Bulle Rock thoughts

[roadtripper]

Going down to Williamsburg from NJ in late September for golf and Ryder Cup viewing party.  Was discussing with my brother a stop at Bulle Rock on the way back.  Never played there but have always seen its high rankings.  Is it worth the stop?

[ArtMBgolf]

Bulle Rock is a good Dye course, without too much of the Dye stuff.   
It hosted the LPGA for 5 years about 20 years ago.  
 
I have not played it lately, so I can't comment on conditions or price.   
 
If Bulle Rock is not what you want, consider White Clay Creek.  

[cristphoto]

My wife and I were coming back from a golf trip in Philadelphia last week and decided to stop in at Bulle Rock for lunch.  Didn't play the course but when entering you drive past several holes.  A quick look at the course and it appeared in excellent condition (always was every time I played there).  I did notice that there were very few people playing and not many cars in the lot which seemed strange as my club and every other course I've played recently has been packed.  Perhaps they have raised the rates a bit scaring people off.  I heard the course was up for sale a few years back so perhaps new owners changed rates - just a guess though.  

[MarcellusW]

Yes, it’s worth it.  Interesting layout, great views, great service, great conditions, and memorable.  Lots of people in the area keep their Bulle Rock tags on their bags.  

[roadtripper]

21 hours ago, ArtMBgolf said:

Bulle Rock is a good Dye course, without too much of the Dye stuff.   
It hosted the LPGA for 5 years about 20 years ago.  
 
I have not played it lately, so I can't comment on conditions or price.   
 
If Bulle Rock is not what you want, consider White Clay Creek.  

Played White Clay Creek During the onset of Covid when NJ courses were closed and Delaware allowed out of state people ( was a 2 week window I think).  Enjoyed the course and layout.  A couple of holes were being repaired I believe on the back.  Was considering stopping there on the way down if I don't go down to Williamsburg via ferry and bay-bridge.

[roadtripper]

10 hours ago, cristphoto said:

My wife and I were coming back from a golf trip in Philadelphia last week and decided to stop in at Bulle Rock for lunch.  Didn't play the course but when entering you drive past several holes.  A quick look at the course and it appeared in excellent condition (always was every time I played there).  I did notice that there were very few people playing and not many cars in the lot which seemed strange as my club and every other course I've played recently has been packed.  Perhaps they have raised the rates a bit scaring people off.  I heard the course was up for sale a few years back so perhaps new owners changed rates - just a guess though.  

I have noticed a lot of available tee times also.  Non residents can only get times 14 days advance.  Rates in beginning of Sept are $69.00, which doesn't seem bad for that course.  I think the highest rate during summer was $85.00, which again, I don't think is bad.

[Insidious2]

IMO Bulle Rock conditions can be hit or miss. I played Aug 2020 and it was really beat up. If I were you i'd take the 30-40 minute detour and play Worthington Manor.

[cristphoto]

How about Mountain Branch about 25 minutes south of Bulle Rock just off 95?  I've played it a couple times and it was a good layout and excellent conditions. Haven't been there in about 5 years however.  

[charli]

I enjoyed bulle rock. Definitely worth to play it. One of the better Public course in that area 

[howaboutme]

I played it last fall so not the same as now. However, we enjoyed the outing, great conditions for late season. Very challenging course. Hi cappers may not enjoy it as much as a result but still worth it. The food at the clubhouse was excellent too. Note that after dark, the main entrance is closed so you'll have to circle back the back way.

[burnsniper]

On 8/19/2021 at 6:12 PM, GoTime said:

IMO Bulle Rock conditions can be hit or miss. I played Aug 2020 and it was really beat up. If I were you i'd take the 30-40 minute detour and play Worthington Manor.

Bulle Rock and Worthington Manor are in different leagues. Bulle Rock is a much better design and the green fee can be 2x Worthington’s during peak season.

[Insidious2]

1 hour ago, burnsniper said:

Bulle Rock and Worthington Manor are in different leagues. Bulle Rock is a much better design and the green fee can be 2x Worthington’s during peak season.

 

disagree, could be partly location but worthington hosts many more events than bulle

Edited August 21, 2021 by GoTime

[burnsniper]

14 hours ago, GoTime said:

 

disagree, could be partly location but worthington hosts many more events than bulle

Bulle was built to host the LPGA Championship (LPGA major) and did from 2005-2009.

Edited August 22, 2021 by burnsniper

[dokex]

On 8/19/2021 at 6:12 PM, GoTime said:

IMO Bulle Rock conditions can be hit or miss. I played Aug 2020 and it was really beat up. If I were you i'd take the 30-40 minute detour and play Worthington Manor.

If you can get from Bulle Rock to Worthington Manor in 30-40 mins, I want to know where you got your jet pack.

[cristphoto]

3 hours ago, dokex said:

If you can get from Bulle Rock to Worthington Manor in 30-40 mins, I want to know where you got your jet pack.

 

Agree. I just pumped both courses into Windows Map and if came up 1 hour 33 minutes and 86.5 miles.  

[Insidious2]

Detour, not round trip; as in, Worthington would be 30-40 additional minutes out of his way 😘

Edited August 30, 2021 by GoTime

[cristphoto]

12 hours ago, GoTime said:

Detour, not round trip; as in, Worthington would be 30-40 additional minutes out of his way 😘

 

That makes much more sense.  

[GooseHook]

15 hours ago, GoTime said:

Detour, not round trip; as in, Worthington would be 30-40 additional minutes out of his way 😘

 

Bulle Rock is about 35 minutes in light traffic to the intersection of 83/695, and Worthington is another 50-55 miles from that point. I think you lowballed the detour length a bit 😉

[cristphoto]

I see Bulle Rock is still in Golf Digest's top 100 courses in the US so they must be doing something right.

[sabram]

Here's a link to a photo tour of Bulle Rock. Click on the photo below

 

 

[PNB_Golf]

I know this is an older post but thought this might help out someone in the future looking for info on Bulle Rock. Check out the video below to see the whole course. It was a brutally windy day when I played it in September. Conditions were mostly great with a few tee boxes that could use some work. I'd say its definitely worth the cost and a stop on a road trip.

 

[charli]

Played both and it’s not even close. Bulle  for the win