Rock Spring Golf Club

My first experience with Rock Spring couldn't have been any better. It's a beautiful course from start to finish, meticulously maintained, with challenging but fun holes and greens. My group included two seniors, a player struggling with his game and a more-advance golfer and we all agreed it was a special place to play. Check-in at the clubhouse was quick and easy, the starter was super helpful explaining the ins and outs of the course and once I got out on the course I was taken by the gorgeous scenery. Next time, I'll be taking some photos. And there will be many next times.

Beautiful course. Expensive, but worth it.

Seth Raynor designed a beauty here. Yes, it's expensive for a public course. Over $100 a round is steep for a weekday round. I would much rather this course be expensive than sold for more housing. Also everything in north Jersey is expensive.

That said, the course was in incredibly good shape considering the play it must get. The bunkers, fairways, greens, and tee boxes were borderline pristine. The maintenance crew was out filling divots and blowing leaves and otherwise keeping the course in tip top shape.

Pace of play was a little slow but it was really only the group in front of us. We called it into the clubhouse during the back 9.

I'd rather not have to do that and have rangers out on their own, but for October, I guess staffing is a little light.

Overall, it was a great day out. I will be back.

The course well maintained and in very good condition. Prices are on the higher side for being public, but that is the price for a well-maintained course without overly packed tee times. When we went, we were told there was no practice range to warm up, which is not ideal, but the other benefits make it worth going to regardless.
Don't forget that if you visit the 19th hole afterwards, the price of your 1st draft beer is 1cent for each stroke on your scorecard, so for most people you'll be paying somewhere around $1 for your 1st draft beer. For me, this also helped make the price of the greens fee here worthwhile.

Rock Spring is a true gem, and I’m so glad it’s now open to the public. Seth Raynor’s design rewards precision and punishes mistakes in all the right ways. The tee boxes are among the best in the area—flat, clean, and thoughtfully placed. The bunkers are deep and fluffy, demanding a plan and solid execution if you find them. New Jersey is lucky to have a classic design like this open to everyone.

I shot my worst round so far this year, a 24 over 95 but at least I enjoyed playing only one of 2 public courses designed by Seth Raynor in the US for a good deal at $35 ($150+ during summer) with a great view of the Manhattan skyline 25 miles away.

Par 70 course with only 2 Par 5 holes was a bit challenging with deep fairway bunkers, but better course management is key to avoiding blow ups.

I didn't like hole #2, which had a blind first shot with a water hazard on the left in play.

Greens were humongous on some holes, but speed was really slow even on downhill putts as there was a significant amount of sand layer that was probably due to recent aeration, and the grass was not cut recently.

Shower facilities were available even after 6 pm.

No hot food or drinks are available during the winter season.

There were no rangers, so the pace of play was a bit slow.

Anyway, my best shot of the day came on the Par 5 - hole # 09, where I scrambled for a Par after my ball ricocheted off a tree branch into the fairway but back 20 yards from where I took my second shot.

I had 190 yards to the pin with a hurting stiff breeze and hit my 3 wood flush.

My shot leaked a little bit right and was just enough to reach the right upper fringe 25 yards away from the hole.

I had a really good Birdie chip with a 9 iron from the fringe to 3 feet for a satisfying Par.

I also had a good 15 foot putt for Par on another Par 5, hole # 14 after hitting driver off the deck for my second shot and then messing it up with a shank on my third shot.

A good wedge shot to the green and rolling in a 15 footer (my longest putt for the day) helped me set up an unlikely Par.

Even though I played badly or the course was a bit too much for me or a combination of both, the 39-mile trip was worth it.

Overall, I will come back and play again, but only during the winter season.