-- Best Golf Courses in New Jersey
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-- Overview
The history of golf in New Jersey dates back to the 1890s, shortly after the first established golf course in the United States, the St. Andrew's Golf Club, was founded in 1888 in Yonkers, New York. In 1900, ten New Jersey golf clubs convened to establish the nonprofit New Jersey State Golf Association; six of those ten clubs--Baltusrol, Morris County, Essex County, Plainfield, Montclair and North Jersey--remain in existence today. The NJSGA continues as the primary organization promoting golf in the state, now representing more than 250 member clubs, courses, and organizations with nearly 65,000 members. As a member of the NJSGA, golfers can participate in NJSGA tournaments and championships, receive a USGA Handicap Index, and access other benefits and services provided by the association. The NJSGA also conducts various events throughout the year, including amateur championships, senior championships, and team competitions. Additionally, since its relocation in 1972 from New York City, the national association with which the NJSGA is affiliated--the United States Golf Association (USGA)--has had its headquarters and Golf Museum and Library in Far Hills. The USGA conducts several major championships, including the US Open, US Women's Open, US Senior Open, and US Amateur. The USGA Golf Museum and Library is the nation’s oldest sports museum and the world’s leading institution for the collection, preservation, interpretation and dissemination of golf history. The US Open, one of the four major championships in professional golf, has been held four times at the Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, and the 2023 KPMG Women’s Professional Golf Association Championship also was hosted at Baltusrol.
Founded 1895, re-designed 23 years later in 1918 by renowned golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast in 1918 only club to host US Opens for men and women on its dual 18-hole courses, (the Lower Course and the Upper Course). Hosted seven US Opens (two won by Jack Nicklaus), 16 USGA Championships and two PGA Championships, 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and upcoming 2029 PGA Championship. In 1985, Baltusrol became first club to host both US Open and Women's US Open on two different courses. One of only four golf course properties in country to be named a National Historic Landmark by US Department of the Interior and National Park Service. According to a recent Golf Digest ranking for top courses in New Jersey, Baltusrol ranks second and third for its Lower and Upper courses respectively, behind only Pine Valley Golf Club. Name Baltusrol derived tp honor farmer Baltus Roll who once owned and tilled land upon which putting greens now sit.
Markets itself as "Northeast’s largest four-season golf, spa and culinary resort", located in Kittatinny Mountains in Sussex County overlooking Walkill River some 40 miles from NY City. Resort of over 4,000 acres, includes two hotels, 10 dining venues highlighted by 4-star Restaurant Latour and its Wine Spectator Award winning wine cellar, other amenities include two luxury day spas, multiple indoor and outdoor pools. Six championship golf courses highlighted by Ballyowen course 250-acre links-style layout opened 1998, rated among NJ top public courses by Golf Week, Golf Advisor designed by Roger Rulewich, lead design associate for Hall of Fame designer Robert Trent Jones Sr.. Approximate Ballyowen greens fees range $100-140 summer 2023
Opened 2008, inks-style waterfront course located on 150 acres on Hudson River on former landfill site just five miles from Manhattan, offers panoramic views of Manhattan skyline and Statue of Liberty. Private member club with $150K initiation fee, course described as “most audacious golf course in the world” by Sports Illustrated, features large fairways leading into narrow valleys, edged by steep slopes with tall fescues. bordered by dunes and, deep bunkers, and undulating greens, designed and developed by Eric Bergstol. Access options include private helipad, private marina.with club’s private boat offering 20 minute ride from Manhattan passing Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. 
Image: Bayonne Golf Club
Situated along Hudson River adjacent to Liberty State Park with views of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty. Opened 2006, founder Paul Fireman former chairman and CEO of Reebok International Ltd. hosted several PGA Tour events, including Barclays Tournament in 2009 and 2013. Amenities include fitness center and spa. Reported initiation fee of $500K. Controversy over potential expansion to include state-owned property at Caven Point — a 22-acre migratory bird habitat bordering golf course in Liberty State Park--pending bill in NJ legislature would prohibit its use for course.
One of oldest clubs in state, private members-only club founded in 1894 and by next year became a founding member of United States Golf Association and first New Jersey venue to host a national championship in Women's Amateur followed two years later by Men's Amateur national championships. Seth Raynor-designed course on 150 acres in upscale Covent Station section of Morristown, plays 6,522 yards on bentgrass from championship tees, practice putting green, driving range, also has pool, tennis, other racquet sports and fine dining. From founding women had key roles in course plan, organization and operation, founding group headed by Miss Nina Howland as president along with four other women which rented 20 acres of land and laid out first course with only 7 holes, club only one in nation both managed and organized solely by women, within first year club had 200 female and 175 male members.
Owned by former president Donald Trump, serves as his residence during warmer months, Trump also owns Trump National Golf Club in Colts Neck of total 16 courses he owns in US and abroad. Two 18-hole courses--Old Course and the New Course--situated on over 600 acres in Somerset County countryside less than an hour from NY City. Hosted 2009 US Boy’s and Girl’s Junior Amateur Championship, 2017 US Women’s Open and 2023 LIV Golf Tournament, .originally scheduled to host 2022 PGA Championship, but PGA decided to move tournament following January 6, 20021 riot at US Capitol to avoid potential protests at Trump course.. 1939 Georgian Revival Clubhouse (previous home to automobile entrepreneur John DeLorean), pool complex, ballroom.
Founded 1887 as a hunt club, introduced golf in 1898. oldest club in NJ, sixth oldest in US, one of 25 founding clubs of US Golf Association. Moved to current site in 1917 with course designed by A.W. Tillinghast, redesigned in 1928 by Seth Raynor and Charles Banks retaining 7 Tillinghast holes. Founding members included names like Colgate, Merck, Chubb and Pfizer, most famous member West Orange resident Thomas Edison, member from 1889 until his death in 1931. Also tennis, pool, sponsors Junior Golf program of camps, clinics and instructional packages for juniors 6 to 17.
Origins traced to 6-hole Ho-Ho-Kus Golf Club organized in 1893, with principals later relocating to Ridgewood and then in 1927 to Paramus, maintains Ridgewood name derived from former location despite current Paramus site. Upon 1927 relocation to Paramus, hired noted golf architect A.W. Tillinghast, who was club member and close friend with club's longtime pro, to build 27 championship holes comprised of three 9-hole courses, East, West, and Center, along with construction of massive Norman Revival clubhouse. Hosted multiple PGA Tour events, including PGA Tour Northern Trust (formerly The Barclays). Championship Course, a composite of more difficult holes from three original 9-hole courses, .
First opened 1912 in West Orange, now on 250-acre site on high ridge in West Caldwell acquired by club after relocating from West Orange, hired Donald Ross in late 1920s to design new 18-hole course dedicated in 1931. Ranked 12th best NJ course by Golf Digest in 2023-24 ranking. New practice facility contains large target greens, short game practice area, and golf learning center with swing analysis and club fitting technology. Hosted events, include 2012 US Senior Amateur, 2020 MET Open and 2021 LPGA Cognizant Founders Cup.
Established 1890 as Hillside Tennis Club, one of 6 oldest golf clubs still operating in state. Donald Ross designed original course 1916, restored by leading golf architect Gil Hanse. Located about half hour north of New Brunswick. One of largest racquets programs in NJ, offers tennis, paddle, squash, also swimming, setting for dining and social activities. 
Founded 1897 and financed by wealthy businessmen, primarily Atlantic City hotel owners, to cater to guests coming to resort, with bayside land in Northfield easily accessible to and from boardwalk hotels via trolley line from Atlantic City to Somers Point and Ocean City. Nucky Johnson, NJ political boss, racketeer and bootlegger made famous by TV series Boardwalk Empire, frequented Club along with later celebrities including Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, others. Term "birdie" first derived from exclamation in 1903 at 12th hole “That was a ‘bird of a shot!”, now marked by engraved plaque on rock at tee, term "eagle" also later coined at Club as continuation of "birdie" theme. Course offers views of Atlantic City skyline and Atlantic Ocean.
Located in one of NJ's most affluent municipalities, over years members have included those from prominent NY & NJ families such as Bamberger, Baruch, Bloomingdale, Gimbel, Guggenheim, Lehman, Rothschild, Salomon, Tishman, others. Original nine-hole course established 1898, later relocated to larger property for 18-hole course opened 1917, course associated with now defunct Hollywood Hotel until about 1950, restored by Rees Jones in 1998 to layout closer to original design by Walter Travis, (three-time winner of US Amateur in 1900,1901,1903 and1904 British Amateur Champion and famous golf writer, publisher and editor) with extensive tree removal allowing faster and firmer fairways and deep bunkers. During 1920s, cited as one of top two or three US courses along with Pine Valley. 
Image: Hollywood Golf Club
Origins from purchase in early 1890s of 135 acres by wealthy railroad financier and shipping magnate George Washington Young where he built large estate, along with others established first nine-hole golf course at shore, designed by Lawrence Van Etten, with original nine holes now incorporated in current course. Deal Golf Club organized as nonprofit member corporation in 1898. clubhouse remains oldest in continuous use in NJ. Adjacent to Hollywood Golf Club, to which in 1912 it sold property including its then 4th, 5th, and 6th holes which now play as Hollywood’s 16th, 14th, and 15th respectively. Beyond golf, other non-golfing activities included boating on Deal Lake, archery, croquet, tether ball, tennis, and lawn bowling, established itself as social center of northern shore with early members including Robert Todd Lincoln (son of Abraham Lincoln), Colonel George Harvey (editor of Harper’s Weekly), William C. “Will” Durant (founder of General Motors), and honorary members, former Presidents Benjamin Harrison and William McKinley. 
Image: Deal Golf & Country Club
Private 27-hole, 607-acre facility opened 1987 located in upper region of Pinelands in Ocean County designed by renowned golf course architects Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Roger Rulewich on 1,200 acres bought by developer Richard Sambol and son Herbert for building a trailer park, later shifted to focus on building golf course. NY City and Philadelphia each within one hour drive. Water as a playing hazard on seven holes, with extensive and multiple tee boxes allow course to be played ranging from approximately 5,200 to 7,200 yards. Practice facility comprises 50 acres with both main practice tee and member-only practice tee 
Image: Metedeconk National Golf Club
Public course located on 420 acres of rolling farmland within Branchburg and extending into Hillsborough Township in Somerset County, near Raritan River and Sourland Mountains, environmentally sensitive wetland areas come into play throughout, putting surfaces guarded by large bunkers. Comprised of three 9-hole courses, first opened in 2004 with play on Meadow and Lake nines, Ridge nine opened in 2005. Golfweek ranks Neshanic Valley as one of Top 50 Municipal Courses in US. Each 9-hole course par 36, five sets of tees with 18-hole combinations ranging from 5,050 to 7,108 yards. Hosted 2012 US Golf Association Women’s Public Links Championship. Also features 9-hole Academy Course, Callaway Golf Performance Center, and Learning Center with a double-ended driving range, short-game practice area, large putting green, and two practice holes.
Owner and creator, Joel Moore, led purchase of 300 acres for golf-only private club without tennis or pool, with goal of retaining golfer and course architect Tom Fazio to design course. Fazio later quoted, “Golfers will be shocked by the natural beauty and drama of The Ridge At Back Brook. The 'wow' factor will be redundant here. Just when you think you’ve played the best nine holes you’ve ever played, you step up to Number 10 tee and it starts all over again.” Located about half hour drive from Princeton, first opened 2002, features "the ‘Ridge"’ 80-foot vertical rock wall backdrop to par three 8th hole, along with red rock outcroppings throughout.
Formed 1899 for social and recreational purposes, founders primarily wealthy NY City residents. Originally situated along Raritan River, partly in Bernards and partly in Bedminster Township, relocated 1918 and built at current site, designed by prominent golf architect A.W Tillinghast, one of few Tillinghast designs to remain largely untouched from original layout on rolling terrain, past rock outcroppings and small water hazards, consistently rated one of top 100 courses in country. Set among wealthy estates and horse farms, notable members have included C. Douglas Dillon, Secretary of Treasury for Eisenhower; Cyrus R. Vance, Secretary of State for Jimmy Carter; Nicholas F. Brady, Secretary of Treasury for George H.W. Bush and NJ governors Thomas Kean and Christine Todd Whitman. Top executives of U.S. Golf Association given honorary membership in club while serving since USGA headquarters just a few miles away in nearby Bernards Township. Hosted 1990 Curtis Cup and 1976 and 2006 US Women’s Amateur Championship.
Owned and operated by Dormie Network, which offers full member access to six different private clubs all under a single dues structure, other clubs in VA, NC, TX, NE, IN. Located about 10 miles inland from Atlantic City, 50 miles from Philadelphia. Designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, set in woodlands with gently rolling hills, ranked in Top 100 Modern Courses by Golfweek. Clubhouse, lodge, fitness center, restaurant & banquet facilities and practice range."
Public course opened 1965 and operated by Monmouth County Park System. Founded by wealthy shipping magnate Henry Mercer as alternative to his home club, Rumson Country Club, which he criticized for its discriminatory policies, hired noted architect Robert Trent Jones to design course, later donated course to County as public course. Named by NJ.com and Inside Jersey as one of NJ's "10 Best Golf Courses for the Money," voted Best Public Golf Course in state by NJ Monthly magazine’s readers. Host of two US Golf Association National Amateur Public Links championships. Traditional parkland-style layout, with tree-lined fairways and water hazards on several holes. Greens fees range $24-$28.
Located about 15 miles inland from Atlantic City, private 18-hole championship golf course designed by noted golf course architect Tom Fazio, who won three "Best of Class" Golf Digest Awards upon course completion in 1994. 7,100 yards on 200-acre tract of gently sloping bayside land set in pine forest, sand and water hazards.
Situated among horse farms of Somerset County, Highlands course traditional championship layout at more than 7,000 yards with deep sculpted bunkers, additional 18-hole par 3 Hickory Course, only USGA rated par 3 course in US. Course designed by team of Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry. Holes play uphill and downhill, over and beside ponds and wetlands, deep ravines. |
