This semi-private club is located within earshot of Charlotte Motor Speedway and you'll know it if you play during a race week. Designed by Dan Maples and managed by the Embassy Suites-Concord, the course offers stay and play packages similar to a resort course. The clubhouse offers nice views of the 18th green from the Stonehouse Grille. With several risk-reward holes and the amenities, this course is a great place for an outing. The greens were redone in bermuda grass during the summer of 2012.
Good selection of affordable, annual golf plans, including discounts for Concord residents.
I now play here regularly a few times a year. It's typically kept in very nice shape and the staff and amenities are top-notch. It's also fun to play when something's going on at the race track -- the Zmax Dragway stands now rise over the clubhouse and driving range. The course has many unique and memorable holes, including the 555yd par 5 3rd hole with a huge boulder smack in the middle of the fairway -- "Gragg's Rock" is named after Floyd Gragg who directed the opening of the course in 1997. With the conversion to bermuda grass on the greens in 2012, the course remains in great playing shape almost all year round. I enjoy the challenge and scoring opportunities at Rocky River -- I nearly aced the 10th hole (missed by inches) in July 2014.
| Tee | Par | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Championship (Black) | 72 | 6970 | 73.1 | 142 |
| Mens (Green) | 72 | 6450 | 70.9 | 136 |
| Other (White) | 72 | 6028 | 68.9 | 128 |
| Ladies (Burgundy) | 72 | 4654 | 66.8 | 118 |
For as much as people gas up this course, there were a lot of issues. First off, zero points deducted for renovations happening at the clubhouse. You cannot fault them for improving there. One can, however, fault them for taking their eye off the ball of the course to make a new clubhouse happen. 1/2 of the tee boxes were desert landscapes. Golfers who swing out of their shoes will fall victim to gravity as they slide around the tee box. There were multiple holes, better than half, that had major erosion issues. Bare roots, bare spots, and muddy ruts plagued, especially on the back nine. Last critique, the waste land areas are full of clay and rocks. The greens are in great shape, they roll true as can be. They are in great shape this winter. The staff is very kind. I just expected more based on the way local golfers sing about its superiority.
Read The ReviewGreens are in fantastic shape. 10/10. The edges of some of the fairways had some bad bare patches (no grass, rocky and some pretty deep ruts). 6/10. Tee boxes could use some TLC. 5/10. Bunkers were in good shape. 8/10.
Read The ReviewLove Rocky River, especially this time of year. It was cart path only, but conditions were still over solid. Greens weren’t playing as fast as I’ve seen them later into summer, but still offer a good pace & challenge. This course gets more fun the more you play - definitely recommend.
Read The ReviewI always loved playing Rocky River, and I still do. This was my first time back in years, and somehow it seemed different. It's amazing how time changes your perception, because it's still the same as it was then. The greens are in good shape, and they roll true. They are firm, so ball marks are going to be hard to find but I repaired what I could. In fact, I was able to average two putts, and even chipped one in on a penalty hole to save single bogey instead of much worse. Shaved a bunch of strokes off today, but the penalties killed me. I like the GPS in the carts. :) Top notch course as usual.
Read The ReviewGreat course and great atmosphere. Greens were punched in early July so they're in great condition now as is the rest of the course. Carts have GPS, score tracking, built in Bluetooth speakers, and coolers provided. Everyone from the pro shop to grill (had an excellent breakfast sandwich too) were super friendly...very much enjoyed my round and will certainly be back.
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