Heavy woods, massive elevation change, all par 3. The Hill in Devens was a lot of fun and pretty tricky. While it isn't a long course, it can deal you some bad bounces and roll aways. I caught both on the first hole.

There are plenty of good birdie opportunities, but it can be tough to see where you're aiming from the tee for a first time visitor. I didn't have a firm idea what to shoot for on several holes. With the steep elevation changes I was not in the mood to walk fairways more than once. Hint: if you see a massive boulder, chances are good a basket is behind it. There are flags on some pins that help spot the pin.

The layout is pretty easy to follow, and the satellite map linked to the course page is helpful if needed. Tees are good quality rubber mats with level foundations. All of the baskets are in nice condition. There are tee signs that give a distance and elevation change on each hole. Multiple options for pin location on many holes. The fairways were clear of leaves and downed limbs for the most part.

Elevation change on every hole, usually significant and often extreme. I love this aspect, even with the pinpoint accuracy required to hit the lines through the trees and steer one way or the other at times.

I liked every hole, so I won't describe all of them. 3 has a left curving fairway that plays across a heavy dip to a pin in rocky outcropping. 7 drops a lot in elevation and takes a turn to the right all the way to the target.

10 is a steep downhill drop over short distance. 12 also plays downhill, but longer and with a bend to the right. 14 is uphill, a tough mudda for sure. 15 was my drive of the day. One of the flatter holes with a huge boulder to the right of the fairway protecting the pin. I snapped the old Roadrunner just right and put it pin high for a 12' putt. 16 drops 90 feet downhill, and is just a lot of fun to throw. 17 is a steep climb, only 180' in distance but going 50' uphill. 18 combines the distance and the drop. Quite a nice finisher in the long location.

This isn't friendly for anyone who has trouble with hiking up and down big hills, obviously. Beginners are unlikely to fare well here. Established players will probably take some lumps.

I loved this course, but it beat me up pretty good. I was coming off a late night of partying at a concert in Boston the prior night, and was in poor condition to conquer the Hill. I wish that I could have played the General as well but we had a long drive in front of us and I was wiped out from the point I got out of bed.

I would play this course repeatedly if I lived nearby. It is difficult and also very fun. Will surely try to get back to take on the General at some point in the future.

I did hit four birdies, but wound up with 11 over par (65) on the day. It was punishing in the best possible way. What a course, instant favorite.

It's odd . The directions have you parking in a flat area in front of a sports field , then you cross the street ( stay along the fence line to the right ) and see a mountain . After checking out the kiosk before the start , you can walk up to hole #1 . I saw no bathrooms or Port O Lets after crossing the road .
The Equipment - The tee pads for this course are rubber , and sometimes large rocks that you throw from . The baskets are basic Chainstars , but in good condition flags hang off the tops to see the basket better . . Next Tee signs help keep you on the course . The tee signs are lots of fun . They look basic and give you the normal information , but at the bottom left of the sign , they give you the distance in feet that the basket sits in drop-off or elevation . There are some benches here , but the climb is so great here , there are no trash receptacles on the course . Carry out what you carry in .
The Landscape - The course was pretty clean and the tee pads were clear of debris when I was here . The entire course plays off of this giant hill . I don't remember if I played one that was this up and down . There are a lot of rock formations with boulders coming into play time and again . The Hill is full of woods all around , so there are no types of Park Holes . You have an opportunity to tee off of these boulders a couple of times . This is not what I call a scenic woods , but the rocks Do enhance the overall look .
The Highlights - The Hill has shorter holes than The General , but they still involve being precise and technical .The large rocks provide a hazard by either stopping a drive or approach dead , or having one skip off and away from the basket . #8 only plays 255' but it runs up to a hidden basket with both trees and rocks coming into play . #6 is an uphill 370' playing another tight fairway . #12 is a right to left downhill 300' drive to the basket on a level green .#17 is only 180' , but it plays straight up , and the basket is on a boulder . #18 is a great finishing hole . Your tee pad sits on an behind a large boulder . The basket descends to the right with a bunch of thin trees dotting all areas of the fairway . Tree pinball is involved , but fun .
Signature Hole - It's only 230'-283' , but it is an uphill drive that you must throw over a boulder to a hidden basket and small green , and still avoid the trees .
Disc Risk - Minimal . It might be closer to moderate when the leaves are on the ground , but under normal circumstances , the holes are shorter and a long rollaway with be your biggest concern .
The Time - It took me an hour and 10 minutes , which is long for a course that covers less than 5,000 feet , but climbing up and down the hills , plus water breaks , will eat time .
Pack water or at least something to drink . 18 holes of The Hill is a lot of work .

#1 Safety , mainly , Yours . If you are attempting this course after a rain , or after the leaves have fallen , or ice/snow , you better have on spikes . Combined with wet rocks and boulders to slip on , you can have an accident on almost half of the holes .
#2 , Navigation - It only gets tricky in a couple of spots , but the online map and kiosk don't help much . I think that you throw off a boulder on one hole , downhill , but the basket is hidden to the right and right behind rocks , but you have to walk about 200' to figure it out .
#3 One Thing , Too Much ? - The course relies on the tight fairway , extreme uphill/downhill mode . Some will not like the repetitiveness . I personally didn't mind , just because there is Nothing like this where I live .
A few areas could use some steps , mostly on descents .But I understand that this is an all volunteer course .
Bug spray in the summer months .

Devens - The Hill is not for the faint of heart . If you are local and not in shape , playing here 3 times a week will fix that . Somehow , they fit 2 courses off the same giant hill , and they really never cross once . There were several people playing the courses on the Thursday morning that I was there , so I am guessing that this place is popular with the locals . There isn't much in the way of variety here , but this is your first textbook course in Elevation 101 . Short , tight technical holes with large and small rocks in play ( wear hiking boots if you have them . Ankle sprains or breaks are probably not out of the ordinary ) . There is also a pro shop ( Hawks Nest) very close to the General end of the hill . You can't beat free , and this course is updated and maintained by the local clubs and volunteers . Thank You ! Before making a trip , make sure that you check out when the leagues or tournaments are . I think they may have Wednesday Day night singles and Sunday morning doubles from spring thru fall .

My Recommendation ; Too hilly for dates, intros or families , but since it's short , an okay course for newbies , and not too bad for travelers staying in upper Mass. or gliding into the Boston area and wanting to play a different style of course . Locals will split time between the courses . depending on their strength . Intermediates on up will play The General but may play here if they are working on specifics or in a time crunch or just warming up . . The Course Collector will enjoy taking a 2 for one stop since Devens is just off of Rt 2 , between I-190 and I-495 . Devens should stand for Deviate , because these courses are something you just don't see . PLAY IT !!!

Great signage.
Great for a new player to practice a lot of different shots.
Well maintained.
Disc golf shop nearby.
Free to play (donations are appreciated though).

Can be treacherous in the early spring, as there are lots of dead leaves to slide down the rocky hills.
Bring water, since this course is a workout.

I enjoy this course since it challenges me as a new player. I get to work on a lot of different shots and angles.

A beautiful course and well maintained
Great signage
Clearly marked with distance and map
Short and medium distance holes

No real blow out holes here... you won't find any that require all you've got multiple times to reach the pin

There is some hiking that is involved, so if you're not one for elevation changes and climbing 70-100 feet, this may be a course to stay away from

a great way to start a day at Devens

- A few nice holes that have nice defined lines.
- Signage was great.
- Great course for beginners.

-There are 3-4 holes in a row that are a waste. I believe holes 9-11, very short downhill/or semi uphill shots that just seemed well out of place to me.
- I don't mind going up a hill, throwing or just hiking, but if you do that you like to be rewarded with a nice down hill shot- you will not get that here. If you can throw a pizza man to the pin the hole is pointless.
-Worst of the 2 courses.

I would play The general 10 times again before I play The Hill again.

Not sure how they are considered on the same level.

-Stunning natural setting. The rocky outcroppings and topography are like nothing else I've seen in the 10-15 courses I've played in New England.
-Extremely challenging, while most holes are still very fair. This game tests your skill big time
-No thorns or poison ivy (that I saw)
-Easy to find poorly thrown discs
-Free
-Very easy to navigate. Kudos to whoever did the signs!
-Fantastic balance of left, right, and straight holes
-Great course design in so many aspects. It's easy to navigate, it's safe, fairways don't cross, 18 finishes near where 1 starts...
-Has a pro shop next to one of the holes
-People clearly care about and care for this course. It's something special.
-Great rubber tees with enough length

-18 sort of needs a spotter if you throw a nice drive
-Shouldn't at least one of these holes be a par 4? 3? 18?

This course blew me away. It is beautiful, extremely well kept, and a great playing experience. I didn't go to the Hawks Nest pro shop, but maybe that would've bumped this up to a 4.5. Other things that could raise the rating are multiple pin/tees, 18 being less of a threat for lost discs, having some water in play (this obviously cannot be done, but for a course to get a top rating from me, it helps to have water). For a free, public course, it's hard to get much better than this. I'll be sure to play The General the next time I'm in town. Thank you to all the volunteers who made this exceptional course!

Gorgeous sylvan setting. Great test of long downhill drives and approaches and long uphill drives and upshots. Great test of one's control mad touch. Clean, organized. Great tee pads. Empty. Great workout hoofing it up and down the holes.

None really. A little remote. Hole 1 tee pad is a little ways from the parking lot - no big deal. I didn't see too much commerce around - not too many spots to get a drink or a sandwich. Really buggy.

Another great Boston course. I live in LA but my folks live in Boston. After I picked up the game three years ago, I started to bring my gear with me when I would visit. So far, in Boston, I've played Maple Hill, Borderland and now The Hill at Devens. Each have been superb. Tomorrow, I plan to hit The General.

It's really apparent how much work & dedication went into building The Hill. Based on what I've seen, the DG scene in Boston looks quite hale & hearty. Big time respect to the designers & builders of The Hill. Can't wait to play The. General tomorrow. Keep up the great work.

This is an amazing course. Great Layout with some challenging shots. A great aspect of this course is the ability to ace many of the holes while the same holes having the ability to turn a birdie into a bogie real quick. Overall great course I play all the time.

One issue is the ability of this course to ruin great shots. The hills bring the fun to the game sometimes but man it hurts.

always looking to play dubs at devens

I think it's safe to say that it will be a long time before I play another course with this much elevation. You can read the tee signs and see, "25 feet up," and "15 feet down," but that does not do justice to how steep these holes are. There's barely a hole that doesn't have you throwing up or down at incredible angles. It's a course that you must absolutely play once.

While the severity of the elevation pervades most of the course, there are some standout holes. Of particular note is 16. While most of the holes feature fairly constant rises and drops, 16 features a blind drop off that will make you want to be very careful with your placement.

A bunch of holes take advantage of the naturally occurring boulders. And I mean boulders. They force some shot shaping, just as much as the trees. This is a highly technical course that makes up for a lack of length with a great layout and unique terrain.

Great signage, which is very necessary here. Of any course that you will play, this is the one where knowing the elevation change is key. It's also got bricks placed under each basket with arrows pointing players towards the next tee. It's easy to navigate the terrain, even if traversing it is rough.

I'm someone who regularly plays up to six rounds in a day. My motion is smooth enough not to cause tennis elbow. But you take that motion and alter it to be constantly throwing upwards at a massive degree? The body is not used to such motions. My arm was about to fall off by the end of one round at The Hill. Just so much uphill. I really don't think it could be an everyday course.

That leads to the other thing. The course is a bit of a one-trick pony. As fun as this extreme elevation is at the beginning, by the final few holes, most players will be hoping for something else. Too much of a good thing makes the good thing feel blase.

It's also not the greatest test of skill. Primarily because it only really tests one skill and it's not one that comes into play often on most courses. But also because with elevations this steep the luck of the bounce will come into play more often than on most courses.

Lastly, the terrain is more taxing than the discing. The course is not that hard but the terrain that you have to cross is. Expect to be worn out. And oh, yeah, leave the carts at home.

Built on an old military training center where you run up and down hills through the woods and over huge boulders. The design is like a roller coaster, as you go up, down, and start again. I can't remember many holes that were flat at all. It's all wooded and removed from everything, so its a very peaceful experience, except for the heart pumping you'll get as you hike around. Its fun and challenging and will test your game - especially how you can handle elevation, both subtle and extreme, and tight line. . It's all technical, without really any chance to open up the air game.

Memorable Holes:
#3. Starts with a downhill tunnel that doglegs left then goes uphill again to a large outcropping of boulders where the basket rests. The pin is also protected by some thin trees on the approach. Very cool setting!
#4. A large boulder rises in the center of the fairway where you see a flag rising above in the distance. The pin peeks up directly behind another large boulder. Beware, though! The green slopes downhill left, so if your approach lands on edge, you are likely to roll away.

The signage is excellent! It lists (very helpfully) the elevation gain/loss. Also, the pins are marked with flags to help you spot them easier (especially the pins hidden by boulders).

After awhile, you begin to get a bit a dejà vu as a sense of sameness seems to take over some of the holes as you go up and down.
The course could use a couple of open holes (to balance it out) though it would require cutting down a forest to create that......so maybe not.
There are a couple of poke and hope shots where it seems you pitch out and it's not really a "drive".

Bring lots of water as there is nowhere here to get any. Wear solid shoes, as you are hiking the whole time through steep hills and forest.

Good way to get into shape. This course requires a variety of different throws which makes it a challenge. Beginners can enjoy it as well (don't keep score) but this shouldn't be your first course to play (maybe your third or fourth). A course you can enjoy plus also enjoy the scenery as well. Good parking nearby. Parking is in the sun, so your car may get warm. Course is mostly shady but you will get warm going up and down and around this course.

Finding the first tee is the toughest part but real easy to follow the course after that. From the parking lot, go across the street and follow the trail for a couple of hundred feet. The first tee will be there as you get in the woods. No water, no facilities on the course or even nearby. The course is hilly. This is a pack it in, pack it out type of course.

This is a challenging course for decent average players. Fun but tough. Not so bad the second or third time around (if you miss the trees). Elevation changes, trees, rocks, this course has them all. If you are not in decent shape you'll probably feel it by the end. However, I'm not in great shape and I enjoy playing here. Bring water with you and also leave some in the car (with ICE)!

- Excellent signage.
- Good use of elevation.
- Some fun shots
- Maintains character as a technical course.
- Not crowded

- Elevation changes get old quickly, many holes seem gimmicky.
- Some tee pads do not promote following through with your drive at risk of strained/ sprained ankle.
- Many self-similar holes, and flow.
- Few trash receptacles.
- Only a couple of long holes.

While a unique course, Devens DGC doesn't really have what it takes to be an excellent course. The flow of the course is almost a pattern of two holes up one hole across and a couple of holes down. Many of the steep downhill holes could fairly easily be parked with a thumber to reduce the chance of glide-out. As another reviewer wrote Devens is a great place for a causal round and will get you to think about driving in a different way.

This is a beautiful and adventurous course that goes up and down on some fairly steep terrain. There are a lot of rocks and steep areas that will challenge even the most experienced of players.

The signage is some of the best that I've ever seen on disc golf courses. The signs are accurate and do a great job of explaining the vertical challenge you are about to face. It is easy to find your way from hole to hole due to the signs.

The course is very well maintained and you don't have any visible areas that would hold standing water for too long. The brush is cut down and there are very few, if any, downed trees in the playing area.

If you are out of shape or easily frustrated, this is not a course for you. You will spend a good couple of hours going up and down, clearing hundreds of vertical feet. You will also probably hit a dozen or so trees while playing as some areas are pretty heavily wooded.

I agree with the other reviews that some of the holes are pure luck due to blind shots towards the basket.

You need to wear boots with good ankle support when playing this course. Those with sneakers or shoes without good ankle support run the risk of twisting their ankle climbing up and down the course, especially if it is wet. So be prepared.

This courses physically kicked my butt! It was only 70 degrees when I played it and I worked up a huge sweat. I've only played about 6 different courses so far, but this one was by far my favorite. It was a lot of fun.

BTW...Hole 16 is a total trip! There is climbing rope to assist you in climbing down the cliff like terrain. It was like a mix of disc golf and mountaineering!

Super technical course, lots of very tight throws with numerous trees, boulders, elevation changes, and turning shots.

Fantastic signage and upkeep. Located on the top of a hill so the scenery is fantastic as well as the terrain. makes for a great hike

- the rocky terrain and tight trees destroy your dx plastic
-no water shots

best course in north central mass, if you are within an hour and half I would recommend going

Amazing hike up and down the hill. Excellent signage. Great tee-pads. Love the flags on the baskets making them easier to see from a distance. Only needed my mid range and putter to play this course.

Half a country away. Very slippery due to the ice and snow, but this is mostly due to the course being a big hill. Disc golf shop moved to Georgia. No trash cans any where.

Ended up here while on vacation and glad I made it out. The primary course I play in the Austin area is a wide open huck fest with lots of 400ft+ holes. This course had great elevation changes and I had fun hucking some extra discs from the ace race markers that were still in the ground.

Secluision, peacefulness, and a fun test of your golfing skills await those who choose to play up and down the hill of Devens DGC.

The course features a good variety of shot's though I would rate it a 7 out of 10 in that department. Someone with just overhand and forehand shots can score close to scratch here while it seems throwing RHBH for every shot would make that more difficult.

The nice signage is an extra bonus considering the course is unmarked from the road. I like the use of the Helo Pad at the top of the hill (hole 7).

Many things to like for fans of all that mountain golf has to offer!

No sign from the main road (can understand this though). A slight con in shot variety as said above. Perhaps favors overhand and forhand players.

This is a wonderful course. Any coast to coast Discers should check out Shale City in Oregon for a west coast sister course to this. Very similar tests. Shale has remote mountain paradise, while Devins has nice baskets, flags, and nice tee pads. Both favorites of mine!

Devens is more than a disc golf course, it is a disc golf experience. It is built on a wooded hillside, providing a landscape that is very unique to the sport.

This terrain creates some pretty spectacular shots. Probably most notable is the 16th hole which is 260 feet long but 90 feet downhill! To make matters worse, the tee is set back from the edge of the hill enough to make it a totally blind shot.

Course maintenance is top-notch. There is a very strong community of players at Devens that keep the place looking great.

Signage is awesome. Elevation and distance are listed at each tee along with fun facts about Fort Devens and the hill that houses the course.

There is a really nice secluded feel to the course. Because of the thick woods and the fact that it's a disc golf only space, it really feels like stepping into another world once you cross into the trees on the first green. Solo rounds here on quiet days are incredibly peaceful.

The extreme terrain adds one test that is very rare in disc golf. You will have to be able to throw well with an elevated heart rate. In particular, the hike to the second tee is very steep. Although it's a short hole, it's a tight fairway and you will likely be breathing heavy by the time you step onto the tee. Later in the round fitness will come into play again after playing and hiking up 14. You'll still be breathing heavy by the time you get the long downhill 16. Hopefully that was enough rest, because 17 works back up the hill followed by another uphill hike to the 18th tee.

There is a huge luck factor in play here. Many baskets have trees very nearby that can quickly turn a potential park job into a bad downhill kick. Even if you avoid the trees, there are plenty of tree roots and exposed rocks that can make a disc stand up and roll down the ever-present hill. It's very easy to see round-by-round swings of ten strokes or more for all but the most consistent players.

A lot of times, the crazy elevation and tight lines make holes feel gimicky. Hole 16 mentioned above may be fun, but it's not a really serious test, more of a spray-and-pray kind of shot.

There are also a couple holes that feel like forced, filler holes. Nine and 11 in particular come to mind in that respect. Nine is a short 190 foot downhill shot that feels more like an easy approach than a tee shot. 11 is a short uphill shot through a gauntlet of trees.

In my opinion, Devens is best experienced in a casual setting where you're not taking your score too seriously. In serious play, you're likely to become very frustrated here. In casual play, the luck factor can present a nice equalizer for different skill levels. And who doesn't love giving a buddy a hard time after watching a perfect drive stand up on a root and roll all the way back to the tee?

There is a great fun-factor here and I would definitely recommend the course to anyone in the area. If you don't take it too seriously, it's a really enjoyable place to play.

Course in good shape. Challenging tight holes. Good workout while I ran up and down hills. Maps are outstanding and course east to follow. Must play if you enjoy Disc Golf

Very hilly. Since the holes are all played in the woods it is a very tight course. I would not recommend for beginners

Would recommend to all who enjoy sport.

The course is in excellent condition. Great tee pads and benches, clean and well maintained, and signs with descriptions at every hole. This one is a workout because you're hiking all over the place! There are some really interesting holes here that make drastic elevation changes. A nice little course over all.

There were some trees that had been knocked down by the elements that hadn't been cleared out of the way yet, but that's really no big deal.

*** I JUST PLAYED THIS course for the first time since last fall and remembered how much I love to hate it! Here's a tip - get your mid range discs out. With all the rapid elevation changes it's easy to overthrow a few of these.

Most of the holes are very short and technical, so you can rack up some extra strokes if you get off course. There are some easy 2's mixed in as well. I definitely want to play it again before the end of the season.

A true technical wooded course with great elevation. It's not just a round, it's a workout. The whole course plays in a hilly wooded area, and makes great use of everything.

There are down hill shots through the woods and uphill shots through the woods. I'm talking steep uphill and downhill. Fun, fun, fun.

Signs at tee pads are very good. Not only do they show you the hole layout, they tell you how far downhill or uphill you must throw.

Navigation was easy. No map needed. Everything flowed and made sense. Even to me.

Lots of shot shaping and gap hitting. It's a wooded technical course. You need to be accurate.

A very secluded feel to the course. It almost had the feel of a secluded mountain course. But you're very close to everything. Kinda cool.

Natural and rubber tee pads. Concrete is always better in my book.

No wide open, long holes for those that like to throw their drivers and watch them fly. You could play a round without a driver at Devens very easily.

This is instantly one of my favorites. Don't let the walk to #1 or the look of that first hole fool you. This is a great course. If this was up in the mountains somewhere everybody would rave about the elevation and technical lines. The design and fun factor here are top notch. Big hills, trees and boulders. Beautiful land and disc golf. I usually put a star by any hole in my notes that stands out and my final tally here was 9 stars. That's pretty high on the Sloppydisc scale. My 4.5 disc rating is probably a little high compared to how a lot of people rate courses, but since this is a subjective review anyway I think it more than earns the 4.5. I played Hyzer Creek in NY and this has a very similar feel, but with more elevation. It's not only a great course, it's a great workout.

While there are not real long distance holes here, the elevation and steepness make many of the uphill holes play longer than their stated distances. You don't get to watch discs fly 600' here, but you do need to be able to throw well to score well.

Being a born and raised New Yorker, I hate all things Boston, but this course has me rethinking that view. I'll definitely be back at Devens any chance I get.