Rock Spring going public in NJ

[philsRHman]

Played it yesterday. If hadn't read the issues about conditions here I never would have given it a second thought, especially for $59. Pace wasn't great, but 4:25 wasn't awful.

[umassgolfer]

I played on Sunday and agree conditioning has improved dramatically. Still not "top-tier" or "private club" level conditioning, but about as good as any other municipal owned course I've played in the area this year. Very fun the 2nd and 3rd times playing, knowing where to/not to miss, etc.

[philsRHman]

I should mention that we had a ranger pretty present throughout the round and I think much like any course, a couple slow groups can clog things up. We saw groups in front us of in the wrong fairways multiple times. There was also an element of waiting for a green to clear 200 yards away and then hitting it 60 yards. Not sure if that's a product of the length of holes or what, but as a 3 some, 4:20 felt like 5+ hours at points.

As for the conditions, I thought the greens were quite inconsistent, including in firmness. I don't know if that's something that will come along as they get a year-round program going. But the greens also have the nuances I've come to expect at a private course. I would guess they'll always need to keep them relatively slow or else you're going to end up with 4 and 5 putt greens out there.

[umassgolfer]

I think something like this model could make the course sustainable and avoid the necessity to convert 9 or more holes into not-golf: [https://thebucksclub.com/](https://thebucksclub.com/ "https://thebucksclub.com/")

 

Basically, an open-to-public country club. Spruce up the clubhouse a bit, use it as a function venue, open the pool with memberships for sale and day-passes available, and keep the golf. I know a few friends of mine who our wives would be all about hanging by the pool for a few hours while we played golf, then getting lunch or dinner after. Really very little else like that available in the immediate area.

[Jersey golfer]

We played Rock Spring yesterday. Conditions were not top notch, but what a great layout. With all the blind shots it is a course you would have to play more than once to truly score on. Very intimidating looking bunkers. Looking forward to going back. Well worth the senior rate of $49!

 

[ykhwaz]

i'm gonna have to give this course a shot during the 2020 season

[mocokid]

Rock Spring, by Banks (after Raynor died) is a VERY good layout. Solid test with classic holes, 3rd hole Redan. Hopefully, it will be in better condition in 2020.

[DJQwrx]

Hey all- I have heard a lot of good things about this track and its Raynor roots. Does anyone have a rundown of the design features and what I shold look for if I play it?

[peterrod]

Rock Spring is a fun course to play. The white tees at 6400 might be too long for some players. Driver is the key on this course.

The website below gives a visual breakdown hole by hole Rock Spring Golf Club (West Orange, NJ)

[sabram]

Rock Spring is one of the best public access courses in NJ and well worth playing. Here's a link to a photo tour from last November. The photos show the layout but don't do justice to how good the course really is to play.

[doglegs]

Played it yesterday. Fun layout with some interesting holes. Kind of weird hole routing as I felt like I passed the halfway 5 times on the back 9 (which isn't a bad thing). Fairways and greens were good but the tee boxes were a bit chewed up and rough was inconsistent. Overall a bit rough around the edges but its worth a play.

[golfsnake]

Played a weekend twlight round here last fall. Nice track, but god was it slow. didnt seem like they were enforcing tee times and were just letting people go off. Would only go back on an off time or if they fixed this

[TeeAreNY]

Can anyone provide an update on Rock Spring in 2021?

[Seth Pistol]

still open to public.  conditions are OK.  green speeds vary from green to green which drives me nuts.  slow rounds.  rumor is that wont be public for long and eventually will get redeveloped but thats just a rumor.