10 Best Golf Courses in New Jersey
New Jersey packs an impressive range of golf into a relatively compact state, from ultra-exclusive clubs to strong public courses worth building a weekend around. You can play against Manhattan skyline views at Liberty National, chase a bucket-list round at Pine Valley, or head for rolling inland terrain at places like Heron Glen and Ballyowen. Down south, Galloway National pairs a demanding layout with easy access to Atlantic City, while central and northern New Jersey add more affordable options that still feel destination-worthy. These are 10 of the best places to tee it up in the Garden State.
Liberty National Golf Club
On the banks of the Hudson River is the iconic Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City. The private waterfront 18-hole championship course provides golfers with exquisite views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the New York City skyline. The course, designed by 1992 U.S. Open Champion Tom Kite and architect Bob Kupp, opened in 2006 and has a rating of 77.7 and a slope of 155.
Because of its exclusivity, Liberty National Golf Club has an initiation fee of $450,000 to $500,000, and some of its famous members include actor Mark Wahlberg, professional golfer Phil Mickelson, and Grammy Award-winning singer Justin Timberlake. The best time to play a round of golf at this establishment is weekday mornings before 9 a.m. local time.
Being a course in Jersey City, New York City is right around the corner. It's only a 6-mile drive to get to Lower Manhattan from the course, and the Newark Liberty International Airport is only 9 miles away from the green. The course has hosted numerous PGA Tournaments, including the Northern Trust, the 2017 Presidents Cup, and the Mizuho Americas Open. Liberty National's Concierge helps members and guests with a range of services, including restaurant and spa reservations and transportation. One of the closest restaurants near the course is Felina Steak Restaurant, serving patrons the finest steak and hors d'oeuvres and hosting weddings and private events, while the Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson is the place to recharge before or after a round on the green.
Pine Valley Golf Club
Just south of Philadelphia is the Pine Valley Golf Club, a private, secluded course in Pine Hill surrounded by vast pine trees, and it is ranked among the best golf courses in the world thanks to its natural beauty and challenging layout. The course was designed by George A. Crump in 1913 and had 14 holes, but he died in 1918 before the course was completed with its 18 holes. The prestigious course has a rating of 76.6 and a slope of 155. Unlike Liberty National, Pine Valley is best known for elite amateur events such as the Walker Cup and Crump Cup.
Similar to Liberty National, the exclusivity at Pine Valley brings the initiation fee to around $100,000, plus dues of around $10,000. Pine Valley is about a 20-mile drive away from Philadelphia and a 23-mile drive away from the Philadelphia International Airport. The best time to get a round of golf in at Pine Valley is in the fall, between October and November.
A place to enjoy after a round or two of golf is the Pine Hill Tavern, where golfers can enjoy some freshly made wings, burgers, and nachos, and some refreshing cold beers. The Tavern also hosts live music from local artists for a solid day or night out on the town. Another sight to see near the course is Clementon Park and Splash World, where people can ride numerous rides and slides and have a wild, entertaining time after the course. The Aloft Mount Laurel Hotel is 13 miles from the course, offering players a connection to Philadelphia and a luxurious place to recharge after a round in the sun.
Ballyowen Golf Club
The Ballyowen Golf Club in Hamburg is considered one of the best public golf courses in the state, thanks to its location at the Crystal Springs Resort and its Irish links-style experience for golfers as they navigate the course. The 18-hole course was designed by Roger Rulewich, who created several courses in the US and Bermuda, creating a tranquil atmosphere where golfers can play and enjoy views of the Appalachian Mountains and the Wallkill Valley.
The price during tee times for groups of one to two or one to four varies at Ballyowen, with prices starting at $50 and increasing to $75, $85, $105, or $190 depending on the time of day. The best time to play a round of golf or two is in the autumn, from late September to early November, in the early hours of the morning to avoid the crowds for a challenging, yet fun round of golf, compared to Pine Valley, which is an invite-only private course and extremely exclusive.
The closest airport to Ballyowen is Newark Liberty International Airport, about 55 miles away from the course. The course itself is in Crystal Springs Resort, which also has the Grand Cascade Lodge to refresh and recharge for the night or weekend before or after a golf outing. There's also a spa on the premises for ultimate relaxation, making it perfect for hitting the links on a challenging yet invigorating course.
Francis A. Byrne Golf Course
Just near NJ Route-10 in West Orange is the Francis A. Byrne Golf Course is an 18-hole public golf course designed by Charles Banks and Seth Raynor back in 1928. It has a slope of 129, a 70-par layout, and a rating of 72.0. The course was privately owned by the Essex County Country Club until it was sold to Essex County in 1978. The public course provides golfers with relaxing views and challenging play on well-groomed fairways.
Green fees at the Francis A. Byrne Golf Course charges non-cardholders $65 on weekdays, while cardholders pay $55. On the weekends or holidays, the non-cardholders pay $85, while cardholders pay $65. Golf cart rentals at the course cost $25 for both cardholders and non-cardholders. This course is considered one of the best to play for under $100, and the best times to play are early in the morning, before 8:30 a.m. Compared to the Ballyowen Golf Club, Francis A. Byrne ranks as a very affordable choice and offers a traditional feel when playing a round, unlike the Irish-style links at Ballyowen.
The course is about 15 miles from Newark Liberty International Airport and a 25-mile drive from New York City. Less than 2 miles from the course is the Wilshire Grand Hotel on Pleasant Valley Way, where guests can enjoy a fabulous hotel during their weekend golf outing.
Galloping Hill Golf Course
The Galloping Hill Golf Course is a 27-hole public golf course right next to the Garden State Parkway in Kenilworth. The course was established in 1928 and designed by Willard G. Wilkinson, who also designed other courses in the state, as well as in New York and Hawaii. Galloping Hills is also renowned for its natural rolling hills and valleys, making for a gorgeous, challenging course to play. Galloping Hills is a more modern experience compared to the Francis A. Byrne Golf Course, but they're both set in scenic rolling hills while offering challenging and competitive courses.
Galloping Hills' 18-hole course has a par of 71, is 6,845 yards, and has a rating of 70 to 73.4. The nine-hole course in Galloping Hills has a par of 33, is 2,348 yards, and has a rating of 33.8. Typical green fees at the course begin at $35 for a Player's Card Open until 11:00 a.m. on weekdays, and $37 on weekends. Golf cart fees for a single rider on the nine-hole course start at $22, while the cost for the 18-hole course starts at $36. Golf cart fees for two riders on a nine-hole round begin at $12 per person, increasing to $28 per person for an 18-hole round. The best times to play a round at Galloping Hill are after the Twilight hours, as the cost is $31 on weekdays and $32 on weekends after 3:00 p.m.
Galloping Hills is a quick 8.5-mile-long drive from Newark International Airport, and is an 18 to 24-mile drive from New York City. The clubhouse at Galloping Hills can host weddings, with the ceremony held outdoors under the willow trees, as well as social events, corporate events, and meetings. Golfers can also enjoy a nice lunch, dinner, and cold drinks at the Hill Tavern before or after a long afternoon on the green, whether indoors or outside by firepits, while enjoying the views of the course. The luxury boutique hotel, the Kenilworth Hotel, is a 0.6-mile drive from the course and offers golfers a base to relax and recharge before venturing onto the green.
Scotland Run Golf Club
Just east of Glassboro is the Scotland Run Golf Club, a former public 18-hole course that is now a private course in Williamstown, as of 2025. The course was designed by Stephen Kay, who has designed courses in the northeast, in North Dakota, and in India. Scotland Run has been voted a top course to play in the Southern Jersey and Philadelphia Region and offers a mix of wooded, quarry, and links-style holes, as well as a modern, high-end facility.
Scotland Run has a par of 71, is 6,810 yards, has a slope of 135, and a rating of 72.7. Since it became a private course, membership fees range from $8,000 to $10,000 per year, while a round on the course costs $79 to $125. Members can schedule a tee time 14 days in advance. Advanced tee times can be booked up to 60 days in advance, and short-tee times can be booked 48 hours in advance. The best time to play a round of golf at Scotland Run is during the prime months of April to October, in the mornings for the freshest greens to begin the day.
The course is only 25 miles south of the Philadelphia International Airport and about 35 miles from the Atlantic City International Airport. The Highlander Pub and Grill is in Scotland Run's clubhouse, serving golfers and patrons delicious meals and memorable drinks on a diverse menu, like spicy pepperoni pizza, prime rib cheesesteak, and the scotty smash burger. The pub and grill hosts brunches, wine dinners, enchanting ballroom weddings, and private parties in the botanical garden. A quick 6-mile drive from the course is the Inn on Holly, a relaxing bed and breakfast that provides golfers with a place to enjoy a freshly made breakfast and a feeling of being home.
Heron Glen Golf Club
Right off U.S. Route 202 is the Heron Glen Golf Club, an 18-hole pubic golf course in Ringoes. The course opened in 2002 and was designed by Dan Schlegel. Golfers have described Heron Glen as a public course with a private country club feeling to it, as it features Bent Grass Tees, uses natural contours as a primary defense, and has peaceful, serene countryside views that keep golfers returning to play on the course. Compared to Galloping Hill, Heron Glen is a highly ranked golf club and a peaceful place to play, rather than dealing with challenging terrain.
Heron Glen measures 7,065 yards with a par of 72, a slope of 137, and a course rating of 74.1. Green fees from Monday to Thursday for Hunterdon County residents start at $38 for 18-hole golf without a cart and $56 with a cart. For nine-hole play, fees are $29 without a cart and $44 with a cart. Nonresidents pay $59 without a cart for 18-hole golf and $77 with a cart; nine-hole rates are $37 and $52 with a cart. The best time to play at Heron Glen is early mornings on weekdays during the fall, between October and November.
The Heron Glen Golf Club is a bit of a drive from Newark Airport, as the course is just over 50 miles west of the airport. However, Trenton-Mercer Airport is closer, about 16 miles south of the course. Heron Glen also offers leagues for people to join and meet new people, associations to join, golf clinics for beginners, and a pro shop on-site. Heron Glen also has a bar and grill serving golfers delicious hot-and-ready pizzas, burgers, and refreshing drinks in a modern-style bar, and has outdoor seating for enjoying views before or after a golf outing. A quick five-mile drive from the course is the Hampton Inn Flemington, where golfers can relax, recharge, and have a freshly made breakfast to begin the day before hitting the links.
Galloway National Golf Club
The Galloway National Golf Club is an 18-hole private championship course just outside of Atlantic City. The course opened its doors in 1995 and was designed by Tom Fazio, who designed over 200 golf courses in his career. Golfers have described Galloway as a challenging must-play championship course, with tricky greens to navigate and scenic, dramatic settings throughout.
Galloway National's course is about 7,104 yards, has a 71 par, a 144 slope, and a rating of 74.1. Since the course is private and exclusive, the initiation fee is around $225,000, while a round of golf for guests costs $350 to $400. The club also urges people to have a caddie, and the fee for a caddie costs $75. The best time to play a round at this prestigious club is early mornings during the spring and early fall.
The Galloway National Golf Club is a short 9.5 to 11-mile drive away from the Atlantic City Airport and a 10.3-mile drive away from Atlantic City. However, the club is a 65- to 66-mile drive from the Philadelphia International Airport, a long and tedious drive, but worth it for one of the most illustrious courses in the state. The clubhouse at Galloway has a full-service dining room overlooking Reeds Bay and the Atlantic City skyline, while guests and club members can wine and dine on lobster, clam bake, steak, and seafood buffets. Just 10 miles south of the course is the iconic Borgata Hotel, Casino and Spa, where golfers can relax, unwind, dine, and play casino games in style before or after playing a round or two.
Cedar Hill Country Club
On the western end of Livingston is Cedar Hill Country Club, a private 18-hole championship course that dates back to 1921, when it was called Cedar Ridge before changing its name to its current name in 1945. Golf course architect Robert McNeil worked on Cedar Hill's fabulous course, as well as on other golf courses in the northeastern United States and one in Romania. The course on Cedar Hill is very exciting but a bit challenging, set in a very well-maintained green space.
Because Cedar Hill is a private country club, membership rates begin at $2,975 for people age 39 and up, and increase to $5,150 for couples. The green fee for a nine-hole round of golf starts at $50 and increases to $65 with a cart. For 18-hole golf, the green fee is $73; on weekdays, it increases to $95 when a cart is included. Weekend prices increase to $68 and $88 with a cart. The course itself is 6,447 yards, a par-71, with a slope of 131 and a rating of 71.4. The best time to play a round of golf at Cedar Hill is early in the morning, before 8:00 a.m.
The country club is a 17-mile drive away from Newark International Airport and a 25-mile drive away from New York City, making it fairly accessible. The course is a beautiful place that can host tournaments, weddings, golf leagues, and corporate events, and features a luxurious restaurant where patrons can enjoy satisfying meals and drinks after a long day on the course. About 8.3 miles west of the course in Florham Park is the Archer Hotel, a luxurious hotel providing comfortable rooms and a place to meet for cocktails and drinks after a long day out on the green.
Neshanic Valley Golf Course
Just 20 miles west of New Brunswick is the Neshanic Valley Golf Course, a public 27-hole course in Neshanic Station, offering golfers a country-club-like feel, complete with strategic bunkers and hilly terrain. The Neshanic Valley Golf Course was designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry, with Hurdzan also designing the Erin Hills Golf Course out in Wisconsin, which hosted the 2017 U.S. Open Championship.
Neshanic Valley is a par-72 course with a slope of 134 and a rating of 73.6. The in-season rates for registered adults are $67 walk or ride (cart included) on weekdays, while on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, the price increases to $77. The cost for twilight play after 3:00 p.m. on weekdays is $52, and on weekends, it costs $57. The best times to play a round at the course are early mornings for faster play or Sunday afternoons to avoid the crowds.
Neshanic Valley is a 40-mile drive southwest of Newark International Airport and a 25-mile drive north of the Trenton-Mercer Airport, making it a fairly straightforward trip to the course and back. The Valley at Neshanic provides catering, event planning, and a nice ballroom, along with a large space for cocktail hours and panoramic views of the course's rolling hills Just a bit north of the course is the TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Branchburg, which has a cozy fire pit outdoors serving as a perfect gathering spot for golfers to unwind after a successful round with friends, co-workers, and loved ones.
Wrapping Up
Golf courses in New Jersey offer golfers an immense variety of exciting play, amazing clubhouses, and amenities, and are among the world's most prestigious courses, as seen with Liberty National Golf Club, Galloway National Golf Club, and Pine Valley Golf Club. Other courses like Neshanic Valley, Heron Glen, and the Francis A. Byrne Golf Courses are among the best public courses to play on in the state, while Cedar Hill is an underrated country club gem in Northern New Jersey. When adding it all up, consider these spectacular golf courses a total winning combination for an incredible golf outing.
