While obviously not the easiest course to walk, Rock Creek is definitely walkable even for multiple rounds on the same day, playing a few days in a row. It is a much easier walk than it looks. Moreover, I'd say it comes off as a better course walking than riding, for a couple of reasons. First, it was obviously designed with walking in mind, and for the most part the transitions work very well. Second, TomD, Eric, etc. apparently do not like cart paths mucking up their golf courses, and so the cart paths are well hidden and well out of play and because of the terrain they often take a round-about route. So I think one can get much better impression from the course on foot. (This may be so of most courses, but more so here than at most.)
Also, I don't understand what it is about the terrain that makes it "borderline unsuitable for golf." Of course there are rocks everywhere and of all sizes in the soil. It is a glacial moraine. No doubt the rocks presented challenges during construction, but at this point the only rocks reasonably in play are a few in place for aesthetic impact. The fairways are almost unbelievably wide so I cannot quite believe one would encounter many rocks at all even on repeat plays. Maybe if one was playing the wrong tees by a tee or two, then I guess one might have some trouble getting over the native in a few spots, but other than that I cannot imagine them much in play.
As for it being "very hilly, almost too much," again I don't really get this. In my opinion the highlight of the course was the rolling and tumbling terrain, the incredibly wide fairways, and the brilliant manner in which Doak, Iverson, and co. used short grass, roll, and visibility as fundamental strategic components.
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Mac, weren't you the one advocating for "extreme golf?" (Insert guitar solo and primal scream here.) I am not sure how that jibes with your comments on Rock Creek. The rolls may be bigger than you are used to, the slopes steeper, and the movement of the ground crazier, but that is the nature of the site, and the beauty of the golf course. And most importantly IMO it works as a golf course, it fits perfectly with the landscape, it is a pleasant and exhilarating walk, and shot after shot is not only different, it is tremendous fun.
As for the conditions, your experience is different from mine, but then I haven't been there is a few years. Do you really feel comfortable judging the quality of the course based on the conditions for the few days you were there?
And Mac, please don't take my comments the wrong way. You are certainly entitled to your opinion, and I am sure there is a large segment of golfers for which Rock Creek would be too big a break from the status quo. I just don't understand the "borderline unsuitable for golf" comment, unless you meant borderline out of your comfort zone for golf.
Would you feel the same way about the terrain if the hills were sand dunes instead of glacial moraine?