Situated about halfway between New York and Philadelphia in rural western New Jersey, The Ridge is an upscale, golf-only Tom Fazio design notable for its excellent conditioning and unique red rock terrain. The course seems to fly under the radar a bit given its location and fact that it is in a very competitive region for golf, but is nonetheless a very solid course that is well-worth a play. … More Review: The Ridge at Back Brook
A 10-hole par 3 course in northern New Jersey, Twin Willows features a strange design with very small greens and some truly wild bunkering. It isn’t very good, but it certainly is interesting. … More Review: Twin Willows Par 3 Golf Course
The championship course at world-famous Baltusrol Golf Club, The Lower Course is a U.S. Open style parkland design with thick rough, phenomenal conditions, and many long par fours. Although limited aesthetically due to very flat terrain, this is a well-routed and well-bunkered course with tremendous history and prestige. I haven’t been here since the Gil Hanse restoration and hope to see the changes soon! … More Review: Baltusrol Golf Club (Lower)
Arguably the second best of Crystal Springs’ six courses, Wild Turkey is a difficult but fun public course defined by its huge hilly property, scenic views, and some very memorable holes. While overpriced for much of the year, this is a course worth playing. … More Review: Wild Turkey Golf Club
A municipal Jersey Shore course with an interesting history, Hominy Hill is a bit repetitive in my opinion, but features strong conditioning and value, and is a solid option for Monmouth County residents. If you are in the area, I’d recommend a round here but know that obtaining a teetime will be tough. … More Review: Hominy Hill Golf Course
A hilly and challenging municipal course in Northern New Jersey, Sunset Valley is a solid, yet forgettable course not worth repeat plays or going out of your way to see. … More Review: Sunset Valley Golf Course
Although it has an impressive history and greens, Lakewood is a bit of a mixed bag with many mundane holes, two awful holes, and lackluster conditioning. This Jersey Shore public course is certainly interesting but not somewhere I’d go out of my way to play again. … More Review: Lakewood Country Club
A very unique public course that pays homage to the styles of eighteen classic golf architects, The Architects is more cohesive than you’d expect and provides some excellent holes and interesting golf history lessons at very competitive rates. This is one of my favorite public courses in New Jersey and is well-worth a play. … More Review: The Architects Golf Club
An elite par 3 course, Hamilton Farm’s Hickory Course is built on an expansive property and features tremendous variety and visuals. It is great fun and a strong test and members are very fortunate to have this option to compliment the Highlands Course. … More Review: Hamilton Farm Golf Club (Hickory)
A welcome new addition to the New Jersey public golf scene, the municipal Old Bridge is an affordable, playable layout with a particularly notable set of greens. It is worth a play if in the area. … More Review: Old Bridge Golf Club at Rose & Lambertson