Rock Spring Golf Club — Restaurant in West Orange

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...

My review is strictly regarding their catering manager and nothing more. I first came by this place hoping I could speak to the catering manager on 12.9 for a large party on 1.6.24, but the dining hall was closed. I found the website info here and reached out via phone and email on the same day, 12.9. I called again on 12.12 and was told to wait for a response from Chris. So I emailed him again. He finally responded on 12.12. After several emails, I received the catering menu prices. The responses and response time is so stunningly inconsiderate that I felt like he couldn't be bothered. Very loooow touch.

There seems to be no way to speak to this guy in person. It was as if I was engaging with myself. Finally, so much time elapsed that I had a snafu with the date I selected. I guess the terrible response time worked in my favor since I hadn't committed any money. How could I? On 12.12 I reached out to Chris with the new date inquiring about availability. He never responded... 7 days went buy. I assumed my new date could be accommodated. So, I spent 1.5 hours trying to download their video menu. Selected food and stupidly stopped by yet again. I communicated to 50 people that we were all set... NOPE! On 12.19, after sending TWO more emails, he bothers to tell me that the venue is not available. There are two events planned for my date. HA! How does anyone plan an event with you ghosting customers? It must be your kin! Dreadfully inconsiderate

Then he bothers to apologize for the miscommunication??? Do you mean the ZERO communication + the ghosting? It looks like a nice venue. My neighbors retiree peeps come here all the time but I will experience this for myself now will I...

I've been exceptionally fortunate to have played Rock Spring for well over 100 rounds when it was a private country club and now a public course run by Kemper and owned by the town of West Orange. I absolutely love this course. It is a rare gem in all domains, and I believe it is as good course if not better in some respects as the surrounding private courses at Montclair GC and Essex GC, given the walkable nature and consistently fair risk/reward features of the challenges it presents at every shot. The greenskeepers at the club have worked tirelessly this past winter to bring the experience to another blissful level, with the brand new cart paths, and fully renovated turf. There really isn't a better public course available in North Jersey or surrounding NYC nearby suburbs, so, I hope folks continue to come out and support the excellence at our disposal. Also, the clubhouse is a sensational spot to enjoy drinks and food afterwards. Admittedly, the greens fees are a little more costly than the avid golfing residents of the surrounding areas are use to paying, but it's absolutely worth it. Sometimes on the weekends and Fridays the rounds take longer, but that's a product of there being some less experienced and skilled golfers on the course, in my opinion. Thanks so much, Rock Spring, the town of WO, and Kemper, for bringing us a truly outrageous public golf course so close to home for the Northern Jersey and NYC golfers out there who yearn for a exceptional private course but...