Rackham 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.

I was surprised that there were no bag drop racks at this course, The parking was 50 to 100 yards from the club house. The building was historic and clean. Staff was nice, there were 4 groups waiting at the first tee which caused a long wait. Sand traps were difficult as they have heather surrounding several of them which added stress. There is no water hazards on this course which evened out the bunker situation. Would play this course again but only once a year..

Tee boxes were fairly level and greens were smooth

The approach to the pro shop has broken wooden fence. The fella at the pro shop sat in his back office and had to be hollered at to come out and service the customers. He then proceeded to move as slow as he possibly could, like we were keeping him from something. The pace of play became so unbearable, my partner and I left after the 15th hole. Won't be back.

We booked a tee time for 5:20 on golf now for 18 holes. When we got to the course they said the carts had to be in by 8:30. That is not possible with the overbooked tee times.

It is amazing how bad of shape that this course is in. I understand that it's April but the course has barely been mowed. Where does the fairway start because it all looks like rough to me. The greens here were so nice not long ago. What has happened? How can you have no inventory in the pro-shop? I will not be returning this year.

I play Rackham several times each year. They just opened and course was in great shape. It may look easy due to lack of water, etc., but you will find this course very challenging.

Nice course, I enjoyed it. Was a bit disappointed cause I paid for 18 holes and due to the time was told I could only play 9. Was not offered a rain check or a voucher to play the 9..... But over all it was good...

This course is a mile from my house so I play it often. Pace of play is good depending on the day, generally can get a round in in under 4 hr. Value is good and there is no water on the course. Some areas on the course are alway beat up but I expect this for a public course in the city. Roped off areas on 30% of the holes. It's tough to loss a ball because the layout is wide open.

Fairways not cut
Greens had assault marks from angry putters
Leaves everywhere not blown to side
Has lost its appeal the past two years
You will be disappointed do go

Surprisingly nice for an older course. Long and challenging but wide open and very playable.
Even though it was busy, moved very well.
Would play again

This is the neighborhood course. It's cool for a day out. Better than work.

Great course for the money. You can feel the history at the course. Great greens