I am fairly new to Charlotte and have found Monroe CC to be porbably the most challenging layout I have played, especially in winter conditions. The Ross nine can be extremely difficult if you start missing greens or end up on the wrong side of a slope or false front. The greens are running at almost US Open speeds at times. Above the pin? Forget it! You will need to be able to get up and down from 30-45 yds. Not a long course but keeping it in play is a must. If you love Ross courses or old courses in general this is a must.

When compared to the $55 + rounds at other courses in the area $35 on a weekend is truly a bargain.

Based on some of the recommendations on this site, I tried Monroe earlier today. This course has oodles of unrealized potential. 6725 from the tips is deceptive, because it plays a lot longer with all the uphill approach shots. Layout was very interesting — the Ross front 9 is typical Ross with very tough challenges around the greens; the Jackson back 9 is even more interesting and challenging. Tee boxes and fairways were in good shape. Rough was THICK and difficult. Bunkers were in great shape.

Two gripes: 1) No driving range. (It HAS a driving range, but it’s so far away from the clubhouse that they discourage you from using it.) 2) The front 9 greens are really bumpy.

I’ve read here that they recently re-did what is now the back 9. If they do the same to the front, this course can be a really great diamond in the rough.

My suggestion: they should pour more money into the course and raise the rates a little, so this course can reach it’s real potential.