South Jersey / Philly Area

[JRoc118]

What courses within a reasonable driving distance from the Moorestown/Cherry Hill area gives you the best bang for your buck? I just moved up here for school and would like to find a reasonable course that won’t break the bank. I’m also looking into trying to find a place that has a nice practice facility. Its getting real old hitting off mats and I haven’t really been able to practice putting or chipping in a while.

 

Thanks

[Temple23]

There are several nice offerings...the first one that comes to mind is River Winds in West Deptford. Scotland Run is nice as well. It will be top dollar in prime time...

[Marrrk]

what do you consider reasonable driving distance?

[JRoc118]

[quote name='Marrrk' timestamp='1397589342' post='9098265']
what do you consider reasonable driving distance?
[/quote]

30 minutes or so. I actually go to school in Philadelphia and commute from New Jersey.

[Marrrk]

[quote name='JRoc118' timestamp='1397589583' post='9098301']
[quote name='Marrrk' timestamp='1397589342' post='9098265']
what do you consider reasonable driving distance?
[/quote]

30 minutes or so. I actually go to school in Philadelphia and commute from New Jersey.
[/quote]

i had to ask because i live in NYC now and any drive under 60 minutes to a golf course is considered reasonable.

Scotland Run and Riverwinds are solid. I'd jump all over Woodcrest too now that it's public. It's a terrific William Flynn design in Cherry Hill and probably won't be public forever.

If you can hop on the Expressway and it's not a busy traffic time, you can get to Twisted Dune, Ballamor, Blue Heron, McCulloughs and Renault in a little more than 30 mins. I grew up in Voorhees/Cherry Hill, but really only play down by the shore when I'm home now. Used to hit up Running Deer, White Oaks, Kings Grant and T&C a lot about 15 years ago.

[DTown3011]

There is a course called Pine Valley I heard is nice in South Jersey...

[Hodsy871]

Go to gapgolf.org and navigate to membership/member clubs. They have both public and private listings.

I belong to Burlington country club and we have a good facility and decent rates depnding on ur age.

[Joebirds55]

Anyone know the conditions of twisted dune lately? Heading there Friday w some buddies. Didn't think this question warranted a new thread.

[thug the bunny]

The shore courses that Marrk listed are nice, except take McCullough's off the list, and add Seaview. The Bay course has some new tee boxes that add a couple 100 yds.

Out towards you, if you're looking for economical munis, I used to play Ramblewood, Golden Pheasant, Valley Brook, and Pitman when my wallet was much lighter than it is today..

[thug the bunny]

[quote name='Joebirds55' timestamp='1397666938' post='9104773']
Anyone know the conditions of twisted dune lately? Heading there Friday w some buddies. Didn't think this question warranted a new thread.
[/quote]

Sorry, I haven't heard from anyone playing there recently, but all the courses in this area are coming along very nicely. Let us know what you think afterwards..

[Marrrk]

[quote name='thug the bunny' timestamp='1397676533' post='9105843']
The shore courses that Marrk listed are nice, except take McCullough's off the list, and add Seaview. The Bay course has some new tee boxes that add a couple 100 yds.
[/quote]

yeah, i left Seaview and my personal fave, ACCC, off the list since they were even further away. but looking now, i guess it's about the same.

i will say, despite its poorer conditioning, I find McCullough's to be a much more interesting round of golf than many of the others we've listed.

[thug the bunny]

Last time I played McCullough's I just remember hitting many shots that I thought were good but when I got to my ball, I found it just off the fairway or green, but sitting in deep junk, and not cared-for rough, but unkept weeds and crap. Very frustrating..other than that, I agree it is an interesting layout - supposed to imitate holes on famous Scottish links courses.

[Paule350]

I am headed down there next weekend and playing 4 rounds.. So far we are booked for Renault, Harbor Pines and [color=#282828]McCullough's. the 4th is up in the air now but probably Ballamar or Blue Heron[/color]

[Temple23]

McCullough's is a very interesting and different layout however it's not as asthetically pleasing as some of others that have been mentioned. I played Twisted Dunes recently and really like the course. Ballamar is very nice as well...

[thug the bunny]

[quote name='Paule350' timestamp='1397688575' post='9107143']
I am headed down there next weekend and playing 4 rounds.. So far we are booked for Renault, Harbor Pines and [color=#282828]McCullough's. the 4th is up in the air now but probably Ballamar or Blue Heron[/color]
[/quote]

Definitely Ballamor > Blue Heron. But, if you can drive another 20 min south, try Shore Gate. Guarantee you won't be disapointed.

[Marrrk]

[quote name='thug the bunny' timestamp='1397739393' post='9110679']
[quote name='Paule350' timestamp='1397688575' post='9107143']
I am headed down there next weekend and playing 4 rounds.. So far we are booked for Renault, Harbor Pines and [color=#282828]McCullough's. the 4th is up in the air now but probably Ballamar or Blue Heron[/color]
[/quote]

Definitely Ballamor > Blue Heron. But, if you can drive another 20 min south, try Shore Gate. Guarantee you won't be disapointed.
[/quote]

haha, we couldn't find two more diametrically opposed golf course design philosophies than at McCullough's and Shore Gate.

[Paule350]

[quote name='thug the bunny' timestamp='1397739393' post='9110679']
[quote name='Paule350' timestamp='1397688575' post='9107143']
I am headed down there next weekend and playing 4 rounds.. So far we are booked for Renault, Harbor Pines and [color=#282828]McCullough's. the 4th is up in the air now but probably Ballamar or Blue Heron[/color]
[/quote]

Definitely Ballamor > Blue Heron. But, if you can drive another 20 min south, try Shore Gate. Guarantee you won't be disapointed.
[/quote]

have renault in the morning so something close to that would be best for the afternoon. Looks like blue heron is real close thats why I thought it might be a good choice.

[papichulosteve]

i second ramblewood, i live in cherry hill now and play there fairly regularly, it's a good course to walk 9 after work, especially with 27 holes, so you really don't get too backed up.

white oaks is a bit further south and is also very nice, as well as some of the shore courses. harbor pines, sea view and scotland run are all fun courses.

any of the jaworski courses would be worth taking a look at as well, valleybrook, riverwinds, running deer, etc.

[ckay]

Is Mccullough's the one with the landfill gas vents coming up from the ground? While the course is laid out nice, the smell of something raw is disgusting.

[thug the bunny]

[quote name='Paule350' timestamp='1397834946' post='9119027']
[quote name='thug the bunny' timestamp='1397739393' post='9110679']
[quote name='Paule350' timestamp='1397688575' post='9107143']
I am headed down there next weekend and playing 4 rounds.. So far we are booked for Renault, Harbor Pines and [color=#282828]McCullough's. the 4th is up in the air now but probably Ballamar or Blue Heron[/color]
[/quote]

Definitely Ballamor > Blue Heron. But, if you can drive another 20 min south, try Shore Gate. Guarantee you won't be disapointed.
[/quote]

have renault in the morning so something close to that would be best for the afternoon. Looks like blue heron is real close thats why I thought it might be a good choice.
[/quote]

Oh, yeah BH is close to Renault if you're doing 36 in a day. Have fun, play well, and let us know how it was!

[mguhler]

Played Shore Gate last Friday and Ballamor on Saturday. Both had their greens recently punched and sanded. Courses really aren't in shape yet. They are both great tracks, along with Twisted Dune and ACCC.

Get it now, in a few weeks time the rates get jacked and the visitor play goes through the roof.

[thug the bunny]

[quote name='mguhler' timestamp='1397845586' post='9120335']
Played Shore Gate last Friday and Ballamor on Saturday. Both had their greens recently punched and sanded. Courses really aren't in shape yet. They are both great tracks, along with Twisted Dune and ACCC.

Get it now, in a few weeks time the rates get jacked and the visitor play goes through the roof.
[/quote]

At Seaview they aerated and sanded both sides about 3 weeks ago, and have since rolled them, so they are fast and true. And, the fairways are in great shape and the rough is growing in (less clumpy). The only negative is some tee boxes are still pretty beat-up.

[chuckiefilling]

Blue Heron is in the best shape of the courses in the area right now, greens are about as fast and true as I have seen them in 2 years.

[Sir Larry Wildman]

Glen Mills for sure. I don't really love public course golf but it's really well done there. The only public I will pay to play in the Philly area.

And ACCC definitely.

[Joebirds55]

Twisted dune was punched and sanded as well. Course was in decent shape, should be really really nice in a couple weeks or so.

First time there and I must admit it was somewhat frustrating. If your ball is even a touch off the fairway the dunes make it extremely difficult to find your ball.

[Philly Golf Guy]

Pennsuaken GC is a pretty good value near you. I haven't played RiverWinds in years, but assuming conditions have improved, it's a good design, as is Running Deer with RD better IMO. I used to play Westwood a lot; great value and a fun course.

I have reviews and rankings of the local courses on my blog as well:
http://bestphillygolf.blogspot.com/p/rankings-mania.html

[Pert1862]

I live 2 minutes from Riverwinds and can not say enough about it. Great course with 4 tee options and the greens are always great. The views of the city on the back 9 are nice too. Deals can certainly be had via golf now for it. Their twilight at 20 is hard to beat.

[Pert1862]

[quote name='Philly Golf Guy' timestamp='1397996349' post='9129705']
Pennsuaken GC is a pretty good value near you. I haven't played RiverWinds in years, but assuming conditions have improved, it's a good design, as is Running Deer with RD better IMO. I used to play Westwood a lot; great value and a fun course.

I have reviews and rankings of the local courses on my blog as well:
http://bestphillygolf.blogspot.com/p/rankings-mania.html
[/quote]

I agree with all of the above except Westwood. While the course is almost always in great shape they have driven the prices way up. As of late, there are better bangs for the buck out there.

[chfd098]

Pennsuaken has good rates and a decent layout. Plus you can play in the afternoon mid-week and walk for an even better rate. Ramblewood is also good and you can play 9 holes or even a late afternoon round for a good rate. Definitely check out Woodcrest if you get the chance, it is worth the price now that it is public and police, fire, and military get a discount.

[rsh0308]

I drive down to Wedgwood every once in a while. Good early AM deal if you can get out on a weekday, 45 bucks for 18, cart, and a meal voucher at the bar. Very tight course, nice to look at, carved through the trees, usually not busy. Only a few bucks more than walking.