You will not find a more oddball short course possibly in the States, but definitely in NC, and that is factual. You will have to focus on disc angle from hand to air to ground if you want a decent score. I am a fan of that kind of play so I enjoy the torture as well as the reward on every shot.
The river runs on the low side and is a great tranquil setting for such a treacherous feeling. 20 holes of crazy fairways and fast greens that will take your focus as well as plastic. Casual water(falls) you play in the creek (wp shoes a must). Just cool, gimmick golf at its shortest and most punishing.

The cons here are few when it comes to casual play in dry conditions, especially in the winter after the green, lush landscape becomes more open and forgiving. I played it in a B tier starting in the rain and can say I was concerned of everyone's safety more than my score. A guy on my card took a tumble down a cliff and was luckily saved by his bag absorbing the fall. At that moment I assessed what we would do if he broke something or was concussed, and was frightened at the reality of the situation. He was fine, he is young and made of rubber, discgolf warrior. Nobody should play this course when it is wet all bridges are slick as ice, and the traverses are not safe for anyone not wearing crampons. Baskets spit out and bounce out horribly, which adds to the cons heavily.

I love this place, it is a funny round regardless of score. If it is a dry day in the winter I will play it again. If it is a tournament round I highly suggest against it if the weather is wet. Wilkes disc golf is alive and kicking your shins!

Simply put, Highland Hills is epic. It's the most monstrous, mountainous course I've ever played. I love courses with elevation, but this actually takes it to an extreme. Don't get me wrong, there are tons of fun, unique holes. But the hills are soooooo steep that simply walking the course is hazardous. Some holes are downright dangerous. You've heard of death putts. "H!H!" (as they like to abbreviate it), has lots of death putts, death drives, and death approach shots. To sum up before I list my pros and cons, Highland Hills is fun + extremely strenuous + downright dangerous. In other words, epic.

PROS

1. Stupid crazy elevation.
2. Really beautiful course and surroundings.
3. Very challenging.
4. If you like extreme hiking / mountain climbing, you'll love this course.
5. One of the most unique courses you'll ever play.

1. This course is dangerous. It's way too steep for solid footing on upshots...and even walking from hole to hole. I played in the fall after days of rain. Slick leaves + mud everywhere + mountain goat paths = twisted ankles and busted asses.

2. Huge disc loss risk on this course, from blind tee shots to autumn leaves to discs rolling down hills for MILES to thorns to creeks to a river! (Did I mention this course is epic?)

Those are really my only issues with the course (but pretty big issues).

If someone asks you to join them at H!H! for a round, first, ask yourself if they're planning to do away with you in the woods and dump your body in the river. Then get your heart checked and put on your hiking boots. Seriously, this course is not for everybody and be careful.