Amazing Park probably the best rollerblade trail I've ever seen or bike for others who aren't playing perfect almost everything good variety

This is the closest to a five star course I've ever played but it's like 3.5 for the protease because the signs are just so wrong like I've never had so many great 320 ft drives only to find that I have to lay up 150 ft and be in the same place as someone with a 200-ft mediocre drive.. over half the teas are blind tease so maybe it gets better when you play it more but even then you have to be perfect and even then I don't think it's any advantage for people who throw 200 ft and straight. If the course played like the signs then it would definitely be five stars minus half a star for the rocks beating up anything but champion plastic and minus almost a hole saw for the protease just being impossible especially if you're trying to base it off with the sign looks like it should play. Next time I'll play the red tees and that should be at least a 4.5.

I honestly don't know who this course was designed for it is so good but I've never seen a long course we're being able to throw 325 ft and put it on a spot gives you absolutely zero advantage.

This is one of the best of the best courses in the Triangle area of North Carolina. Until yesterday, it was my favorite area course. I'm afraid with the arrival of Diavolo, Rock Ridge drops to a close second.
It's a bit of a trek to get there from the RDU area, but it is definitely worth the drive. The course is in a very secluded park in Pittsboro. It is very quiet and was not crowded at all on a Saturday morning for us.
- The layout is fantastic. It's a championship level layout, but is playable for rec level players from the shorter tees.
- Tee pads were immaculate.
- Baskets are in perfect condition
- This is a typical wooded North Carolina course, but every hole is fair if you hit your lines
- Signage and flow are great. We never hand any trouble navigating the course.

The only con was the lack of bathroom facilities. There was a very clean porta-toilet near the parking lot, but true facilities would be nice.

We love this course and will return. We especially liked that it was not crowded, even on a summer Saturday morning.

- Excellent woods golf requires a variety of shots to score well.
- Elevation, while not extreme, is used to great effect
- Hole lengths/pars are well balanced to keep the round interesting.
- Quality equipment: baskets, dual tee pads, signage, and benches are all great.
- Beautiful park is isolated and a pleasure to play through.

- Tight, wooded fairways from start to finish.
- Some of the shorter Red tees don't seem to fit the rest of the layout difficulty well.
- Multiple fairways are usually great, but some don't feel like viable options off the tee.

Rock Ridge Park was my first time experiencing North Carolina disc golf, and it did not disappoint. The "tight but fair" wooded fairways perfectly matched my expectations of what disc golf in the area was like. Make no mistake, this is a course that demands accuracy off the tee. Even from the Reds, if you can't throw accurately, both straight and with left and right finishes, your round can get out of hand quickly. However, for those with at least a couple different shots in their arsenal, and a good command of their discs, there is a ton to like about this course.

The layout is really well balanced for being 18 consecutive wooded fairways. You are never made to battle any of the long par 4s and 5s more than on two consecutive holes (holes 1 & 2 and 17 & 18 make for quite the start and end of the round). Shorter, attack-able par 3s give you a chance to earn back strokes you lost when you inevitably find yourself off the fairway on the longer holes. The par 4s and 5s are delightful puzzles to unpack. Most require multiple shots, with landing zones fairly sized but still demanding to hit. There are a few locations where longer fairways allow for a risk/reward decision: try to reach the pin, or at least bite off more of the fairway with a distance driver, or lay up with a mid? But most of the time, the fairway shape discourages the use of faster discs. If you can throw 250ft accurately, you can score well even from the Blues.

I played from the blue tees but made a point to check out the red tee positions, and occasionally throw more than once off the tee where multiple fairways were presented. There are a lot of great options off the tee, but I found that more often than not, the right-hand-forehand/left-hand-backhand route to be both more accessible and a better path to the basket. It's possible this is partly due to my preference to throw forehand in the woods, but it certainly seemed that the left gap was more friendly most of the time. A few of the red tees seemed especially short to me as well. I love when a course caters to multiple skill levels, and most of the time the red tees looked to provide both a different, interesting shot and an easier path to the basket than the blue tees. However, with eight of the red fairways playing under 200ft, it seemed many of these holes played below the skill level required by much of the rest of the course, even from the Reds. I could see the preferred track for many intermediate and below level players being a mix of mostly Blues on the par 3s and mostly Reds on the par 4s and 5s.

Elevation is used to great effect at Rock Ridge. While never extreme, the elevation changes provided by the rolling hills add much to think about while approaching landing zones and greens. Landing angle can be quite important, and many holes play quite differently than their listed distances, even with moderate rises or falls in elevation. A few pads and baskets also have nice rock formation landscaping, adding to the visual interest of the course.

The course equipment was in great shape for my visit. There is a large, beautiful course map and sign explaining disc golf rules and safety by the parking lot. The tee signs are similarly colorful and do a great job showing the shape of the fairway(s) and basket locations, which can be quite necessary on the longer holes. Routing was easy with color coded signs indicating the way to each of the next tee pads. My only routing issue was going from 17 to 18, when I accidentally headed towards hole 2 first. The rubber pads provided a great teeing surface for my round, which was dry, but they seem like they would still preform well when wet. The DISCatchers were in good shape and caught well, and the yellow band is easy to see in the woods. Benches were present at most, if not all, tees.

If you enjoy wooded golf, throwing putters, mids, and fairway drivers accurately, and puzzling out some longer par 4s and 5s, this is a course you need to visit if you are in the area. This is also a course that I think would improve on multiple play-throughs. I would love to come back with a better understanding of where the landing zones are, try the different fairways off the tee, and throw from more of the red tees. If you like flexing out distance drivers, or struggle throwing straight and accurately, this course might not be for you. A round can definitely get out of hand quickly if you are frequently off the fairway. I made the drive out from Raleigh to play this course while in for a weekend and would love to do so again. It may not have the wow factor or variety of other parks, but this is a great course and well worth your time.

Rock Ridge is your textbook tough, wooded course. You get 18 straight examples of good wooded holes. That said, it felt like one long walk through the woods, tossing discs along my way.
- This is a good course. It's a solid 4.0 rated course and deserves all the positive accolades. It just never struck a chord with me. Too many similar layouts resulted in so few holes standing out.
- Accuracy, accuracy, accuracy. You don't need a big arm at all to play well here if you hit your targets. Case in point - #12. A 439-foot par 4, with a sharp turn to the right mid-fairway. I threw a Roc 220-feet twice and had a 10-foot birdie putt. A tough layout that rewards smart shoot making.
- A high risk/reward factor here. If you stay on the fairway, you will score well. If you miss your lines, you'll be pitching out from the rough, scrambling to salvage holes and your round. On #7, a 611-foot par 4, my second shot landed in the woods, 30-40 feet short of the basket. I felt fortunate/lucky to hit a tight gap to get out and nail a 15-foot putt to salvage par.
- Lots of multi-route fairways. More than any course I can remember ever seeing. There were so many, I feel I could essentially play a different course by choosing the secondary, or tertiary, paths. Most were simply the lefty vs right routes, but there were a couple that had the MarioKart through-the-waterfall level of shortcuts involved.
- Solid elevation involved throughout. There's also a fair number of doglegs from the gentile type to the 90-degree angled turn.
- Tee signs are excellent. They're needed to be this good with so many holes having blind pins locations. The only suggestion would be if each sign indicated both the long and short tee pad locales.
- Course is almost exclusively a disc golf park. There's a paved walking trail throughout the park. Honestly, who's driving out here to walk? It's not long enough for an extended nature hike. And it's close to nothing for people to make a special trip.

Signage could be better for some transitions. After finishing #12, there's a path directly behind the basket. Following that led me back to #10. Walking back to #12, I discovered I had to backtrack along part of the fairway to get to #13's tee.
- I also was not a fan of the odd shaped color blobs trying to determine if was a circle with a point or just a circle. How about colored arrows instead of ambiguous shapes?
- There are several long walks between holes, especially on the front 9.
- Perhaps this is taking consistency for granted, but the course felt monotonous. Every single hole had the same basic tenants: wooded, decent sized fairway, rocks sprinkled throughout the fairway, several trees to avoid, and a little elevation factor. The only variable seemed to be hole length. If you played here in winter, the only green things you would see would be Monster Energy, Mountain Dew, and dip cans.
- As much as I appreciate this being an accuracy-heavy course, it leaned a little too much on that element. I shouldn't be rewarded for pulling out mid-range discs on long holes. Shoot, I'd have salvaged at least one stroke on #17 throwing mid-range off the tee rather than my driver that sailed deep in the woods.

Rock Ridge is a good-to-great course. It didn't wow me, but I'm writing an objective, not subjective review.
- I've had more positive thoughts about the course cranking out this review two days after playing.
- Part of the disconnect I had to do with the course has to do with perception. I thought I didn't play well at all. Much too conservative. When I finished my round and submitted my score, the round rating indicated I played decent. It goes to show par is a good score here.
- The back 9 was far superior to the front. By the time I finished #12, I had already played three better holes on the back (#10, 11, and 12) than any three on the front.
- I'd enjoy this the more often I played here. Based on other Triangle area courses I've played, which isn't many, this is one of the better ones in the region.
- The beauty of being out of the city, the park is more rugged, more natural. It's a fantastic spot to build a tough disc golf course. Every time I'd start appreciating being out in nature, I was reminded of being next to a highway as cars whizzed by.
- In terms of quality, I think of this course as along the lines of the Goose Landing and just behind Fox Chase 75 minutes to the west. It's not elite level; a step below that. Still, this is worth playing for those in the region.

A John Houck designed course, he's the best out there! Two tees on every hole with excellent next tee signs with arrows pointing to both long (blue) and short (red) tees made it easy to navigate between holes after finding #1 and #10.

The tee signs are excellent, showing the many different paths/fairways available. Some of the holes had two different distinct fairways, #7 and #17 for sure.

#17 is the signature hole, loved it. #10 is a great downhill wooded hole, #11,#12 and #14 were good too with the last 2 of these being par 4's.

Very good use of elevation.

The course map and Olorin's links found on this site are very good.

Large and very clean port a john on site.

One lane gravel road in/out of the park.

Completely wooded course, no open let it rip shots (not that I can throw it far). A little too tight for my liking in most places.Typical NC golf from what I've seen.

A lot of straight shots from the short tees, it seemed repetitive at times (8 holes under 200 ft) from the blue tees.

#5 had three lanes from the tee and 6 lanes approaching the basket, all of them tight. I've never seen a hole quite like this.

Rubber holed tee pads filled in with sand/gravel were good but not like cement which I expected for a Houck course.

I didn't play well and expected better tee pads from a Houck course. I'd like to rate it 3.75 but see why most golfers would give it a 4 star review.

I saw 2 local cops walking the park paths (not on the course itself) when there were a total of 2 cars in the parking lot. Kinda of strange in such a remote area/park.

I think the course flow and hole breakdown is well covered in others reviews, so I'll just offer a couple of reasons why this is one of my favorite courses ever.

Great placement golf that requires using your brain just as much as your arm. Great risk/reward on all the par 4 and 5s and every par 3 is a chance for birdie even if you don't have a super arm. Even though the course is wooded, the lines are so well defined there is less "unfair" limbs to screw up a good shot.

Privacy- The park has many walking trails, a playground and picnic shelters, but you only see these transitioning between holes and never have to worry about interference with other park goers. In the 15 rounds i've played, never had to wait on anyone to throw or had someone come up behind me. The only evidence of other players is usually the distant sound of chains.So you never get hurried or distracted, which I feel is crucial to success on a "thinking golf" style course.

Replay value- I couldn't imagine ever getting bored with playing here due to the dizzying number of line options on each hole.After 15 rounds here I still haven't explored all the lines or found the best route to get to the hole. The last time I played here My drive on 18 finished hard right, thought I was in the spinach but found the right (and I think easier) fairway! Never even seen that line. I live over an hour away but still can't get enough of this course.

Course is always well maintained and clean.

Nitpicking really-

Teepads are nice and the best gravel/rubber mat combo I've seen. You're not throwing bombs so you don't ever need a crazy runup, but they can get soggy when the course is wet.

Some drainage issues when rain has been heavy, which I don't personally mind, but some of the holes have that "rugged"aspect and you could get your feet wet if you dont wear boots.

No long distance throws even with lots of 4s and 5s- I think this is a plus, and one of the things that makes rock ridge unique, but if you're looking to air it out go somewhere else. And I suppose a 5 rating would really need at least one of these, as an example #17 at wellspring.

I first tried this course because a good friend/throwing partner moved to pittsboro, and we could not believe the caliber of this place in his backyard. One of the best courses in the state. I am very biased, but as I said I live over an hour away so this course has earned my bias. It's that good people. And rarely used. Even with privacy being one of my top pluses of the course, there is PLENTY of room for more players and no fear of overcrowding. C'mon out!

- Beautiful course in mature NC forest.
- Very well designed; there are clear lanes that will reward you for accuracy.
- Two sets of rubber tee pads at every hole in very good condition; was very nice especially as it was a little muddy.
- Excellent signage; by far the best at any course I have played. Each tee pad has an accurate sign which tells you what path will be the easiest to the basket. Also small signs to direct you to the next hole. I was never wandering around trying to find the next hole.
- Secluded. Even though I played on a perfect 75 degree Saturday afternoon I only saw glimpses of 2-3 other groups.

- Not the most accessible course to get to. Obviously this depends on where you live but there are many options closer to the triangle.
- A little nitpicking but for me there were no holes with jawdropping views (like at Buckhorn for example).
- I like courses to have at least one or two wide open holes to let it rip.

I felt compelled to write a review of this course after a day of disc golf around the triangle. I played Buckhorn, Rock Ridge, and UNC. Rock Ridge was my favorite followed closely by Buckhorn. UNC just didn't do it for me. I cannot emphasize enough how great the signs and tee pads are. While there are some difficult long, blind holes, there are a few good chances for birdies that make up for it. I would definitely play this course all the time if it was closer to me. The best in the area.

I'm not big on doing reviews and I'm not going to take the time to talk about every hole but I felt this course was worth a review so Ill give my thoughts on it and you can take it for what its worth with 15 years playing experience. This is a placement course and you don't want to get to far off the path or you will struggle to get back on.

First off very well thought out. 2/3 of the holes have a left and right fairway to go down. This makes the par 4 and 5 holes really fun to play. There are only a hand full of 2's of the course so if you can see the basket get it. The T signs are some of the best I've seen, shows all the lanes to play and if you're playing the Blues the Reds on the signs give you a good indication of where you need to land your first shot.

They also made great use of all the natural recourses (rocks) with the tee pads and greens. It just stud out to me the extra time they took to make it nice.

Back to the par 4 and 5, there a few holes over 500 and even 700' holes so don't expect to go out there and crush, this is placement golf. You have to put yourself in a good position for your next drive and try not to get to far off the fairway or you will need to throw a putter to get out.

Had no real issue finding my way around first time, just keep an eye out for the next tee sign and it might help to take a pic of the map when you start out at 1.

Really a great course and a true pleasure to play. There is nothing more rewarding then the feeling of getting a par (4 or 5) on a 600-700' hole. No nonsense golf for a person that loves the sport and enjoys a challenge

1. Not close enough to me

2. My GPS didn't find Old Stanford Rd so it took a little to find but wasn't bad

I've played from CA to FL and all points in between and walked away from here knowing I just played one of the best courses I've ever played. A must if you are 100 miles with in the area

Rock Ridge is one of the best courses in the greater Triangle region. It's an amazingly well conceived and executed design and I highly recommend it.

+ This is the first Houck course I've played. After playing RR, I can't wait to play more (if only there were more in NC)! The risk/reward elements and multiple ways to play holes are awesome. Most holes have two, sometimes three lines you can take off the tee. All of the par 4's and 5's are true multi-shot holes with landing zones, doglegs, multiple fairways with different types of shots (hyzer lines vs flick or annie lines). This course constantly makes you think.

+ Durable rubber tee pads (although some of them are showing their age).

+ Great navigation and tee signs at both the red and blue tees. Accurate yardage and illustrations on the tee signs to show you the various lines to get to the landing zones and the baskets.

+ Very challenging, but fair fairway widths, lengths, and pars.

+ Two sets of tees, the Reds being upper level Rec, borderline Intermediate. The Blue tees are Advanced. Both sets of tees offer very different shots. The Reds aren't simply shorter versions of the Blues. On some holes, the Blue tees offered three potential lines to get to the landings zones or basket, whereas the Reds offered two. This goes hand in hand with pro #1: this is just s phenomenal design and well-conceived and executed.

+ If you want complete seclusion and a peaceful wooded setting, there aren't many courses that can top Rock Ridge.

+ This is the wooded disc golf course of the future: caters to beginners to advanced players, par in the mid-60s with plenty of true multi-shot holes. More, please!

This course is what disc golf is all about. Not many cons to speak of all, but I'll list a couple...

- ThIs is a personal gripe, but I wish the Red layout was a little longer (i.e. a White/Intermediate layout). I guess the answer is to play some of the Reds and some of the Blues. But my point is, there's too many sub-200-foot holes for my taste on the Reds...while the Blues are too tough for my skill level. Intermediate-level players won't need anything faster than a fairway driver on the Reds.

- Drainage can be an issue. There can be soggy fairways and standing water. Check the Course Conditions before you play.

- #17 is the "signature hole," and I agree that it's one of the best, if not the best hole on the course. But I wouldn't say there's a top, standout hole here that I will remember and compare to other top notch holes, like the water carry holes at Buckhorn or Jones Park or a big downhill hole.

- There's some elevation here and they use it well on the uphill holes (especially the par 4's and 5's), but there's not as much elevation as you'll find at some of the truly elite courses.

Rock Ridge is a must-play in the Triangle.

18 holes in secluded small town park. 2 sets of tee and signs for each hole. Signs are well done and professinal. Tee pads are rubber mats with holes over crushed gravel. They work very well.

Entire course plays around small park. Landscape is old growth forest with a few small roling hills. A couple small, usually dry creek beds are thrown in also. This is strickly a line shaping and disc control course. All the power in the world won't help you if you can't have the disc go where you need it to.

Fairways are well defined and varied. One of the beauties of this course is that you need to use a lot of different disc and shots to play well. The course blends short putter tee shots, with twisiting fairways and multiple routes. The variety as well as the Blue and Red pads keep things from getting stale.

Baskets are all practically brand new and have no problems. There are some well placed basket postions on hill sides or in the middle of some tree groups that make approaches a little more challenging. Jeff Baldwin has also added some nice rock work to a few to add to the appearance and playability of the holes.

This course forces you to hit lines and shape shots. Every hole has one or more different clean and fair approaches to the basket. Nothing is super easy, but it is all fair. This is wooded NC golf, but with slightly longer and more forgiving fairways than many places. There are really no 'unfairway' or luck based holes.

Really hard to lose a disc here. A lot of the undergrowth has been cleared or is thin enough a short search yields most discs. Just keep your eyes open in the Fall as the mature woods drop a lot of leaves.

This course challenges without giving us mere mortals a beating. I usually describe it as a kinder, gentler Nevin.

Another huge upside is that this course is normally empty. I probably have the entire course to myself at least half the time I play it. Even on a weekend. And at its busiest it is seldom crowed. If you want the private course feel with the labor this is it.

No huge elevation or truly spectacular shots. Not that hole you empty a bag on.

No open holes or places where you can throw a long distance driver with abandon.

IMO there are a few holes where a pad or line just doesn't work or make sense. Specifically the long pad on 5,6 and 14. There are lines and paths that nobody throws for this reason.

Ok, here's the detail and full disclosure. I helped do a lot of the work on this course, and play it more than any other. So not only do I have an inherent bias, I probably notice things others won't or have an opinion based on what I thought a hole was going to be or should be.

Overall this is a really solid course with not many negatives. Any complaints come from features the course just doesn't have available to it. As far as what was designed I think it has just about maxed out what there was to work with given the park's limitations and town's expectatins.

Hole Summaries for Blue Tees for mortal players:

1. Tough first hole. You need a decent 300' or so straight RHBH of the tee and then a nice accurate RHFH or anny to the basket, It can be a tough hole to start a round.

2. RHBH anny or FH off tee. Second shot is mostly straight with a few late trees. Basket on slight rise. Fun hole.

3. RHBH mid or fairway on slight hyzer. One of a few chances for us people to get an Ace or deuce. Watch the high limbs on the left side.

4. Straight to slight right turning RHBH shot. Fairly tight but fair. Lots of trees and some small OB to screw up what should be another deuce. Sloppy's only Ace came from a dirty tree bounce on this hole. There is a fun ricochet shot that can be made for an Ace. I try it on purpose. Have hit metal numerous times.

5. Multi path par 4. 3 lanes to basket. Almost everybody goes up the middle. The left and right are tough. The right will get you closer IF you have the arm and can hit the spot. But the approach is tighter. The left has the best approach lane, but is tough. The middle is the safest path to a 3.

6. Shorter 3 path hole. Left path is just a funky angle. No one usually throws it, FH guys play the middle path and BH guys usually throw a big sweeping hyzer. Hard to hit the correct hyzer angle and get an Ace or deuce. FH has the advantage here.

7. One of the tougher holes. I can play putter only coward golf and get my 5. Or you can really go for it and get a 3 or 4 if you have game. But a shanked tee shot or 2nd shot can turn this hole ugly. I've seen 8's. It plays straight off the pad to a junction of two different routes, the right hand route looks easier and more forgiving but there are some tight woods and a hillside by the basket. The left lane is a quicker route to the basket IF you can hit the tight late turn at the end.

8. Straight up the hill. Another Ace and Deuece chance. But it is more uphill than it looks. I have seen lots of short shots.

9. Tight tricky RHBH. Hyzer with low ceiling. A skip shot usually plays well. The FH line has late trouble and a weird angle. My FH can't make it work. Good ones can.

10. Really pretty hole. Straight with a little right then left wiggle. Us mortals try to throw straight about 300' and leave it in the fairway. If you have the arm a longer shot with some turn then fade is perfect. The approach has three lanes depending on where you land. The left path is tight but fair. The middle is even tighter, and the right path is usually a sweeping hyzer that isn't too bad. Some great oaks and fun shots to be had.

11. RHBH with some hyzer or possibly somehthing OS off the tee. There are two paths to the basket but the shorter one isn't obvious off the tee. It takes a few times to get a good feel for the tee shot. Small creek before the basket is usually dry.

12. Another very fun hole. Straight tunnel off the tee that has an early and a late right turn in the fairway. Lots of trouble and woods if you shank the drive. Second shots usually has options. Small creek, some late trees and. Basket on a slight rise. This is the one hole that can get swampy in wet weather.

13. Dare I say filler hole?? Thumber, FH or RHBH. Anny off pad. Nothing much to say or do here. Just throw it.

14. Another very good hole. Three lanes off the pad. A tough left lane with a funky angle, a fair center lane that plays dead straight and a right lane with a tree pretty much in the middle of your throw. All play uphill. Most people play the center path as it is the cleanest and safest. The other two have problems and could be made better with some tree work or possibly a pad shift. They are playable but not ideal right now. Just tough shots. The rest of the fairway offers several long paths with nice mature trees and light undergrowth to a basket nestled in a space between some nice trees. Very pretty hole.

15. Straight shot and possible Ace run. Nothing tricky but don't go to the right. The pine forest is certain death!

16. Usually a thumber or RHFH shot using the left path. The right hand path just doesn't work. Another case of a hole that needs a tweak.

17. Another long challenging hole. My rule is usually first do no harm since I am not going to get a 3 or throw 500' anyway. Off the tee it plays DH straight ahead or you can turn right and head to the short tee's path. The straight path is straight and wooded for about 500-600' until turning right on the approach to the basket. The right path plays about the same distance, but offers some different routes and shots. Another hole where 8's have been spotted on score cards. And I think I might have heard rumor of a 12!

18. Tough uphill finish. FH shot to the left and BH to the right. Hit a landing zone and then pick a tight tunnel on either side to the basket. After 17 holes this hole can be no fun.


Pittsboro has a few good places to eat and drink. Carolina Brewery is at the 64 and 15/501 interchange and the City Tap downtown has good brews, sandwiches and hot dogs. There are also 3 different pizza/Italian places in town. Enjoy.

Rock Ridge is a gem of a course, with North Carolina's prototypical tight lanes and woodsy setting. Of the John Houck courses I've played, this one is by far the most heavily wooded and it plays through that kind of setting throughout the entire 18 holes. You will most likely experience a peaceful, secluded round here with the park only having a playground and walking path in addition to the course.

You get to pick your poison here with the ever present risk/reward decision making. The course is very generous in allowing you to pick the lane of your choice and constantly gave multiple options off the tee. Holes 7, 11, and 15 are great examples of this. 15 offers two lanes: a longer but more open hyzer route on the right and a tighter but straighter route over a creek on the left. The clearly defined options here truly make this a thinking man's course.

The attention to detail is amazing, with every tree serving a purpose. There are no arbitrary lines here, which is incredible given the setting. Even 8's 188' slightly uphill shot is perfectly set up - while only having 4-5 trees in the fairway, each one is very strategically place which calls for a specific shot. This kind of detail is consistent throughout the entire round.

Within its heavily wooded setting, you a get a great deal of different shots and looks. There's a tremendous variety in pars (7 par 4's and 2 par 5's) that offer very fun multi-stage holes that require you to hit specific landing zones, as well as in hole length (138-741').

Like a lot of Houck's recent courses, variety is emphasized on having two tees per hole, rather than having two pin positions. There is awesome variety between the two tees - better than most courses - giving a great difference in hole length and shot variety. This is definitely a high-level course allowing little room for error where bad shots are easily punished. However, the white tees let up a little bit on the challenge and offer a few shorter holes to give relief to a lower skill level (like me).

Elevation comes into play often, including the fun downhill shots on 10 and 17. Not quite downhill bombs, but a nice break that give you a little more breathing room to open up from the tee. Though not listed on the site, streams came into play on a few holes (4 and 11).

Navigation was great for the most part, except that I got confused going from 12-13 and 17-18. Other than these two spots, there are plenty of signs pointing you to the next tee and navigation is intuitive.

The rubber tee pads were long and comfortable being filled in with gravel. The tee signs were phenomenal and the park was kept very clean with mowed fairways and no trash.

Plenty of benches and the course has two 9 hole loops that take you back to the parking lot.

Perhaps the biggest detractor - and it wasn't even a real big problem - was the amount of foliage grown in off the fairway. It had a jungle-ly feel to it when I played in late May and I'm sure it's that way for 4-5 months. Not ever disc-swallowing rough, but constant undergrowth right off the fairway caused for a lot of searches. The problem was coupled with the fact that the lines here are very tight, specific, and unforgiving. Great for a challenge, but this is one of those courses where I felt like I had no breathing room to make mistakes and that took away from the fun just a bit. This problem would be alleviated some in the fall/winter.

Looking back, the course blends together somewhat and I think that's due to it having primarily one type of setting - tight woods. As always, Houck and Co. will literally use the land to its maximum potential, and he gave the design a tremendous amount of variety within its wooded setting. I just think the limitations of the park had me feeling that something was missing. "The designers did the best they could with the land offered" is practically a cliche on DGCR, but it's very true here. Just would've liked a little more variety in the type of holes offered.

A good bit of holes had blind pins/curvy fairways which required some extra scouting.

Awkward transitions from 12-13 and 17-18.

Rock Ridge is the best course that I've given a 4.0 and I was tempted to give it a 4.5. I can't emphasize enough how well the course is designed and the tremendous attention to detail that was given. It has its own personality that distinguishes it from other top courses, I can't say I've played another course like it. Not too many cons found here, especially if you enjoy playing strictly wooded, challenging courses. I'd make it a top priority if you are in the Triangle area.

In a park with only disc golf and a walking trail.

This course has excellent signage that directs you to next tee. The flow is intuitive with one small exception. Between my first and second visits, signage was added to point out separate paths to blue and red tees. Signage directing to 18 from 17 was improved as well.

Tee pads are the nicest mat tee pads I have seen. They are on crushed gravel and are level and in good shape. For the most part the separate tees add variety and give extra challenge for those who want to play from the blues.

The holes here finish left and right and there are more S-turn paths to the basket than I have ever seen on a course. Get ready to use your backhand, forehand, roller and any other shot you have in your repertoire. There is a good amount of elevation change and the fairways are pretty open for such a wooded course. There are often multiple paths to the basket.

The course is on a beautiful piece of property a little off the beaten path, and I saw no other golfers on either of the rounds I have played.

There is wifi here, which was surprising considered the location of the course.

Some of the fairways could use a little more traffic to beat down the vegetation. This was a very small issue.

Rock Ridge is a lot of fun. From the long tees, It is one of the longest courses I have played. I played from the short tees yesterday and got par on all the sub-200 holes and bogied or more on the plus-400s.

I think beginners and noodle arms will enjoy the shorter holes. Some holes will be frustrating for those same players due to length and need to shape shots. I love being out in the woods on a well-designed course. I enjoy playing if I am shooting par or 30 over. Rock Ridge is a nice walk in the woods. I look forward to enjoying it even more as my skill increases.

If you don't have a map or forget to look for the 'next tee' marker on the tee signs, at #12 do not follow the path past the basket. It leads back to #10. Backtrack the fairway and take the trail to the right.

Tee Pads are great for the terrain. Fairways are well defined. Benches on all pro tees. Multiple Tees on each hole. Tee signs and course flow are among the best I've played. Only course to have better tee signs is Rockness.

The longer tees allow more experience players a challenge while the shorter tees allow rec and intermediate players enjoy the course as well. I have played both multiple times. You will need every shot to succeed here. Course is very balanced and doesn't favor any one particular hand.

Drainage could still be a concern on 2 holes. As the course has matured and the fairways have worked in it has improved. But the times that I have played after rain it was an issue. This is what keeps it from a 5.

This course has gotten better every time I've played it. I've played it about 4 times this year alone. Definitely one of my top 5.

This course will mature into a 4.5, it is that well done. It rewards skill, placement, and control, the fairways have bends in both directions (some on the same hole) and is just beautiful. Tee pads are the best I have played on. As far as difficulty goes, I think the tees, while marked as red and blue, are really red and white - which is a GREAT thing, and how public courses should be designed. The "pros" think this course is too short.

It can get pretty wet sometimes, and it is not surprisingly heavy with ticks.

The redesign of hole 18 is just weird from the red tees, it is a very awkward hole.

If you are used to par 3 courses and going at the basket every time, you are going to have to rethink your strategy on this course. There are a few ace runs but that's it. The par 4s and par 5s make things very interesting! You'll quickly find out that being in the fairway is a *lot* better than not.

This course has it all. Ups, Downs, Lefts, Rights, Dead Straights. This is my first non par 54 course, and this is the kind of golf I want to play more of. Its difficult, but also incredibly fair in the sense that it usually allows you to pitch out with forward progress if you get into the junk, and still make a good upshot to save par. If you play conservative, its really fairly easy to stay within range of par here. If you do decide to go for it on the risk/reward holes, you either feel like a hero or a nobody.

The tee pads are AMAZING. If you've played Camp Durant BSC's course, you know that the fine gravel mixture they use is about as good as it gets. Rock Ridge goes a step better by laying down hexagon mats in the gravel to combat erosion and ruts. I much prefer these to concrete tees, but I'm weird.

GREENS! The greens on this course are very well designed. While not always the full diameter of the circle, they are plenty big to collect a decent shot and allow a putt opportunity. The biggest thing that I like about them are that the only trees left inside the green area are very well thought out guardian trees. No random knock your putt down for no reason types.

The fairways are plenty wide for NC golf, and there are usually multiple line options on any given hole. Some don't make sense when viewed from the short tees, but step back to the longs and it all makes sense.

This park is not really a multi-use park in the sense that it doesn't have ball fields, soccer fields, basketball courts, or any of that stuff. Once you're on the course, you don't run the risk of making an errant throw and accidentally hitting someone. The only other things in the park are the paved walking/running paths and a playground for families. Both of these are far enough from the throwing areas that you don't have to worry about them though.

The biggest con that I have with this course is that it's 2.5 hours from where I live. It's that good.

The minor gripes that I have are easy to get over when I think back about all the things I love, but I'll talk about them here anyway.

Signage. The tee signs are wonderful, but some signs pointing you in the direction of the next tee would be useful on a few of the holes, especially when you have to go back out to the paved paths. Our first time around we got a little confused once or twice, but nothing terrible. Something a little more permanent than the survey flags currently marking trails would be nice.

There aren't too many places to refill a water bottle so bring at least two if you drink a lot.

Bathrooms. There is only a port-a-john at the parking lot. If you hit DEFCON 1, go ahead and write-off your golf towel.

This course is truly a gem. I've rated it a 4.5 because I honestly think it will be at least that good as it gets played in.

There are a wide variety of fairway types. All holes are wooded, but some have wider fairways than others. There are leftys, rightys, uppitys, downys, valleys, zigzags, and zagzigs. Whatever your favorite throw, you'll get an opportunity to throw it here.

Although it is wooded, there are some holes where you can let loose and throw it far.

There are 2 teepads for each hole (blue and red). Signs at each tee.

There are no multiple pins, which I consider a pro, especially with so many blind holes.

Most areas don't get muddy or swampy.

There are a whole lot of blind holes. Until you get used to this course, you'll just be hucking it down the fairway and hoping for the best. I played the short tees in the winter, and more than half of them were still blind from the tees.

Some spots get swampy after it rains. Just a few areas. I think they overdid it when they were clearing out the fairways. They could have left some of the natural mulch on the ground, and it might have kept things from getting soupy. But in time, that should take care of itself.

I think the only restroom in the whole park right now is a porta-john in the parking lot, and there is never any soap or disinfectant in there. Bring your own soap, I guess.

In a couple of places, it's hard to find the next tee. After # 6, you walk back to the paved path and go right, then tee # 7 is on the right. After 12, walk back down the fairway, and at the dogleg, a path to the right goes to 13.

There's a little bit of litter already.

# 1 is a double dogleg. Left then right.
#2 Is a hard right turn, then about 300 more feet over a little valley.

# 3 is short, over a little dip, then hard left.

# 4 is short, pretty straight along a little creek bed.

#5 gives you a choice of left or right, and a lot of trees to hit.

# 6 is short, but you have to choose between tight paths. They even went out of their way to put 2 big cedar posts in the way.

7 is a doozie. Long straightaway, then a big island of dense woods. Take the high road on the left, or the low road on the right.

# 8 is a short straight uphill with a tight fairway.

# 9 is another uphill, left turn.

There you are at the parking lot, and # 10 is next to # 1. It is a long straightaway, then a left turn.

Hole # 11, at least from the short tee, is an ace run. If you can get it through a narrow gap from 100 feet away, you have a good shot.

12 gives you a right angle halfway down the fairway. And don't forget to come back down the fairway afterwards. Then at the dogleg turn right instead of left.

13 is short and hard right.

14 is long and hard right.

# 15 is short and straight and very tight.

# 16 is another short one, but you have to go left or right for that one.

Then comes 17. Start out downhill, then over a bridge, and uphill, then turn left and eventually turn right, and there will be a basket there right when you're about to give up.

To get to 18, go to the paved path, and take a right. After you walk past the basket for # 1, you'll see the blue tee for 18 on the left. There's a split fairway, with a low road on the right and a high road on the left. The red tee is on the high road, up near the top of the hill. Both paths are pretty tight. Basket # 18 is right next to the parking lot, and they lived happily ever after.

Design. It's one of those rare gems that makes you contemplate how to tackle the holes but in a good way. Multiple lines/fairways on many holes and well done greens and distances really make this course a treat to play. The course is tee-riffic (sorry, had to) with 2 sets of well-thought out tees. Well executed and well located tees despite the fact that they're the hexagon mats over gravel variety. I usually turn my nose up at anything but concrete tees poured by the gods but these didn't detract from my experience a bit. Houck has done a good job of establishing par for this course, the 4s and 5s feel legitimate. It's hard to beat a good multi-shot, placement rewarding snake of a wooded fairway in my book and this course delivers.

The course is in a nice, natural park and while not completely secluded it's not difficult to feel serene. Great tee signs, really professional looking.

The shorts are a really fun round and a good difficulty for a wide variety of players while the longs are a healthy challenge for the veterans.

Navigating hole transitions can be tricky. There are some little clues telling you where to go but they don't really *pop* at you if you're not looking for them. Here's a tip: When in doubt on where to go, go right on any sidewalk. For the most part, trails leading to the next hole are easy to spot for the veteran disc golfer.

Some of the tees and paths could use some water bars and whatnot to redirect water off them and prevent future maintenance needed. Most of the tees dug into uphill holes collect water after heavy rainfall b/c the fairway is basically the fall line.

You're in the woods so much that you can forget how close to fence lines the holes bordering the edges of the park are. It's not likely you'll get kicked or blown over a fence but it's possible.

The course is still fairly rough from newness on certain holes with trip hazards in the way of rocks, holes and small tree stumps not flush with the ground. Some holes have swampy spots, especially near creeks. Nothing major.

This course reminds me of Castle Hayne with better elevation, so it's a pretty damn good course. You could play here all day and not get tired of it. Great first impression by Houck, I look forward to any future designs in NC for sure.

- The layout and land preparation are great. Clearly, this was designed around the existing natural landscape, but then appropriate fairways were created.
- Two tee pads at every hole, will definitely play different from the pros and ams. Also, there are many different approach paths that will challenge different disc/shots - so you could play this course several times, and (other then the ace runs) it could give you a different feel each time.
- Teepad signs, excellent. One at each pad, clear distance, routes, pars, and next hole arrows. The only suggestion (total nitpick, I want a perfect world suggestion) would be to show distances to landmarks (lay-up areas, bridges, etc) on the long holes (500' +).
- Nice mix. You don't feel like you are making the same wooded tunnel shot over and over. Good mix of long (almost feeling like a Charlotte course) and short. The ace runs were fairly unique (to each other, not just flat, short tunnels) you had to finish right, or finish left, or shoot uphill. Decent elevation mix for central NC (but my body wasn't too beat up after the round).
- Most of the holes (other then the ace runs) had defined, multiple approach routes. They really make you think about your approach, and you have to plan out several shots. A few of these have risk/reward type decisions - go for the longer, wider approach, or the shorter, tighter one.
- I liked the fact that you had two loops of 9 holes, so you could stop back at your car at the turn.
- Not a big deal, but several of the baskets are on landscaped stoneworks - a really nice touch.
- The park is brand new, so everything is pretty pristine (hopefully it will stay that way!)

- It was really soggy (standing water on sunken tee boxes and swamps), if you are playing after ANY rain.
More nit-picky, then actual cons
- A few of the walks between holes aren't super-intuitive. The good thing is that one of the more challenging ones (17-18), you will have already seen when walking 1-2. The course map is a huge billboard at the start and there are next tee pad arrows on every sign, so you have no excuses. 12-13 is not good. The course had been flowing so nicely, I didn't really pay attention to those arrows and ended up at 10. Don't know if it's allowed by the park, but a simple painted arrow would be great. There were a few on the course, but they were brown and blended in with the trees nicely.
- not really a con, but more of a suggestion - the course doesn't have to play the same score from the short and long tees. There were definitely holes (12, 18, maybe 17) that should have been a stroke less from the shorts. Felt good to get a birdie, but weren't realistic for a competent player.
- Slightly concerned about hole #2. If you miss the first turn, you are shooting straight into the playground area. Don't know how much use it gets (park was empty except for a walker when I played), but I was thinking "if I shank this, and there were kids there...." as I teed off.

I played this course for the first time from the short tees as I was under a time constraint. The long pads definitely looked more challenging, I look forward to getting back there and playing that layout. My favorite hole was 7, maybe because I hit the tight tunnel to the right. This course has, what I will describe, as the Charlotte feel. The holes are wooded, but you still have several 500'+ holes. In the Triangle, you are shooting wooded holes, but there just isn't the space to do the long layouts. Other then the fact that this course is in the middle of nowhere, it's a great course. As it breaks in, hopefully they will get to concrete pads and some benches. It's a really nice course, and can only get better! I look forward to playing here again. Possible epic day disc golf trip - a 15-501 marathon. Start at Valley Spring, Cornwallis, UNC, Southern Community then end at Rock Ridge?

This is a course players from the area have been excited about for some time. Mainly because John Houck was the designer and secondly because once we saw the land the course would be built upon we knew all the aspects for a great course were there.

Layout - Overall Rock Ridge is a technical, multi-par course with solid elevation changes. There are two layouts one of which has a lot of difficulty and meant for strong players and the second which is targeted at casual players and beginners.

The shorter course features many elements of the longer course but has many shorter shots which have less difficulty off the tee. The rest of my review will focus on the long course.

The course brings together a lot of elements to create a strong course from a design stand point. Although the course is all wooded, leaning more towards heavily wooded throughout, there are plenty of long fairways that allow you to use your driver.

There's a really good combination of shots within holes and each hole mixes it up so you never get the same feel going hole to hole. You'll need a variety of shots in your arsenal to score well and the ability to be creative if you get out of place.

Another strong point of the course is there aren't many straight shots out there, many times you're having to bend a disc up fairways and on approach around varied obstacles.

The course forces you to hit landing zones to set up for the next shot on the multi-shot holes and by getting off and trying to push to hard through a hole you'll end up punished. It's really a course where you need to take what is given.

Many holes give you multiple fairways/alleys to move forward, some off the tee some later in the hole. This adds more layers to an already complex course when deciding how to move forward and attack each hole.

Fairways incorporate gaps through all phases to make you be accurate from start to finish. This really makes you consider how to shape your shot start to finish to get through and end up in good position.

It's a course where finesse and power come together. At times you'll not only need to put something on your disc but be accurate at the same time or you'll end up in trouble.

The elevation of the land which is not drastic but solid and undulating adds to the complexity of holes. There's not many flat holes here and the greens can be especially fast in some cases.

Overall I think the basket positions and green setups are solid here but still a work in progress. Your positioning coming in to a green here is important and adds more difficulty.

There is some OB on the course along the property lines, although it only comes in to play if you get sufficiently off a fairway. There is a small creek running through parts but currently is only casual.

The course has two par 5's which is rare for courses, especially around here. Both are strong overall and force you to make several accurate throws of varying lengths.

The course has a good flow to it and is intuitive for the most part, you can see walking paths after baskets leading the way. The course is also two nine hole loops which both begin at the parking lot.

Equipment - The baskets are new disc catchers and several baskets have stone footings which is cool. The signs are nice, descriptive and give you the layout plus distances from each tee.

The pads are currently the large rubber hexagon mats laid over gravel. These work really well and are ideal for the area due to the amount of water runoff that runs over some of the pads.

There's also a course map at the beginning and small signs pointing to the next tee where it's not obvious. There's also a porta potty at the parking lot.

Atmosphere - The park has a very rustic feel from it's design stand point. Most of the land is used for the course and the rest of the trails and playground were done in a very low impact manner. It's a very wooded park so throughout you have a very secluded feel with the exception of a few points where you go near a house and can see the main highway through the trees. The park also has some cool rock outcroppings which give it character.

Layout - Although this course has come a long way and is for the most part complete it still has some breaking in to do and a few recent changes have created some issues I think that will work out overtime.

One complaint I have on a few holes is that it seems the left routes are setting up as strictly FH holes for RH players. The main examples are on 6 and 16. On 6 the inner left route used to be attainable with an anny and they added two more trees to an already congested late gap that pretty much eliminates that shot. The result for that hole is if you throw RHBH you can only take the right routes. Some like the idea of forcing particular shots but personally I prefer I like the idea of multiple shots being able to hit certain lines.

There's a few places where the basket locations were moved and I believe further refining should and probably will be done. On 5 the basket was moved right to bring the right gap off the tee more in to play but where the basket is now I think there's way to many small late trees scattered about that create a lot of luck. There's about 5 within 20' of the basket which to me is another thing I don't like to see. Once you get that close on that hole you deserve a clear putt.

The approach to 17 from the left route is another place where it seems the gap is to small at a really late part right before the green. The tee shot is so hard to hit on that side due to the length and elevation that if you hit it looking at that tight gap just to get on the green is to me just to much.

On 14 the pad was moved left which brings the right route more in to play but it still has to many large late trees a good 200' from the pad that makes it to risky. The moving of the pad also made the left route to easy in my opinion and will probably be the only route most players will take. There was also a risky high anny gap that would give you solid reward if you hit it, now it's gone due to the pad move and to me that takes away from the hole a good bit. Before you had options and now it's more one dimensional.

Beyond these specific nitpicks the course does have some drainage issues. There's a few teepads on slopes that have standing water after heavy rains. The valleys on certain parts of the course also collect water and get very mucky, some trenches or drains will need to be dug to correct these issues.

While I love the feel of the multi-par holes some of the par 3's don't quite live up to the rest of the course. There's no outright bad holes but to me 8 and 13 are two of the more boring shots on the course.

There's a few transitions that make you backtrack a bit that take away from the flow. 5 to 6 isn't a big deal but the transition from 12 to 13 brings you back down the latter part of the fairway and will need to be corrected as it presents a possible safety issue.

Equipment - Some people will probably say the hexagon rubber mats aren't as good as concrete and if that's you that'll be a con. It would be nice if a more permanent bathroom facility was built at the parking lot but that's nothing really against the course, just something to think about if that affects you.

There's currently no benches along the course and it's a long walk with elevation so take that in to consideration if you have any trouble getting around.

Atmsophere - There's a few parts where you come near a house and you can see the main highway. That does take away from the secluded feeling I like but it's no big deal. You do cross walking paths in transitions so be mindful of others using the park.

Again the course has drainage issues and as of now you will encounter some muck if you go after rains.

As I said at the beginning myself and others are really happy to have a course of this caliber come in to the are. Houck and everyone else involved has delivered a true gem and challenge that many of us were asking for.

I know the con section of my review is lengthy but that in no way takes away from what is a fantastic course with huge potential still. It's more directed at those in charge as they refine the course going forward. My review will be updated later as the course irons itself out. I'm giving a 4 for now but fully expect it to be bumped up to a 4.5 later.

If you're in the area to me this is a must hit course and even one others in the surrounding area should make a day trip out of. The town of pittsboro has a lot of local crafts and eats that should also be checked out, it's a unique and cool area.

The course may not have been strictly finished when I played here, but that didn't really detract from my experience. Some of the holes had the tees and signs in: I can imagine that the rest of the holes will feature the same quality amenities. And with trusty(and fantastic) map in hand, I really didn't need the signs. Honestly, even in its unfinished state, I could have navigated this course without sign or map. The design is that intuitive.

I'm not sure what else will be done to Rock Ridge before it is considered finished. In my opinion, it doesn't need too much more work for me to list it as one of my favorites. Why? It's the curves. While this isn't the only course to feature established fairways,(as opposed to picking a line through trees) it is the on that has carved them at the perfect angle to be thrown down. The longer holes often feature two different curved sections. The first throw may be right to left, the second forces you to go back the other way. Here too, the angles are perfect for disc golf. If the first throw lands correctly, the second fairway will be just as beautiful as the first was off the tee. It's those damn curves, that get me every time.

Rock Ridge also brings a ton of variety to the table. There are short holes: six are under 200 feet. There are long holes: the two par fives are over 500 feet, long for wooded holes. There are holes of every length in-between. Ambitiously, the majority of the holes (excluding the shortest ones) feature multiple channels. Typically this means a right channel and a left, but 5, 14 and 6 feature three separate paths to the basket. Between the separate channels, and the two sets of tees, which do provide significantly different looks, there is a ton of replayability here.

There is also a ton of challenge. The par fours are real par fours. The par fives are indeed fives. I've yet to see wooded holes so long. They require not just accurate shots, but multiple accurate shots if you want to stay in the fairway. And if you want to score well, you need to stay in the fairway. In all it's one of the tougher courses I've played, and I like to think that the long tees, with multiple holes over 500 feet, and seventeen an impressive 741 feet down a wooded fairway, will challenge better players as much as the short tees do intermediates.

The flow is also impeccable. The paths between holes are a joy and transition from hole to hole seamlessly. There are a few next tee signs where the path joins the walking path, but most of the holes have absolutely no need of them.

In summation, it's just one of the best layouts that I've ever seen. I've never spent that much time thinking the curve of a fairway before. I'm sure it's rattled around in my brain on one course or another, but I've mainly noticed angles that were off. Here, I suddenly notice how all the curves are just right. But be careful, once you pass that threshold, you may not look at a different course the way that you used to.

Well, there isn't any terrain variety. While the holes all play differently, the look is fairly consistent. There are also no open holes, and no water holes so if you want some of those, you are out of luck here.

It's also a bit of a haul between nine and ten. The route pops back out into the parking lot. This could be a pro for some, as it allows people to play nine, or twenty seven, or just start on 10. But leaving the course does break the atmosphere a tad.

UPDATE: If anything could be improved about the course, it's the drainage. Granted, this is just after an ice storm, but there has to be some way to keep water from sitting in tee areas. And a path should be constructed leading from the twelve basket to the thirteen tee.

UPDATE: The above was written after I first played the course, when it was not yet complete. I had thought about waiting till my next go-round to write the review, but sometimes courses put words in my head, and I had to get these ones out. I returned to the course this morning and I still couldn't help but be amazed by how well-crafted the course is.