....I guess the only thing i can come up with is i like heavily wooded, heavily technical, short holes and this course only offers 4 holes that fit exactly that description. Oh yeah and perhaps the mosquitos im sure get bad at the right time of the year but welcome up north.

Other Thoughts:

If you play this course and don't like it. Clean your discs, put them in your bag, pack it up and put a price tag on it because there is no way you like disc golf. This isn't my favorite course, but i would definately put it in my top 7 or so. I could only rate it a 4.5 or 5 so i rated it a 5 but it deserves a solid 4.75 from almost any disc golfer preference. Do not be turned off by the guy who rated this course a .5. The only person who would bother rating this course that low is someone who doesnt know what they are talking about. I don't care what "tour" this guy is on with his girlfriend, this course is top of the line by all standards. To rate a course a .5 because of wood ticks and long fairways (as the only two negative things that guy could point out about the course.) shows me the guy either hasn't played it or he thinks a course he lives by should be the best. Blue Ribbon Pines is a nice course. I have played them both about 10 times, but Blueberry Hill is a better course imo. Definately is not 4 point rating difference between them and i can guarentee that.
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4 8
MrHighlandPark
Experience: 15 years 54 played 18 reviews
5.00 star(s)

One of the very best 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 26, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

Nearly flawless hole variety. I won't list all the disc golf shots that exist, but assure you that this course has room for all of them. The scenery and wildlife are stunning. Great use of elevation.

Cons:

Needs better signs, but I'm not docking it a half point (as I did for Granite Ridge), because most of the pins on this course were visible from the tee. It wasn't much of an issue.

Other Thoughts:

It's amusing to see a course this good hidden so far from "civilization" (by which I mean airports and hotels).

I was only here for a day, and I do recommend allowing more time than I did. 2-3 days should be enough.
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1 10
deadbody
Experience: 20.2 years 152 played 68 reviews
5.00 star(s)

The best of Highbridge? 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 18, 2012 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Open, tight, long, short, right, left.....What more could you ask for? Nice cement tees, decent signage, nice baskets. Garbage and a place to sit at every tee.

Cons:

a bit rough around the edges, everything is mowed nice, but there are some surprise wet spots.

Other Thoughts:

This was far and away my favorite course of the weekend at Highbridge.
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7 6
Goosefraba
Experience: 14.7 years 114 played 12 reviews
5.00 star(s)

The best? 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 23, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

*Has everything you could ask for in a course:Elevation changes, water, lots of trees/woods, open meadows, holes across hill sides, large rocks and anything else you can think of
*Possibly the best hole ever, #13, if you have the back pin between the pond and swamp
*Clearly marked, especially each tee
*Starts and ends near Honka House/pro shop
*Scenery is beautiful
*Nicely mowed/maintained

Cons:

*Was a bit wet from all the rain when I played it, but nothing else

Other Thoughts:

Absolutely loved this course, played twice in a day. Really nothing bad to say about it, other than I can't play it every day. If you could only play one course for the rest of your life, this might be the one...
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2 4
Silhouette
Experience: 14.9 years 9 played 5 reviews
5.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:May 2, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Open for the most part. some baskets are more wooded. all varieties of fairways on this course! Water hazards, over grown woods, bugs, wild life around every corner. Not the course for the prissy disc golfers out there. Amazing views of the landscape as well!

if it isn't a windy day in highbridge, i usually will play this course. you have the option to branch off to the granite ridge course after 12! which is a great way to avoid the pond on 13!

Cons:

Some ponds kind of sneak up on you (13) I have lost a few to the water... only con is it is the most popular course in Highbridge, some back ups here and there. you shoot over the parking lot on basket 2 tee off, but if you play it smart. you will be fine...

Other Thoughts:

i recommend playing this course!!!

i have seen all sorts of wildlife playing this course. i've been amazed at the view from basket 17! it is one of my favorite places to sit back and have a "thought"
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7 7
IronJack
Experience: 27.8 years 55 played 1 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Worth the trip 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 30, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Outstanding, picturesque setting. Great variety of hole design and interesting layout. Punishing rough, yet forgiving fairways, i.e., enough to challenge and reward for smart golf, tough enough to ruin a day for dumb golf.

Cons:

Remote, and not much on amenities. Come prepared, plenty of food, water, bug spray, sunscreen, etc., and you'll be fine.

Other Thoughts:

I'd call it world class, but I haven't personally been around the world playing disc golf, so let's just say in terms of course design, layout and environment, it's the best I've ever played and while I imagine it could be matched, it'd be difficult to beat by much.
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7 5
nukematt
Experience: 34 played 1 reviews
5.00 star(s)

My Favorite 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 5, 2011 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

This is the definition of the Highbridge experience. There is a huge amount of variety on this course. As many have said before all the amenities like nice tee pads and signs are great. There is not much traffic so you can take your time, which you will definitely need if the grass is as long as it was when I was there. The flow of the holes is great and each hole tests something different in your game.

Cons:

I can't think of one thing that I would change. I like a challenge.

Other Thoughts:

I played all the courses at least once on my weekend and Blueberry is the only one I played twice. Definitely a test of all the skills in disc golf. We are planning another trip up there this fall and this will be the first course I play for sure. John is a great man and the complex he has designed for disc golf is amazing.
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16 2
chillis
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 23.9 years 103 played 29 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Blueberry, so sweet 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 2, 2011 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

- Huge variety here! From the T-pads, lining up an approach, shooting out of the forest, etc. Because of the difficulty and length here (which is a plus!) you'll use every throw in your repertoire. Chances are, you'll use each one of your discs during a round on the Hill.
- Layout is phenomenal. This course is unlike most I've played where you can't hit every pin off the T-box. Strategy and placement here are key to scoring well. The difficulty here is evident as can be with narrow fairways to hit, and bending dog-legs to either (and sometimes both!) side.
- Great signage (despite some being downed during my visit, presumably from heavy storm/wind/rain) and each of the holes have their own 'name' or saying you can ponder or ignore.
- T-boxes are cement, and have ample grip even when wet.
- Views of the surrounding landscape are especially brilliant from Blueberry. Specifically, the first few holes, #2, #3
- Multiple pin placements, current placement noted on the signage.
- Random, sometimes hidden, pot water bunkers placed on a few holes. This adds to the difficulty and risk/reward, as well as the aesthetics of the course. These ponds are DEEP! I do not suggest wading in them for discs, altho the owner did tell me they're fed by underwater springs and are relatively clean.

Cons:

I do not have many Cons for this course. I also understand that the grounds keeping crew consists of only 2 members. That being said, most holes were NOT mowed, and the grass was knee-high. My visit to Highbridge took place the weekend after Memorial Day weekend and the 4-day long thunderstorm that ravaged the landscape. Because of this, there was a great amount of standing water hampering our progress. I'm not listing the damage caused by the storms as a Con, however, allowing the grass/fairway/'fringe' to go unchecked for as long as it had for the grass to be as long as it was...is a CON.

Secondly, the bugs here are terribly veracious. Clouds of mosquitos await you at every bend of fairway. Ticks are also ever-present. So keep an eye out for your friends and make sure to check yourself frequently. With enough bug repellent, you should be OK, but I still feel as though a warning is necessary.

Make sure to bring a course map. Without it, you may get lost. That's not to say the course's layout is convoluted, but there trees block your view and can disorient easily.

Other Thoughts:

This was the first course I played during my maiden visit to Highbridge. It set the tone for the weekend in a very strong manner. This course is an easy 5 stars/discs. Manicured to a high-degree with a ton of thought put into the layout, Blueberry Hill will awe all comers and humble them simultaneously.

I'm a bit dumbstruck by the majesty of all the courses at Highbridge.
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11 2
alexaaron
Experience: 14 years 388 played 14 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Legendary 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:May 24, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Every hole on this course was a unique test in strategy and skill. I used every disc I had at some point in the game. The scenery is beautiful and the course is well maintained. Several good oppprtunities to open up and drive and even more chances to work on accuracy. The first hole is a short toss through some trees, easy birdie or ace, followed by two big throws with a little elevation, but also easy deuces. After that, the birdies are harder to come by and placement is key on every shot. A bad throw on any of these holes can get you into plenty of trouble. Really makes you step up your game.

Cons:

There really weren't any cons to this course. For me, it emphasized that I am fat and not good at disc golf.

It was muddy in spots but that will change as the warmer weather moves in. Navigating it was a little tricky once or twice but pretty well signed throughout.

Other Thoughts:

Ever since I started traveling to play disc golf, everyone has told me to go to Highbridge. It lives up to the hype. The owner John is a great guy and you can tell he loves the courses. It shows in the way he talks about them and the amount of time he devotes to them. He is very proud of this course's high rating and rightly so. This is a course every dger must play.
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13 3
ElementZ
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15 years 212 played 200 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Blueberry Hill 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 9, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

While I preferred Granite Ridge over Blueberry Hill, I still feel as though Blueberry merits a 5.0 rating.

When I played here a few days ago, it was beautiful. The course and the entire site was just gorgeous. When it's summer time and there are leaves on the trees and the ponds are not frozen, this course has to be one of the prettiest in the world. The elevation changes definitely add a lot to the course.

Almost every hole at Blueberry could be considered a "signature" hole, and that's what really sets it apart from other courses. Every hole here is unique, memorable, and really offers a different kind of challenge to the player. There is such a huge variety of shots required which I feel makes it a very balanced course.

Knowing that the 2007 Pro Worlds were played here made me wish I could have seen how the pros threw their shots after you threw mine. It would have been cool to see how I compared to the legends of disc golf.

Cons:

I personally think that Blueberry is a perfect course. John Jokinen, the owner and caretaker, does everything possible to ensure that the course is as good as it can be.

The Highbridge Hills Sports Complex is very secluded and far away from society, so make sure you stock up on food, water, and all your other survival needs.

(I just realized that those cons are both pros, but I'm going to leave them here anyway)

Other Thoughts:

The HHSC is a truly a wonderful place to go to for vacation. Make sure you plan at least 2 full days to play all the courses because they're all a thing of beauty.

Lodging here is very, very cheap. Even if you stay in the honka house (which I recommend), it's only $24 a night. So plan to stay a long time!

It's already considered the disc golf mecca and when the Bear and Whitetail courses are done, there will be absolutely no competition for "best disc golf destination". You really, really have to come to Highbridge and experience this for yourself. It's a trip you'll never forget.
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20 3
discRabbit
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 24.9 years 1136 played 136 reviews
5.00 star(s)

2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jul 20, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

I drove up to the Highbridge complex of courses fully expecting to be underwhelmed - sure they had bunches of courses, but were they really the cream of the crop? The answer is a confident 'yes' - these courses and the complex itself lives up to expectations!

Although my final choice for 'best of' course went to the Gold course, Blueberry was a close second and earned my 5 rating. Blueberry has the most variety of any of the courses with a great mix of well-defined and more open holes. Distances off the tee likewise range from long par 4's to very short par 3's that are reachable by even the beginner player. All staple shots will be needed for this course and it will expose weakness with punishing rough and some well thought out elevation hazards. One of the other pros that the Blueberry course has over its siblings is the wow factor on some of the holes like the rock walls of hole 3 and the immaculate and private fairway running through hole 8.

Hole Profile
'Outer Orbit'
Hole 9
While it is one of the shortest holes on the course, this one captures the imagination and remains memorable several months after playing. Extremely straightforward, all that the ninth hole requires is a short turnover putter or midrange; the key here is touch and angle to land near the pin while matching the angle of landing with the left to right sloping hillside. Good drives will certainly yield birdies here and even drives that are slightly off will have the opportunity to catch up with a nice putt. Perhaps not the most technical hole I've profiled, but one of the most fun!

Cons:

Although it has the most variety and some of the most memorable holes, Blueberry also has several holes which appear to be somewhat tweener's for the highest skilled players. These are holes where a great drive will land between 70-100ft and even great putters will only have a small liklihood of getting birdie. I feel that the Gold level course is better matched to the most skilled players (duh!).

Other Thoughts:

To anyone who is wondering if this place is worth a trip - definitely! Although I only had a day to play all of the courses, I feel like I could have easily spent a week here without getting bored. Camping, wilderness, golf carts, and tons of natural beauty all make this place one of the best destinations in disc golf.
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