Rock Ridge Golf Course

Have played this course about a half dozen time over the past few years -- and we play as a foursome play about twice a week at various courses. To be fair, it was the Labor Day holiday. However, we had an 8:22am tee time and were told that they were a bit backed up -- no big deal and nor were we in a rush. We teed off about 16 minutes late at 8:38am.

On the second tee box, we heard 'fore' three times and stray balls from Hole 3 headed our way. Similar experience on the Hole 5 tee box. When completing Hole 5, the ranger awaited us and asked us if we had the 8:22am tee time --- and told we were 12 minutes behind pace and that the 6th box was open. RUDELY were told to 'pick up the pace'. Getting to the 6th box we saw the group ahead of us about 150 yards out under the trees looking for balls. They, and the group ahead, were not the fastest golfers and were the source of the backup. We waited for a good 5 minutes on the 'open' 6th tee before the group ahead end out of range.

We also witnessed several 'weekend warrior' type golfers who drove golf carts like they were go karts while drinking beer and smoking cigars. At one point, one flipped while driving on an incline above the 3rd green -- well beyond the cart signage. Ranger didn't even get involved in this as his pace 'policing' was more important.

Along with everyone yelling 'fore' every 3 minutes for the entire round (as if it is a 'haha' requirement when golfing) the course was dismal. Playing several rounds this summer at PA and NJ courses, all have suffered the same lack of rain. The tee boxes at Minebrook were so dry that we had to use an iron to get the tee started in the ground -- assuming you could find a level spot. The fairways were beyond dry --- missing grass and simply patches of dirt with weeds. Several of the greens were dry, yet unmowed with patches of dirt as well.

It was so bad that two of our foursome left at the 14 hole after nearly being hit a third time. The other two of us left at Hole 15 due to being nearly hit by a ricochet ball off of the 13th tee. (Someone trying to 'Happy Gilmore' a shot.) Then that group on the 13th tee drives their cart down along the 15th green where we were and asks if we saw their ball -- yeah, almost took me out.

Also, before playing here, get a tetanus shot. Many steps to the tee boxes are laced with splintered railroad ties, protruding screws, and uneven steps. It is a recipe for a sprained ankle.

All in all, Minebrook has taken a huge turn for the worse. Very disappointing round and doubtful that we will ever return to this course. The lack of course discipline make for an unenjoyable day.

I've played this course ON AND OFF since the mid 90's and it continues to be what it has ALWAYS BEEN - a VERY CHALLENGING course that tests you in A LOT OF WAYS ! I've seen reviews here complaining about the condition of the fairways and they're RIGHT - they were a little ROUGH to say the least but they've ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY since I've been playing it ! If you don't like hitting off a bare brown spot once in awhile then just do what MOST average golfers do - MOVE IT ON TO A GREEN PATCH ! I always PLAY IT AS IT LIES - to me it just adds to the challenge. The greens MORE THEN made up for the fairways - they were in EXCELLENT SHAPE ! The back is definitely the TOUGHER nine since a lot of it is against the hills . You get a lot of uneven lies even in the fairway. We enjoyed it IMMENSELY and will be back SOON !

The only thing positive I can say is the clubhouse, pros hop and staff are very nice. However, the course is in terrible condition! The layout has potential, but it would take a huge investment to improve the quality of the playing conditions!

The course overall plays pretty straight forward. Lone recommendation is if its your first time playing have GPS with you or have a buddy that has played there before. there are some holes that the sight/target lines are a bit tricky. For a Golf Now deal, its worth it. Would really like to see the Arnold Palmer MGT team really take care of this place bc it does have a lot of potential.

Pace of play was great! We followed a tournament so it was pretty empty. Despite the very dry and hot weather we have been having, the course (and greens in particular) were in pretty good shape. Paired with a couple of guys who were fun and easy to play with. And the starter and staff are always great and helpful. A very good day.

This course has great value for the cost. The greens are maintained very well though there seems to be a bit of trash around the tee boxes. Some of the fairways are rather tight next to other hole fairways which causes lots of commotion with other groups, especially if there are running groups out without proper spacing. The back 9 can get congested. Rangers need to do a better job with maintaining pace of play.

We were supposed to tee off at 852 but course was so backed up we ended up letting it go at 925. Had a group in front of us that decided it would be a good idea to say something about us playing too fast behind them. We waited every single time until they hit their 2nd shot on the par 4's. Needless to say some people need to learn golf etiquette before they get on an actual course!!!! It took us almost 6 hours to play 18!! Greens were "ok". Tee boxes are terrible. Fairways are fair at best. Staff here is great!! Friendly and accommodating the whole way through. I just wish the course was taken care of a bit more and it didn't take all day to play. I will not be returning to Minebrook after this weekends round

The layout is poor as stray shots often end up in other fairways. I heard "fore" much too often. The fairways had too many dried out patches. Too many bad lies in my own fairway makes for a frustrating round. The greens were slow, but were in acceptable condition. The sand traps that I got in were in great condition with thick sand. The really frustrating part was the pace of play. It took us 5 hours as we waited on every single hole. They schedule tee times 7 minutes apart which causes the whole course to be backed up.

After a number of years of "just maintaining" maintaining this course, it is safe to say that Minebrook is showing signs of turning the corner in terms of the quality of the course from tee to green. The care of the staff at the course is really showing!

Greens were in great shape and rolled true. A number of tee boxes have been rebuilt and most tee boxes are now well maintained.

The fairways and rough were lush at the present time. The fairways are not watered, so it depends on the recent weather conditions. Needless to say, New Jersey has had a great season for growing grass! Previous issues with low spots holding water have mostly been addressed, although #6 is the most susceptible to becoming a bog with too much rain. The bunkers have been re-built and filled with sand.

Enjoyable playing there yesterday.

They Clearly book groups too close, over 5 hours for the round. Fairways not properly cut, they are pitted and potted, and undefined in many areas. greens inconsistent, patchy, and like glue. Tee boxes uneven and poorly maintained. The entire course is poorly maintained. Course designed to squeeze 18 holes into a space for less. Terrible lay out. Good for beginners with time to spare.

Minebrook has become one of my favorite places to play for a few reasons. Firstly, this place has a great staff which is always welcoming and friendly.

I like Minebrook because it's lower in price, and t-times seem to always be available at a decent time. The pace of play is average.

during the weekday if you play here, you can get free buffet breakfast and a free entree off the menu with a purchased t-time.

the course conditions aren't the best... in fact they're actually pretty bad, but in some places the course is very nice and other's is just badd...

i play here because its easy to get a last minute t-time.. literally can just show up as a 4 some on the weekend and play without really waiting..

The course is in good shape but some holes need a little work.

somewhat slow, some greens not up to par. had to wait on most tee boxes

Greens were in terrible shape. There were bald spots on almost every green. Tee boxes were so hard that I broke four tees just putting them in the ground.

This is potentially a lovely course with natural beauty and interesting holes. However, the fairways are full of weeds and brown spots, the greens are shaggy, and the cart paths are buckled and cracked in some places. Stairways to elevated tee boxes are outright treacherous. A low handicap golfer, which I am not, can avoid many of these issues by hitting greens in regulation, which is why I still recommend the course. You can hone your course management skills with the water hazards (e. g., lay-up or carry decisions).

Built into the mountain and really beautiful to play on a nice day. Greens are challenging because everything is on a slope even if it looks straight. Course condition was good, although some of the tee boxes were pretty beat up. Staff great. Had a lot of fun playing this course for the first time overall though.

I played here 3 week ago and the greens were bad. They have come a long way after a rough winter. 1 or two still recovering.
I enjoyed the da. Friendly people. Helpful staff.

Course was okay at best with brown patches in the fairway and some greens that hadn't been cut, so were slow even though dry. But staff was fine and it only cost the two of us $52 to ride on a mid-morning weekday start. Finished in a little over four hours. Par 70 and so fairly short. No driving range but there's a golf center a half mile away. I'd go back, but I wouldn't look for the opportunity.

You get what you pay for. The greens were like putting on gravel and tee boxes looked worse than a bad little league field.

Went on Sunday for 2:52 tee time. Most of the day you just stood around and waited. Got thru with 9 and it was almost 7!! We left.