For public courses, I like the Morris County ones (Flanders, Sunset Valley and Bowling Green, which I believe is still semi-private) as much as the Monmouth County gems (Hominy/Howell). Warrenbrook in Somerset County is decent and RU is way better than it was when I learned the game there in the 80s (although it simply can't ever be great as it's too short with no room to grow). Haven't played much at all in the last 10 years though, so my input might be dated.
OT: Golf in Central NJ
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I remember playing RU in the late 80s as a student for $4. Nice layout but it is short and tight. In course OOB is not a favorite of mine.
You have to add Berkshire Valley, it’s a Morris County course, designer is the same as the designer for Wild Turkey. It was added to the county system sin the early 90’s or late 80s I think.
Agreed...too expensive to play on weekends. I would pay $120-140 for Wild Turkey or Ballyown but $200+ is not worth it. Last year I even noticed Bowling Green (normally $60-80 on weekends) was $100-120. The biggest negative of Ballyowen is that it is a 5-5 ½ hour round (even during the summer week days). It's too hard for many but they try to play it anyway. I really should have bought those multi play discounts they had at Christmas time. Even getting a tee time (with a AM tee time) here on the Bergen County courses has been a challenge the past few weeks. Mid-days during the week is still packed with all the moms and seniors.
When I was in high school in the early 80's we used to be able to play Galloping Hill (and the rest of the Union County courses) during the week for $3. I think we used to play 3-4 days during the summer. My mom used to drop us off in the AM and pick us up at dinner time. Played 27 holes each day. Only negative back then was getting on the tee sheet and waiting.
Thanks for pointing that out. Didn't know that. I always said to myself Berkshire and Wild Turkey had a similar feel.
Berkshire is also considered a Morris County course (for all county card holders).
In 2010 or 2011 I got a free Bunker Hill round voucher from buying a putter from Golfsmith. My buddy and I played during one of those heatwaves back then. Course was a dump, they lost the fairways to the drought but the layout and greens were alright.
Around hole 9, we hear a sharp crack of a rifle shooting in our direction (for those who shoot, inbound shots sound a lot different than outbound shots) and a deer about 150 yards down the fairway drops dead. Then we hear a second round, this one was close enough to where you could hear the crack of the bullet, not just the report of the rifle. We were walking the course, so we left our bags and ran for cover, calling 911. About 5 minutes later 5 cop cars surround the main road and clubhouse and arrested a hunter who came onto the property.
Suffice to say, I have not been back since.
It opened in 2004, which is likely why I never played it, as I stopped playing a lot of golf by the early 2000s. Looks like a nice course/place.
https://www.njherald.com/story/sports/2014/06/11/berkshire-valley-golf-course-is/4027915007/
Same here. Used to play several times a week while I was in grad school in the eng'g building across the street in the mid/late 80s, along with a buddy of mine/roommate who was also a chem E. We got to know the starter, Whitey, quite well, and he'd let us play 27 or 36 without charging us more, so it was a real bargain. Course was never in very good shape, though, until probably the mid-90s and it's still in very nice shape.
I remember Whitey, I’d come at the crack of dawn and he’d let me go off on 10 to get a quick nine in before my period 2 class. Man those were the days.
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That's when the irrigation system was installed - many a summer evening during my early childhood I can remember my Father would have to go in and Hand Water.
Charleston South course better than the North IMO.
I played Balyowen two seasons ago. It used to be one of my favorites in NJ but the course conditions have really deteriorated, especially the sand traps. Will not be back for that price….
Same memories for me, was in college there 88-92. I remember Whitey as well.
When I started playing 100 years ago we used to go to Tara greens in NB/Somerset. Not sure if that's still around, but it was 9 holes of a garbage golf course. Best part was on the first hole you would have a huge gallery on weekends of all the people backed up waiting to tee off. Could be 30 people watching you tee off as a beginner. We would play the 9, then get in line and play it again....and again.....and again. 36 holes was pretty normal. I'm guessing they probably sold the place and put condos up or something.
This is where my neighbor (and later boss) and his son would always play - looks like it shut down last year sadly enough.
that place was terrible. also the first place i hit balls with purpose. driving ranges are few and far between in CNJ, and Tara is the one that was closest to my house...its hard to find places just to hit balls and practice these days.
Copper Hill is private. I belonged there in the ‘80s and ‘90s but moved to The Ridge at Back Brook, a stunningly beautiful course.
The Ridge is fantastic. It was my "must play" course whenever it appeared on the NJSGA Member Golf Days rotation. Since I spend most of the year in Seaside Park, my current public "go-to" course is Eagle Ridge in Lakewood. I think it's a really nice course, just not sure how much longer it will be around due to "development".
Was that maybe COVID related? A lot of courses were short staffed. Conditions have been good whenever I play it.
I didn't realize Eagle Ridge was still open. I thought the community bought it to develop the land. I used to play it all the time when my mom lived down that way (deceased for 11 years). Very nice course. A little short but fun.
Yes it was terrible. I got hit by a ball from the driving range on the first fairway. Consistently chased by mean-spirited geese. Slowest round of golf in NJ. Not much grass on the fairways...tee boxes were a total mess....greens were spongecake. But it's where I learned to play and I could play all day for the price of 9 holes. I'm surprised to hear it lasted until last year.
If Middlesex would even try a little The Meadows would be a nice muni especially for a senior like me. Rocks in the bunkers???
Ocean County sucks for golf. One full course very far south and an executive course (in Brick). Toms River has a muni (Bey Lea) and Berkeley has a muni (Cedar Creek).
Tamarack is a sad story. But I never expect anything in Middlesex County to be run well.
Bunker is west of Rt. 27 so not in Middlesex County. Will be playing there Thursday.
Why can't places like this install a warm-up net? I want to hit 10 to 12 balls before the first tee.
I’m aware Bunker is not Middlesex I was just commenting on the post about bunker. It was the first course I played. But no warm up options takes it out for me.
I first played Princeton Meadows (now Meadows of Midd) in the 80s. It was semi private. Fazio designed the holes across the road (13-16). Middlesex bought it and destroyed it. At least they have a net though. Lol
I tried to buy the acreage to the right of the drive way while I was still in college. To put in a driving range. Family who owned it wanted to keep it as an open space. Was just a vacant 15 acre plot.
With the exception of #9 all of the in course oob has been removed. They left 9 so people would not try and cut the corner and slow down people playing #1
Mercer Oaks is a very nice setup. Comparable to Charleston Springs which I played for years.
North is a great links style course if you happen to like them. Mercer Oaks East is comparable but Charleston is a bit better imo.
Pebble Creek in Colts Neck is a good course if you can get a tee time with all the outings they have there. A course in Monmouth I would tell you to avoid at all costs is Old Orchard in Eatontown. It is the only course in the state where you can lose a sleeve of balls on the fairways. They mow the place every now and then whether have too or not.
Grew up on GH. Played 54 holes a day as a kid from11 to 16. Pretty much 7 days a week unless course was closed to weather. Dropped off at 7am & picked up at 9pm every day. Putted for money with the old timers on the bottom green after I got my 54 in while waiting for my ride
Was there is the day when heavy duty rubber mats were your tee boxes before they actually put in TEES with grass
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