Top New Jersey Public Golf Courses

🏌️‍♂️ Top New Jersey Public Golf Courses (Based on Wikipedia, Google Reviews & Course Profiles)

New Jersey offers a rich golfing landscape that stretches from the Pine Barrens to the Hudson River. Known for its diversity in terrain, the state features a blend of historic parkland courses, challenging modern layouts, and coastal gems—all with strong public access. Whether you’re chasing a championship tee time or a scenic municipal round, the Garden State delivers a serious golf experience for every type of player.

1. Neshanic Valley Golf Course – Hurdzan/Fry
   📍 Neshanic Station, NJ
   ⛳ 27 holes on a sprawling, scenic site
   🎯 Championship-caliber design with elevation and water
   🏆 One of the top-ranked public courses in the state
   🗒️ Course site

2. Atlantic City Country Club – William Flynn & Tom Doak (public access)
   📍 Northfield, NJ
   🌊 Historic course with coastal views and deep roots in golf history
   🏛️ Birthplace of the term “birdie”
   🛎️ Operates as a resort/daily fee course
   🗒️ Course site

3. Twisted Dune Golf Club – Archie Struthers
   📍 Egg Harbor Township, NJ
   🌾 Links-style design with wide fairways and massive dunes
   💨 Constant wind, bold visuals, and shot-making demand
   🗺️ Resembles a Scottish-style inland links
   🗒️ Course site

4. Ballyowen Golf Club – Roger Rulewich
   📍 Hamburg, NJ
   🌄 Irish links-style layout atop rolling hills
   🔥 Widely regarded as NJ’s best public course
   🍺 Bagpiper plays in the evening for atmosphere
   🗒️ Course site

5. Architects Golf Club – Stephen Kay/Jason Hazen
   📍 Phillipsburg, NJ
   🏛️ Tribute course with holes inspired by classic designers
   🎯 A thinking player’s course, full of variety
   📚 Offers history and strategy on every tee
   🗒️ Course site

6. Galloping Hill Golf Course – Willard Wilkinson (renovated by Rees Jones)
   📍 Kenilworth, NJ
   🌳 Urban muni with private-club conditions
   🎯 Wide fairways, strong bunkering, and great walkability
   🏌️ Home of the NJSGA headquarters
   🗒️ Course site

7. Hominy Hill Golf Course – Robert Trent Jones Sr.
   📍 Colts Neck, NJ
   📍 Considered one of the best classic public tracks in the state
   🎯 Long, strategic, with demanding greens
   🌿 Part of Monmouth County Parks
   🗒️ Course site

8. Wild Turkey Golf Club – Roger Rulewich
   📍 Hamburg, NJ
   🌄 Mountain golf with dramatic elevation
   🔥 Part of Crystal Springs Resort
   🎯 Scenic yet challenging layout with unique holes
   🗒️ Course site

9. Royce Brook Golf Club – Steve Smyers (East Course is public)
   📍 Hillsborough, NJ
   🌲 Parkland-style layout with great flow
   🎯 Well-maintained and fair for all skill levels
   🛎️ Resort-style public course
   🗒️ Course site

10. Heron Glen Golf Course – Mark Mungeam
    📍 Ringoes, NJ
    🌳 Solid municipal option with bentgrass greens
    🎯 Strategic bunkers, well-paced design
    💲 Affordable and reliable public play
    🗒️ Course site

🏌️‍♀️ Why Golf in New Jersey?

• 🏛️ Home to legendary course designers

• 🏙️ Urban and rural layouts with character

• 💲 Great value for elite public tracks

• 🌿 Variety of terrains from mountains to coast

• 🗺️ Proximity to NYC, Philly, and beach resorts