- Amazing complex to play disc golf on.
- The most challenging course at Highbridge.
- Lots of gap hitting required.
- Plenty of long holes to test your distance and shot shaping.
- Risk vs Reward comes into play big time!
- Baskets and tee pads in good condition.

- Some of the gaps are...well...a bear to hit.
- There's a few shots where the line is a little unnatural.
- The rough was pretty thick

The Bear is easily the most difficult course at the Highbridge Complex. Very heavily wooded and challenging, this will test your gap hitting and shot placement abilities!

The Bear is one of five courses on site at Highbridge Hills in northern Wisconsin.

From the name, you might guess that this course is challenging - and you would be correct. Of the five HH courses, it is the longest course that is almost entirely wooded. The distances are championship level, with holes *averaging* around 475' and two holes in the 700'-750' range. There are a couple of nice shorter holes sprinkled in to provide a little respite during the round.

Most fairways are relatively narrow and carved out of a rolling woodland area at the back of the HH complex. It will take a wide variety of discs and throws to score well. The elevation changes are utilized on almost every hole to add even more challenge. A couple of water hazards come into play in the middle of the course.

My favorite hole was actually the opening one, which plays downhill in thick woods with three distinct fairways that diverge, then converge again at the basket. I also liked hole 12, which starts in the open but plays straight ahead into a narrow valley. Then, maybe 350' off the tee the fairway kinks sharply to the left and climbs a steep hill another 200' or so to the basket.

The baskets are Prodigy models, I think? I know that they were painted bright orange with a Northern Lights DG sponsor band, and in great shape. One per hole.

The tee pads are concrete and in fine shape. Generally there was one per hole, although some holes also had short rubber tees. In comparison to the Blueberry Hill (BH) and Granite Ridge (GR) courses on site, the short tees here seemed less like an attempt at a second layout and more like an offer to shorten the longest holes for noodle arms. Trash cans and benches are located near several of the tees.

Like other HH courses, the tee signage could be improved here. Many of the holes had simple hand-painted maps with the distance and par, which I believe were up to date. These were nice! However, several holes were missing them as of my visit (late September 2022) and were only marked with the hole number on a small orange painted post. The short tees that existed were only marked with red painted posts.

Navigation was confusing in places. There were some Next Tee arrows, but more are needed in my opinion. It took me a couple minutes on multiple occasions to find the next hole. The course map posted at the pay station is also partially incorrect, which didn't help. It looked like holes 3-12 or so have been redesigned since that map was made.

The middle of the course plays next to what appears to be a "junkyard" at the edge of the property. Basically what looked like an abandoned mess of scrap metal. I don't know if this is a relic of HH's troubled past or what the story behind it is, but can only say that it did take away from the beautiful wooded aesthetic of the rest of the course a little bit.

I think an argument could be made that the variety here is a little bit "worse" than what you find on GR or BH. Specifically, those courses both have several more open holes mixed in whereas The Bear only really opens up at the end of hole 11/beginning of hole 12, to my recollection. Very minor, since if you want more open holes just walk across to GR, BH, or Highbridge Gold!

The following notes apply to all HH courses:
- Large dirt parking lot at the top of a hill, which itself offers views better than you'd find on most courses.
- Multiple porta potties.
- Multiple practice baskets scattered around.
- Kiosk info at pay station including large map of all 5 courses.
- Signage says pro shop and food are sometimes available, but I got the vibe those were holdovers from previous ownership. Maybe they are open for special events.
- Onsite camping available.
- Pay to play: $20/day or $10/round or other options that I won't go into here (check course website for latest info). Can pay with cash, check, or Venmo. Signage at the entrance to the course says to display a receipt on your car but you don't get a receipt from the pay station - this was a bit confusing. I paid via Venmo, had fine cell phone service throughout the complex, and was one of the only people there throughout my visit so I figured I would be contacted if there were any issues.

The Bear was the fourth (and final) HH course I tackled in a single day - after Woodland Greens, Blueberry Hill, and Granite Ridge in that order. I feel that in terms of overall challenge, The Bear > Granite Ridge > Blueberry Hill > Woodland Greens - although the order could be debated depending on which layout you play for GR and BH. I mean, I threw a +14 round on The Bear (according to pars here/on UDisc) and the DGCR system put that at 900 rating. Highbridge Gold (which I played the next morning, and will review soon) is probably the hardest of all for most of us - although I think big arms who struggle a little bit with accuracy might actually think The Bear is most challenging.

It's Thanksgiving Day here in the US as I write this, and DG'ers should all be thankful for UP Mountain Man and the others who have helped to revitalize The Bear (and HH in general). I think this course in its current 2022 state is valued fairly on here (~3.85 average), as I had it slotted in at a low 4.0 myself. It falls below GR and BH on my personal ledger mostly because there is only one layout. Like those other courses, this one could be even better if the infrastructure were upgraded.

I highly recommend a trip to HH overall. If you are limited on time, I would suggest playing BH, GR, and - if you have a noodle arm like me - WG before The Bear. But if you are looking for championship level technical challenge, look no further than this bear-y tough course!

+Newly installed permanent Prodigy targets+Famously tight fairways mowed and trimmed+Rough remains rough but has been made more fair as regular maintenance has become... regular!+Solid and unique hand painted signage+Many long and winding par 4+ with basket in sight from tee+Demands a variety of shots and shapes +Players have options on several holes for alternate/multiple fairways+Little to no artificial OB+Not undersold on difficulty, this course will make you feel good about getting pars

-Hole 1 plays close to tee pad of Gold #1-Can get wet in low spots at the bottom of the hill

The Bear is the most difficult of the Highbridge courses to describe to newcomers. Challenging, wooded, tight, long.... these adjectives do not do the course justice as a whole. Singular holes can be boiled down to a quick description but the mental and physical toll you will feel after a full round of 18 is something that can only be accurately experienced. At the Highbridge Hills complex, The Bear is by far the most challenging course. In the past this was partly due to low upkeep and poor quality of baskets, but those traits have taken a 180 degree turn since the takeover of new ownership. New baskets and clean lines are the new norm at this course and the complex as a whole.The track begins with a "tight" par 5 that plays near the access road and out to a basket in a wood chip lot. The opening hole will lull you into thinking the course will at least cough up easy pars when you have to pitch out of the rough or scramble. Pack a lunch, you will be proven wrong quickly enough. The remainder of the course winds up and down the hill through truly tight lines in the woods. Smart players will reach for neutral flying putters and mid ranges off the tee, but even then mere inches off your landing zone and you will be forced to throw an uncomfortable 2nd shot or take your medicine and lay up for a look at an upshot. Pars feel triumphant, bogeys frequently become best case scenario and birdies can feel like eagles. 13 par 4s and 5s and 8000+ feet of distance that will feel like the longest course you have ever played. Lines are fair and, in most cases, right in front of you. Not many options to go up and over so the course plays as designed. Potential for world championship caliber tournament play is there, and there is no doubt top tier professionals would be tested almost more mentally than physically. 6+ hour tournament rounds, guaranteed. For the average or above average player, this course will play easily over par and more likely double digits. Would not recommend for beginning players. Set in the remote and picturesque Chequamegon-Nicollet National Forest. Nothing but a walk through the woods.

The Bear is the most brutal of the Highbridge 5 on the hill. And it's not really close. This is a good thing though, you know, if you're into epic beatdowns on the course. Seriously though, this is probably the hardest course I've ever played. There's a mix of every kind of wooded shot you can imagine here and then some. There's some monster par 5's here and all kinds of extremely tough par 4's. They'll throw you a break with a shorter par 3 here or there followed by an even more extreme par 5 right after. In a fun way if that makes sense.

The baskets here are a hodgepodge of different makes and models. They all are in solid shape and catch great. No Mach II's or anything like that. Everything has sturdy chains that don't spit.

The tees are concrete. These are all plenty serviceable. They're showing their age on a couple holes but for the most part are still in good shape. These are all grippy and level though. There's a few flared ones where there are multiple lines to the pin.

The elevation here is the most extreme on the property. The majority of the holes have some type of undulating terrain. There are uphill and downhill tee shots and everything in between. It's quite the hike and a great workout just to play a round. There is a great mixture of different distances ranging from 215 ft. on hole 8 all the way up to a pair of 745 footers on holes 7 and 13.

There are tee signs on most holes that have a basic hand painted hole diagram, distance and par. Pretty basic but serviceable. Not all holes have signs currently. There are tons of next tee arrows everywhere that help with navigation as well. You should be able to find your way around fine. Good flow in general and the course starts and ends right by the road the other 3 besides Blueberry start by.

There is a great mix of different shots required to shoot well here. To shoot decent even. If you can't throw backhand and forehand you'll probably struggle in spots here. My forehand game is very poor but I've never thrown as many sidearms in my life, by far. You'll need distance and accuracy to score well here. You'll have to sacrifice distance to hit landing zones to score well. The Bear will test even the best golfers in all facets.

The natural beauty and serenity you experience out here, and all the other courses here, is unrivaled. The Bear is tucked way back in the northeast part of the complex, away from everything else. The only people you'll run into are others on the course or on Woodland Greens in a few spots. But for the most part all you'll hear is the sounds of the forest. There are also a few spots where you can see the countryside for miles on end. Stunning.

The courses at Highbridge are $10 for all day play which is a hell of a deal. There is camping available in different spots around the hill for an additional fee as well. Portable toilets located on the main trail and there are multiple trash bins and benches throughout the course.

The number one con in my opinion is the tee signs. With the crazy length and terrain out here it gets tiring walking the fairways to locate the baskets. Tee signs with a nice map would go a long way here.

Not a con per se, but the rough can be brutal here. Staying in the fairway is paramount. If you end up off the fairway you'll be hemorrhaging strokes. The rough wasn't bad at all in early May but by June it'll be ROUGH.

In addition to the rough off the fairways there are a number of perpetually wet spots running through the fairways. A couple of small streams run throughout the bear so it can get mucky in spots. Nothing the designers could've done about this but worth mentioning. I'd imagine it's much drier the later in the year you play but worth noting nonetheless.

The Bear doesn't get the shine that the other 4 courses on the hill get. And really there's only so much love to go around, it's a massive property. The one thing I will say is that the reviews prior to mine were before Mountain Man took over. The first time I played this course was in 2011 or 12 I believe. And it was frustratingly hard to play, borderline unplayable in spots. It looks nothing like the course I first played now. The amount of work and care and love the new owner is bringing really shows. It's about time this place has someone who cares about the courses and maintains them. This is the best I've seen the place look as a whole and the Bear in particular. While it is still a little rough around the edges it's light years ahead of where it's ever been. I gave the course a 4 which is excellent because that's what it is. With some better tee signs it's probably a 4.25, but as of now, 4 it is. You won't regret making the trip up to the mecca. All the courses are top notch and must plays. The Bear will just kick your ass more than the others.

Bear is the monster at HBH. 18 holes of "screw you, buddy...you suck at this".

Concrete tee pad on each hole, all in decent enough repair and similar to other courses on site. Long enough, and wide enough, but starting to show wear.

If you like long, wooded, and tough, then Bear is your course. It is a beatdown that doesn't quit, but in a good way. If you're throwing well, you can score decently here. If you're not, well, you may stop keeping score altogether.

Rolling hills abound through this course, and factor into nearly every hole. It's very aesthetically pleasing, to say the least. You'll catch great views on several of the holes, and the holes themselves are quite beautiful, especially when freshly mowed.

There are multiple lines for nearly every hole, but none of them are what you'd normally call easy. Layup areas abound, as well as hero shots. At some point in the round, you'll throw nearly every shot you know how to throw.

The baskets here SUCK. Many of them are rusty crap from Woodland Greens, and the rest are a mish mash of junk. The faded yellow/black basket is difficult to find.

Even with a map, you'll need to do a lot of scouting, as the holes tend to be quite long, and there's a ton of blind shots.

What makes Bear so awesome is also what can make it so brutal. It's long. It's tight. It will wear you out, disc golf-wise, and physically. Don't be a moron like me and leave it to be the last round of your day (after copious amounts of libations).

No water...trust me, you won't miss it.

Bear tends to be the last course to get full manicuring, so depending on when you go play it (especially if earlier in the summer), it can be in terrible shape, or great shape. Later in the summer is always better at HBH.

All the courses at Highbridge are different and unique, which is awesome. Bear is the designated ass kicker. If it were a standalone course, it may be rated higher, but at this complex I fear it gets overshadowed by less brutal great courses, and actually suffers from it as a result, in my opinion.

Bear is a course you'll probably play once, and be good with it because of the other courses onsite. But you definitely should play it, just to feel the wrath!

Among the most beautiful courses I've played, The Bear is played through long, winding wooded fairways and along the east-facing point of the mountain that houses all of the main Highbridge courses. And as with all of the other courses on this complex, the combination of natural beauty and eerie solitude contribute to the course in a very special way.

This is the consummate thinking-man's course. Even the most powerful players will be forced to lay up and play strategically; and even intermediate players will be tempted to gamble with a distance driver. Scoring well here requires a gambit of shots (including rescue shots.)

After being absolutely awed by the front 9 of this course, I found myself swearing under my breath on much of the back 9. The satisfication of teeing off with a midrange on a 700'+ hole to lay up to a tight landing area becomes monotonous after a while.
Even some of the holes in the 300-500' range, which should be par 3s, could be played as par 4s due to the incessant winding/turning of the fairways. It felt like I spent most of the round laying up, only to turn the corner and find that I had 2 doglegs left before I could get a shot at the pin.
As I recall, there was only 1 or 2 holes that were possible birdies for a player with <500' of accurate power.

The rough is punishing, no doubt, but so is the fairway in some areas. Lacing a shot up the middle and still having to root around in tall grass is frustrating - though I don't fault John for not having every inch of the fairways mowed, as it would be a full-time job considering the shear size of the complex.

Bring a great pair of shoes, a lot of water, and try to keep your groups down to minimum size. Playing with 6 people, it took us over 5 hours to complete our round. And most of us were out of water/gatorade after the 3 hour mark.

When I played on 3/9/11, only the first seven baskets were in the ground and the others were just laying about 60 feet behind the 7th basket.

This course is very challenging. John, the owner of HHSC, promised that the last 11 holes will be just like the first 7, so I'm convinced that Bear will be a tremendous course when it's finished that definitely has the potential to be considered one of the hardest courses in the world.

It's a tightly wooded course with the longest of the 7 holes at 735 feet. This course definitely fills the niche of the "long/wooded" course that the HHSC was lacking before it was installed.

The bright orange baskets are very easy to spot from a distance and are unlike any basket I've ever seen. They're really cool.

We played here when there was still snow on the ground and the temperature was pretty low, but I'd imagine that bugs will be pretty annoying here.

Also, the Highbridge Hills Sports Complex in general is pretty far away from any stores. So make sure you stock up on food and water and that sort of thing. The closest grocery store is around 20 miles away.

Another con is that it gets dark in Highbridge...I really wish it would be light out all day long so you could play these courses all day! But seriously, make sure you plan at least two full days to play all the courses at Highbridge. They're all wonderful and totally worth playing.

All of the courses at HHSC are beyond awesome. The owner, John Jokinen, is a really, really nice guy and will go out of his way to make sure that you have a good time during your stay at the disc golf mecca. It's definitely worth a trip here, no matter where you are!

Feel free to message me if you have any questions about the Bear or any course at Highbridge or Highbridge in general and I'll be happy to try to answer them.

When I played here on 7/7/10, it was only 7 holes and I understand the rest will be installed soon. I know this might sound ridiculous, but based on the 7 holes I played I feel semi-comfortable rating this course as a 4 and here's why.

These are some of the toughest and most challenging holes I've played. They have long, winding, tree-lined fairways just daring you to go for it so the strokes can pile up when you realize you aren't as accurate as you think you are. These par 4 holes and the one par 5 are the kind of holes you feel great about getting par on and getting a birdie probably feels incredible. But I wouldn't know because I was no where near a birdie on any of the par 4+ holes.

Only 7 holes.

A little rough around the edges compared to the other courses here, but that's hardly a con.

John claims the rest of the course, when complete, will be just like the first 7 holes. If that's true, this will be more difficult than any course that currently exists at Highbridge. When complete this course has the potential to be 4.5-5.