New Jersey

New Jersey’s 325 golf courses include what many consider the single greatest golf course in the United States — Pine Valley Golf Club — alongside a collection of private clubs and resort layouts that make the Garden State disproportionately important in American golf history. Between Pine Valley, Baltusrol, Ridgewood, and Somerset Hills, New Jersey’s private clubs represent an extraordinary concentration of A.W. Tillinghast-era architectural genius.

For public and resort golfers, New Jersey offers quality access throughout a dense, competitive market. The Shore area near Atlantic City has historic public courses; northern New Jersey’s Crystal Springs Resort complex gives everyday golfers access to upscale mountain conditions near the New York border; and the Atlantic City area blends casino resort golf with affordable public tracks. The state’s proximity to both New York City and Philadelphia drives demand and keeps quality high throughout the public market.

New Jersey Golf by Region

Northern New Jersey / New York Suburbs

Northern NJ’s dense corridor of private clubs — Upper Montclair Country Club, Ridgewood Country Club, Baltusrol — makes it one of the most privately club-dominated golf markets in the country. Crystal Springs Golf Resort in Hamburg offers public resort access to multiple courses, including a Rees Jones design in Sussex County’s mountain terrain. The public daily-fee market here is competitive and well-priced for the quality on offer.

Central New Jersey / Pine Barrens

Pine Valley Golf Club (Pine Valley Borough) — the world’s #1-ranked course in most editions of Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest — sits in the central Jersey Pine Barrens, accessible only by invitation. The Pine Barrens’ sandy soil also makes for excellent drainage and firm-playing conditions throughout the region. Galloway National Golf Club near Atlantic City is a Tom Fazio design offering quality public resort access. Pines course at Buena Vista Country Club gives access to some of the Pine Barrens conditions.

Shore / Atlantic City Area

The Atlantic City corridor has both historic public courses and casino resort golf. Atlantic City Country Club — the birthplace of the birdie, where the term was reportedly coined in 1903 — is a historic layout near the famous Boardwalk. The area’s casino resorts add golf as an amenity for the region’s large visitor base. Green fees are competitive with the tourist economy keeping prices accessible relative to northern NJ.

Top Courses in New Jersey

• Pine Valley Golf Club (Pine Valley) — Private/invitation-only; #1 course in the United States by Golf Digest in most rankings. A.W. Tillinghast-influenced design through Pine Barrens terrain of dramatic bunkering and natural sand hazards.
• Baltusrol Golf Club — Lower Course (Springfield) — Private; A.W. Tillinghast design; host of seven US Opens. Ranks among America’s top 20 courses overall. Beautifully restored.
• Somerset Hills Country Club (Bernardsville) — Private; A.W. Tillinghast’s finest design for regular play by many critics; meticulously restored over 25 years. New Jersey’s hidden masterpiece.
• Ridgewood Country Club (Paramus) — Private; A.W. Tillinghast’s 27-hole design; host of multiple USGA events. One of the state’s finest architectural examples.
• Galloway National Golf Club (Galloway) — Tom Fazio design near Atlantic City; best public resort layout in southern New Jersey. Green fees ~$70–$130.
• Crystal Springs Golf Resort (Hamburg) — Multiple-course resort in northern New Jersey mountains; public resort access; strongest public option north of Philadelphia. Green fees ~$60–$120.
• Atlantic City Country Club (Northfield) — Historic public course; birthplace of the “birdie” (1903). Classic parkland design near Atlantic City. Green fees ~$45–$75.
• Ballamor Golf Club (Egg Harbor Township) — Links-style public course near Atlantic City; among the best everyday public courses in southern NJ. Green fees ~$45–$70.

When to Play Golf in New Jersey

New Jersey’s golf season runs April through November, with coastal and southern areas often playable in December and early March. Peak conditions span May through October. Summers (June–August) are warm and humid (82–90°F) — mornings are significantly more comfortable than afternoons. The Shore area courses peak in summer with the resort crowd; northern NJ suburban courses are busiest on spring and fall weekends when weather is mild. September and October are excellent throughout the state — comfortable temperatures, excellent course conditions, and lower demand than summer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many golf courses are in New Jersey?

New Jersey has 325 golf courses in our database. The state has one of the highest course densities in the country relative to its size, driven by a large population, high incomes in the New York/Philadelphia suburbs, and a culture of private club membership among business communities.

What is the best golf course in New Jersey?

Pine Valley Golf Club is #1 in America by most national rankings — though it’s invitation-only and inaccessible to the public. Baltusrol’s Lower Course and Somerset Hills Country Club are the next private-club tier. For public access, Galloway National (Tom Fazio, near Atlantic City) and Crystal Springs Resort are the standout destination options.

When is the best time to golf in New Jersey?

May through June and September through October. Fall is particularly good — New Jersey’s coastal moderation extends the season into late October, and private club conditions are at their peak in the fall maintenance cycle. Shore area courses are busiest in summer; plan those visits in the shoulder months for better access.

How much does golf cost in New Jersey?

Public courses run $35–$75; Shore resort courses charge $45–$80; northern NJ resort golf (Crystal Springs) runs $60–$120; Galloway National runs $70–$130. Private club memberships in the Northern NJ corridor are among the most expensive in the country.

All Golf Courses in New Jersey

Browse all 325 New Jersey golf courses in our database below, including green fees, location, and course details.