Where to start? When I saw someone on a riding tractor mowing the fairways last summer I was amazed at the upkeep and the care that is taken to play here. This is a beautiful forest far away from civilization yet someone mowing grass.

The mowed fairways help keep the course playable for a novice weak armed old man like I am. You certainly can find trouble here but the beauty of the woods in Northern Wisconsin is that there is not much underbrush beneath the oaks, maples, aspens, birches, firs and white pines. The holes have variety of shot shapes to keep you on top of your game.

There's some elevation change to tempt you to let fly with a mighty fling but beware as I find the downhills are the holes where an errant throw will travel further and more likely to be lost.

I enjoy the choices of short and long tees. I like to play with the big boys when I can, but there's times when my age forces me to swallow my pride and choose the 210 foot distance because there's no chance at birdie from 300. But there's no pushover holes out here.

Hard to come up with. I'm not sure if this is just me and just not knowing how to shape a throw from left to right very effectively, but it seems many of the holes are shaped in that direction. Maybe I should learn to throw a forehand!

The course is very remote, but about 10 minutes from the edges of Rhinelander and about 6 different Kwik Trips. Everyone who's not from Rhinelander will have to carve out a half day or so to make the drive to the woods from where ever they're staying at.

As an added bonus around late July into early August there are zillions (I counted) of wild raspberries just sitting there on bushes where your random disk may land after a bad throw. I brought a container and took a break and picked a quart or so last summer. The course is so well laid out that a few holes after carrying your raspberries you come to the halfway point like a ball golf course at the parking lot and you can stash the berries for later and then go on to finish your round.

While many people think of Wisconsin as a land of beer guzzling Packer fans and cheese castles (all true) it's a spectacularly beautiful place with numerous disc courses and of the limited ones I've played in the state (about 8-10) this is the best. The only reason I didn't 5 star it is I'm saving my one 5 star for another course.

Rookery run is another "Duster" Don Hoffman gem of a course. The course features beautiful rolling terrain in WI's northwoods. There's a mix of more open holes and fairways carved through the woods.

The tee pads here are concrete. Level, grippy and exactly what you'd like to see for a course of this caliber. Two tee pads per hole. Some are just fifty or so ft. apart, others are a bit further, but most offer a much different challenge from either tee. The elevation plays a huge part in this with so many undulations in the landscape. Just fantastic design and implementation with these.

The tee signs are top notch. Big circular signs with a sponsor on the top. Huge hole # which can be seen from a distance, par distances from each tee and a basic but functional hole map. The hole map shows the general shape of the flight required as well as the location of each tee pad. Nicely done.

There's a great mix of different shots required to score well here. I lack even a serviceable sidearm, and there are quite a few left to right bending holes. There were a couple that almost formed a horseshoe shape where even the best flick won't get you a look. Uphill, downhill, dead straight. It's all here. Just brilliant design with the available space.

The baskets are Mach V's which are all in great shape after less than four years in the ground. I'm a big fan of these baskets. They catch great. All were mounted nice and level. One pin per hole.

The flow of the course is extremely easy to follow. Even so, there's prominent next tee signs on every hole, more than one when called for. Zero navigation issues here. Hole 9 loops back toward the parking area where hole 10 tees off from. Hole 18 finishes right by the lot too.

The rough off the fairways in the woods is essentially non-existant. Zero chance to lose a disc on those holes. The prairie holes are shockingly timid as well. Well, except those cedary looking things.

The course is permanent, free to play and, at least today, immaculately maintained. Restrooms right by the parking lot, so mid round too. Ample parking and set in a disc golf exclusive area for the most part.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a fan of "prairie" style courses. The placement of the pins on these holes here is what seals the deal. Precarious greens, slightly elevated pin with low branched pines behind. Again, this is all design aspects not many can truly appreciate.

The tee signs, while very well done, are a bit misleading on a few of the holes. More than a few actually. Some would show a straight to fade, standard looking shot shape. When in reality, the actual shape of the line is much more exaggerated in real life. The horseshoe shaped holes mentioned above are a prime culprit.

The potential for lost plastic out here isn't too big of a concern for the most part. Beware though, the prairie holes have some THICK brush. Not tall, but bushy. I've never seen anything like some of these plants. They can gobble up discs.

Hole 1 starts a bit north of the parking area. Not a con really, but a head's up for those without a course map. From there it's simple.

I'm a big fan of Don Hoffman's courses, cutting my teeth in central WI and all. This might be the best of the bunch. Phenomenal design to create a unique disc golf experience. Sandy Point is still the king of the Northwoods (especially with the new dual baskets), but Rookery Run is a very, very close second.

I'd recommend this course to anyone who happens to be in the area or even driving through. Not a destination course by itself, but combined with the other happenings in the area, and pretty solid DG, it's worth a look. I was more than impressed with this course. I'm already looking to make a return trip.

I started this review with a 4. As I wrote it and mulled it over in my mind, I decided to up it to a 4.5. Now, while I think that's a bit high (I'd go 4.25), the fun factor is what matters most. This course serves many skill levels and is fair enough for the vast majority of players. I'm sold. Well done.

-Hole Variety: The course offers a good variety of holes with an even distribution of holes that end left, right and go straight (Its actually 6 holes of each).

-Elevation: Plenty of elevation which definitely plays on several holes. You throw level ground, uphill and downhill out here.

-There are some basket locations that require legit risk/reward considerations.

-Garbage: There was a sufficient number of garbages out on the course, but not at all holes had one.

-Fairways: Were all well-groomed and of ample size. This course has a ball-golf feel to the fairways, however, the width of the fairways are all disc golf distance appropriate widths (example: You aren't throwing only 200 ft with 100ft wide fairways).

-Baskets: Newer and caught well.

-Tee Pads: were concrete and without any footing issues (odd cracks etc).

-The rough: was dense trees, but very easy to spot a disc in, even with the leaves on the ground during fall. Did not run into any thorn-like bushes that seem to be the big problem with some other densely wooded areas.

-Bathrooms: There was what appeared to be a sufficient bathroom at the beginning of the course, which is also strategically designed to be the midway point of the course as hole 9 ends at the parking lot as well. Quality consideration from the designer. Other than that the woods are thick enough for anyone to pull up and relieve themselves quickly if needed and the desperation deuce never seems too far away at the parking lot.

-This gem is free to play. I've played much worse than this course and paid to get it done, including Hayward's "Fiddlers Creak".

-Tee Pads: Being very picky to make sure to point out anything I noticed that wasn't ideal, the concrete pads did seem to run a bit small from the standard (full-size). They were still adequate but you did feel like you needed to stand almost off the back just to get the comfortable run up at which point you still felt a bit crunched.

-Hole Variety: This has also been listed as a pro due to a good mix of holes, however, playing the longs only, my group did notice there were 4 holes that basically required the same horseshoe throw. Due to the length of the holes, the shot from the longs on all 4 of the holes required the same extremely high understable throw around a fairly short horseshoe turn (for a RHBH thrower). The shorts likely didn't have the same issue as a horseshoe, but in general it could be assumed the shots on those holes were very similar to each other even from the shorts. I could easily see 1 maybe 2 of this same "horseshoe" hole design, however, 4 just gets repetitive on what I feel is nearing a gimmicky feeling to a hole.

-Fairways: Although the clean ball-golf feel was done very well, it would have been nice to see a few holes go from moderately wooded to heavily wooded. In general, I do prefer more technical courses, so I understand this is preference primarily, but the course as a whole definitely caters a bit more to the player that prefers more of open driving lanes. Once again, just trying to pick any issue I seen with the course.

My opinion of the course in summary is that it is way underrated. Lets be completely clear, this course is not a 5.0 as DGCR forces a guy to rate it either a 4.5 or 5.0. I chose to go with a 5 because I do feel its current at the time of my review (3.75) is deceivingly low for this caliber of course and I wanted to do my best to bring that closer to what I truly believe it is. Being that it is still relatively new (2018), Its easy to imagine some of the ratings were given while the course was still taking shape in its earlier years, which the course was likely not as good. This course was a huge surprise to my group, as the pictures looked good enough to get us out there, the rating on the course kept expectations tempered and last year we even decided to pass on playing it because of the rating. For those heading to the Sandy Point/Highbridge Hills direction that are debating whether going about 45 minutes SE of Sandy Point is worth the effort, I say book it. This is a very clean course that has some great views and holes throughout. There aren't a ton of holes that will necessarily blow you away (The signature is okay but not great), but there are a ton of holes that should certainly satisfy your definition of solid. I personally prefer highly technical, which I'd consider this more of a moderate technical course, but even I felt like I found a gem in Rookery Run and my whole group would agree with that as well. I'd say if you are anywhere within about an hour of this course and don't play it, you will regret it. Hats off to the designer out here and the community for making this happen with several holes sponsored by local businesses.

-Summary: Great course, worth driving 1 hr out of your way, will satisify most disc golfers, and my true assessment results in about a 4.75 rating.

The course designer and maintenance crew put in tremendous effort and care to make this course a high caliber track.

The diversity is what sets this course apart. You will pass through Jack Pines, Maple and Aspen stands. There are a few ponds and marshy areas and a few holes are wide open with huge elevation changes.

Each hole commands your full attention. The sloping and tree placements were all well thought out.

The baskets are the only negative I can think of. They are old style red baskets that were transferred from an old disc course that closed down nearby. Some shiny new DiscCatchers would compliment this level of course.

Aside from disc golf, this course offers great hiking and bird watching trails. Come winter, this is an excellent snowshoeing area. The elevation changes makes for an intense workout.

Northwoods Wisco, Baby!!!

Rookery Run plays on around two Rolling Ridges with Sandy Stoney Ground, and a great mix of Pine Oak & Aspen Woods

Duster Don Hoffman Design out at Rookery Run is pretty ideal, for this Recreational Space in this area of Wisco. Fun course, with numerous challenges in consideration

One Basket position, and two Tees per Hole. TeeSign only at Long Tee most of the time, currently. Signage by each Basket directing you to the next Hole, so navigating is no issue

Plenty of good Basket positions:
1 12 13 14 & 15 are by Pines
3 6 8 & 10 involve lil Elevated mounds, possibly causing Rollaways or Rollbacks
2 4 5 & 16 are Aceruns, with little fear of running too long
7 11 17 & 18 are Terraced Greens, with Fairways involving Elevation

Short Tees seem White level, while the Longs are a mix of Red and Blue challenge

Quality Design in that the Longs do more than just add distance to the front Tee. They add challenge by either using Elevation, Trees, Fairway Shape, and or combinations of those

Holes 1-6 play on around the Ridge with the Landfillhill. 1 3 & 6 are the Open 'Airout' Holes. 4 and 5 have Fun Downhill Shot options... 5 is a rememberable Unique Hole

7 8 9 finish the Front, playing short Wooded holes using the side of the main Ridge, Fun DG

The Back plays on the main Ridge. 10 and 11 are most excellent holes, using Elevation and incorporating late dogleg landing zones, making a 2 very challenging

12 & 13 plays slightly down the Ridge, then 14 & 15 play slightly back up the Ridge. This area features Oldgrowth Pines, especially around the Greens

You finish the Course up on the main Ridge. 16 takes you back up a mossy fairway, with the Basket under a group of Oaks. 17 is another Unique rememberable hole, incorporating the Dogleg early. 18 is an excellent Finishing Hole, with a pretty long Huk, but fairly wide undulating fairway

The BENCHES, yes the Benches!?! 8 11 & 13 notably, but there's numerous Sponsored Benches abound

Blind Water Hazard between 5 and 11. Not sure if the TeeSigns give Warning... but this is where the Water drains down between the two Ridges, and was nasty Memorial weekend, also in late Sept

Holes 12-15 play towards the bottom of the main Ridge, where there's Wetlands down outside of the Woods. This area of Rookery has the least Elevation, and a couple of the least challenging holes imo... There's some Boulders along fairways that don't effect play. 12 & 15 could maybe used this Natural Feature to add challenge to Fairway Shots or Basket positions?!?
/Says the person who isn't moving any Boulders

Gravel from old roads is on some fairways and greens, can chew plastic

Mosquitoes haven't bugged me, the times I've visited Rook... but gnats have a proclivity to fly close to the eyeballs out there

For being a relatively new DGC, Rookery is maturing quite impressively. Generous sized Wooded Fairways, slash cleared out. Clover and Grass Turf on Fairways looking good and free of erosion

Have been back to Rookery numerous times since this review...
it's always in good shape and the Discgolf is truly Great out there

- This course has some good distance for the most part that will challenge advanced disc golfers. Many northern wisconsin courses are pitch and putt courses designed for decades old disc technology.
- Variations of mostly open and mostly wooded fairways and everything in between is also nice
- Distinguished fairways show a clear flight path to aim for, i never felt like i was throwing into a game of plinko! This is wonderful and I appreciated that.
- Quality Signage, direction signs help you find the next hole
- Many of the holes appear to have room for expanding to include Pro level tee pads or even new basket locations, i always like to see this for future growth
- Elevation is used to add challenge but at the same time its not hard to walk the course

- Distances on tee signs could use adjustment, but i personally didnt have an issue throwing by sight.
- Tee pads feel too small, but i didnt have any issues.
- At least 2 teepads were not aimed toward the "gap" or down the fairway properly.
- There are a few easy holes that really interrupted the flow of the course for me. One hole would offer a great challenging with an Advanced level of distance and demanding a certain type of throw to birdie and then the next hole would be a "pitch and putt" hole that felt like something i see at my local recreational beginner course, that's what the short tees should be designed for in my opinion. I want a consistent level of advanced challenge if I'm playing the advanced tee pads.
- No water hazards

This course is on a beautiful property and has fantastic potential, i feel with proper Pro (blue) tee pads added in the future it would make a great course for tournaments and Pro level play possibly.

Update 10/7/18: One set of recycling/garbage cans was added at the intersection of holes 12 and 16.

As stated in the title, the elevation makes the distances posted a bit deceiving. A nice smattering of benches along the way. The course was made using heavy equipment so you could eat off the fairways. It almost has a ball golf course feel with the exception of some fairways still being dirt. Rough is thick in areas but approach areas are often partially cleared leaving paths through but enough big trees to knock down throws if not right down the line. There isn't much potential to lose a disc. With updated tee signs, garbage cans, and further clearing of the putting areas this has potential of a 4 or 4.5 depending how it develops.

Signs are probably the biggest flaw. Most overstate the distance, although, some understate the distance. You'll figure this out quickly when you throw 75 feet past a basket you should have barely reached given the disc you used. Trust your eyes or the numbers posted here. Tees are 4'X10' which are a bit small considering the length of the course. The lack of water leaves you with pit toilets. Didn't play into the rating but be advised you need to pack in your own water to drink. In spots the wood material cleared from the fairways is on the edge of (or in) the putting circle. Only garbage cans are at the parking area so you'll likely find garbage on the course to pick up. Trails are cleared and mostly free of trip hazards but could be further groomed and leveled. Baskets are old/used with UW-Stevens Point logos (potentially from the old Treehaven course??).

It feels like two different courses. The front nine is more open but actually shorter. The back nine causes much higher scores. It's a moderate hike for most but could be a workout for those not in good shape. Slightly more turns to the right but not so much that it's clearly unbalanced.

Hole 1 - Uphill. Wide open.

Hole 2 - Hard turn right from the pro tee. Gentler turn from the rec tee.

Hole 3 - Play to the right from the pro tee. Basket is downhill but on a mound to create roll away opportunities.

Hole 4 - It's possible to sneak through the trees on the right from the pro tee but beware, if you don't get through you're at the bottom of the valley and the low brush will affect your approach.

Hole 5 - Anhyzer route (RHBH) is extreme.

Hole 6 - Fairway is directly behind the basket for #3 so you might keep an eye to your right on busy days.

Hole 7 - The putting area falls off sharply to the left about 20 feet from the basket so be careful not to miss too far left.

Hole 8 - Hard right turn from the pro tee but you can cut the corner.

Hole 9 - Two aspens split the fairway but you can choose right or left and make an easy 2.

Hole 10 - Narrows at the top of the hill. You don't want to miss left as it is very thick to get out of.

Hole 11 - Downhill with a near 90 degree turn for the last 50 feet.

Hole 12 - This hole has deadfall from the fairway stacked on the left side of the fairway and basket so it makes for tricky footing if you miss left. A stack of branches and stumps is probably in the putting circle.

Hole 13 - Hard right turn. Bulldozed land is off to the right side of the fairway so be careful not to cut the corner short or you'll have a blocked view.

Hole 14 - Consistent looping turn to the right.

Hole 15 - Right side of the fairway is thick rough so it's safest to play to the open area before it turns to the right.

Hole 16 - Another right turn. This one ever so slightly from the pro tee. Rec tee has both anhyzer and hyzer lines.

Hole 17 - There isn't much of a line from the pro tee. It turns left at about 100 feet and it takes luck to get through.

Hole 18. Big bomb. Mostly open for a RHBH to throw an S curve.