Bonshaw, PE

Hillcrest DGC

4.95(based on 15 reviews)
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17 0
pmay5
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 20.8 years 480 played 245 reviews
5.00 star(s)

One of the Best of the Best, the only thing lacking is more reviews.

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Sep 5, 2023 Played the course:once

Pros:

A John Houck design, Bill has a great piece of property, likely unusuable for his farm business, so he hired the best Disc Golf designer in the business, smart move. The course is outfitted with those great Houck Design signs, and Canadian flags on top of all the DISCatchers, no mistaking where you are playing.

Large, trapezoid, concrete tee pads at all tees (except #11), Blue and Red tees on most holes, with most of the Par 3s having just one tee. Each tee, not just the long or short tee, also has a bench, trash cans and those awesome tee signs.

Elevation changes on just about every hole, you name it, Hillcrest has it. Several of the baskets are on severly sloping hills, so upshots or long putts have to take rollaways into account. I played early on a 62 degree morning, so the hill climbs were not overly taxing, but in warmer weather, they could affect your endurance. But, the use of elevation did not feel forced, every hole fit into the landscape perfectly. #7 being one of the best examples, the tee is at one of the highest spots on the property, with a view of the highest spot on the island, mostly straight downhill, with the basket on a 15' by 30' point of land, jutting into the Pond.

Good mix of Par 4s, a couple of Par 5s, and several Par 3s that were attackable. You don't feel like you are playing the same hole over and over, as the Pars are changing, as is the elevation.

The hilly landscape is probably why it is unusable for the farm, this is caused by a small stream (that is more scenic, then disc swallowing) and the picturesque Pilkey's Pond. It forms a peninsula around #7 basket and is hidden from the tee on #12, it will grabs some discs, but doesn't appear too deep. Most of these natural features are identified, another nice touch.

Two things I did not see at Hillcrest that I have seen at other top courses in the northeast US, are gravel roads for fairways, and random trees left in the fairway. The dirt roads and nature trail here are separate from the fairways. You cross over them between holes, and sometimes throw over them, but you don't have to worry about your discs landing in gravel, or standing in gravel for your next throw. (As I mention below, several fairways have been torn up for recent course work, but this appears temporary.)
The fairways are cleared very well, creating an obvious path to the green, sometimes sectioned off by sections of trees. Its not enjoyable playing a long hole, and you are in the fairway, or just off it, and hit a lone tree left in the middle of the fairway, none of those here. #17 is a relatively short Par 4, that does have scattered trees protecting the green, but this is rare here.

Cons:

In Sept, 2022, what was left of Hurricane Fiona devestated PEI and Hillcrest Farm. The course has been closed since then, until Sept 1st this year, a day before a large tournament. I was lucky that our visit to the Island was just 4 days after the re-opening, a great break. I understand the storm knocked down many trees on the course and the equipment brought in to clear them tore up several fairways and the nature trail roads to access them. I'm sure the ground will recover and grass will grow back, but the wood chips were well used to fill in wet spots and around the tees.

On the eight Par 3s, only 1 (#15) has separate Blue and Red tees. Most of these holes are reachable for most players (including me), with only 2 in the 300' range. These should be easy gets for advanced players, or maybe "must gets". It looks like this is being addressed with the Gold layout.

Other Thoughts:

Located on the private property of the Hillcrest Farm, but separate from the farm functions (never saw a cow or horse :( ), but don't touch the wire fences, they are live! Neat little cabin that serves as the Clubhouse, tons of discs and bags to rent, check in facilities, a restroom, and place to hang out. There is also a back deck overlooking the practice area, complete with 3 DISCatchers, all flying the Canadian Maple Leafs.

So many things to like about the Houck design at Hillcrest. It has many of the same design features as the only other Houck design I have played, Rock Ridge in NC. Among these:
Multiple scattered trees to pick through on a short Par 3 (#6).
Split fairways, with different paths to the green on multi-shot holes (#1, #5, #12, #14, and #18).
A couple of epic long tee positions (#2, #14 and #18).

One of the most picturesque holes you will see anywhere is #11. It looks like a special tee had to be built of pavers, that lines up perfectly down the short 191' fairway, that is crossed 5 times by Mamie Brook, before one more crossing at the back of the green. Only 10-15' wide at the tightest, your short game has to be tight to card this birdie.
#5 is another unique design, an open fairway to three gaps in the trees reachable from both tees, pick the one to shoot for, Left, Center or Right. Then, another 150-200' to the guarded pin, including a large leaning tree with roots exposed. A great challenge to play.

At least half the holes have baskets on sloped greens, miss a putt and a rollaway could cost you more than one throw. I noticed tree plantings on most holes (along with protection fencing), so this course will get tighter. With the creative design and continuing improvements, Hillcrest will continue to improve. Plus, the addition of Gold Tees (7) and Gold Baskets (5), the course should challenge even more players.

Probably the only downside of Hillcrest is its location, on the remote island Province of Prince Edward Island, its just not accessible for most players. This probably explains why it has only received 14 reviews in its 11 years of existence.
I was very excited to find out that we would spend a few days on the island, and just a few days after its reopening.
Big thanks to William and all the workers that got this course back into playable shape and allowing anyone to come and experience this gem of Disc Golf. It really is one of the best that I have played.
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26 0
Dscgl4
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 29.8 years 164 played 18 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Beautiful, manicured course that test every aspect of your game, mentally and physically 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 16, 2018 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

As the other reviewers point out, this is a great destination course. I was there for Canadian Nationals and this review covers the course from the long tee pads. Rather than evaluate every hole, I'll try and hit the highlights (good and less good).

This course is a true "golf" experience. While long, strategy and disc placement is as important (if not more important) than power. Picking clear landing areas that set you up for the next shot is critical. Grip it and rip it will not work here.

Many of the holes have multiple fairways and lines available to you to allow for LHBH and RHBH approach lines, although a number of the holes start with a specific gap (generally straight on) that must be hit if you're going to score well. On most holes the baskets are visible, and when not, the fairway is clearly defined. Going off line on this course is punishing and one errant throw will add multiple strokes to your score.

A great example of course design is the par 4 hole 5, which offers three different fairways to get to the top of a hill that then offers two primary lines to the protected basket. Two well executed shots can get you a shot at a birdie, but you'll still need to make a good putt and par is much more common. If you go off line, you'll need an extra shot to get back on track, but it's not overly punitive. This is by far my favourite hole on the course.

The course includes a pond that comes into play on two holes, including a challenging finger placement for the par 4 basket on hole 7 (are you really going to go for that putt?). On the par 4 hole 12 the pond comes into play again, this time forcing players to decide whether to lay up short or go for a clearing shot to the basket. These are also beautifully designed holes that balance risk and reward, offer shots at a birdie three but are true par fours with errant shots anywhere on the way likely to leave you scrambling for a bogie.

Cons:

While all of the holes are challenging, hole 14 is downright punishing. Designated as a par 5, at the Canadian Nationals the average score was over 6. The hole is really two fairways, the first a long tight wooded fairway that needs to be cleared to access the second fairway, which typically requires a placement shot half-way to the pin. If you go off line at all on the first fairway, you're looking at a scrambling for a 6, with 7s, 8s, and 9s not uncommon. The rest of the course was fun, this hole was a slog.

Hole 18 suffers from a similar criticism, with the initial fairway so tight as to make targeting your landing area for the next shot a bit of a crap shoot. Both of these holes could use some maintenance to make them a bit more friendly off the tee.

Other Thoughts:

I would love to have also tried the course from the short pins and I'm guessing that is what gets played most--the long tees make the course so long that it would be tough to play it more than once in a day, even though you'll likely be wanting to exact revenge on some of the holes.

I was excited to play the "signature" hole 11 (bridges over a meandering creek), which is beautiful in appearance, but turns out to be awfully short. Ultimately it was one of the less interesting holes on the course--a straight putter shot up the middle for an ace run. The creek is so small that it's not worth trying to avoid, you just have to hope you don't get unlucky and bounce, roll or ricochet into it.

At the end of the day, Hillcrest is a challenging, manicured, well designed course that will test every aspect of your game. If you come out of your play here under par, you'll know you've thrown a world class round on a world class course.

Together with the nearby Huck It course, PEI is clearly a destination for disc golf tourism.
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4 6
jbroesch
Experience: 30 played 3 reviews
5.00 star(s)

An Absolute Gem 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 15, 2018 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Amazing, and challenging layout.
Visually stunning.
Multiple lines that allow a variety of options on many of the holes.
Tees are great, signage is clear.
True par 4 and par 5 holes.

Cons:

This course is one of the best Canada has to offer, but beginners may find the course challenging.
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11 6
JoeDirt
Experience: 20.5 years 80 played 15 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Disc Golf Paradise 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 16, 2018 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Well groomed. Good signage. Ample parking. Good balance of righty/lefty holes. Good use of elevation. Hole 1 starts at the entrance and Hole 10 does as well. Very short walks to next hole. Easy to navigate. Lots of mature old trees. Several signature holes. Fairways are generally fair and the greens are very challenging. A lot of challenging holes and many birdie/bogey.....risk/reward opportunities.

Cons:

Limited bathrooms and availability of water. Hole 14 is the hardest hole I have ever played from the longs. I think it's too long and too hard for a par 5. Hole 17 could use some course maintenance, has a little bit of plinko and luck to score well on it.

Other Thoughts:

After playing the course the first time it instantly became one of my favorites. After playing it several more times it still remains that way. I don't think I could ever get tired of playing this course. Bring bug spray for mosquitoes, and carry in some water.
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4 12
rykorol
Experience: 12 played 3 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Favourite course ever 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 26, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

Variety of shots required. Monster holes from back tees. Water holes. A creek runs through one. Very picturesque. Great elevation changes.

Cons:

Its too far from my home. That's it.

Other Thoughts:

Great thought went into this design and the maintenance was superb.
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22 0
markmcc
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 11.9 years 278 played 254 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Perfection on Prince Edward Island 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 10, 2018 Played the course:once

Pros:

What do you get when you take a large beautiful piece of rolling, forested land, and retain John Houck to design a disc golf course with what appear to be no restrictions? You get Hillcrest Farm Disc Golf Course!

Holes were literally carved out of the trees, with numerous stumps making it obvious that the fairways were created from solid forest. But I should note that the stumps are cut absolutely flush with the ground to allow close mowing of the fairways and eliminate any tripping hazard.

And the use of plural "fairways" above applies within individual holes. Many of the holes feature alternate lines right off of the tee or at some point down range. These aren't "I'll throw my drive and decide when I get there" lines either. You need to choose one option and play it.

Hole 1 requires this decision on the very first drive. You can either play the tight inside line or the longer outside line. If you end up in between you'll have to scramble out to one or the other in order to continue. And Hole 12 makes you either "go for it" over the pond or play the longer route out to the left. It is great to play a course where so many holes have options.

Holes lengths vary widely from 182' to 533' (red) or 811' (blue). The shortest holes are the tightest and most technical, but if you hit your line birdie is relatively easy. The longer holes have proportionately wider fairways, but nothing that I would describe as wide. All fairways are lined with trees and fading off of either side will often get you in trouble. Not always, as some of the trees are well spaced and recovery shots toward the basket are often available. But in some areas you'll be pitching out laterally into the fairway. There is a great mix of straight, curving, and dogleg holes in both directions.

A Houck trademark is the inclusion of numerous par 4 and 5 holes, with carefully designed landing areas in the fairways. These holes are not stretched par 3 holes, but are specifically designed to require two or three accurate shots to access the green.

Beyond hole lengths and shapes there is significant elevation on many of the holes. You'll find plenty of uphill and downhill shots, as well as a couple of shots across depressions. Several of the baskets are on sloping ground so roll-aways were possible. Hole 7 brings a small pond into play by placing the basket on a small peninsula, with water close behind and on both sides. Hole 11 plays straight down a small meandering creek, with the drive crossing it several times.

With two tees on eleven of the holes, you have choices of a friendly rec/intermediate round or something tougher. The seven holes with shared tees are all short, tight par three holes where accuracy and line shaping are key. The remaining holes are longer, with the blue tees adding length (averaging an additional 167 feet per hole) and in a few cases an extra turn or dogleg to the mix. Holes 14 and 18 are the standout examples where the blue tees add 300+ feet and an additional fairway segment to the holes. From the red tees being able to throw over 300' isn't really an asset. This course is about placement and accuracy. From the blues length 300'+ distance is an asset on a few holes, but accuracy is much more critical.

Amenities are top notch. From the huge, perfectly textured concrete tee pads to the familiar Innova DisCatcher baskets with their easy to spot yellow band nothing was left on the table here.

The course starts off strong with signs from the highway directing you to the course, then ample parking and a beautiful log cabin "clubhouse" with restroom, rental discs, insect repellant, instructions for paying, scorecards, etc. Just outside is a large course map, and a flower lined walkway to the first tee.

Each tee location features an excellent Houck tee sign with colorful and accurate hole diagram, par and distance information, direction to the next hole, and a hole nickname. Also at each tee are a comfortable wooden bench, and separate receptacles for trash and cans/bottles. A bonus at several tees is a bottle holder on the tee sign post containing insect repellant. It gives you a hint that insects may be an issue on this course, but I wasn't particularly bothered during my round. But it is nice to know it is there if you need it!

Navigation is a snap with multiple signs pointing to the next tee(s), with seperate arrows for the red and the blue tees where necessary. There are several excellent footbridges across streams and boardwalks in the boggy areas. Speaking of water, there are long retrieval rakes/nets at the pond holes (8 & 12) just in case...

Cons:

Some folks will list the cost ($10 per day), the remoteness of Prince Edward Island, or the need to cross a toll bridge as cons, but I take them all in stride. I wouldn't expect the owners of this excellent private course to allow free play, and with $10 Canadian being the equivalent of $7.50 US they are right in the range of other top P2P courses. And the remoteness of PEI is one of the things that make it special.

Other Thoughts:

Unless you already have a vacation to PEI in the works, you have got to really WANT to play this course. It is a long ways from most anywhere, and you must either cross the toll bridge ($47 Canadian) or take a ferry (even more expensive) to get on PEI.
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13 0
Treeplant
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 8.8 years 109 played 62 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Classic John Houck Course, Absolutely Rock Solid and Professional Across the Board 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:May 26, 2018 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

- Like the other Houck courses we've played, a truly professional layout where hole locations are intuitive and clear thought has gone into offering different lines from the tee.

- Good opportunity to throw a full range of shots, I've heard people say the course favours RHBH players but I'm not sure I agree with that. It rewards straight shooters the most, but as a person who throws FH and BH interchangeably I felt as if I used FH quite a bit, and dipped into the overhand throws a couple of times per round. Overall I felt the course was very well balanced.

- One of the best courses we've played in Canada.

- Signage is world class, doesn't get much better. Large map at entrance you can take a photo of.

- Course is maintained immaculately.

- Bit of water in play but rakes are available and most of the missed shots into the water should be retrievable unless you're a grip locky psychopath or something.

- Fantastic tee pads, enough for a very comfortable run up with no pads that put you in an awkward or uncomfortable spot.

- Beautiful treed location with a decent bit of elevation changes (though there are no major hill tee offs or big vertical drives etc.)

- One of the best club houses I've ever seen on a disc golf course.

- Well laid out from hole to hole, not too bad to play without a map (though I'd still recommend one).

- Very little annoying underbrush, I've had a few rounds and haven't come close to losing a disc yet, this course is about a 4 for losing discs with 0 being an empty field and 10 being unfindable awful.

- Hole 11 is a very memorable (scenic) ace run.

- Some holes that would be rather ho-hum are made challenging by basket locations on slopes.

- Cart is no problem on this course other than potential sogginess.

Cons:

- Can be very wet in early spring conditions, almost unplayable in the low areas.

- Lack of surrounding disc golf courses if this is a destination trip. $50 to drive across bridge and go back to Nova Scotia if you're making a detour. Although there is a nearby course (Huck It Middleton) that is apparently excellent as well, we haven't played that course yet.

- Mosquitos in summer, bring bug spray, apparently there is free bug spray in clubhouse but yet to be confirmed.

Other Thoughts:

- Lots of discs (with bags) for rent for a few bucks in the clubhouse.

- No smoking on the course, FYI to the smokers.

- $10 per day to play or $200 season pass.

- If you are looking for locals, check out PEI Chainsmokers on facebook, very friendly and helpful group.

- What I've realized playing a few John Houck courses now (Selah Ranch Texas, Rose Hill BC, Tall Firs Washington) is that his courses are fantastic for Novice and Advanced/Pro players, but intermediate players are a little stuck between the tee pads. As a mid to high 800s intermediate player, I find myself stuck between playing a lot longer than I want to with some tough tee offs that are likely to lose me discs from the blues and a lot of way-too-easy Par 4s and 5s. This isn't a criticism, just an observation on how different skill levels will take away different things from the course.

- For anyone who's played Rudy's courses (Aspen Meadows) in Sundre, Alberta, this course feels like what would happen if you gave John Houck an East Coast version of Aspen Meadows to design. It's more "professional" but not as wild and challenging and punishing.

- I gave this a 4.5 because although the course is great in every way, it doesn't have anything about it that creates a true wow factor / incredibly unique / blow me away with the views for me. Same way I felt about Selah Ranch, it's as professional as disc golf gets, but it doesn't have the uniqueness factor that I personally feel is needed to give it a 5 star, though the club house is pretty awesome. I would give it a 4.85 if I could.
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5 8
laughingbenjamin
Experience: 21 years 50 played 2 reviews
5.00 star(s)

East Coast Gem 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 14, 2017 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Dual tee pads, alt lines on almost every hole and a rich variety of shots throughout the whole course. Playable in all season and worth the trip, no matter how far you have to travel for it.

Cons:

And Cons that this course could have are always being addressed by the owners.

Other Thoughts:

This is a must play for anyone who loves disc golf.
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5 9
Shylock
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Hillcrest Farm 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 9, 2016 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

John Houck designed. So perfect, WR Jackson'esque.
Huge teepads, Innova Discatcher baskets, Well maintained, good signage and a gorgeous clubhouse.
What else do you want!?

Cons:

PEI is too far away.

Other Thoughts:

Best course around.
If you're in the Maritimes and you play Discgolf, get over here.
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23 0
edfaits
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 13.5 years 90 played 41 reviews
5.00 star(s)

From The Rec Player Perspective 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 16, 2016 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

-Awesome beauty of the location. Set in a wooded island paradise adjacent to the Hillcrest Farm with meandering streams and gently rolling hills populated with a wide variety of trees.
-Impeccably designed challenge from the Red Tees that will put demands on both the player's shot making and shot selection skills. Each hole was unique, with a wide variety of shot shapes and distances in play. Most holes have multiple clean lines, with various risk / reward opportunity. Every hole is par-able by a player with "Rec" level skills or better, and there are several birdie opportunities out there. But screw up and bogie or worse beckons. I only played from the Reds, which was appropriate for my skill level, but looking at the blue tees I can see where it will offer a stern test to advanced players.
-Unlike some of the courses in Maine I played on the way to PEI, this course has true par four and par fives. The Reds have 7 par 4's and 2 par 5's.
-Full amenities include a clubhouse with a working toilet, free bug spray and sun screen, a sitting area with board games, and benches and trash buckets on every hole. Even a nice planting of tulips around the first tee. This is a private course and I certainly felt like a guest not a customer. I wish that I had gotten a chance to meet and thank the owners.
-Great foot bridges over the streams and low areas throughout the course.
-Pleasant walks connect the holes. Lady Slippers common here, which I like because my backyard course is full of them too.
-No trash/litter anywhere. I found this true on all of Prince Edward Island.
-Despite the fact there are no other courses from many miles (kilometers) around, there is a vibrant friendly group of locals that cherish this course. They invited me to stay to play league (Thursday nights), but unfortunately my schedule didn't allow it.
-Solid, well-built trapezoidal cement tee pads on every hole but the short #11, very grippy and plenty big for a good run-up / follow through. The fairyland wonder of hole 11 has PEI red sandstone cobblestones, I worried they would be too uneven and slippery in the dampness, but on a 191' hole they were fine, and very much in keeping with the natural terrain of this unique hole.
-Off fairways was heavily wooded, but without excessive underbrush. Didn't spend too much time looking for disc, and chances of losing discs wasn't too high. Water came in to play on two holes, but a big net retriever is available and the water pretty clear and not too deep.
-All baskets are well maintained, solidly mounted DiscCatcher Pro's. All of the greens are fairly clear and un-gimmicky within the 10 meter circle, with the exception of the peninsula hole # 7. NOTE: Many of the greens are on slopes and missed putts tend to role away. Putt with confidence or lay up!
-Most fairways are fairly tight, every tree either defines the fairway or defines the line to the hole. I didn't feel like "luck" was too big a factor. Pick a line, if you hit it you made a good shot, if you hit a tree, and I hit many, your throw was wayward or you picked a line too tight for your skill.
-Great use of elevation. No much completely level, even though no dramatic elevation changes of a mountain course the rolling hills made for some interesting challenges. Of special note is some of the across-hill fairways, one memorable dogleg left to right while the terrain fell off right to left.
-Top notch signage and wayfaring. From the clubhouse to the 18th basket never had any problems getting around the course. Event the course itself is easy to find! Coming from the Confederation Bridge towards Charlottetown on Rt 1 just look for the Disc Golf Basket.

Cons:

-Course can be wet in spots and PEI can have lots of rain. The first day I played with in some mist after a couple weeks of rain and my boots were soaked with the island's red clay mud. I played again 3 days later under cloudy skies but the rain held off and thinks were much better.
-Mosquitoes hungry and gang up in swarms. I did mention the complementary bug spray? Use it!
-The summer is short and sweet on PEI, cool spring rains can linger well in to June, but I think that just is some of the charm of Prince Edward Island. The locals tell me some years things warm up earlier than others.
-Complicated metric system can confuse math-challenged Americans? Nope, signs printed in both feet and meters. Moo-ing cows in the distance? Don't stumble in to the electric fence? Really reaching to find some "cons" here.

Other Thoughts:

My wife has been wanting to explore PEI for years, and when I read some of the reviews of this course I knew I had to make the 14 hour drive from Massachusetts. PEI and this course did not disappoint, even if we happened to arrive during the coolest and rainiest June the island had seen in many years. The island and the course are both beautiful and unspoiled. The people are invariably helpful, polite, and friendly. Seemed like every time we stopped somewhere people were offering us biscuits and jam. There is a variant music scene on the island, and the food was invariably great. By the end of the week we were leafing through Real Estate brochures thinking this would be a great place for a summer home once we retire.
Hole-by-hole (Red Layout)
#1 - 430' toboggan run, downhill dogleg left par 4, a little twist at the end that doglegs back to the right to a basket on a slope. Well treed on both sides of the fairway, better be on your game from the start!
#2 - A shorter par for at 330' but straight uphill, a fair gain in elevation. A few good lines up the hill to a basket protected by some well-placed trees.
#3 - Dogleg left, fairly tight lines, only 225', a good birdie opportunity if you can turn it.
#4 - 315' par 3, down then up, then up and a bit to the right, trees at the bottom of the hill to the left, then trees in front of the basket to the right make this an interesting hole. Shouldn't be that tough a par 3 but those trees seem to attract discs, at least of rec players!
#5 - 368' par 4, uphill, then flattens, plays longer than the posted length, have to hit a gap in the trees at the top of the hill, then flat to a basked tucked away in some trees.
#6 - 262' par 3 (Blue and Red play together) fairly open, but a tall pine and some beech and maples guard the basket.
#7 - Signature hole, 523' par 4. Beautiful, downhill, wooded on both sides though not overly tight until you get within 100' of the basket, then it closes off to mostly force an approach from the right side. Green a little too small for my putting skills, with water with 12' of the basket from 3 sides.
#8 - 214' par three with the basket tucked off the right on a slope. Not excessively tight, but easy enough to get a run-away on a missed birdie attempt.
#9 - 424' par four, slight uphill, not long but very narrow, takes two well placed shots for a rec player (If you can reach the basket in one why are you playing the red course?), then the challenge is to get close on the sloped green.
#10 - 428' par four, dogleg right. 250' to hit the dogleg, then the last 200 go uphill with the fairway slanting right to left. You are fighting the terrain to make the disc turn for the dogleg. Subtle effect makes this hole much more difficult then it seemed.
#11 - 191' (both Red and Blue) One of the more enchanting holes I have ever played! Tee off the cobblestones with a narrow green carpeted fairway with a small brook winding back and forth... with the signature Hillcrest foot bridges. Feels like it should be a setting for Shakespeare's Midsummernight's Dream. I'm sure magical creatures live here... and play disc golf under the full moon.
#12 - 346', par four, with a pond not clearly seen from the tee. Best bet for me was to throw a mid on the "right" line, and lay up short of the pond, then have about 190' slightly uphill to the basket. There is a left line here that can avoid the pond, but it's very tight and the hole is well protected by trees from that side.
13- 182' (both Red and Blue), Maples line the entire fairway. Tight left and right and a straight line, but a very wide line left to right line if you want to throw a big turner. Good birdie chance if you can avoid trees, but that might be a big if.
14- 533' from the Reds, much longer from the blues. Undulating with a couple of gentle turns in there. I think the designer was inspired by the Confederation Bridge!
15 - 236' par three, not really a dogleg but it does play right to left. Some trees to miss, but there are some good lines in there if you are careful.
16 - 297' from both the red and the blue, across a "gully", but narrow with a low ceiling. I threw a tomahawk to play for a safe par, even though this is short it's no easy par for a rec player.
17 - A very short 280' downhill par 4 from the reds. Found this to be the most generous (easiest) par four on the course. Should be a good shot at birdie if you avoid early trees and can finesse a short approach around the protective trees.
18 - 468' par five. A fine finishing hole. A big uphill drive will dictate the path taken to the hole. I found that going long and left was a much easier line to the hole. There is a "shortcut" if you go right, but that's a pretty tight line to hit. I can think of several ways to play this hole and it looks to me like a worthy hole to decide a close match. I played the hole twice... first time I caught a bunch of trees and struggled to make bogie, the second time I chained out on a 35 foot birdie attempt and dropped in for par. I can imagine a two shot swing is not uncommon.
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10 0
Understable
Experience: 16.6 years 28 played 11 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Disc Golf Nirvana 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 11, 2015 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

This course has held legendary status since it opened a couple of years ago. Friends told me of this course was a must play when in the region (not just in the province but when in the region its worth stopping at). Driving to Halifax I took the hour detour to stop and check out Hillcrest.

This course is out of the way unless you are going to Prince Edward Island but it is worth it. The people who designed this course wanted it to be long and as tough. Not tough as in crazy hard lines, but tough for course management and mentally tough (especially mentally tough). Every 200'-300' there is another throw and a different choice towards the basket.

No two holes have the same game plan, highly creative design.

The toughest part of this course are the basket placements, probably two are not on an incline with roots and ground down stumps around the basket. The perfect storm for discs that want to roll away from the basket.

Some say Delaveaga in Santa Cruz has difficult pin placements and hard rolling greens. This takes it to an all new level.

Large cement tee pads, great signage and direction markers to find your way between holes.

This course is a hike. After 18 holes my Fitbit said I'd climbed 25 flights of stairs!

Cons:

None. I found the basket placement on 7 a bit much sitting on a finger of land 10' wide and 20' long. No great landing area around the basket. But that is a personal preferance.

Other Thoughts:

Love love this course! A must play for any disc golfer and should earn a reputation as the best course in Canada. It is less than an hour away from the Trans Canada Highway (at the New Brunswick/Nova Scotia border) and a $40 bridge toll to get to PEI but it worth it.
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42 0
The Valkyrie Kid
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 45.8 years 1563 played 1507 reviews
5.00 star(s)

I Was Blown Away On PEI By This Course! 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jul 25, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

Clubhouse-Named Dragonfly Clubhouse is simply amazing. It's homey, welcoming, has a comfy couch, game table, toilet and a deck complete with barbecue. There are probably 20 disc golf bags, each with a couple discs inside for rent for $2 a day. There are tubes of sunscreen and cans of insect repellant for you to use. The lost discs are sitting there.

Amenities-Large color course map at beginning. Colored metal tee signs by John Houck at both blue and red pads. Large (6' x 12') concrete pads which are roughened for better traction in adverse weather at both blue and red pads. Many little metal next tee signs pointing the way to both red and blue tees. Four or five benches placed at different holes. Discatchers baskets with the yellow band. Hillcrest DGC actually uses a Discatcher basket out on the Hi-way to help point you in the right direction to the course. The lane driving to the course is called Frisbee Lane. There are a number of little bridges crossing creeks each with wire meshing for additional traction help. On hole #17 where it gets a little wet/marshy, there are several small wooden boardwalks built over the wettest areas. Only one other course in the country (USA) that I know of might have better amenities than Hillcrest, that's Bryant Lake in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Course Design-It's a John Houck design isn't it? Giving Mr. Houck this wonderful piece of land to design a course on, is akin to giving Michaelangelo the Sistine Chapel ceiling to draw on. There is so much delicious elevation to tackle here. It seems you're always throwing up, down or over valleys, often on the same hole. The course features eight par fours and two legitimate par fives (one of 891' and one of 811'). The blues and the reds play from the same tee on seven holes. On others, the blues can be as much as 350' longer.

Setting-The hilly, wooded terrain is just about perfect for a disc golf course. The underbrush is mostly kind of sparse, making it easy to spot or locate errant throws. There is water on the course in the form of two small ponds and they both sneak up on you if you haven't played the course before. #7 is 604' from the blue tees down a fairly narrow fairway. As I fired up my approach shot (after two poorly thrown ones), I was shocked to find the basket I was aiming at was sitting on a small peninsula maybe 15' across with water on three sides. I never would have been so aggressive with my approach shot had I realized the danger lurking thereabouts.

Cons:

I would guess this course would be quite wet and boggy much of the year.

I stand corrected on this point. I love this course and have absolutely no problem paying $10 to play but for some younger/unemployed/homeless types who would like to play it quite often, that might present them with a problem. Is there a monthly or seasonal pass available?

Other Thoughts:

I have two main thoughts here. The first one, I'm going to disagree with everyone here, reviewers and the course description in DGCR, who call this a championship level course. I love this course but I don't think it plays at a championship level. Those courses totally kick my behind (plus 15-20) Yeah, I know I'm old and not very good). I'm talking about championship level courses like:

Blue Lake-Portland, Oregon
DeLaveaga, Santa Cruz, California
Hornigs Hideout-North Plains, Oregon
Blue Ribbon Pines-East Bethel, Minnesota
And the three courses at the IDGC in Appling, Geogia
WR Jackson Memorial
Steady Ed Headrick Memorial
Jim Warner Memorial


Hillcrest plays about 10 strokes easier than these championship courses. If an old weenie armed man like me can shoot plus 7 from the Blues, I can't call that a championship course. What to call it? I don't know? How about the best course in Canada? One of the best anywhere?

My next thought. I've played over 1000 courses and I've only given five courses a rating of "5 stars". Well, this is a 5 star course all the way. Easily one of my five favorite courses I've ever played. I just wish more players could get out to PEI and experience Hillcrest DGC.
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12 0
Seabrook
Experience: 28.6 years 32 played 4 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Top quality championship course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 28, 2014 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Location.
Welcome to the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island, the vacation capital of Canada. Come for the disc golf, stay for a vacation of warm ocean currents, perfect white sand beaches and attractioins for all.

Tee Boxes.
All pads are concrete probably 6'x12', excellent! There are two concrete pads per hole.

Signage.
Professional looking signage with a sign at both the short and long tees. There are also markers beside the green pointing to the next hole.

Course Maintence
Course is in excellent shape. Owners get out once the snow is gone and prep for the year. No compaints about course conditions.

Course Design
The quality of design is by far the best part about this course. Wow. This course demands everyshot you have. The design has ample shots favouring both left and right handed players. At 8000' this course will challenge the longest of arms. Garunteed you will use every disc in your bag. Truely this is the complete course.

Cons:

Location:
Prince Edward Island is 4 hours from the US-Canadian border but don't make this a reason to stay away. This course is worth the trip.

Wetness. The land can get soggy so bring a pair of waterproof shoes just in case.

Other Thoughts:

This is the 'complete' course. Unlike most park courses that are limitted in what you can cut, the course designer was given 'the keys' to the property. The course is a gem. It is creative, demanding and exceptional. Expect to use every shot in your bag.
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15 0
WD09
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 19.6 years 669 played 72 reviews
5.00 star(s)

This One has It All 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 4, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

The Setting.
Prince Edward Island is simply one of the most beautiful places in the world and this course accentuates that beauty. The trees, the foliage, the hills, the water, and the secluded location... Everything combines to make this one of the best places I can imagine to play.

The Clubhouse.
This was such a pleasant surprise! It is a great place to hang out before or after a round, with a great view, board games, a bathroom, and even a deck with a grill outside. Not only that, but there are discs and bags available for rent. There were about a dozen Fade bags hanging on pegs, each with a few discs inside and a sign asking just $2 per day for rental! What could be more perfect for beginning players?

The Tees and Signage.
The tee pads are first rate concrete runways and are well placed (more on that later). The signs provide accurate descriptions of the holes, with obstacles noted and distances given in both meters and feet. They all are planted in spots that make the direction of the hole clear, but will not interfere with run-up or follow-through.

The Course Design.
There is no uninteresting, ho-hum, transition hole on this course. Every hole is well thought out and all require shot planning and accuracy. There are risk/reward decisions to be made not only on every hole, but often more than once per hole. There is a great variety of distances and variation of right/left backhand/forehand favorability. Even on the very long holes (and there are several), accurate shot placement is necessary to stay out of trouble, but the landing zones are fair and not arbitrary. There are many elevation changes. Trees line all the fairways, but the woods are not so thick that no routes are possible out of there. You don't want to be off the fairway, but recovery is possible in many places without just a pitch out. Water comes into play on at least two holes and is used in creative ways. The course par from the long tees is 66.

The Multiple Tees.
The short tees on this course are not just a way to give less experienced players shorter distances to throw. They change the approach to each hole, sometimes offering the option of a completely different route to throw to the pin.

The Added Touches.
There are many wooden bridges placed throughout the course in places where the ground may become marshy. At least one hole has a heavy gravel pathway up the steep incline of the fairway. The gravel was made of granite! (I know granite is much more plentiful here, but we were still surprised!)

Cons:

The remote location and the fact that relatively few disc golfers will get the opportunity to place this magnificent course is the main "con" that comes to mind. Absolutely the only thing I could think of that might improve the course would be multiple pin placements. However, the way the course is designed I think moving a basket would only give the advantage of allowing someone who plays the course regularly to have some variety. It probably would detract from the character of the hole while the basket was in the new and less optimal position.

Other Thoughts:

My wife walked the course with me as I played and took lots of photos. When we were driving away, I said, "That course is definitely in my top five." She asked, "What course beats it?" I didn't have an answer. As I reflected on that question over the next week or so, and compared it to other great courses I have played, I realized that no course I have played does, in fact, beat it. It has everything. I have never rated a course "5" before. This one is it. Go play it if you can.
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17 0
ManU
Experience: 15.8 years 29 played 7 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Awesome! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 11, 2012 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

The Clubhouse...is an actual house/cabin.
It has washroom, tables and chairs if you need to take a break or lunch. It also has a selection of (beginner) discs and bags that can be checked out.
Signage
There are excellent hole description signs at each tee showing the hole layout and distances (as you would expect with a full meal deal Houck course). There are also arrows and signs on the course to direct you to the next tee box. As a result actual course navigation is a breeze.
Tee Boxes
Large concrete tee boxes are present on each hole. There are long and short positions.
Holes
The holes are what you would expect of a top quality Houck design. Mostl holes are a Par 4. There are some long tough holes coming in at close to 900 feet from the longs. The holes are very well designed with various widths of fairway, some getting narrower others opening up and then funnelling down again. As you would expect placement and shot selection is important and being an accurate thrower is better rewarded than a person who throws far.
The course makes great use of elevation with holes that play both up and down within the same hole.
As for shot selection you will mostly use backhand. Forehand will also probably be required at times. Given the trees and canopy there probably isn't a massive need for Overhand shots. Other than the odd get out of trouble when off the fairway this is likely not a course where you will need to use a roller.

Cons:

I can't think of too many. The wetness of the course might be one issue. Perhaps there could be a few more benches on the holes.

Other Thoughts:

You might want to wear goretex shoes. The course was a little wet when we played it. PEI gets its fair share of rain and there are streams on the property so it is quite soggy in places.
There are 2 holes that a pond comes into play on. Very thoughtfully there is a swimming pool net at the pond for disc retrieval. The water isn't overly deep but you can sink in the mud making an otherwise retrievable disc not so. However, all discs that find their way into the water should be reachable with the net.

The "Hidden Gem" hole (hole 10 I think it was) is an absolute beauty. Not long. Just very very pretty.

Overall this is an excellent course that is very challenging.
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