New Jersey State Destination Guide

When it comes to golf in New Jersey, there are no ugly stereotypes to perpetuate or unfunny jokes to make. The Garden State is home to both the world's top-ranked course (Pine Valley) and one of the game's governing bodies (the United States Golf Association). The term “birdie” was first uttered at the Atlantic City Country Club in 1904 (in a foursome that included George Crump, designer of Pine Valley, and fellow design legend A.W. Tillinghast) And the wooden golf tee was created by a dentist from Maplewood.

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When the 2005 PGA Championship is held at Baltusrol Country Club in Springfield next August, it will have been 63 years since its last visit to the Garden State. But the event will also continue the state's long tradition of hosting major golf events, which dates back to 1896, when the U.S. Women's Amateur was held at Morris County Golf Club. The USGA, headquartered in Far Hills, loves holding events here, especially their majors, including eight U.S. Opens and five U.S. Women’s Opens. And even the Ryder Cup (at Ridgewood Country Club) stopped by for a visit in 1935.

But most of those big name events have been held at private country clubs. There are plenty of above average public access courses here too. The state’s two best golf resorts –actually the only ones – are located at opposite ends of the state. Crystal Springs in northwest New Jersey is home to four 18-hole layouts, the best of which is Ballyowen, a Roger Rulewich design. Down near the southern tip of the state is the Seaview Marriott, just outside Atlantic City, home to the Donald Ross-designed Bay Course and the equally classic Pines course.

In between are many other choices. Like Tom Fazio’s Pine Hill, just across the road from the vaunted Pine Valley and sharing some of the same design characteristics. Pine Barrens in Jackson (not too far from the Great Adventure amusement park), The Architects Club near Phillipsburg, Twisted Dune in Egg Harbor and Sand Barrens in Swainton are all excellent public tracks that have opened within the past seven years. The best among the state’s county-run courses are found in Monmouth County on the Jersey Shore, with the Robert Trent Jones Sr. effort at Hominy Hill the favorite choice of locals.

And yes, course builders have made the best of the landscape that has served as the source for many jokes about the state. McCullough’s Emerald Links in Egg Harbor Township was built on top of a former landfill, while the Bayonne Golf Club, a private design slated to debut in 2005, is being built on the site of that city’s former dump. There are even plans on the drawing board for a series of courses to be built in the Meadowlands, in the shadow of Giants Stadium.

Still there is a reason for the Garden State nickname, and you’ll see why on courses throughout the state.

Feature Stories

• Baltusrol's 'monster,' 17 could actually be birdie friendly at PGA
• Munis From Heaven?: Two courses defy the odds on the Jersey Shore, but one’s better than the other
• Jersey Shore still searching for its golf identity
• Baltusrol stretches out for 2005 PGA Championship
• New Jersey has plenty of acclaim when it comes to golf
• Cash in your chips at these Atlantic City golf courses
• Jersey Jim McGovern stands above the rest
• USGA and New Jersey are perfect together
• New Jersey's Blue Heron Pines East reportedly closing

Resort Reviews

• New Jersey's premier resort keeps getting better

Course Reviews

• Hills of time: 85-year-old Galloping Hill lives up to its name, especially on wide-open Saturdays
• Pine Barrens not what advertised, but still worth a stop
• Golf not something Ocean City promotes, unless it's miniature golf
• Strolling in nature is best part of golf at Cape May National
• Blue Heron members feel course is being taken out from under them
• Don't call golf-only Manasquan River a country club
• Past, present blend well at The Architects
• Hawk Pointe worth playing before it's private