The state of New Jersey has over 300 golf clubs and courses for the avid golfer to find his niche.
The variety should be explored and used to hone golfing skills.
With such a large selection it is extremely tough to decide on the 10 best golf courses in New Jersey.
This task has been eased with a collaboration with TheGrint, our favorite mobile app that helps golfers track their handicap and stats. They have collected golf course reviews from millions of real golf rounds from real golfers.
Ranking in order 1 to 10
- Baltusrol Golf Club | Lower
- Bayonne Golf Club
- TPC at Jasna Polana
- Trump National Golf Club | Philadelphia
- Trump National Golf Club | Bedminster
- Atlantic City Country Club
- Ballyowen Golf Club
- Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club | Forest
- Pine Barrens Golf Club | Pine Barrens
- Laurel Creek Country Club | Laurel Creek
1. Baltusrol Golf Club | Lower
- Site Link
- Location: Springfield, New Jersey
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,764 meters off the Tips and 5,782 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tees options available.
Signature Hole – The “famous Fourth” is the signature hole and plays 182-meters over water which extends to the green-front.
The green is surrounded by bunkers and not the easiest to read.
Host to 7 US Opens and many other top championship tournaments, this course is tough.
It has length, wide undulating fairways, thick rough, water, and 120 bunkers, some of which are notoriously deep.
Add the well-contoured, tricky greens that are hard to read, and a magnificent test of golf lies in wait.
2. Bayonne Golf Club
- Site Link
- Location: Bayonne, New Jersey.
- Par: 71
- Length: 6,516 meters off the Tips and 5,761 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 444-meter par 4 16th is the signature hole and plays downhill to a fairway that tightens the closer to the green you get.
A narrow deep bunker protected green lies in wait for an intimidating approach shot.
New York and the harbor form the backdrop.
Bayonne is built on an old waterfront landfill and has been called an “engineering masterpiece”.
The architects were determined to design Scottish/Irish- style links and moved thousands of tons to accomplish the feat.
The holes weave, tumble and twist through the towering dunes and the sea breeze off the harbor adds its value.
A bucket-list course!
3. TPC at Jasna Polana
- Site Link
- Location: Princeton, New Jersey.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,488 meters off the Tips and 4,881 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
5 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 186-meter par 3 8th is my choice of signature hole although many others are as good.
A mid to long iron is required and played with accuracy to avoid the pond, stream, and stone bridge.
The bailout area is on the left.
A Gary Player design, this track will keep the golfer interested from start to finish.
Not too many easy holes and length is always in your face.
The cascading waterfalls, ponds, streams, and strategically placed bunkers are ever-present throughout and the final 4 holes are as testing as any.
Doglegs both ways, risk and reward par 4s, and 5s, and the par 3s just add up to a magnificent experience.
Play from the tee that suits your game, or face total destruction!
4. Trump National Golf Club | Philadelphia
- Site Link
- Location: Clementon, New Jersey.
- Par: 71
- Length: 6,772 meters off the Tips and 5,121 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
5 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 403-meter par 4 18th is the signature hole and plays slightly downhill off the tee to a dogleg left tree-lined fairway.
The hole then climbs up the hill to the bunker protected green.
Hit it straight!
A long layout with tight tree-lined fairways and a few par 3s that will require hybrids or long irons from the tee.
Accuracy and precise shot-making are rewarded on the drastic elevation change holes throughout the course and are required to score well.
The same elevations offer impressive views of the Philadelphia skyline.
5. Trump National Golf Club | Bedminster
- Site Link
- Location: Bedminster, New Jersey.
- Par: 72
- Length: 7,058 meters off the Tips and 5,604meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 400-meter par 4 6th is the signature hole that plays downhill off the tee.
A strategy is the key to complete the hole successfully. Hit the driver and leave a short iron into a very tricky green that will keep the adrenaline pumping.
3 or 4 putts are not uncommon.
This is a monster if played from the back tees.
Precision iron play is rewarded as the large contoured greens are extremely difficult.
Elevated tees, dense rough, forced carries to tree-lined fairways, water hazards and bunkers create the challenge that will be a talking point long after the round is completed.
A must-play if given the opportunity.
6. Atlantic City Country Club
- Site Link
- Location: Northfield, New Jersey.
- Par: 70
- Length: 6,012 meters off the Tips and 5,021 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
3 tee options available.
Signature Hole – My choice of signature holes is the 5 par 3s on the course. They all play at different lengths and are diverse in design.
The sea breeze is very influential on all, so check it out before pulling a club.
One of the oldest clubs in the USA, this seaside links presents a great challenge to all skill levels.
Magnificent fairways play to large green complexes protected by deep bunkers and the shifting sea breeze adds to the challenge.
Long carries over saltwater marshes and natural ponds will keep up the pressure during the round.
The tee options allow this track to be enjoyed by all.
7. Ballyowen Golf Club
- Site Link
- Location: Hamburg, New Jersey.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,484 meters off the Tips and 5,056 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The shortish 361-meter par 4 13th is my choice of signature hole that plays to a snaking fairway, before the difficult uphill approach.
The green is very long and has a ridge that runs through the center and the bottom of the pin is not visible from the fairway.
Long putts usually end up as a 3 or 4 putt!
One of 6 golf courses at the Crystal Springs Golf Resort, the Ballyowen is deemed the flagship.
A links-style layout with rolling fairways and large greens is a course for all skill levels.
The course overlooks the Wallkill River and water comes into play on 5 holes.
Approach shots to the large undulating greens require precision, to avoid lengthy, sloped putts that will test the best with the putter.
Use the right tee.
8. Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club | Forest
- Site Link
- Location: Bedminster, New Jersey.
- Par: 72
- Length: 5,926 meters off the Tips and 4,963 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
3 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 177-meter par 3 17th is the signature hole. It is rather intimidating as the tee shot must carry the full length of the water to hit the green.
On the left of the green is a small bailout area.
Panoramic views are aplenty on the course and a feature is the deep bunkers that guard the fairways and the large green complexes.
Doglegs, forced carries, and risk and reward holes make it a challenge.
9. Pine Barrens Golf Club | Pine Barrens
- Site Link
- Location: Jackson, New Jersey.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,506 meters off the Tips and 4,761 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 205-meter par 3 14th is the signature hole that plays from an elevated tee over a gorge, to a large green.
Pull the right club.
A challenging but fair layout that meanders through tall trees and natural terrain.
Sand waste areas dominate the course and the expansive undulating greens, test putting ability.
10. Laurel Creek Country Club | Lauren Creek
- Site Link
- Location: Mount Laurel, New Jersey.
- Par: 71
- Length: 6,317 meters off the Tips and 5,649 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
3 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 507-meter par 5 9th hole is my choice of signature hole and is a risk and reward opportunity.
The play is to the far side of a bunker that splits the fairway, which allows a direct, long 2nd to the green.
A precision shot that must carry water to a long green will get the adrenaline going.
Take it on!
An Arnold Palmer signature designed classic links-style course that will test all levels of golfer, and if played from the correct tee that suits the ability, a fun outing will prevail.
Generous undulating fairways play to large greens and the forced carries over wetlands and water features need to be negotiated accurately.
Mounding and fescue grass add to the challenge.
A shot-makers delight and precision are well rewarded.
Other courses outside the top 10
1. Heron Glen Golf Club
- Site Link
- Location: Ringoes, New Jersey.
PLAYER RATING
A strong layout with wide fairways makes this a challenging yet fun course to play.
The large contoured greens keep the interest.
The only owned and operated municipal facility in the state.
2. Ballamor Golf Club
- Site Link
- Location: Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.
PLAYER RATING
Carved out of dense woods and rolling terrain this course is a fun track that will be enjoyed by the better player and the novice.
Wide-open fairways and large greens make for an enjoyable outing.
3. Neshanic Valley Golf Course | Meadow/ Ridge
- Site Link
- Location: Neshanic Station, New Jersey.
PLAYER RATING
A 27-hole facility divided into distinctly different 9s that describe the type of terrain and hazards each has to offer.
The Meadow/Ridge combination has plenty of fescue grass to contend with throughout and wetlands are incorporated.
The contoured greens are tricky.
Final Thoughts
It is impossible for golfers traveling through New Jersey not to find a host of courses that they will get total enjoyment and a challenge.
Whether a novice or an accomplished golfer, the courses are waiting for you!
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Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.
