Rock Barn Golf and Spa - Jackson Course

This is my new favorite resort golf location taking over from Grandover. This is a very scenic location with some really interesting holes - and this is the easy course! There is a premium on being able to put your ball where you need to. Don't be put off by the distance from the blue tees (5900). If you are anything over a 10 it will give you a run for the money!

Enjoyed the day in every way. If you miss the fairway ball is hard to impossible to find in deep grass.

Beautiful day and course was in great condition. A couple of fairways were a little narrow, but other that that really liked this course.

WOW. Everything there was outstanding. We had a tee time for the Jackson course, but played Jones course. Course was in perfect shape. Great value.

Here's my review of the Jackson Course at Rock Barn. Going to use the "10 scale". Greens: 8-good public golf speed. Fairways:8-they were pretty good except for the 2 holes where it was carts on path. Rough: 1-if you didn't hit the fairway, be ready to go on a hunt. It took this two-some over 3.5 hours to play...not because of bad play or an overcrowded course. The rough hadn't been mowed in weeks!! Bunkers: 0-It was hard for me to believe the level of neglect. Grass in every single bunker. Edges were nonexistent. Extremely disappointing. They were horrible!! Layout: 3-Typical Tom Jackson layout. Great par 3s, decent par 5s, and horrible par 4s. I'm guessing the Jones course is where they spend their time, money, and manpower.

It was my first time at this course. I played from the blue tees, and shot an 80 on this Par 71 course (it has an extra par 3, and one less par 4). I did not think the course was overly challenging... it might have been on the easier side, actually - but I was hitting the ball fairly well so I only found trouble a couple of times. On another day my opinion might change! My short game, however, was pretty poor this day, so my score did not reflect how well I was striking the ball.

As for the course itself... It has some well shaped holes, with some water here and there, though not a lot of fairway bunkers that mattered to me (unlike the Bobby Jones course!) - I did find one fairway bunker and one greenside bunker, though. It has some neat "island" type holes... not really islands but well guarded by water. It has some narrow fairways and some wide fairways, and it has two par 3's with big elevation changes (2 clubs off because of the big downslope).

Negatives... hole #14 isn't in very good shape. It's almost all rough (I think it's under repair?) and you can easily lose a ball in it. Hit it straight and watch your drive closely so you don't spend a lot of time hunting for your ball.

Greens were in excellent shape. Course trying to overcome winter kill in fairways and some tee boxes. Spending a lot of money to recover.

To many roped off areas. You couldn't see the fairways. I didn't think it was as bad as it was. Maybe two months from now I would try it again

Although the course has had winter kill, the staff were up front with the conditions. The course is excellent and I will return to play it. Topping off the course was the friendly staff. Had a chance to interact with one if the groundskeepers and beverage lady "Ashley". Friendly staff make the difference between a good experience and a horrible one.

From the cafe to the club GM, all terrible. First hole up the club staff member played a single behind us and rushed us on his "break". The GM got on us on the 18th after driving in the rough....cafe members acted like they didn't want to be there or offer any help. I've played many courses from MN to FL and this is the worst.

We have played numerous times and always enjoy Rock Barn Golf. However, yesterday was a tremendous disappointment. We booked a tee time and paid regular price for a round. We were aware of significant fairway and tee box winter grass kill from our last few visits. We also understand the need for significant resoding and aeration to repair the course. However, we found the majority of most landing areas on fairways unplayable and roped off for ground under repair which had became mud. We. dodged numerous water from many sprinklers, lost balls in sunken mud and dirty clothes from mud and mud splashes. We had a groundsman follow us on most holes waiting and staring making us very uncomfortable as he watered the greens after we finished the hole. He passed us on 18 to water the green just before we reached it to putt. Trying to be understanding we went into the Pro Shop after our round to relate our frustration and asked why we were not told or given a discounted because of such poor conditions. We were told that they were going to start telling people with no concern for our bad experience. I do hope their work improves the course and hope ou next customer service experience improves if we decide to return as we like the course.

had a great day - not many on the course so able to play all 36 holes (Jackson course and Jones course) - staff very friendly and helpful - can see why this course is a stop on the Senior PGA tour

I'll preface this review by saying this was my first time playing the Rock Barn Jones course. The staff was great, starting me (a single) on 4 to avoid getting trapped behind a large group of members teeing off on 1 just before my time. The layout requires absolute concentration on most any shot. The contours of the fairways must be used to keep the ball in play and at times away from hazards (hole 16 being a great example). With that said a yardage book is a must for this course. The combination of blind tee shots, severe downhill landing areas, and tee shots that point you in many cases toward danger (see the long par 3 3rd) a golfer playing the Jones Course at Rock Barn for the first time can easily get into trouble. For me I started to play safe after smoking a drive up the right on 6. According to the line you can see from the tee my drive, a slight draw up the right, should have been fine but a lateral hazard actually juts out further than can be seen from the tee. Had a yardage book been provided I probably would have hit 3 wood and hit a mid iron in rather than trying to bomb it with trouble on the right and a short porch left. As for course conditions the waterfall and surrounding foliage are beautiful back drops but after a tough winter many of the fairways are under repair due to winter kill. While the course is still totally playable expect a few hard bounces and big hops. The greens were immaculate and IMO were just on the edge of being considered "glassy" making putting a challenge but with a chance for a mid handicapper to make some putts. Also the little homage to Augusta on 16 and 17 is a cool and well done touch. Great course overall.

Good greens , collars and fairways have lots of winter kill

...as they were aerating 9 of the greens. So we played 9 on Jones, 9 on Jackson. Jones course is beautiful, but cold winter/early spring and recent lack of water have taken a toll on the fairways. Many patches where the Bermuda has yet to respond. Greens on Jackson course we're much better, but a couple of the holes were "goofy" golf. Hope to return to Jones course under better conditions. Staff was VERY accommodating and nice, making the experience that much better.

The pro on the phone lied and said the course was in good shape.... Not the case. Fairways were gone, hitting second shots from dirt was not what I expected. Panted here before multiple times and loved it but right now it's in worst condition possible. Very upsetting that the staff would day it's a 7/10 when it's a 2/10. When it's in shape awesome.......right now..... Terrible

I was disappointed in the condition of the course. Lots of hard-pan fairways and bunkers ranged from good to terrible. Greens were in good shape. Starter ignored my group and I had to ask how to get to the Jones course. He was pre-occupied with the locals or members. Definitely a challenging course. Would like to play it again when conditions improve. Food was good, but service in the restaurant was not.

The course was in the process of aeration so the greens were sanded, only means the course will be better in the future. A solid shot makers course with hole #1 being a signature uphill dog leg. Enjoyed the adventure.

Really enjoyed the Jackson at RB. Plenty of hazards to
play. Bunkers were fluffy and very good shape. Water hazards are very demanding. Really enjoyed playing, and would/will recommend to my friends.

Conditions were pretty good for mid winter, especially good greens. Layout not my favorite as it is very hilly with several blind shots where you aren't sure where your should be aiming. Forced to hit off mats at the range. Staff was borderline rude when we paid greens fees and got range balls. No direction as to when the ball machine or range were located. Had to go back inside and ask them to pull some carts out and it just seemed like we were a total inconvenience. There are equal and better courses in the area for same money.