Rock Creek Golf Course, Nicholson, PA

Rock Creek is a very unique course, but that isn’t always a good thing. Read on for the pros and cons of this course and whether or not it’s worth a visit.

First off, this course has a very strange pace of play. The front nine are straightforward (the biggest curve balls are the two par 5’s.) Hole #5 is 496 yards and hole #8 is 430 yards. If you’re looking for an easy round, take my advice and SKIP the back nine.

The back nine will challenge and frustrate you. Get ready for a very tough set of holes from #11-#18. If you’re used to hitting the ball long distances, nice and straight with the driver, you will probably not enjoy this stretch of holes at all. In addition to difficult yardages (around the 200 yard mark) the back nine are set on a series of high points with sharp cliffside drop offs. Club selection is CRITICAL. You will use every club in your bag.

With that being said, the views on the back 9 are INCREDIBLE. Your golf cart engine is sure to be challenged travelling along these steep cart paths. Do not walk the back nine. You will definitely regret it. Since the course is mostly made up of par 3 and par 4 holes, it’s a short course for an executive 18 hole at just over 4,600 yards. There are three tee boxes, and a nice practice area. Greens and fairways are all in good shape.

Rock Creek is an unusual course. It’s sure to challenge and frustrate you. The views will captivate you, and the front 9 might just bore you. Actually, the layout of this course is a good preview of all the emotions you will experience playing on this course. This is not the place for a leisurely round of golf. Prepare to be challenged and buckle up for the ride!

I love this course. You have to use every club in your bag. 11-18 are very challenging. They force you to put your driver away and play up short on some holes. I have played this course 10 times and have had one of me very best rounds and one of my very worst rounds. I have found the ones that don't like this course are the Long ball, Big driver guys who just want to grip it and rip it, short iron it to the green, and put for birdie. There are a lot of other courses in the area with flat, open, and not very challenging holes, but if you want a challenge, use all of the clubs that came in that set you bought than play ROCK CREEK.