Split Rock Golf Course
Address: Split Rock Golf Course, 870 Shore Road, Bronx, NY 10464 Map and Directions
Phone: 718-885-1258
Reservations: 718-225-4653 (GOLF) or www.nycteetimes.com
Yardage: 6,174/6,281/5509
Par: 71
Rating: 72.0/129; 70.0/125; 71.2/115
Architect: John Van Kleek (1934) Redesign Robert Trent Jones, Jr. (2005)
Management: American Golf
Manager: David Laverent
Teaching Professional: Vacant
Superintendent: Anthony Hooks
Description: Split Rock Golf Course is located just off the Hutchinson River Parkway near City Island, Split Rock is a very tight and hilly course with a very demanding back nine. Split Rock Golf Course is arguably one of the best and most challenging designs in NYC. Great Scottish links style holes with tricky putting greens. The 15, 16, and 17 holes on Split Rock are called NYC’s “Amen Corner.” The Split Rock Golf Course was built with WPA funds by New York City Department of Parks in 1936.
Often compared to Bethpage Black, a great layout suffering from years of neglect, Split Rock, like the Black, is now undergoing a major renovation.
While the improvements under the direction of Robert Trent Jones, Jr., may not be brought the U.S. Open standards of the USGA but it will be raised to tournament standards. Mayor Bloomberg held his annual tournament there and there is talk of a future MGA event.
Directions: New England Thruway (95) to City Island / Orchard Beach (Exit 8B) to traffic circle. Drive around circle to Shore Road North. Entrance to the course is on your left.
Mass Transit: No. 6 train to Pelham Park and transfer to Westchester Bee-line (#45) bus.
Course Review and Favorite Hole
Have you played Split Rock Golf Course? If so why not drop us a line telling us about your favorite hole or the course and we will write your comments on this page.
Bill's Favorite Hole: Number 4, a medium length (513-yard) Par 5: It is hard to hit the fairway on this hole with a blind driving area which is narrow and slopes from left to right. A big tree on the left about 190 yards from the tee catches many balls. You must also decide whether to lay-up short of a creek that runs across the fairway about 60 yards in front of the green or try to carry it. The shot is downhill.
If you go for it you can hit the narrow green which is guarded on both sides by bunkers.
Comments on: Have you played Split Rock Golf Course
By: Rob Moore'sRob Moore's Favorite Hole - The 17th, or 9th as it may now play. Great hole with a pond 50 yards in front of the green. Very challenging. |
By: Pierre LevesqueI played Split Rock yesterday with a few friends who were in town and must say that the course is in the best shape I've ever seen it! When I played it last spring (2006), there was a lot of general preparatory work in progress like the removal of old 200-150-100 yard stantions thrown into the woods and a lot of trees and limbs being removed. I didn't notice any evident design changes taking place other than some of the tee boxes and sand traps being worked on. What a difference a year makes! Things I noticed yesterday: - I think every single hole now has new raised tee boxes with USGA yargdage bricks imbedded in the grass and they are complete and lush. - All the tee boxes now have marble stantions with yardage and ball washers. - All the traps have been trimmed and filled with nice soft white sand. - Many of the traps were reworked and mounded. - The tree cutting and trimming has filled in and shows no sign of ever having been touched. - The overgrowth between holes and along paths have all been groomed and trimmed. - The fescu and heather areas are being maintained. - The course has clear, evident and maintained fairway cuts groomed in a crosscut pattern including new fairway distance markers. - A continuous paved cart path with curbs has been installed including raised 200-150-100yd bronze yardage markers. - The greens are as good or better than the best in the city. - The overall landscaping has been improved including the addition of shrubs and wildflowers. My guests kept stating that they couldn't believe that they were playing on a NYC golf course and repeated that at spots, the course looked and was as good as many private clubs. I agreed... PL |
By: Andy MaculeyPlayed Split Rock on 9/7/07, it was a disappointment, tee boxes were in terrible condition, some the grass was very high, others were muddy. It's a shame that the course is not better kept because it is a good layout. Pelham course was in much better condition |
By: johni played split rock for the first time in years this past weekend with 3 other friends. i was immediately reminded of why it's been so long. not to single out this course in particular because it's the same at most nyc courses- the dreaded 6 hour round. i couldn't believe the poor etiquette nor the lack of staff visible to move things along. the course itself is ok but could be better served with at least a 150yard marking pole in the fairway in place of the plaques on the black top cart paths. here's what i think nyc golf should consider to speed up the pace, ask players to, 1. play the proper tees, if you can't drive the ball more than 200yards don't play the back tees, 2. after 4 strokes p/u your ball and proceed to the green. 3. play ready golf 4. get rangers out on the course. |