Keyes Peak is a ski area located in far northeastern Wisconsin. It's really almost in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, as it's just off of US-2 (one of the main roads across the UP) where the route diverts into WI a little bit. The disc golf course on site is apparently open year round, but the four holes that play on the ski hill are closed in the winter (there are four replacement holes tucked back in the woods, which I did not check out. This review is based on the "main" 18 hole layout).

There is a nice mix of holes here. Overall, the course plays more in the woods than in the open with a good variety of fairway shapes carved out. The wide open throws are holes 7 and 8, which are the "top of the world" holes characteristic of any respectable ski hill course. Here, from the top you get a nice view of a nearby inland lake with forest around it. That said, there were a couple of holes in the (brand new) back nine that I actually liked more. The finishing hole also plays downhill, but in the woods. The basket is on a steep slope and hanging. My favorite hole though was actually #15, which plays only 180' (the shortest on the course if playing the long layout). It's a treacherous 180' though - the hole plays down a steep wooded valley, then further back up the other side. For RHBH throwers, it looked like the best line here was a wicked little hyzer to thread between a couple of tree trunks on the opposite side of the valley. The approach to the basket also slopes away on both sides, making this a very tricky hole even to birdie.

Elevation changes (ranging from mild to extreme) come into play on most holes, as you might expect for a ski hill course. The mix of distances is good, or at least it will be in the future. I ran into a local at the parking lot and he told me that they are trying to set up blue and red tee pads for each hole, with color coded stones in front of each one. Once these layouts are complete, there will be a blue layout that provides enough challenge for most disc golfers plus a red layout that is a solid round for beginners.

The baskets are red banded DISCatchers on the front nine, and some other red painted basket that seemed fine on the back nine. One basket per hole. A couple of the baskets are elevated or on steep slopes to add extra challenge.

The tee signs are basic, with the distance/par and a rough line. These only appear at one tee per hole currently (probably the tee that was the only tee originally). Similarly, there is one concrete tee pad per hole and then a second framed gravel pad (or I think some of the back nine ones were still natural).

There is a kiosk at the parking lot, complete with a course map and donation box. The map was slightly out of date, but still gives a correct general idea of the course layout. There are usable benches and trash cans spread throughout the course at convenient intervals.

Much of the front nine plays near a well-established, paved walking path that non-DGers can use to access the scenic overlook (which is at hole 7's tee essentially). It's mostly line of sight, but with errant throws on the long downhill bombs for holes 7 and 8 things could still get a little dicey.

There is also a ski shack in hole 8's fairway. Mainly I was just concerned about the glass window here!

The back nine is clearly very new, and a little bit rough around the edges still. There are plenty of trip hazards. I would definitely recommend wearing hiking boots when playing this one. Overall, the course still has a definite "under construction" vibe with the exception of one of the tees per hole on the front nine holes.

There are no navigational aids as of yet. There are some long walks between holes that could definitely use better signage, like #12 to 13 and #18 back to the parking lot. You should use UDisc to navigate, or at bare minimum snap a photo of the slightly outdated map on the kiosk prior to heading out. Cell service is spotty here - good at the top of the hill, not so good at the bottom.

Concrete pads and tee signs at all tees would be nice. As would a practice basket and porta potty.

I believe there is actually a bench at every hole, but some of them are so low to the ground that they are barely usable.

Like all ski hill courses I have played, this one is a major workout. Overall, you hike up and down the hill twice. The layout does loop back to the parking lot after hole 11 in case you need to stop and grab a snack/refill your water.

I did not read the driving directions closely enough and got a little bit confused finding the course. I tweaked the Google Maps location here, which will probably help if you're using that. You should turn into the course at the little one-lane road with the "Scenic Overview" sign. There is smaller "Disc Golf" text and a logo above the "Scenic Overview" text, which I missed.

I feel that this course is firmly overrated on here as things stand today (was at 4.3 prior to my review). However, I can see it being a solid 3.5 to 4.0 type of course once everything is dialed in. I would play here again if I were in the area - and had the energy.

Great elevation cool basket placement, people took time in planning. Hole 7 is a big downhill and after talking to some locals there is even a bigger downhill shot. Great course!

A lot of walking, but a good workout

Keyes Peak is now an 18 hole course in the summer and 13 Holes during the ski season. A 2$ donation is suggested. The course has mixed style tee pads that are ever evolving. Hole 1 starts next to the kiosk which is kept up to date with local events. Holes 2-6 play through moderately wooded uphill holes bringing you to the epic scenery of hole 7 which plays down the hill overlooking the ski lodge and Keyes lake. Hole 8's blue tee (left+uphill of 7's basket) is another even longer downhill throw. Holes 9-13 are moderately wooded and have you back to flat ground and the parking lot, This gives you the option to play 9 or 12 holes and still be right at the parking lot. Hole 14 plays uphill along a beautiful creek to the right. Hole 15 is a tightly wooded little hogback with the basket planted in a giant stump. Holes 16 and 17 have at the top of the hill on flat ground playing moderately wooded classic disc golf holes with the exception of 17's basket being in a unique bunker sunk in the ground. Hole 18 plays downhill to a hanging basket on a slope to the creek making putting an awesome challenge. Enjoy!!

To disc golf?? hahahaha

Need a beer? take a beer! gotta beer? leave a beer! In the creek on hole 14!!

The other reviews provide a good description.
Good design. Fun course.
Good baskets and easy to find.
Well maintained.

Somewhat remote.
Hard to find the first tee. It's on the other side of lodge.
Short holes.

This is a fun course. The holes are short, but because you're going uphill it's still a good challenge. Also throwing off the top of the ski hill is fun.
The lodge is closed, but there's a park across the street if you need a bathroom.
They recently built stairs for the uphill portion of the course.

Currently a full 18 holes at the time I played

Lots of different shots needed, left, right straight, etc, although there seemed to be more left to right holes, but it wasn't too prevalent

Elevation - this course will give you a strenuous workout - throughout the layout, you will ascend and descend the mountain twice, along ridges, through valleys, and down steep slopes

Signature holes - as with any ski hill course, the opportunity for epic uphill and downhill shots is abundant, and the designers made it happen. Holes 7 and 17 come to mind especially - hole 7 is probably the best hole on the course, throwing all the way down the snow tubing run, down a 400' + wide, steep slope, with a GORGEOUS view of the Keye's Lake and surrounding hills and forest. Hole 17 plays from the back 9's highest peak, and is a downhill shot which is actually a touch ace run type of shot, very steep with the basket not far from the base of the slope - throw just a LITTLE too hard and you'll overshoot the green easily

The entire course seemed very clean and void of litter, garbage buckets at multiple holes

Heavily wooded, with lots of technical golf shots in all shapes snaking their way through gorgeous tall pines and other marvelous trees

Pin placement - lots of thought seems to have been put in to this - a handfull are on the edge of steep dropoffs that can turn a missed putt for two into a bogey or worse. Others are strategically put on fast rollaway slopes. Hole 12 in my opinion has the coolest location, and also qualifies as a signature hole in my eyes - straight to hyzer (RHBH) shot through spaced out tall trees, with a basket tucked in a sort of cul-de-sac of pines, at the bottom of a 12' hill, with their branches creating a canopy over your head, Hole 16 is BRP/VQ style, dug into a trench.

Signs - most holes have a nice sign with hole shape and length on it

Baskets - they are made locally, but catch perfectly fine. Holes 1-9 are similar to Mach III's, although have shallower cages, whilst 10-18 are more similar to Mach V's, with deeper cages

Multiple tees per hole - tees are wooden framed with some sort of gravel filling, which seemed to grip fine

Most shots stay within the mid 100's - mid to upper 200's range of feet. The only shot to really break away from that mold would of course be the downhill bomb on hole 17. Two holes are listed as par fours but in my opinion should be threes as well. It would have been cool to see one or two legit par fours here. Not a big con though.

No water hazards (could be a pro to a lot of people though)

Some of the multiple tees are similar lengths away, and it is sometimes confusing to know which tee to play from when playing from shorts or longs - you may walk to one and find out it is the wrong tee when you get there, and then have to walk up or down hills to the correct one for the layout you're playing

Signage on the back 6 is somewhat lacking.

If you are a stickler for baskets, you may find the locally made ones to be a con. However I feel they more than served their purpose, and if you are blaming them for a significant amount of putts/shots, it may be user error instead.

I was truly pleasantly surprised when I played Keye's. I was expecting a maybe 3 star course, but was blown away with the beauty, design, and fun factor. I drove over two hours to play and thought the drive was 100% worth it. Great elevation and some very unique shots, and picturesque views galore. Some longer par 4's and 5's and maybe a few more open shots would bump this up a half or possibly a full disc rating. BUT I still HIGHLY recommend playing here if you are in the region - I would even call it a destination course.

Short course, easy to play multiple times. Marked from the road. Nice signage at holes. Tee boxes well done. Baskets are brightly colored, solar nightlights. Grass is trimmed and fairways are trimmed back, hard to lose a disc unless you try. Course designer was on site the day I played, nice guy, nice course give it a try.

It is on a ski hill, shots up hills and shots down hills, challenging to get your disc where you want it. Challenging to walk up and down, improvements with steps have been made.

Bring your cooler and take your time. Benches at every hole and a nice scenic look at Keyes Lake on hole #7.