New Jersey features 300+ golf courses including Pine Valley, ranked #1 golf course in the world, and legendary championship venues like Baltusrol.
New Jersey stands as one of America's premier golf destinations, home to approximately 300 golf courses including the legendary Pine Valley Golf Club, consistently ranked the #1 golf course in the world by Golf Digest. The Garden State boasts an extraordinary concentration of world-class courses, from championship venues like Baltusrol (7 U.S. Opens) and Liberty National (PGA Tour events) to outstanding public facilities like Twisted Dune, Ballyowen, and The Architects Golf Club.
With the highest golfers-per-public-course ratio in the nation—over 5,300 golfers per publicly accessible course—New Jersey's golf landscape reflects passionate participation despite its urban density. The state features the highest proportion of private clubs nationally, yet maintains nearly 100 public courses and 50+ semi-private facilities serving golfers from the New York and Philadelphia metropolitan areas.
New Jersey's golf heritage dates to 1887 with Essex County Country Club (6th oldest in America), and includes Golden Age masterpieces by legendary architects A.W. Tillinghast (Somerset Hills, Ridgewood, both Baltusrol courses), Donald Ross (Plainfield, Mountain Ridge), and modern championship designs hosting major tournaments. From the coastal Jersey Shore courses to the Pine Barrens layouts of South Jersey, the state offers diverse terrain and year-round play in a mild climate.
New Jersey is home to four of Golf Digest's top-ranked courses in America, including the legendary Pine Valley Golf Club—ranked #1 in the world for decades.
📍 Clementon, Camden County | Founded 1913, Opened 1918
The World's #1 Golf Course: Pine Valley has held the top spot in Golf Digest's "America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses" ranking since 1985, yielding only four times (Pebble Beach in 2000; Augusta National in 2009, 2011, 2015). Consistently ranked the finest golf course on the planet, Pine Valley represents the pinnacle of golf course architecture and the ultimate test of shot-making.
History & Design: Founded in 1913 by a group of amateur golfers from Philadelphia who purchased 184 acres of rolling, sandy ground in the New Jersey pinelands, Pine Valley was the vision of George Arthur Crump, a hotelier and avid golfer. Crump dedicated his life to creating a course that would challenge the world's best players while embracing the natural landscape. He died in January 1918, one year before completion, with holes 12-15 unfinished. Legendary architects H.S. Colt, A.W. Tillinghast, George C. Thomas Jr., Walter Travis, and Hugh Wilson and his brother Alan (of Merion fame) completed Crump's masterpiece.
The Course: Pine Valley is renowned for its formidable hazards, sophisticated green complexes, and wonderful routing that hasn't budged from the No. 1 spot for decades. The course demands precision with every shot—fairways are islands of grass surrounded by sandy waste areas, scrub, and pine trees. Miss the fairway or green, and you're in serious trouble. The difficulty and design philosophy make it the ultimate examination of golf skill.
Notable Facts: Pine Valley has never hosted a major championship (by design, to maintain exclusivity). The course admitted female members for the first time in 2020, over 100 years after its founding. In 2024, Pine Valley hosted the Curtis Cup, only the third elite competition in its history.
📍 Springfield, Union County | Founded 1895
Two Championship Courses: Baltusrol features 36 holes of championship golf with the Lower Course and Upper Course, both designed by A.W. Tillinghast and restored by Gil Hanse (Lower reopened May 2021, Upper May 2025).
Championship History - Lower Course:
The Courses: The Lower Course (7,392 yards) is Baltusrol's primary championship layout, hosting all U.S. Opens and PGA Championships. Known for its par-3 4th hole and drivable par-4 17th. The Upper Course offers a slightly shorter but equally challenging test of golf with Tillinghast's strategic design principles.
Access: Private club. Guest play only with member invitation.
📍 Plainfield, Union County | Opened 1921
Donald Ross Masterpiece: Originally opened in 1890 as Hillside Tennis Club with a nine-hole course added in 1895. When Plainfield purchased 60 acres of rolling farmland in 1916, Donald Ross was hired to redesign the existing Tom Bendelow layout. Ross spent two days on-site creating a layout that opened in 1921 following WWI delays.
Historic Restoration: In the late 1990s, Gil Hanse and his team gradually restored all of Plainfield's Donald Ross features. More than 1,200 trees removed, lost bunkers rediscovered, 16 greens expanded, and 12 tees lengthened. The restoration resulted in an exceptional revival of one of Donald Ross' very best designs.
Revolutionary War Site: The course sits on the battlefield of the Revolutionary War's Battle of Short Hills (June 26, 1777), making it a historically significant location beyond its golf heritage.
Championships: Hosted the 2025 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship, returning Plainfield to the national spotlight after decades of restoration work.
Access: Private club. Ranked #3 in New Jersey (Golf Digest 2025-26).
📍 Bernardsville, Somerset County | Opened 1918
A.W. Tillinghast's Masterwork: Somerset Hills is one of the few Tillinghast designs that has remained virtually unchanged since opening in 1918. Many golf architects trumpet it as A.W. Tillinghast's finest design for regular play, thanks to a meticulous 25-year restoration effort.
The Most Authentic Tillinghast: It may be the most authentic Tillinghast course on Golf Digest's 100 Greatest list. The restoration brought back original features with such attention to detail that the course exemplifies Tillinghast's strategic design philosophy in its purest form.
Design Philosophy: Features Tillinghast's signature elements: strategic bunkering, heroic carries, multi-tiered greens, and risk-reward opportunities throughout the round. The course rewards precise shot-making and strategic thinking over pure power.
Access: Private club. Ranked #2 in New Jersey (Golf Digest 2025-26).
📍 Paramus, Bergen County | Designed 1929 by A.W. Tillinghast
Fabulous 27-Hole Facility: Ridgewood features 27 holes divided into three nines—East, West, and Center—each presenting unique challenges and stunning views. A.W. Tillinghast lived much of his life in New Jersey and gave the state this remarkable multi-course facility.
The Famous "Five and Dime": The drivable par-4 sixth on the Center nine is one of the country's greatest holes, offering a strategic risk-reward decision that epitomizes great golf design.
Championships: Ridgewood has hosted numerous PGA events throughout its history, cementing its reputation as a championship-caliber venue.
Access: Private club. Ranked #6 in New Jersey (Golf Digest 2025-26).
📍 Watchung, Somerset County | Seth Raynor routing
Lost Raynor Routing Brought to Life: Extensive restoration work brought to life an unbuilt Seth Raynor routing at Watchung Valley, creating one of New Jersey's most talked-about restoration projects.
Template Holes: Features Raynor's signature template holes based on famous holes from Britain, including Redan, Biarritz, and Short variations. The restoration honored Raynor's original vision.
Access: Private club. Featured prominently in Golf Digest rankings.
New Jersey hosts PGA Tour events and has welcomed major championships, with world-class facilities near New York City serving as tournament venues.
📍 Jersey City, Hudson County | Established 2006
NYC Backdrop: Designed by Robert E. Cupp and Tom Kite (1992 U.S. Open winner), Liberty National sits against the iconic backdrop of New York City's skyline, offering dramatic views from across the course.
PGA Tour Events:
Ultra-Exclusive Access: Initiation fees reportedly between $450,000-$500,000 plus annual dues. One of America's most expensive club memberships.
Course: Championship layout with water hazards, dramatic elevations, and spectacular views. When the 2022 PGA Championship was stripped from Trump Bedminster, Liberty National was mentioned as a potential replacement.
📍 Bedminster, Somerset County
U.S. Women's Open 2017: Hosted the U.S. Women's Open from July 13-16, 2017, bringing a major championship to northern New Jersey.
Lost 2022 PGA Championship: The course was awarded the 2022 PGA Championship in 2014, but on January 10, 2021, the PGA of America stripped the course of this championship following the U.S. Capitol events.
LIV Golf Events: Trump National Bedminster has hosted LIV Golf events, including tournaments in 2022.
Access: Private club.
📍 West Orange, Essex County | Founded 1887
Oldest in New Jersey: Founded in 1887, Essex County is the oldest club in New Jersey and the sixth oldest in the United States. A nine-hole course was completed in 1895, extended to 18 holes in 1897 by Alex Findlay.
Charles Banks Restoration: Gil Hanse's team recently restored Charles Banks' design work at Essex County, bringing the course back to its Golden Age glory.
Historic Significance: In 1900, Essex County hosted a meeting with representatives from 10 New Jersey clubs that resulted in the birth of the New Jersey State Golf Association.
📍 West Caldwell, Essex County | Designed by Donald Ross, late 1920s
Donald Ross Design: The 250-acre site is perched atop an enormous ridge in West Caldwell, featuring classic Donald Ross strategic design elements throughout.
Recent Recognition: Recent tree-removal work and impeccable conditioning have brought Mountain Ridge increased recognition in golf rankings, showcasing Ross's brilliant routing.
Access: Private club.
📍 Morris County | Seth Raynor & C.B. Macdonald
Golden Age Gem: Gets lost among the unthinkably good golf in the Tri-State area, but the Golden Age design is finally getting its due, thanks to recent restoration work.
Dual Architects: Features work by Seth Raynor, and it was recently discovered that C.B. Macdonald also contributed to the design, making it a rare collaboration between two legends.
Access: Private club.
📍 Jackson, Ocean County | Designed by Eric Bergstol, 1998
Premier Private Club: Located in the scenic Pinelands of Southern New Jersey, this 7,118-yard layout lies within a 420-acre heavily wooded property.
Evolution: Began life in 1998 as a pay-and-play facility before transitioning to private ownership a decade later, elevating to premier private status.
Setting: Designed by Eric Bergstol, the course showcases Pine Barrens terrain with sandy soil, pine forests, and natural beauty throughout.
Despite having the highest golfers-per-public-course ratio in America (5,300+ golfers per course), New Jersey features exceptional public facilities that rank among the nation's finest.
📍 Hamburg, Sussex County
Scottish Highlands Style: Designed by Roger Rulewich (Robert Trent Jones' chief associate for 25 years), Ballyowen is set on 250 acres and emulates a heathland style with rolling fairways and tall grasses akin to the Scottish Highlands.
National Recognition: Widely recognized as one of the finest public courses not just in New Jersey, but in the entire country.
Rates: Premium pricing for championship conditions and design excellence.
📍 Lopatcong Township, Warren County
Tribute to Golf's Masters: Perhaps the most thoughtful public design in New Jersey, built in the spirit of the game's best (deceased) architects by Stephen Kay and Ron Whitten.
18 Holes, 18 Architects: Each hole reflects the style of a famed designer, creating an assortment of challenges and a journey through golf architecture history. Greens and bunker complexes reminiscent of the styles of the game's best designers.
Rates: $65-$120 (with cart). Exceptional value for the architectural experience.
📍 Egg Harbor Township, Atlantic County
Top South Jersey Public Course: One of New Jersey's premier public courses featuring dramatic elevation changes and expansive fairways. Designed by architect Archie Struthers.
Excellent Conditions: Meticulously maintained with incredible views throughout the round. The $100 green fee is justified by its championship-quality conditions and dramatic landscapes.
Rates: Approximately $100. Premium public experience near Atlantic City.
📍 Colts Neck, Monmouth County
Championship Public Course: Highly regarded as a challenging but walkable course without significant elevations, developed on the site of an old dairy farm.
Championship History:
Access: Monmouth County residents and those with county membership ($48/year) can book in advance.
📍 Millstone Township, Monmouth County
Two 18-Hole Courses:
Location: Convenient to Jersey Shore destinations.
📍 Colts Neck, Monmouth County
Semi-Private Gem: A lush course that maintains many rustic features of the farm that used to operate there.
Character: Combines pastoral charm with challenging golf, popular with locals and visitors.
📍 Lakewood, Ocean County
Three 9-Hole Courses: A stunning facility open to the public seven days a week, nestled within the lush natural pines of Northern Ocean County.
The Courses: Ridge, Pines, and Links 9s, with the Ridge 9 being a favorite for its non-stop risk-reward opportunities.
Setting: Pine forests provide scenic beauty and challenge.
📍 Little Egg Harbor, Ocean County
Highly Rated: One of South Jersey's newest and most popular courses, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars in Golf Digest.
Location: Convenient to Long Beach Island and Jersey Shore beaches.
📍 Franklin, Sussex County
Value Play: A relative bargain compared to Wild Turkey and Ballyowen in the same region.
Northwest NJ: Part of the excellent golf options in Sussex County.
📍 Galloway, Atlantic County | Designed by Tom Fazio
Pine Barrens Setting: Occupies a very fine stretch of South Jersey Pine Barrens, a site that before construction had been compared to nearby Pine Valley.
Natural Beauty: Pines and roughs of pine needles frame most holes, and the eastern flank runs directly along a tidal marsh leading to the Atlantic Ocean.
Design: Tom Fazio's work showcases the unique Pine Barrens terrain.
📍 Galloway, Atlantic County | Designed by Donald Ross
LPGA Classic Venue: Annual site of the ShopRite LPGA Classic, Seaview Bay is a classic links-style layout designed by legendary Donald Ross.
Classic Features: Deep pot bunkers, berms of rough, and small, undulating greens characteristic of Ross design philosophy.
Resort: Part of Seaview Hotel & Golf Club, offering stay-and-play packages.
📍 Bergen County | Multiple Locations
6 Public Courses: Bergen County operates several excellent public facilities including:
Rates: Registered golfers: $20-$25; Non-registered: $30-$35. Affordable golf near NYC.
The Jersey Shore offers easy access to numerous daily-fee public golf courses within a quick drive of the ocean, featuring links-style layouts and coastal scenery across Monmouth, Ocean, and Atlantic Counties.
Monmouth County (Northern Shore):
Ocean County (Central Shore):
Atlantic County (Southern Shore - Atlantic City Area):
The New Jersey Pine Barrens (Pinelands) provide a distinctive golf environment featuring sandy soil, pine forests, and natural beauty. This region is home to Pine Valley (#1 in world) and other outstanding courses built in similar terrain.
What Makes Pine Barrens Golf Unique: The Pine Barrens region features sandy, well-drained soil similar to Scotland's linksland, allowing for firm, fast playing conditions. The natural vegetation includes scrub pines, sandy waste areas, and cranberry bogs. This terrain was perfectly suited for Pine Valley, which became the template for challenging, strategic golf course design.
Geography: The Pine Barrens span portions of Ocean, Burlington, Atlantic, Camden, and Cape May Counties, covering over 1 million acres in South Jersey. Golf courses in this region take advantage of the natural sandy terrain that requires minimal earthmoving to create dramatic, strategic holes.
North Jersey, particularly Bergen, Morris, Essex, Passaic, and Hudson Counties, is home to some of the state's finest private clubs and excellent public options, serving golfers from the New York metropolitan area.
Bergen County:
Morris County:
Essex County:
Hudson County:
Somerset County:
New Jersey's 300+ courses span diverse terrain from the Skylands region in the northwest to Cape May in the south.
Character: Highest concentration of elite private clubs, excellent public options, close proximity to NYC. Terrain varies from flat parkland to hilly wooded courses.
Notable Courses: Ridgewood CC (Tillinghast 27 holes), Essex County CC (oldest in NJ), Somerset Hills CC (#2 NJ), Morris County GC (Raynor/Macdonald), Mountain Ridge CC (Ross), Liberty National (PGA Tour), Trump Bedminster, Watchung Valley, Ballyowen, The Architects, Black Bear, and numerous county/municipal facilities.
Counties: Bergen (6+ public courses including Overpeck, Rockleigh, Soldier Hill), Morris (Flanders Valley, Pinch Brook), Essex (Weequahic, Francis A. Byrne), Hudson (Liberty National, Skyway), Somerset (Neshanic Valley, Spooky Brook), Sussex (Ballyowen, Black Bear, Crystal Springs resort courses).
Character: Mix of historic private clubs and accessible public courses, serving communities between NY and Philadelphia metros.
Notable Courses: Baltusrol GC - Springfield (#1 championship venue, 7 U.S. Opens), Plainfield CC (#3 NJ, Donald Ross), Pine Valley GC - Clementon (#1 WORLD), Echo Lake CC, Forsgate CC, Rutgers Golf Course, Raritan Landing Golf Course, Royce Brook Golf Club.
Union County: Home to Baltusrol (Springfield) and Plainfield (Plainfield), two of America's greatest courses.
Middlesex County: Tamarack Golf Course, Raritan Landing, Rutgers Golf Course.
Hunterdon County: Farmstead Golf & Country Club, Neshanic Valley.
Mercer County: Mountain View Golf Course, Mercer Oaks Golf Course.
Character: Coastal and near-coastal courses serving summer vacationers and year-round residents. Links-style layouts and traditional parkland courses.
Monmouth County: Hominy Hill (Colts Neck - Championship public, USGA events), Charleston Springs (North & South 36 holes), Colts Neck GC (semi-private), Howell Park, Shark River, Spring Meadow, and numerous private clubs.
Ocean County: Eagle Ridge (Lakewood - three 9s), Shore Gate (Little Egg Harbor - 4.5 stars), Sea Oaks, Forge Pond, Ocean County Golf Course at Atlantis, plus Pine Barrens Golf Club (private).
Access: Monmouth County requires nonresident membership ($48/year) for advance tee time bookings at county courses.
Character: Pine Barrens terrain with sandy soil, pine forests, and firm/fast conditions. Home to Pine Valley and several courses built in similar style.
Atlantic County (Atlantic City area): Twisted Dune (Egg Harbor Twp - premium public), Seaview Bay Course (Galloway - Donald Ross, LPGA venue), Galloway National (Tom Fazio), Blue Heron Pines, Mays Landing CC, Atlantic City CC, Brigantine Golf Links.
Camden County: Pine Valley GC (Clementon - #1 WORLD, ultra-private), Ramblewood CC, Woodcrest CC.
Burlington County: Rancocas Golf Club, Willow Brook CC, Burlington CC.
Gloucester County: Valleybrook Golf Club, Scotland Run Golf Club, Wedgewood CC.
Cape May County: Cape May National, Sand Barrens Golf Club (Swainton), Avalon Golf Club, Stone Harbor Golf Club.
Character: Mountain and hillside courses with elevation changes, wooded settings, and scenic beauty. Crystal Springs Resort area.
Sussex County: Ballyowen GC (Hamburg - top-ranked public), Black Bear GC (Franklin), Crystal Springs Resort courses (Wild Turkey, Crystal Springs), Skyview Golf Club, High Point Country Club.
Warren County: The Architects Golf Club (Lopatcong - tribute design), Skyview Golf Club, White Beeches Golf & Country Club.
Appeal: Destination golf with resort amenities, particularly around Crystal Springs Resort area near Vernon.
New Jersey's rich golf heritage dates to the 1890s, with several clubs among America's oldest and most historic.
📍 West Orange, Essex County
Oldest in New Jersey, 6th in America: Founded in 1887, making it the oldest club in New Jersey and the sixth oldest in the United States.
Early Layout: Nine-hole course completed in 1895, extended to 18 holes in 1897 by Alex Findlay.
NJSGA Founding: In 1900, Essex County hosted the meeting of representatives from 10 New Jersey clubs that resulted in the birth of the New Jersey State Golf Association.
Modern Era: Charles Banks' design work recently restored by Gil Hanse.
📍 Lakewood, Ocean County
1893 Course, 1894 Club: The golf course came into existence in fall 1893, about one mile from the railroad station. The Golf Club of Lakewood was organized in October 1894 and incorporated in 1898.
Designer: Champion Willie Dunn designed the original nine-hole course.
Legacy: One of the earliest golf facilities in New Jersey and America.
📍 Originally Nutley Golf Club
Founded 1894: Originally founded as the Nutley Golf Club in 1894.
Name Change: Name changed to Yountakah Country Club five years later (1899) when the course was expanded to 18 holes.
Historic Significance: Among the earliest golf clubs established in New Jersey.
📍 Springfield, Union County
Founded 1895: Louis Keller founded a golf club for himself and others from Manhattan.
Unique Name: The club's name combines the first and last name of the land's owner, Dutch farmer Baltus Roll.
Modern Era: Now home to two championship Tillinghast courses hosting 7 U.S. Opens and 2 PGA Championships.
📍 Ocean County
Organized 1895: The club was organized in December 1895 and incorporated on January 4, 1896.
Legacy: Part of New Jersey's early golf development in the Jersey Shore region.
📍 Deal, Monmouth County
Incorporated 1898: On October 15, 1898, five founding members organized Hollywood Golf Club as a New Jersey stock corporation.
Founders: Joseph J. O'Donohue Jr., Maurice M. Sternberger, Thomas J. O'Donohue, William H. Rolston, and Carl H. Randebrock.
📍 Clementon, Camden County
Founded 1913, Opened 1918: Founded in 1913 by amateur golfers from Philadelphia who purchased 184 acres. George Crump's vision took shape over 5 years before his death in January 1918, with completion in 1918 by legendary architects.
Legacy: Now ranked #1 golf course in the world for decades.
📍 Bernardsville, Somerset County
Opened 1918: A.W. Tillinghast's masterwork opened in 1918 and has remained virtually unchanged, representing one of the most authentic Golden Age designs.
Modern Era: Ranked #2 in New Jersey after 25-year meticulous restoration.
Public Course Range: New Jersey public golf courses typically charge:
County Course Memberships:
Resort/Premium: Seaview, Crystal Springs, and other resort courses may offer stay-and-play packages with better value.
Year-Round Golf: New Jersey's mild mid-Atlantic climate allows golf nearly year-round, though winter months (December-February) can be challenging.
Peak Seasons:
Jersey Shore Golf: Peak summer season (June-August) when shore vacationers are present. Book tee times well in advance.
Tip: Fall (especially September-October) offers the best combination of weather, course conditions, and reduced crowds after summer vacation season.
New Jersey offers exceptional terrain diversity:
Pine Barrens (South Jersey): Sandy soil, firm/fast conditions, pine forests, strategic design. Similar to Scotland's linksland. Example: Pine Valley (#1 world), Twisted Dune, Pine Barrens GC.
Coastal/Links-Style (Jersey Shore): Ocean breezes, links characteristics, open layouts. Examples: Seaview Bay Course (Ross), Shore Gate, various shore courses.
Parkland (North/Central): Tree-lined fairways, traditional design, rolling terrain. Examples: Baltusrol, Plainfield, Somerset Hills, Mountain Ridge.
Mountain/Hillside (Northwest Skylands): Elevation changes, scenic mountain views, wooded settings. Examples: Ballyowen (Scottish Highlands style), Black Bear, Crystal Springs resort courses.
Wetlands/Marsh: Some courses incorporate tidal marshes and wetlands, particularly in coastal areas (Liberty National, Galloway National eastern edge).
Private vs Public Reality: New Jersey has the highest proportion of private clubs nationally and the lowest proportion of public golf at 52%. This means:
Getting Access to Private Clubs: Pine Valley, Baltusrol, Somerset Hills, Plainfield, and most top-ranked courses are private with no public access except by member invitation.
Best Public Access Strategy:
Pine Valley Public Access: The ONLY public access is the Crump Cup final (last Sunday in September) for viewing only—not playing.
New Jersey State Golf Association (NJSGA):
Regional Associations:
Junior & Women's Golf:
Course Directories: NJGolf.com maintains searchable database of all NJ courses by county, city, and zip code.
U.S. Opens (7 at Baltusrol): 1903, 1915, 1936, 1954, 1967, 1980 (Nicklaus), 1993 (Janzen)
PGA Championships:
Women's Majors:
PGA Tour Events:
LPGA Events:
Amateur Championships: Multiple USGA amateur events hosted at Plainfield, Baltusrol, Hominy Hill, and other venues.
Roger Dunn Golf Shops, Van's Golf Shops, Golfers' Warehouse, CaddyTips, The Golf Mart
Playing Pine Valley is extremely difficult. Pine Valley is ultra-exclusive with membership by invitation only from the board of directors. The only way to play is to be invited and accompanied by a member, and you must have a low handicap. There is NO public access, no stay-and-play packages, and you cannot buy your way in.
The ONE Public Access Opportunity: Each year on the last Sunday in September, the public can tour Pine Valley and watch the final round of the Crump Cup tournament. Visitors park at nearby Clementon Amusement Park ($25 per car), and yellow school buses transport fans to the course. This isn't a chance to play, but it's your only opportunity to walk the grounds of the world's #1 golf course and experience it in person.
Realistically, unless you know a member or become a highly successful person with connections in the golf world, playing Pine Valley will remain a dream. However, you can experience many other world-class courses in New Jersey that are more accessible.
Top-Rated Public Courses: New Jersey features several outstanding public courses that rank among America's finest:
These courses offer championship-quality golf at daily-fee rates, though demand is high due to New Jersey having the highest golfers-per-public-course ratio in America (over 5,300 golfers per course). Book tee times well in advance, especially for weekends.
Public Golf Course Green Fees (2024-2025):
Membership Programs: Many public courses offer annual memberships ($1,000-$4,000) providing discounted green fees, preferred tee times, and member benefits. County programs like Monmouth County ($48/year) give nonresidents advance booking privileges.
Resort/Stay-and-Play: Crystal Springs, Seaview, and other resort courses may offer packages combining lodging and golf for better value than daily rates.
Private Clubs: Initiation fees range from tens of thousands to $450,000-$500,000 at ultra-exclusive clubs like Liberty National, plus annual dues typically $10,000-$50,000+.
Fall (September-November) is the best season for New Jersey golf, offering ideal temperatures (60-75°F), excellent course conditions, beautiful autumn foliage, and reduced crowds after summer vacation season ends.
Season Breakdown:
Jersey Shore Consideration: If planning a beach vacation with golf, summer (June-August) is peak season, but book tee times early as courses fill quickly. Shoulder seasons (May, September) offer excellent weather with fewer crowds.
New Jersey has approximately 300+ golf courses statewide, making it one of America's premier golf destinations despite being the 5th smallest state by land area.
Breakdown by Type:
Unique Statistics: New Jersey has the highest proportion of private clubs nationally and the lowest proportion of public golf at just 52% public access. This creates the highest golfers-per-public-course ratio in America at over 5,300 golfers per publicly accessible course.
Quality Over Quantity: What makes New Jersey special isn't just the number of courses, but the concentration of world-class designs - Pine Valley (#1 world), nine courses in Golf Digest's top 200, and championship venues hosting major tournaments.
Baltusrol Golf Club (Springfield) - Most Decorated:
Trump National Bedminster: 2017 U.S. Women's Open (was awarded 2022 PGA Championship but later stripped)
PGA Tour Venues:
USGA Amateur Championships: Hominy Hill (1983 U.S. Amateur Public Links, 1995 U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links), Plainfield Country Club (2025 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball), and various other amateur events at premier clubs.
Notable Absence: Pine Valley (#1 golf course in world) has never hosted a major championship by design, maintaining its ultra-exclusive nature. It has hosted only three elite competitions in its history, most recently the 2024 Curtis Cup.
The Jersey Shore offers excellent golf across three main coastal regions:
Northern Shore (Monmouth County):
Central Shore (Ocean County):
Southern Shore (Atlantic County - Atlantic City area):
Pro Tip: Summer (June-August) is peak season at Jersey Shore courses with highest demand. Book tee times as early as possible, or consider playing shoulder seasons (May, September) for better availability and ideal weather.
Several factors make New Jersey golf more expensive than many other states:
1. Supply and Demand Imbalance: New Jersey has over 5,300 golfers per public course—the highest ratio in America. With the lowest proportion of public golf nationally (52%) and the highest proportion of private clubs, intense competition drives up prices.
2. High Cost of Land & Operations: New Jersey has the highest property taxes in America and high operating costs. Land values near New York City and Philadelphia metros are astronomical, making course ownership and maintenance expensive.
3. Dense Population & Demographics: Tucked between NYC and Philadelphia metros, New Jersey serves affluent populations with high disposable income willing to pay premium rates. The state's population density creates natural demand.
4. Quality Concentration: The state features exceptional course quality—Pine Valley (#1 world), nine courses in Golf Digest's top 200, and championship venues. Premium quality justifies premium pricing.
Finding Value:
Bottom Line: While New Jersey golf is expensive compared to states with abundant public courses (Michigan, Wisconsin, etc.), the quality, variety, and proximity to major metros make it worthwhile for serious golfers willing to invest.
New Jersey golf is unique for several exceptional characteristics:
1. Pine Valley - #1 Golf Course in the World: No other state can claim the world's #1 ranked course. Pine Valley has dominated Golf Digest's rankings since 1985, yielding the top spot only four times. George Crump's masterpiece in the Pine Barrens remains golf's ultimate examination.
2. Extraordinary Concentration of Golden Age Architecture:
3. Pine Barrens Terrain: The New Jersey Pine Barrens provide sandy, well-drained soil similar to Scotland's linksland, creating firm, fast conditions. This unique terrain allowed Pine Valley's creation and influences numerous South Jersey courses (Twisted Dune, Pine Barrens GC, Galloway National).
4. Championship History: Baltusrol's 7 U.S. Opens and 2 PGA Championships represent more major championships than any course in several states. The state's tournament legacy includes PGA Tour events, LPGA venues, and countless USGA amateur championships.
5. Terrain Diversity: From Pine Barrens (sandy, strategic) to coastal links-style to mountain/hillside courses (Skylands region) to classic parkland (North Jersey), the state offers extraordinary variety within a small geographic area.
6. Historic Significance: Essex County Country Club (1887, 6th oldest in America), the 1900 founding of the NJSGA, and numerous pre-1920 clubs give New Jersey golf deep roots in American golf history.
Booking tee times in New Jersey varies by course type:
Daily-Fee Public Courses (Most Common):
County Courses (Special Requirements):
Resort Courses: Seaview Hotel & Golf Club, Crystal Springs Resort—book through resort websites, often with stay-and-play packages offering best value.
Semi-Private Courses: Limited public tee times available, often restricted to weekdays. Call ahead to confirm public access and booking procedures.
Booking Strategy for Best Success:
Private Clubs: No public tee times available. Access only through member invitation. Focus on the excellent public and semi-private options instead.
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Last updated on November 24, 2025