Scenic view of a fairway and green at Rock Spring Golf Club under a blue sky

West Orange, New Jersey· Municipal

Golf at Rock Spring?
Track Your Handicap & Bets

Short Grass is the free golf app used by golfers at Rock Spring Golf Club to log rounds, track their USGA handicap index, and run Nassau, Low Medal, and Skins bets — all on the course, in real time.

4.2(320 Google reviews)

72Par

6,681Yards (Raynor (Black))

133Slope

72.8Rating

About Rock Spring Golf Club

Rock Spring Golf Club, located in West Orange, New Jersey, stands as a testament to classic golf course architecture. Originally designed by the legendary Seth Raynor in 1928, this municipal course offers a rare opportunity to experience a Golden Age design at an accessible price point. Raynor's distinctive style, characterized by iconic template holes and strategic bunkering, is evident throughout the layout, providing a challenging yet enjoyable round for golfers of all skill levels.

The course features a traditional parkland layout, winding through rolling terrain with mature trees framing many of the fairways. Golfers can expect well-maintained bentgrass greens that are often undulating and demand precision putting. The strategic placement of hazards, including deep bunkers and natural contours, requires thoughtful shot-making and course management. Rock Spring's design philosophy emphasizes angles and options, rewarding those who can navigate its subtleties.

Since its acquisition by the Township of West Orange, Rock Spring has undergone significant restoration efforts to bring it closer to Raynor's original vision. These improvements have enhanced the playing experience, solidifying its reputation as one of New Jersey's premier public golf destinations. The club offers a full range of amenities, including a pro shop, practice facilities, and dining options, making it a complete golfing experience for locals and visitors alike.

Course Tee Information

Raynor (Black)6,681 yds

Rating 72.8Slope 133

Rock Spring (Blue)6,258 yds

Rating 70.8Slope 129

West Orange (White)5,792 yds

Rating 68.7Slope 124

Ladies (Red)5,304 yds

Rating 71.1Slope 120

All tees play to par 72. Source: rockspringgolf.com.

Free for all golfers

Track your handicap at Rock Spring Golf Club.
It takes two minutes to set up.

No credit card required

Everything You Need at Rock Spring Golf Club

Short Grass is built for golfers who play courses like Rock Spring Golf Club — where every stroke counts and the bets make it interesting.

Live Handicap Tracking

Log your round at Rock Spring Golf Club and your handicap differential is calculated automatically using the official USGA World Handicap System formula. No spreadsheets required.

Score History & Trends

See how your game evolves across every round at Rock Spring Golf Club. Track your scoring average, best rounds, and improvement over time with visual charts.

Hole-by-Hole Stats

Identify your weakest holes on the Rock Spring Golf Club layout. Discover exactly which holes are costing you strokes and where you can pick up shots.

In-Round Betting

Set up Nassau, Skins, Low Medal, and Short Grass bets before you tee off. The app tracks the money in real time as you play.

Playing Partners

Connect with the golfers you play with at Rock Spring Golf Club. Compare handicaps, view each other's scorecards, and settle bets through the app.

Leaderboards

See where you rank among Short Grass members who play at Rock Spring Golf Club. Compete on gross and net leaderboards by course.

Betting Games

Run Your Usual Games at Rock Spring

Whether your group plays a weekly Nassau or a Skins game on the back nine, Short Grass handles the maths so you can focus on your game. All bets support gross and net (handicap-adjusted) scoring.

Nassau

Three separate bets — front nine, back nine, and overall 18. The classic format for any foursome at Rock Spring Golf Club.

Low Medal

Lowest gross or net score wins the pot. Choose Full 18, Front 9, Back 9, or Front & Back 9 together.

Skins

Win a hole outright to claim the skin. Ties carry over, building the pot on Rock Spring Golf Club's toughest holes.

Short Grass

Points for hitting fairways and greens. Rewards the ball-strikers in your group.

Match Play

Hole-by-hole head-to-head with full handicap strokes applied. Perfect for a challenge match.

Why West Orange, New Jersey Golfers Use Short Grass

1Rock Spring Golf Club's slope of 133 means handicap strokes matter — Short Grass allocates them correctly by hole handicap rank.
2Tracking your stats hole by hole shows where you're losing shots and where you can improve.
3West Orange, New Jersey golfers play regularly. Short Grass keeps a running handicap index that updates after every round.
4All betting games support gross and net scoring — Nassau, Skins, Low Medal, and more.
5Free for all golfers. No subscription required to log rounds, track handicap, or run bets.

Course Photos

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Course Layout

Notable Holes at Rock Spring Golf Club

The 4th hole, a par 3 known as the 'Short' hole, is a classic Raynor template. It features a severely sloped green protected by deep bunkers, demanding a precise iron shot to find the correct tier and avoid a challenging up-and-down. Its deceptive simplicity often leads to unexpected bogeys.

Another standout is the 11th, a par 4 'Road' hole. Inspired by the famous 17th at St. Andrews, this hole requires a strategic tee shot to avoid the internal out-of-bounds on the right. The approach shot is to a green guarded by a deep bunker in front, making par a hard-earned score.

The 17th hole, a par 3 'Redan', is a quintessential Raynor design. The green slopes significantly from front-right to back-left, with a large bunker guarding the front-left. A fade is often the ideal shot to land softly and let the ball funnel towards the hole, but misjudging the wind or distance can lead to a difficult recovery.

Local Knowledge

Tips for Playing Rock Spring Golf Club

When playing Rock Spring, pay close attention to the green complexes. Many of Raynor's greens feature significant contours and false fronts, so understanding where to land your approach shot is crucial. Don't be afraid to use the slopes to your advantage; sometimes, playing away from the pin and letting the ball feed in is the smartest strategy. A good short game will save you strokes here.

Consider walking the course if you're able, as it offers a more immersive experience of Raynor's design and allows you to appreciate the subtle elevation changes and strategic lines. Also, be sure to check out the pro shop for any course-specific advice on current conditions or pin placements, which can greatly influence your round on these historic greens.