Rackham Golf Course

Full disclosure, I had a horrible experience here a year ago, and almost passed on the hot deal despite the deep discount. But because of where it's located and how easy and quick it was to get to, I decided to give it another shot and I'm very glad I did. I approached my round with a very skeptical, hyper aware look and I came to the conclusion that my previous experiences were not as bad as I had remembered.

If you're in the Royal Oak, Madison Heights, Oak Park, Berkley, Huntington Woods/Ferndale area, this is probably one of the top results when you search for nearby golf courses. It's easy to get to from the expressway or Woodward Ave, and right next to the Detroit Zoo. Because it's a public course in such a densely populated area, they are going to command a premium price and be filled with people willing to pay the location tax.

The course itself is pretty basic. There are no water hazards on the course, and only a few spots of dense vegetation where you could lose a ball. If you have a 90 degree hook or slice, chances are you'll still be able to find your ball--though a hole or two over. Speaking of hole density, it's pretty tightly packed, which you tend to find in these early 20th century designed courses. Several of the holes have some good bunker placement around the greens and on dog legs that will really make you evaluate the risk/reward.

I pass by this course quite often if there is the slightest spot of grass showing through the snow during the winter months, it seems there are people out playing. Spots of the course seem to show this constantly use. The fairways are pockmarked in certain spots from people not replacing their divots, but I feel that the conditions were much better than when I golfed it last year. The greens were exceptionally well taken care of and role smooth and slow, even during the hot midday sun. Some of the blue tee placement seems like an afterthought, but with as dense of a course as it is, I imagine it's a difficult task to do. Some of the hole amenities (ball washers, trash cans, signs for the hole, etc) need some TLC.

Staff was exceptionally friendly. From the guy who checked me in at the club house to the gentleman at the first tee checking off names.

Overall I say this is a decent course, but not worth the $30+ rate they charge regularly. For that much money you might find better value driving out a little further. If you're feeling spontaneous and see a hot deal that's $20 or less, it's pretty good, though!

I wrote a review last year on this course, it is listed here....

I played again recently and the course was much better than last year. The porta johns are back and the clubhouse is completely open. The staff was friendly and helpful. The course conditions were very good. putts rolled true and fast. Tee boxes could have been cut, but that's minor stuff. Fairways were good.

This is such a classic golf course. It's really a shame that the clubhouse couldn't be utilized more.

All in all, go play

First tee was a zoo. Showed up half hour before tee time. Checked in with starter. When it was our tee time I checked with the starter again. He told my group we still had 4 groups ahead of us. Got a refund and won't be back.

Overall, couldn't beat the price for 18 holes. The fairways have a lot of areas that still need to grow in. The rough is patchy and doesn't hurt you if you're in it. The greens actually rolled pretty well for this early in the year. I was playing as a single and didn't catch anyone until hole 14. Was able to play first 13 holes in an hour and a half. The last 5 holes took another hour and 45 minutes. Would play the course again for the same price. The clubhouse doesn't have much to choose from and they don't sell beer, which can be a deterrent.

They didn't have enough carts for the amount of people that were there. We had to wait a half hour past our tee time for a cart.

The course has not yet put out their ball washers or sand trap rakes. A lot of recent rain has left large ponds and muddy areas in fairways, and sand traps were filled with water.

The freeway noise on the first four holes is really horrible. After that you can settle in and enjoy the course.

I'd love to see a stronger effort to plant some new trees and add some othe more defining features to the holes.

Lets face it... we played on February 23rd in 65degree sunshine!!! Although the greens haven't been touched in months we could still putt and the ball rolled VERY well. Fantastic Afternoon!!!

Rackham is a very standard municipal style golf course. Playing 6500+ from the Tips, it is a shorter layout but one that does require solid ball striking to score well. The classic Donald Ross Design features small, well guarded greens that require precise distances to hold. Any ball that in on the green in regulation has a fair chance for a birdie. The course is very friendly for mid-teen handicappers and above... it is nearly impossible to lose a ball here, something some of my friends thoroughly enjoy about the place. For the better player, many holes require strategy off the tee, (iron/hybrid to the middle of fairway with a longer approach, or take on doglegs with driver) is a welcome challenge. Overall it is a very servicable and friendly golf course that deserves the amount of play it receives on a yearly basis

Such a nice golf course in desperate need of TLC. Greens are in decent shape, fairways are neglected. Ridiculous rough, bring extra balls. Par 3 tee box grass is so tall it's hard to see your teeded up ball. Lawn mowers don't appear to be getting much use. Have played here with a group of friends several times every spring and fall for several years, no more, we're done. Biggest insult, paying $24 to walk 9 holes. Such poor maintenance with top dollar green fees it seems like management is purposely discouraging play. Much better value to be had elsewhere. Staff is freindly, feel bad for them, probably listening to constant complaining from customers about the course condition and green fees. What an insult to a great historical golf course.

It is a very nice course. Just picked the wrong day, very crowded

This course used to be beautiful, back in the day when people used to take pride in their jobs and golfers treated the course with respect. Everything that you can imagine being wrong happened: A fivesome of terrible golfers ahead of us slowed the entire course. I finally went looking for a Ranger when there were 4 different groups on #11. He drove ahead and accomplished nothing, I didn't see him again until after the round, he was by the clubhouse (which was closed for renovations) practicing his swing. The fairways were totally chewed up with divots and had crabgrass throughout, the rough looked like it hadn't been mown all year. The greens were terribly damaged and suffering from fungus or blight, or both. I'll never play this course again, it's an embarrassment.

Probably the best public course I have ever played. I am currently a TPC Michigan member and have belonged to private clubs for 25+years. Course is in awesome shape and green and fairways are plush. Don't believe some of the negative reviews because I think they are comparing this track to private clubs in which they are not the same. It's like comparing an apple to a orange. Doesn't work. Great value at $29 for 18 holes and finished in less than 3 hours. Club house is definitely out dated but this club was private and built in the 1920's and the club house shows it age . If you want a great club house, join a private club. I will definitely be back.

I called two days in advance to make a tee time for two players, that went without incident.

We arrived 30 minutes before our tee time, still OK. However, when entering the golf shop, I noticed the south side of the clubhouse was roped off and the men were directed to use the ladies restroom. Hmmmmm, seems strange. We were two seniors and requested the senior rate. That was $30, more than any senior rate I've ever paid. We teed off and began our round. During the round we needed to use the restroom, well lo and behold Vargo Golf has removed ALL of the porta potties, that;s right, there are no porta potties on the course. The only one onsite is located near number 10 tee box.

My friend recognized a course worker as her friend and that person explained how Vargo Golf has cut way back. Also, the south side of the clubhouse roof has deteriorated structurally to point it is unsafe to use that side of the building (hence closing the men's room).

That's truly a shame, this is such a classic building and I predict it will not survive.

I will say this positively, the course was in excellent condition, greens almost perfect.

I will say play at your own risk.

I should begin by stating that I have only recently taken up the game of golf. I've always loved the game. I grew up in a family of golfers.

For me, golf is a game that is played to be enjoyed. There's not much I can say that's bad about Rackham. I've heard many people complain about the course conditions, or the pace of play, or even about the price from time to time. This is a course I keep coming back and playing. It was the first course I ever played and it's a course that I'll continue playing for many more years.

What I love about this course is that it's a simple, classic design. It's a course that feels like a course. It's long enough to be challenging for the moderate player, it's flat enough to be a comfortable course for a beginner. The grass is usually well maintained. The Greens are fantastic.

The ninth hole feels like the signature hole on this golf course. It's played back to the club house and it has one of the few elevation changes on the course. A good tee shot will reward the golfer with a chance for birdie or eagle, depending on where you tee the shot from (4/5 par hole).

Give it a chance. It's really one of the better courses in the area. Don't expect a private course feel at a public course and you'll really love Rackham. Play early to avoid massive overbooking.

If it weren't for a golf now special i would never play this course. It's rundown and in very sad shape. The greens aren't so bad and it has the nostalgic value of a Donald Ross course however the owner spends no money on its upkeep and charges maximum dollar.

This is a challenge for all golfers.

Rackham is the only public 18-hole golf course in the Royal Oak area. For that reason it is overpriced and it is always packed. The pace of play is usually gruelingly slow. Also, for how much they charge for a round of golf, the course upkeep is lacking. There are often dead spots of grass in the middle of the fairways because when it rains the water pools on some holes.