The Top 10 Public Golf Courses in New Jersey for 2013

Since Golficity’s headquarters are located in the Garden State, we’ve felt compelled to bring to you our top 10 public courses to play in New Jersey.  With so many pricey country clubs that line the Hudson River, we made it out mission to point out some little known public NJ gems that allow the average golfer to book a tee time and go right out.

10. Wild Turkey  (Hamburg, NJ — $$$)

This beautifully landscaped 18-hole track sits on the grounds of the Crystal Springs Resort.  The par-3, 14th tee gives golfers a view of the entire course with lush trees and beautiful views. Challenging greens require precise approach shots on many of the course’ par-4’s, making for an exciting round for even the highest skilled golfers.

Make sure you have your camera phone ready when you get to the 15th hole as it provides a picturesque view that is simply breathtaking.  We also advise that you get to your round early and stroll through the resort, use the locker room, and go to the bar and have a drink…you’ll feel like you’re at a country club, without the snobby feel.  Although you may pay $130 for the round with cart and range, the $99 a year membership offers huge discounts to greens fees and pro shop gear.

9. Scotland Run Golf Club (Williamstown, NJ — $$)

This beautiful club earned a Golf Digest 4.5 star award and was named one of the Top 50 Public Courses in the country by the readers of Golf World.  Although closer to the Philadelphia region, this links style track has a distinct blend of quarry, wooded, and links-style holes.  Located only 45 minutes from Atlantic City, this would be one of our top 3 picks of courses to play for an Atlantic City bachelor party weekend. Be prepared to pay about $95 for the round on the weekends here.

Scotland Run Club. Photo by ScotlandRun.com.

8. Royce Brook (East Course)  (Hillsborough, NJ– $$)

The East Course, open to both the public and members of the Club, is rated “Four Stars” by Golf Digest’s Places to Play, and is ranked as one of GolfWeek’s “Top 10 Golf Courses” among public courses in the state of New Jersey. The track is measured at 6,946-yards and plays as a par 72. Its picturesque parkland-style layout features lush wetlands and wild native grass with abundant wooded areas, traditional shallow bunkers, and wide fairways.  You’ll spend on average $100 to play the East Course on a weekend during peak morning hours.

7. Twisted Dune (Egg Harbor Township, NJ –$$)

A beautiful links-style golf course near Atlantic City, Twisted Dune offers plenty of challenge with its deep ravines, high grass hills, and over 100 deep bunkers.  The 7,200 yard track gives players a taste of the Scottish Coast right at the Jersey Shore.  The greens fees are not bad ($70-80 range), but make sure you bring long pants and some bug spray, because if the breeze is not coming off the bay, the horseflies can be murder.   This course also ranks in our top-3 Atlantic City bachelor party weekend courses.

6. Architects Golf Club (Lopatcong, NJ — $$)

Located against a backdrop of wooded hills in Warren County, NJ, this golf course is a “one of a kind” in the Garden State area.  Each hole has a different course architect’s influence behind it. Whether you’re on the Robert Trent Jones 18^th or Alister Mackenzie 13^th, each of the 18 different architects offers their unique course design to challenge every shot in you bag.   You’ll pay $70-$90 for a round here but in our opinion it’s a phenomenal experience and one that every New Jersey golfer should experience.

Architects Golf Club. Photo via TeeTimes.com

5. Seaview (Bay Course) (Galloway, NJ — $$$)

Not far from Atlantic City, this is also a top-3 bachelor party golf course in our opinion.  Like Twisted Dune, the Seaview Bay course brings a little taste of Scotland to New Jersey with its rolling links stile fairways, high fescue and challenging sand traps.  Situated on the water with beautiful views of the mini “sin-city”, Seaview Resort is an exceptional place to play golf.  Try out our suggested trifecta: Seaview, Twisted Dune, and Scotland Run … just don’t gamble to heavy on the course, you may want to save some for the blackjack tables at the Borgata.

4. Neshanic Valley Golf Course (Neshanic Station, NJ — $)

Neshanic Valley allows for an inexpensive way to play one of the nicest courses in the state. At about $65 a round, this facility offers a 27-hole Championship course and a 9-hole learning Academy course.   The course was carved out of 420 acres of rolling farmland in Branchburg, NJ and the 3-nines allow for faster play to avoid long back-ups at the tee boxes.  There is plenty of fescue here and even the marshy wetlands come into play quite often, so be precise off the tee and bring plenty of golf balls.

3. Ballyowen at Crystal Springs (Hamburg, NJ — $$$)

Ballyowen Golf Club was named one of the Top 50 Public Courses in the US by Conde Nast’s GolfWorld Magazine. Over 21,000 individual golf courses were evaluated based on 13 different performance criteria, including quality and condition of the course, reputation/prestige, food/dining, and service. Since opening in June 1998, Ballyowen has continually received outstanding critical acclaim, rated the #1 Public Golf Course in New Jersey by Golfweek, PubLinks, Zagat, New Jersey Monthly, NJ Golf, and The Jersey Golfer and 15th among the 50 Most Popular Courses in the US by Zagat. Its accommodations truly make it a course worth considering if you’re taking a client or business associate out and want to make a really nice impression.

Ballyowen at Crystal Springs

2. Ballamor Golf Club (Egg Harbor Township, NJ — $$)

Ballamor Golf Club was whittled out of rolling land and dense woods in the heart of New Jersey’s wetlands.  The course was named the 4^th best public course in the state by Golf Magazine with each hole displaying its own character and complete package of challenge and beauty.  If you’re ever in the area, Ballamor is a must play and the price is right for a round here at around $100 per player on the weekends.

1. Atlantic City Country Club (Atlantic City, NJ –$$$)

As one of America’s oldest and most prestigious golf clubs, Atlantic City Country Club has been home to many firsts, including being the “Birth place of the Birdie.” The Course has a tradition of fast and firm greens with uncompromising playing conditions and its bayside setting is reminiscent of the historic links in Scotland and Ireland.  You may catch some celebrities such as Michael Phelps walking the course so soak up the experience and enjoy the views you’ll get on the water. We didn’t put this in our top bachelor party courses, strictly due to the price and tee time availability challenges. Be prepared to spend upwards of $200 for the round if you’re lucky enough to play here.