GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
3.7
334 Reviews (334)
5 Stars
71
4 Stars
133
3 Stars
65
2 Stars
37
1 Stars
28
Conditions
3.6
Value
4.1
Layout
4.2
Friendliness
4.3
Pace
3.4
Amenities
3.3
78.0%
Recommend this course
241 out of 334 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.9
10 Reviews (10)
5 Stars
2
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.4
Layout
4.2
Pace
4.0
Amenities
3.7
StaffFriendliness
4.7
70.0%
Recommend this course
7 out of 10 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.0
57 Reviews (57)
5 Stars
22
4 Stars
20
3 Stars
10
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.0
Value
4.4
Layout
4.4
Pace
3.6
Amenities
3.4
StaffFriendliness
4.5
86.0%
Recommend this course
49 out of 57 reviews
Read Reviews
frame.svg
AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
circle-star.svg
Course Highlights
Rackham's Donald Ross-designed layout delivers large, undulating greens and a challenging back nine that rewards skilled golfers. Exceptionally friendly staff and strong value make this historic Detroit-area course a standout public option.

About

Holes 18
Type Public/Municipal
Par 71
Length 6555 yards
Slope 129
Rating 71.6
Book a Tee Time at
Rackham Golf Course
Powered by GolfNow.com

Course Details

Year Built 1923
Fairways Bent/Poa Grass
Greens Bent/Poa Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Donald Ross (1923) Jerry Matthews Ray Hearn (2017) Bruce Hepner (1993)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Pull-carts Yes
Caddies No
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range No
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes

Food & Beverage

Bar, Snacks, Grill, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Meeting Facilities, Banquet Facilities

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top 25 Most Improved U.S. Golf Courses (2019 #13)
The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+ Annual
golf ball.svg
$120 in monthly tee time promo codes
waivedfees
12 rounds of waived fees
redeemtrophy
GolfPass Member Pricing
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection

Reviews

3.7
334 Reviews (334)

What Golfers Are Saying

Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 16
Undulating Greens 8
Thick Rough 7
This course/club is great for:
Locals 18
Walkers 10
Beginners 8
This Course's Location is:
Convenient to the City 19
In the 'Burbs 6
Near Local Attractions 6

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course was in pretty good shape. Greens rolled nice, a bit slow.

Course was in pretty good shape. Greens rolled nice, a bit slow.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Packed course and slow pace

This course can be chaotic at times. I went during the week early morning and there was no starter on the first hole. Groups had no idea what order to tee off on and there was 4 different groups on the first par 5 hole. Extremely slow pace in the beginning but it began to open up later on in the day but still extremely slow pace. The hole layout is not the best where tee boxes are set right next to the previous hole's green making it a bit uneasy to tee off. The course is decently maintained although the grass is not cut evenly especially in the rough making for unfavorable lies. Friendly staff behind the desk but greens crew could careless if you are about to take your next shot. They continued to cut grass in the fairway with no respect for the oncoming groups. They even were cutting just off the green while I was putting at times. I will not be going back to this course, I would rather pay the extra money to play at a nicer course.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Loved it, great location course!

A very good course, challenging and long. No water!! I enjoy playing there often.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

nice, old style course

enjoyable, nice layout, wide open for stray shots, greens well maintained

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great greens

Wonderful place to play. Donald Ross design, hidden gem for sure.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Convenient Location!

Booked this course for fathers day...my dad really likes playing here...I figured it would play slow because it was fathers day, but was really surprised that there was really no waiting on any hole!...I was a little disappointed that there was no beverage cart on the course....also was a little bit disappointed in the condition of the course...seemed a bit run down since last I played there...anyway, I really like the convenient location, and lets face it...if Dad likes it...what else matters!

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 31
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Great mix of holes

Very enjoyable. Holes are close together so need to be careful of players on other holes.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 28
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Tough Greens

Greens were a little slow, but rolling, tough pin placements. Very challenging. Course was in good condition. Nice staff.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser

Careless

The only place I know that doesn't cut greens on weekend mornings.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Difficulty Extremely Easy
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Definately will play here again! Great course for begginers!

The course is open with no waterr hazards! It definately has alot of "dog leg" holes! This course is good for those who are begginers that doesn't have control or its a good course to play for your first time out for the season! It's definately one of my favorite courses in the area!

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 17
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Great location and course

Great golf course, challenging but not brutal. Long par 3's on back 9 very challenging. The staff is very friendly and love location. Donald Ross historic design makes I historic course very fun. Have played many times and always enjoy.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0

Hurry up and Wait

You CAN Whack em at Rachem, because there are no woods, no rough, no space between fairways.

Be cautious though, golfers will swing onto your fairway and take their time swinging off it.

5hr minimum. I try to avoid the course all together, but end up taking a couple friends every year who haven't experienced the atrocity.

Plus side, greens are well maintained and so are the fairways. Moderately difficult greens.

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 30
Handicap 20-24
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser

Good course for October

Good course; enjoyed the October Day of Golf; I would like to see the course in early summer however restrooms were not very clean.

Conditions Poor
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Classic course

Overall, I love the course. For being built in 1923, at 6500 yards, it has stood the test of time. Good mix of easy, and tough holes. If the wind is up, the course can be quite challenging. Greens are undulating, but only Stimp around 10. Very fair. The course doesn't beat you up, and is enjoyable. Nicely maintained, but not perfect. Nice course to walk.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Nearby Courses
Royal Oak, Michigan
Private
5.0
1
Royal Oak, Michigan
Municipal
3.4285714286
7
Detroit, Michigan
Private
5.0
2
Southfield, Michigan
Public/Municipal
4.0698572032
461
Madison Heights, Michigan
Public/Municipal
3.2683982684
35
Detroit, Michigan
Private
5.0
2
Southfield, Michigan
Private
5.0
2
Birmingham, Michigan
Private
5.0
1
Birmingham, Michigan
Municipal
3.8888888889
9
Troy, Michigan
Semi-Private
3.0
1
Birmingham, Michigan
Municipal
4.4285714286
7
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Private
5.0
4
Golf Packages

Destination Kohler - Champions' Trail Golf Package

FROM $617 (USD)
KOHLER, WI | Enjoy 2 nights’ accommodations at The American Club or the Inn at Woodlake and 3 rounds of golf at Blackwolf Run (River or Meadow Valleys Course) and Whistling Straits (Straits or Irish Course)

Destination Kohler - To Dye Four Golf Package

FROM $557 (USD)
KOHLER, WI | Enjoy 3 nights’ accommodations at The American Club or the Inn on Woodlake and 4 rounds of golf at Blackwolf Run (River & Meadow Valley Courses) and Whistling Straits (Straits & Irish Courses).
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account