Raven Rock Golf Course
Raven Rock Golf Course in Jenkins, Kentucky, offers a unique 18-hole championship layout on reclaimed land marked by wide fairways and small, intricate greens. Its striking quarry-side setting and thoughtful design provide a rewarding test for golfers balancing precision and power.
Course Overview
Raven Rock Golf Course presents a captivating challenge amid the rugged beauty of Eastern Kentucky’s Appalachian foothills. This 18-hole championship layout offers a blend of wide, prairie-lined fairways and small, well-bunkered greens, thoughtfully designed to reward strategic play across varying skill levels. Originally fashioned as a 9-hole course in 1995 and expanded in 2003, Raven Rock is a remarkable example of land reclaimed from strip mining, proving how nature and thoughtful design can transform industrial scars into a compelling golf venue.
Set around a large quarry, the course invites golfers to engage with a landscape that shifts between open, links-like expanses and intimate, tree-lined corridors. Fairways offer generous landing areas, though tight lies and subtle elevation changes demand precision and course management. Bunkers are few but placed with purpose, emphasizing thoughtful shot placement more than mere hazard. Greens are small and often capricious, with slopes that call for a deft putting touch.
The opening hole sets the tone with a par-3 that requires an accurate tee shot over thick rough to a sloped green. Throughout the round, several holes entice players to balance risk and reward: a short par-4 dogleg 6 presents an enticing carry over the quarry for longer hitters, while the 14th hole challenges with a narrow "island" fairway hemmed in by ravines and demanding precision off the tee.
Elevation plays a subtle role, with tee boxes and greens perched to provide stunning views of the surrounding mountains, enhancing the sensation of golfing within a natural amphitheater. A memorable tee shot on the 15th demands a carry over a forested gap, reminding players that the land itself is very much part of the challenge.
Despite a recent clubhouse fire, operations continue seamlessly from a temporary pro shop, reflecting the resilient spirit of the staff and community. While food service is currently limited, players can expect well-maintained conditions, rolling greens, and an experience that balances serene beauty with intense focus.
Raven Rock’s layout suits ambitious golfers who appreciate a course that combines open, playable spaces with moments requiring precision and strategic thinking. The quiet setting and approachable walkability invite players seeking both challenge and a chance to savor one of Kentucky’s more distinctive golf experiences.
Course Highlights
Raven Rock stands out for its quarry-side setting on reclaimed strip mine land, blending open, prairie-style fairways with a handful of small, well-protected greens. Signature holes include the challenging par-4 6th with its quarry carry and the demanding 14th hole featuring a narrow island fairway. The 15th offers a memorable tee shot over forest with stunning mountain views. The minimal bunker count emphasizes strategic shot placement, and the varied elevation adds subtle complexity to the layout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
Chris Morton
This course was an absolute treat. I came on a rainy Sunday, and was the only golfer on the entire course. Mark in the pro shop was so gracious and friendly. Being form Arizona, I was not going to let a little rain ruin my day. I enjoyed each and every shot, even the bad ones. Some of the best views I have ever seen on a golf course. This is a great track and work the trip in to play.
Bernard Tech Partners
A lovely local attraction in Jenkins, KY. The course is high enough to provide a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains. It is clean and well kept. The hills are well designed for a peaceful walk or a good game of golf. Staff members are friendly and helpful. (Image provided by our local Media Specialist: Olivia Bernard)
GolfJam Information
Can't wait to come back soon. R&D, again.
David Theoret
Raven Rock Golf Club is arguably Eastern Kentucky’s most breathtaking championship golf course. It’s part of a remarkable strip mine reclamation project that encompasses over 2,000 acres. The course was originally built by Jack Fykes for TECO Coal in 1995 as a 9-hole layout and 8 years later was expanded to 18 holes. It’s a stunning combination of Mother Nature’s handiwork and manmade features all blended together to create a golf course that will thrill and entertain golfers of all abilities. The golf course plays around a very large quarry and has wide fairways lined with prairie grasses that lead to well-manicured greens and give the course an open, links-like feel. You can almost count the total number of bunkers on both hands; there are maybe ten sand traps on the entire course and a few of them are fairway bunkers. Your round starts with a par 3; one of three on the front nine. Number 1 plays slightly downhill, about 150 yards from the White Tees. It’s virtually all carry over thick ugly rough into a small green that slopes back to front. Hit a good tee shot and get your round off to a great start! Number 5 is the second par 3 on the front nine and confirms the fact that a golf hole doesn’t have to be long to be a challenge! From the Black Tees, the hole plays a mere 127 yards, however, a small grove of trees creates a blind tee shot for right-hand pin placements. The small green is almost an island and leaves little room for error. Number 6 is a risk-reward par 4 that plays 301 yards from the White Tees, but that's if you make it a dogleg right, and hit the ball out to the fairway on the left. Longball hitters can take a shot at the green and the 240-yard carry over the quarry. Either way, you’re playing into a small green protected with a bunker back left. The 14th hole may well be the prettiest hole on the golf course. Playing 394 yards from the White Tees, this dogleg left, par 4 requires something less than a driver off the tee. Play your tee shot no more than 195 yards into a landlocked “island” fairway. Anything longer than that and you’re not likely to find it. A good tee shot will leave a long, downhill approach shot over a ravine into a small, elevated green that slopes left to right. Miss the green and you’ll need a good short game to salvage par! From the back two sets of tees, “blind shot” does not begin to describe your tee shot on Number 15. You tee off high above the tree line, over a small forest, and need at least 200 yards of carry. Successfully finding the fairway off the tee will leave a short iron into an elevated green. On June 4th, 2023, a week before my arrival, tragedy struck one of Eastern Kentucky’s most scenic and challenging public golf courses when the Raven Rock clubhouse burned to the ground. They lost everything including the restaurant which was known to draw a lot of non-golfers, and the entire contents of the pro shop. Luckily, the golf carts were stored in a separate building. To their credit, Golf Operations Manager Todd Combs and his staff never missed a beat. They worked out of a makeshift pro shop set up in a gazebo and within 72 hours, had golfers out on the course. A large golf tournament that was scheduled for the following weekend went off without a hitch – other than dinner which was catered. Raven Rock is currently working out of a temporary pro shop and other than no food service, it’s business as usual. Plans are to start the construction of a new clubhouse in the spring of 2024. Raven Rock Golf Course is the perfect choice for a round of golf or as a new destination for you and your golf buddies when visiting the Jenkins, KY area. Todd Combs and his staff can offer tips and tricks for playing your best round on this scenic and challenging golf course.
CaBella CaBella
Great challenging course. Can't wait until they rebuild the clubhouse! It had such amazing views. Still a great place to golf!
Kevin Rice
Beautiful golf course, staggering views in the heart of coal country. Very challenging and tight fairways. Not a lot, but some big driver opportunities, course management is the key here. Greens rolled constant, bunkers need some grooming. Definitely worth the effort to get there, will play again soon.
Jack Tackett
Good golf course, however, there is no food. The restaurant burned down a couple of years ago and was never rebuilt.
Brad VanDyke DC
Love this place! The staff are so friendly and helpful! They appreciate you playing. Course is so fun to play!
James heath
Absolutely unexpected for sure.... This golf course is just about in the middle of nowhere, but when you pull up to the cabin looking pro shop/bar/restaurant it's pretty sweet... Can't hit driver or woods on the short little range but with the course layout, from the tips never playing here before trying to see and pick a line let alone trust it very tough, other holes it's all right in front of you, for the most part very small greens with plenty of slope... Very tough challenge and GREAT SCENERY!!!!
Travis Tolliver
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Course Details
Access & Location
586 Cs-2072, Jenkins, KY 41537, USA
Pro shop and temporary clubhouse facility with limited food service following recent fire
Walking encouraged; course terrain moderately hilly—good footwear recommended
Open to public; tee times recommended especially on weekends
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