Hanging Rock Golf Club is a challenging and fun golf course located in Salem, Virginia, about 10 minutes from downtown Roanoke and eight minutes from the Roanoke Regional Airport. The course was designed by Russell Breeden and overlooks the beautiful Roanoke Valley of Virginia. It’s surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty and guarantees golf enthusiasts of all skill levels a pleasant and exciting round.
Over the years, Hanging Rock has earned numerous Roanoke golf and national accolades, including a 3 1/2-star rating by Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play” and one of the top 100 Must Play Courses in the Mid-Atlantic by Washington Golf Monthly magazine. Seventeen of the last 21 years, Hanging Rock has been voted “Best Golf Course in the Roanoke Valley” by readers of The Roanoke Magazine.
Hanging Rock plays 6,602 yards from the Black tees with a course rating of 72 and a slope of 137. In all, there are 4 sets of tees: White (6,007/69.7/124), Gold (5,425/66.8/118) and Red (4,519/66.6/109). Everyone, regardless of skill can find a suitable yardage and have a good time.
A lot of the fairways at Hanging Rock are tree lined, forcing either control off the tee or a good recovery game. There are five par 3s and five par 5’s which can help you gain some strokes as a couple of the par 5s are reachable.
Most Memorable Hole: Number 14, Par 4, 369 yards (upper green). This is the most unique golf hole I’ve ever played. Before teeing off players choose which green to play to. The original hole is a straight par 4, that plays longer than the 369 yards stated on the card. Tee off from an elevated tee box over a creek. There’s water on the right and if the hill on the left doesn’t bring your ball back into the fairway, it will leave an interesting lie. Your approach shot is blind and straight uphill to a triangular two-tiered green that slopes back to front and is protected back right by sand. Option 2 involves the aforementioned water on the right. Hit the same tee shot, but instead of going up the hill, the green sits on a peninsula surrounded by that water. The kidney shaped green is a lot deeper than it is wide. It’s a significantly shorter approach shot to the lower green – 100 – 120 yards – if you aren’t afraid of the water. Most of the members I spoke with prefer the original green for two reasons: they’re afraid of the water and they’re afraid of snakes. I looked and couldn’t find any.
Favorite Par 3: Number 9, 179 yards. An interesting par 3 that plays 2 or 3 clubs less because of the elevation drop. Come up short off the tee and you could easily find the creek; anything right could easily find one of two bunkers. Your best bet is to just hit it on the green, which could also win you the side.
Favorite Par 4: Number 17, 291 yards. This risk/reward hole could be your opportunity to get back in the game or put your opponents away once and for all. If you’ve got the length to go for the green off the tee, hit into the mounds just to the right of the green. Beware, there is out of bounds lurking on the left and right side. Find yourself OB and all your opponent needs to do is lay back off the tee and leave a full wedge into the fairly flat green. This is a great place for you – or your opponent – to make a birdie.
Favorite Par 5: Number 18, 466 yards. An interesting double dogleg par 5 with a blind tee shot, although there is a lot more room in the landing area than you think. Favoring the right side of the fairway is the preferred line off the tee; just not too far or you’ll never see that ball again. The lone pine tree in the distance is a good line. From there, you’ll need to decide how long of an approach shot you want to hit and play your layup shot accordingly. The green is wide and shallow and slopes from back to front. It’s protected by bunkers front right and back left. A great finishing hole.
Before your round, spend some time on Hanging Rock’s full length driving range. You can hit every club in the bag, which is good because you’ll be using them all on the course. There’s also a practice bunker and chipping is allowed on the practice green. It’s a popular place with locals to hit balls. After your round, stick around for some great clubhouse grub from the grill. They make tasty burgers and sandwiches and have all of your favorite post-golf libations.
With such stunning views of the mountains, it’s hard to believe that Hanging Rock is so convenient to Roanoke. There are a good variety of holes; each one of the five par 5s is unique and there is a good deal of elevation change. Hills on the sides of a few holes can make for some unordinary lies meaning you may need a certain amount of creativity on these shots.
A bevy of weekly golf specials make Hanging Rock affordable for anyone. “Super” Tuesdays are a 2 for 1 day; just $44 for a twosome, including cart after 11 AM. Juniors, age 17 and under are free with paying parent on Saturdays after 12:00PM and if both parents play, the second is half price. Sundays are Jack and Jill Sundays. couples play for $44.00 for 18 holes, including cart after 11:00 a.m. After 3:00PM the rate drops to $30.00 per couple. And every day is Senior Day, where seniors 55 and older receive a $3.00 discount off Hanging Rock’s normal green fee and cart rate until 12:00PM. They also receive a 15% discount on fountain drinks and prepared food in the grill.
Hanging Rock has some great membership options that will let you take advantage of this great course as often as you like. The Hanging Rock Player’s Card gets you reduced green fees throughout the year as well as ½ off on range balls and more! The Hanging Rock Play Pass gets you unlimited complimentary green fees all year, reduced cart fees and unlimited complimentary range balls. For younger players, Hanging Rock’s Junior Play Pass gives juniors age 17 and under the same benefits as the adult’s Play Pass. A Couples Play Pass is also available. Just call the pro shop and they can give you all the details.
Hanging Rock Golf Club prides themselves on a high quality golf course that is magnificently maintained, superb amenities and outstanding service. Their goal is to be recognized as the region’s premier golf experiences. From your first drive to your last putt, you’ll enjoy great golf conditions and fantastic views at Hanging Rock Golf Club. To find out more about the course, lessons and camps, the pro shop staff or how to have your next business or personal Roanoke golf outing at Hanging Rock, visit them online at www.hangingrockgolf.com.