Rackham Golf Course

Yes, there were some rough spots where they had to aerate and reseed washed out fairways, but it was dryer than I’d seen it in years past. The greens were still in great shape. And despite having to pull your tee shots out of the areas under repair, we only had to move it backwards once. And it was less than 15 yards. Otherwise, you were able to move it laterally and still have decent fairway to hit from. Despite the reviews over the last couple months, I think the course was in pretty good shape, given the amount rain they’ve seen. They also have a sign posted, informing you of the damaged fairways when you check in. You just have to read! I love this course. It’s a classic and will be sure it’s on my summer rota every year!

Played after a heavy rain. Out of their control, so I’ve considered that in my rating and opinion of the course. I’ll start with the negatives, but hear me out because I totally recommend playing here. Compared to some of the courses I’ve played in Livonia and Northville, the grounds were not as nice. For example, the out of bounds are weeds instead of wild grass. And the course seems like it really needed to have a couple million sunk into it 10 years ago. Paths need to be repaved. Certain things about the course just seemed tired and old. The fact it rained heavy the day before and was still gray outside is also probably tainting my perception. I played the front 9. I didn’t find the holes to be very creative. Nothing uphill, downhill, over over a pond, around a bend. Everything pretty flat and straight. Luckily, near the greens there’s more obstacles to keep things interesting. My problem is that I didn’t grab a score card and assumed that after 100 years of existence, the course would have diagrams and signage to clearly get you from on hole to another and tell you were the pin is, how far, and what par is. I played backwards off hole 5 after getting turned around coming out of the portapotty. I’m new to the game and the course and a maybe I’m a little stupid, but why isn’t there signage? Even approaching the building you are to assume the path to the left is the entrance. A sign would help. Luckily the other players and the staff were all very kind and approachable and got me pointed the right direction. I was glad to see a diverse group of players out on the course. Plenty of people out there on the day I went and no problem whatsoever with the pace I or anyone else was moving at. I actually had a great time. Had a couple awesome shots off the tees and some nice chips. First time ever hitting out of a sand trap today and I was happy to use my sand wedge for the first time. I paid 25 bucks for 18 holes through and app, very very reasonable price. I also appreciate that I was able to use the app to book and had no problems checking in. Wish more courses allowed you to book this way. Overall, it was a good experience. I’ll surely play here again in nicer conditions. I recommend playing here even if it isn’t the fanciest place I’ve ever been.

Oh, and I’m told they don’t sell alcohol here. Not a big deal to me but for some people that matters.

The greens were in good condition and rolled well. The fairways had some bare patches from all the rain. However, pace of play is beyond awful. They jam way too many people on the course, and tee times are 8 minutes apart when they should be 10 minutes apart. Didn't see any rangers on the course trying to speed people up. Very frustrating and makes me not want to come back.

Fairways were huge a lot was being repaired on most fairways but overall was a great course definitely will be going back

I’ve been a regular at Rackham for the past year since I live so close by, and experiencing how badly the course has deteriorated just within a year is borderline depressing. Entire segments of fairways are roped off from flooding whenever it rains, tee boxes are poorly maintained, bunkers aren’t playable at all. You can expect this with $20 goat tracks, but Rackham charging up to $55 on the weekends for 18+cart is robbery. I really wish whoever is responsible for this would sell the course to someone who cares to preserve a Donald Ross course as it deserves. For now, it’s probably the worst-valued course in the area for the money you’d spend playing here.

I've played here a few times now and it's went from decent, to ok, to downright awful.

Just sell it already.

Pace of play was horrendous and EVERYONE was upset about course conditions and 3 hours to get to the turn. Always flooded and yet, still packed with people.

They won't do anything to fix it if people keep paying them inflated prices. Save your money.

It’s really a shame to see how this course has gone downhill in recent years. Let’s just say there were many many lakes in the middle of the fairway because of poor drainage and a couple of the holes needed to be altered because of poor conditions with the fairways. Being a Royal Oak course doesn’t surprise me that it’s gone downhill it seems that is the Royal Oak Way.

As I arrived to the course (15 minutes prior of my tee time), there was at least 10 carts lined up waiting to tee off. The pro shop claimed that it was a big party and said they could do nothing about it. I had already paid so I decided to try it out, after nearly 3 hours I finished 9 holes of golf and ended up just leaving even though I paid for 18. Highly recommend you to not come here they fairways were completely destroyed the only nice part of the entire course are the greens. Overall, the course lacked good conditions, the entire course was packed groups on top of each other and rude staff members.

A recent bout of flooding has killed much of the fairway grass and left other large patches intraversable. I like this course, but I won’t be playing again until 2025.

It has been a few years since My last round at Racham. Dissappointed in the course condition and time management of the course. 3.5 hours for 9 holes.

Hopefully Rackham can recover...

It was crazy muddy all over and overly crowded to the point didn’t even finish the last two holes because of how long it was taking. Was not worth the money

It is in rough shape from standing water. One hole was shortened by 140 yards due to the poor conditions.

Severe water across the course from the rain making 1 foot ponds on the fairways that you lose your balls

Lot of rangers but rangers not watching players who are randomly driving across other fairways to hit their balls

From the tee box, it was near impossible to distinguish the fairway from the rough. Also, the drainage of course is terrible. There were heavy rains 72 hours before we played and still couldn’t find a dry spot in fairway.

Used to really enjoy golfing this course, now it is completely unplayable. No structure at all to twilight golf. This is the hipster golf capital of Michigan... Most golfers on the course struggle to hit the ball 25 yards, course lets walkers out during twilight..Why is this? Make them pay the extra 5 bucks and get a cart. Had a single golfer in front of me walking, and in front of him was 3 walkers. I'm in cart and basically had to wait 15 minutes at every box to tee off. Avoid this place at all costs, maybe when covid ends the disgraceful rude disrespectful golfers that flock to this course will go to the driving range where they belong or back to the bars.