I give River Ridge Golf Club in Raleigh, North Carolina (there's another River Ridge GC in Oxnard, California) 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. In a nutshell, the course was in good shape for the price paid ($80 including range balls) and my overall experience with the facilities, customer service, etc. was good. This appeared to be a solid, everyday, daily-fee course. If that's what you're looking for, I recommend it. You should be satisfied. If you call the golf shop to book your tee time, you can avoid paying the online convenience fee. When I booked, the convenience fee was $2.49 per golfer. Our $80 rate was for a 2:12pm tee time on a Sunday -- peak rate, not quite at twilight rates, which I believe begin at 4:00pm during the "summer" season. As mentioned above, the $80 included a small bucket of range balls (20 balls, normally $4) and cart for 18 holes. My friend and I considered walking, but this isn't the most walking-friendly course. It's hilly and some of the distances between greens and next tees aren't close. Also, River Ridge doesn't have push carts for rent, which I like to rent if I'm walking. Harry, in the golf shop, told me he looked into them at one point. All of the staff we interacted with was nice. They included Harry and Randy in the golf shop and the starter. Since this was my first time playing at River Ridge, the starter gave me a tip about the greens. He said every hole was cut into a slope. Therefore, for uphill putts, you have to "pound" them in and for downhill putts, you have to let them trickle in. I could never get comfortable with the greens and pin placements here, but that's just me. The greens were in very good shape. I was a bit concerned since it had rained a lot the week leading up to our round. However, the greens were firm and not dinged up. They didn't roll super fast, which is what we expected. I thought the speeds were fair. I noticed most, if not all, of the holes on the practice green were cut into slopes, I guess to prepare you for the course's challenging pin positions. The driving range was mats only. There was also a sizable short game area, great for chipping and practicing sand shots. River Ridge has a big practice bunker, which is a plus. The practice facilities were busy before our round and when we made the turn. This place was popular, as evidenced by the full parking lot when I arrived around 1:20pm. Multiple cars circled the lot to find an open spot. When I booked three days in advance, the earliest tee time available for Sunday - at least to the public - was 2:12pm for two. The other two slots at our time were already taken. They turned out to be members (and friendly people). While on the practice green, we saw groups stacked ahead of us. Even though it was cart-path-only with foursomes as far as the eye could see, we finished 18 by 6:30pm, meaning our round took about 4.25 hours. That's a pretty decent pace of play for a public course on the weekend. Good job, everyone. We did experience a small wait at 10 tee, but the back nine was smooth sailing once we were off. The course has a fair amount of large sand traps. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the sand. You never know what you're going to get in terms of bunker quality at public courses in this price tier. For example, we recently played at The Preserve at Jordan Lake and Chapel Ridge. Unlike those courses, where some bunkers might have a mix of sand, dirt, clay, rocks, and/or mud even, River Ridge had proper, fluffier sand and it was consistent in every bunker I saw. The fairways were also in consistently good shape. Again, at public courses in this price tier, it's not uncommon to encounter a fairway or two with some rough patches. I don't recall any here. Now the tee boxes were closer to what I expected. And even still, they managed to make those look OK. I have to hand it to the course superintendent, Craig Hooks, and the rest of the River Ridge staff, who really maximize the course conditions given what I'm sure is a somewhat limited budget. River Ridge is a par 72 or 71 depending on which tees you play from. This is a short course by today's standards. From the tips (black tees), it measures 6,769 yards with a 72.6/141 rating/slope. My playing partners played from the blues (6,206 yards, 70.3/134) and I played from blue/white hybrid (69.2/129). White distance is 5,756. I like to play closer to 6,000. Despite the relatively-shorter length, the course was still plenty challenging with strategy involved in every shot. Some courses, you can just whack it out there, but here, you have to think a bit more about where you want to place your shots. There's a greater emphasis on course management. The course was beautiful with rock outcroppings, a few scenic ponds (Nos. 6 and 17 come to mind), and a layout/routing that naturally flowed with the hilly terrain. It's an interesting, engaging design. Unfortunately, there were no on-course restrooms nor a food and beverage cart. read more

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The practice facility is outdoors and second to none. The course itself is beautiful and well cared for with greens that are undulating and fast, a real challenge for me. The pro shop is well stocked, favoring, but not exclusive to Titleist. The staff is super friendly and helpful, and offer great instruction. I have played a lot of courses in the Raleigh area and choose to join River Ridge. Plans are to open a "golf lab" which will offer instruction using the latest in technology and managed by PGA certified instructors. I can't wait! read more

Very backed up, bad pace of play. Started 18 at 230 and was unable to finish. Had to wait for 2 groups ahead on every hole.

I play this course which is in great condition twice month only due to the fact it's about an hour from my place. The staff is friendly and helpful. read more

This was a gorgeous and peaceful spot for a wedding away from the main downtown Raleigh hustle and bustle. We've only had the opportunity to photograph one wedding here, and it was a great experience. Miranda, the event coordinator, was sweet, helpful, and managed everything with grace in spite of the heat. And that heat was INTENSE--the wedding we photographed was on one of the hottest days of 2019, so guests spent more time indoors than they might otherwise. Having the wedding entirely outdoors on such a hot day was challenging (so couples getting married in more temperate months might fare better!), but temps in the 90s notwithstanding, the outdoor pavilion was elegant, and there are many gorgeous vistas on the golf course grounds to make some beautiful photos. Hope to be back soon! read more

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If you like slow play and rude men, this is the place to go...quite the experience today. Reported to the Marshall and he basically shrugged it off. read more

Beautiful course, terrible customer service. Stuck up KIDS running the place. Hung up on for asking condition of greens, called back and was put on hold for 20 minutes. Maybe hire some adults? read more

The starter working when I played here last week was very rude, not adequate at organizing tee times, and had poor customer service. Training is definitely needed in order to ensure the reputation of the course doesn't go downhill. It definitely was not nice to start off a round of golf with a bad taste in my mouth from that. read more

I was very impressed with RRGC today. We were warned before teeing off that it was a very busy day and to remain patient as it would be a 4.5 minimum round (took us 4:45). Besides the pace of play, the course is really good. The conditions from tee box, to fairs, bunkers and greens are really great. The greens are fast! And the pins were in tough positions. Course is fun because it's not a driver off every tee kind of layout. Par 5s are gettable in 2. Par 3s are just challenging enough and there are a couple par 4s where you can go for green. Great day and everyone that worked there was pleasant. Very surprised at how good it was. read more

Happen to be there with hubby who was coaching the First Tee golf lessons. I play tennis as well as golf and the office staff was extremely pleasant when I inquired about the tennis courts. The kids that were taking the First Tee lessons seem to be enjoying themselves. When they were finished I asked one of the students if she enjoyed the lesson and she smile and said "yes". This was my first time at this course, even though I did not play golf It was a pleasant trip, I will return. read more

This is the place to be for a relaxing, easy play of golf. Not too easy and yet not too difficult. No real challenging holes to defeat. I do like one hole in particular, with it's rocky side waterfall that of course just distracts the "he88" out of me. I am attracted to water. Or at least my golf ball is...not me and my shots! I have had the distinct pleasure of hosting a few tournaments over there and Tim, the golf pro, is very gracious and has a happy go lucky kind of an air about him and the whole staff. Very welcoming in a down home sort of way. Although a time when I shot my best ever round of golf, 87, the course was a bit rugged. They must have just cut the course after a recent rain and there were piles and rows of clumped grass clippings on the fairway, that just irritated me to no end. But it did slow down my ball from rolling out of bounds a time or two! The grill has a lot to be desired. The typical grill, offering nothing to write home about kinds of sandwiches, hot dogs and the typical store brand wrapped snacks. Nothing fresh off "the grill" when you come around the bend on 9 and onto the 10th hole. Overall, good course, gracious with its tournaments, and good place to get a good score for a round or two! read more

Jamie was incredible! I wanted to make our 2 year anniversary special so I called her and she suggested a picnic so I packed all our favorite things and she had a beautiful table setup on the terrace where we took our wedding photos, overlooking the golf course! What a special anniversary day! Thanks Jamie and River Ridge Golf Club! read more

5 Star post here. Track is nice. Well equipped except for the range balls, kinda beat up. Time to replace. Love the elevation changes, nice defined fairways, undulated greens. Good pace of play, and staff is very hospitable. They were doing wedding when I was played, place looked real nice and used the large stairway for the Brides entrance. Pretty neat. Cheers. read more

this is a great golf course "if" it isn't wet. It was very wet when I played and I think it should not have been open till it dried up some. $33. to play here and constantly cleaning your ball is not worth the price. play it when its dry and you will enjoy it so much more. Staff is so-so. read more

Played River Ridge last weekend for the second time as part of a weekend golf getaway with friends. Course is in good shape and very playable from the appropriate set of tees. What merits the 5 stars was their response to foolishness on my part. I somehow found a way to lose my Apple Watch out of the cart during the round. I reported my goof up to the clubhouse and they took my name and number, but I figured that would be the last of it. On Tuesday (Monday was Memorial Day) they called and had my watch. They mailed it to me (with great care to protect it in wrapping) and I got it Friday. I can't say how greatful I am. Thanks again! read more

Played here several times since it opened. Excellent course, free practice area with green fee price. Specials on memberships available. Challenging yet fair. Be careful there are holes where you don't need a driver! Enjoy! read more

Played 36 holes here in early March. Found the course to be in very good shape despite the early season weather. The greens had recently been sanded and aerated, but still ran true and with pace. The layout is interesting, with a mixture of wide open (e.g. the almost-reachable par-5 18th) and narrow (the 6th and 17th especially) holes. With some exposure to swirling winds, it is often best to add an extra club to your approach shots - I landed well short of many greens. What impressed me the most were the extremely hospitable staff who welcomed me as though I was a regular (when in fact I was just in town for a quick busines trip and who lent me a putter to replace the one I had left at home), and the immaculate condition of the place. I will definitely return. read more

This is one of my favorites. Good conditions, good layout, fair challenge, free range balls, complete practice range and friendly staff. Recommended- read more

New fast greens, very good condition. Marshals do their job and keep play moving which I appreciate. Overall good value I would recommend checking it out. read more

The NCCGA - North Carolina Region was lucky enough to host our first regional tournament at River Ridge Golf Club. Despite difficult weather conditions, the course, faculty, and experience was great. I would recommend River Ridge Golf Course to anyone around the Raleigh area who is looking for a tough course to play. They were accommodating to college students. As a UNC student I would like to play River Ridge again. Make sure to practice your putting on those difficult greens! read more