They're not bluffing, it's the best.
18 Helpful / 1 Not
Pros: -Amazing signage. All pin placements were shown on the sign, and the pin location shown bellow it. Also elevation changes were shown on the bottom of the signs.
-Fantastic tee pads. Very roomy, level, and in great shape. The brooms on each sign pole were a nice touch that I've never seen anywhere else.
-Garbage cans on almost every tee.
-Lots of benches, and even a little rest area by hole 16s tee pads with a lattice backing so you can't get hit from behind. A nice little break after the massive walk uphill on 15.
-Camping on site. Not a lot of camping areas, but it's seriously right next to the course. There's two tent spaces on hole one. Can't get any closer than that.
-Quite a few little eater eggs. From wood carvings throughout the course to a face on one of the trees. Makes you want to take your time and really look around.
-Challanging course. Lots of elevation changes, and lots of trees to hit. Seriously, expect to hit at least one on each hole, and be shocked if you don't.
Cons: -No, really, it's hard. Like i said, you will hit trees. Lots of them.
-Small parking lot. When we got there, it wasn't very busy, but when we left the lot was full.
Other Thoughts: Honestly, we had a hard time finding cons for this course. The elevation changes are intense, and there's only maybe 3 flat shots on the whole course. With that being said, it's not one for small children unless they're very enthusiastic about joining you. Park was very clean and extremely well taken care of. They obviously take pride in having the highest ranking course in the state and it shows. Holes 20 and 21 were some of the most fun on the course, and hole 19 with the tree arch provided a unique obstacle. We drove 2 hours just to play this course and have zero regrets.
18 of 19 people found this review helpful.
The Perfect Course
12 Helpful / 0 Not
Pros: Two tee pads (red are short, blue are long) at each hole. Basket has multiple pin layouts (A,B,C,D) and the tee sign tells you whihc letter the basket is currently at so you know exactly where to throw and how far, along with the map for each one.
Cement pads are phenomenal.
There are even painted bricks along your path on the fairways telling you how far you are to each potential basket location at the time.
Trash cans are everywhere!
Rest benches and shelters after you climb some big hills are available for whenever you need a break.
Grass is never tall, and although it is thick with trees, you can raraly lose a disc because of all the anti-weeding and woodchips that have been placed down,
Cons: If you can't throw a straight disc, you won't like this place... but that is also a lie, just hiking the course without playing frisbee is worth a trip!! (4.5 miles logged through the 21 holes according to my fitbit).
Bug spray is needed, but duh, you are in the woods. Doesn't take away from the course at all!!!
Other Thoughts: The perfect course. Its in the woods and is heavily wooded (understatement maybe lol) but there are enough woodchips and constant maintainence that you can always find you disc even off of the path.
Perfect, phenomenal, insert other positive adjectives here...
12 of 12 people found this review helpful.
No Bluff, Wildcat Rules
20 Helpful / 0 Not
Pros: This is a triumph of modern disc golf. I applaud those responsible for the design, installation and upkeep of the course. Bravo! Given a perfect piece of land to work with, the layout mixes in all types of shots. The heavy woods and elevation changes present ultimate test of your precision and accuracy. Most holes offer long and short tees, and multiple pin locations, so the look of individual holes may be very different from one round to the next.
The tee signs are perhaps the best I have seen, with an illustration, elevation change shown with a cool profile at the bottom, and the current pin position indicated on the post. There are even QR codes that link to video fly throughs on each hole. The tee boxes are lined with pavers, and they are roomy and level. The baskets are florescent orange and stand out from a distance. The longer holes will often have benchmark pavers placed mid fairway and stenciled with the remaining distance to each pin placement. The hills can be steep, but the stairs are all sturdy and well constructed. The covered deck on hole 16 is about as nice a place to stop for a rest as you will get on any course.
I can't break down every hole, but there are a few that need attention. First and foremost, hole 11. I chuckled when is saw the stairway to 11 sign. I stopped laughing when I got to the short tee. I looked toward the basket and saw a great hole, then looked up to the long tee and took in the rest of the stairway. It is kind of like making your way toward the pearly gates of disc golf heaven. The photos in the gallery here don't really do it justice. I do think the photo on the Wildcat Bluff page on Facebook captures it pretty well with the basket to tee POV. What a view down the hill, across the ravine and up the other side. I wanted to throw everything I had from that perch. Signature hole is understating it.
I liked the downhill fairway on 12 as well, and the tight gaps that allow clear flight to the field at the bottom. 16 was another fun downhill drive with the fairway lined by trees on each side. 17 is a winding fairway with a wild elevation profile.
Cons: Mach 10 baskets are in great condition, but they never seem to treat me right. No birdies here didn't help me with that notion. I bonked baskets, splashed the chains, and ricocheted the rims. No love.
The difficulty here is high. I love this type of course but some will disagree. My round was from the long tees, but the shorts looked like they still had some teeth. If you don't like a challenge skip this one.
Holes 19-21 felt a little underwhelming compared to the first 18, some bonus holes to get you back to the car. 3 extra holes is a pretty sweet con, though.
Other Thoughts: Judging from some of the old photos, this course has been getting upgrades regularly. The conditions were great on the day I visited. A little hot and humid, but no serious mud. Not a piece of litter that I was able to spot.
My biggest regret was playing West Lake and Shaver earlier in the day. I went in the wrong order, should have made Wildcat Bluff the first stop. I would have liked to have fresh legs for this one.
My score was way over par (+13 to be exact). No birds. I felt slightly better when I compared my card to some of the other posted rounds later. Apparently it isn't uncommon to shoot in the upper 70's here. I would love to make a return trip and try it again.
My tenth course in Iowa, and my favorite in the state. Reminds me of what Longview is to Kansas or Hummel is to Nebraska. Instant favorite, and I recommend it to all my disc golf buddies. Destination course for sure.
20 of 20 people found this review helpful.
My favorite course. Wooded Paradise
10 Helpful / 0 Not
Pros: This course is a GEM. Hole design from Hole 1 to the final hole is excellent. Elevation changes, heavily wooded, moderately wooded, tunnel shots, epic shots, Hole 20 has to be the most beautiful hole in the Midwest when you step onto the tee pad. That fallen tree, the lush green grass. it's awesome.
This course will punish you if you hit early trees. All rough is rough/pitch out. You need every shot, a little luck and a lot of skill to score here.
Nice bright orange baskets!
The multiple pads are really different. Playing this course from the long pads is ProTour stuff.
21 holes here too. All excellent. Even the little shorty is deceptive as it's kinda downhill and you really have to control the speed of the disc.
Cons: Having to drive 5mph down the road to get there.
ummm....only one gas station close for snacks....
Other Thoughts: This course is a tireless passion of the folks that maintain it and it shows. It's amazing. Always in great shape. Nothing more to be said that hasn't been said many times over in other reviews. Just go play it
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Best in Iowa
2 Helpful / 5 Not
Pros: Feel free to read the other reviews for detailed pros but the course is great. So much fun and good people.
Course has a fair amount of elevation and wooded holes for a course in Iowa.
Cons: Again please see other reviews for cons but my one gripe would be a lack of water holes. But overall just an excellent course that is well worth a trip off Interstate 80 if traveling through Iowa.
2 of 7 people found this review helpful.
One of the best wooded courses in Iowa!
8 Helpful / 0 Not
Pros: - 21 hole course with a great layout and multiple basket locations
- easy to navigate with excellent signage for each hole
- lots of challenging obstacles and terrain
- perfect course for tournaments
- well maintained trails and built in steps to get around course
- benches and trash cans at almost every hole
- beautiful scenery throughout course
- camping available
Cons: - not an easy course for beginners
- some fairways are long and narrow making it easy to loose discs if you miss your gap
- difficult terrain to walk if you are use to flat courses
- only one open hole
- wooded course so there will be poison ivy and bugs at different times of the year
Other Thoughts: If you like playing wooded courses this is the place for you. The volunteers that maintain the course keep it in excellent condition year round. I've been playing here for 5+ years and continue to come back for its challenging terrain and unique design. The course architects continue to make upgrades and changes that keep this course challenging and unique for the state of Iowa.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.
Wooded Course at its best!
11 Helpful / 0 Not
Pros:
+ Hole design provides may risk/reward decisions
+ Fairways are fair but getting off track is punishing to your score (not your bag)
+ To score well you should think about landing zones before stepping up to throw
+ Great use of elevation
+ Variety of hole shapes to really stress throws you might not use every round
+ Bright Baskets easy to spot (and catchy too)
+ Very helpful signage
+ Nice teepads
+ Lots of memorable holes (#1, #11, #14, #20, #21)
+ Good "two throw" par 4s
Cons:
- Cell reception was spotty for me
- It was not wet when I played but I could see this being potentially tricky to get up and down the hills if it has rained recently
Other Thoughts:
This is my favorite course that I have played. I love that every hole is unique and requires some thought on how to play the hole. You can try to go big and are rewarded for hitting your lines (and there are fair lines), but punished for going off course. The punishment is not tall weeds to lose your disc in. Instead you are facing tricky decisions on how much you want to try to bite off and get back on track. There are plenty of risk/reward holes out here. The longer holes require consideration on how you attack them to score the best. The par 4s are legitimately two well executed throws to get a chance for birdie. This course uses its elevation and land available very well. Overall this is a course worth going out of your way for. I would advise anyone looking for a wooded course to check it out.
11 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Best Course Around
15 Helpful / 0 Not
Pros: -Best Signage anywhere
(full map of hole, elevation change, marker for which location the basket is in, QR code links to video overview of hole, marks for where the next tee is)
-Good use of terrain and location, off by itself in a mostly disc golf only part of the park
-Multiple tees for many holes (more being currently developed from the signage)
-Multiple pin locations
-Rough not so punishing as to lose discs
-Good Map
-Benches and trash cans are plentiful
Cons: -Only one open hole
-A beast of a long course with lots of ups and downs can wear out the novice
Other Thoughts: This is tops in courses I have played. New signage added just this year (2019) is phenomenal. The course breaks down to a front 12 and a back 9. #11 seems the signature hole playing over a valley, but many others could be signature at other courses. A good straight, technical shot is a must here with more holes through many trees. A long course at 21 holes with a couple over 600' makes for a long round. The new signage shows some alternate tee boxes that still look in development which will only add to this course. The folks taking on this course are doing an amazing job. Bravo! Made it a point to play a second round and WILL be back!
15 of 15 people found this review helpful.
A Top 25 Course for sure
6 Helpful / 1 Not
Pros: Perfectly laid out with new baskets, easy to navigate and hard to throw, varied shots, varied elevations.. I love it. Easily a 4.5 but I wouldn't argue with someone giving it 5. You wind back to the parking lot a little over half way through as well which is nice if you need to re-up on sunscreen, mosquito spray or beverages. Very good wooden maps of each hole with garbages throughout the course. Wildcat Bluff has it all for every player and even beginners would enjoy this course for its beauty and enjoyment.
Cons: I feel I'm kind of reaching here for a con, but if I had to give one I'd say many holes here would be a signature hole on most courses, it does seem to lack its own signature hole.
Other Thoughts: This is one of the best courses in the country. I have played 8 of the current top 25 and this course should be up there. It was a great time and I can't wait to play it again.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful.
16 Helpful / 1 Not
Pros: This amazing course is set up deep in the park in a disc golf exclusive area. The property here is gorgeous to say the least. It is completely away from everything non disc golf and is like you're in the remote wilderness of Alaska it seems at times. The tee pads are fantastic. They are made of bricks/blocks but are all very nice sized, level and were very grippy. Six holes I believe have dual tees. We played all the long tees which are labeled as the hole number B. The others are just the hole number. The baskets here are, again, top notch. They're beautiful, bright, almost blaze orange colored powder coated Mach X's that all catch great and are amazingly easy to spot in the woods which is almost the best part of them. The flow of the course is well thought out and pretty darn easy to follow. The first and thirteenth hole both start and end by the parking lot. This is always nice to have for longer, more challenging courses like this. Actually for any course this is nice. The course is free to play (what?) with restrooms right by the parking lot. The tee signs aren't the most spectacular things I've ever seen but more than serve their purpose. They all have the hole number in bold (and a B next to the number designating the longs), Par, and distances to the anywhere from 2 to 4 pin locations. They also have every pin position currently in play marked with a color coded circle on the post below each sign, which is extremely helpful with so many pin positions possible. All were accurate too. Last there is a basic route tree of possible pin positions on each sign. the course was well maintained, well immaculately maintained and one of the cleanest I've seen to date. There are quite a few benches and steps throughout to help with the overall aesthetic of everything.
Cons: There are not too many cons I can think of at the moment. There's the typical ones. The bugs can be bad at times, The rough is rough in spots, blah, blah, blah.... When and if you play here you should expect all these usual cons. That's what you get playing rugged wild disc golf. I guess if I had to nitpick a little I'd say the signs aren't the best I've seen but this is really a stretch to say the least. A more thorough hole map would be kind of nice on a few I guess. A few. And I guess. The parking area isn't the largest? Is that a con? No. It is not. So I guess that's all I got.
Other Thoughts: I can't speak on if this is the best course in Iowa because this was my first trip there. But this course compares favorably with some other courses I have played. Rollin Ridge, Blue Ribbon, Highbridge complex, Lincoln Ridge, Zobel, Idlewild, Visionquest etc. Not to name drop but I've played some of the top rated courses on this site and this one stacks up head to head with all that I've played. If you're anywhere remotely close to here I'd recommend it for above average players. As for my rating, I gave it a 4 and a half. This is as high as I personally rate a course because I haven't played all the courses out there, therefore I can't honestly give out a 5, which is the best of the best. I've been consistent in my ratings with this. This should not deter you from playing by any means. I can't wait to get down to cedar rapids as this will be on my list again for sure. Must play.
16 of 17 people found this review helpful.
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Hole #20 (Taken 9/2013) 
3 / 538ft. 
1 
8/1/2020 
8/1/2020
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