Golf along 95 corridor NJ - 2019 PGA Championshp

Mr288361 · February 21, 2019

Hey all,

Heading up to the 2019 PGA from Philadelphia this May. 8 guys staying in Manhattan Thursday-Saturday and taking the LIR out to Farmingdale Thursday and Friday. We’re hoping to play a round on the way home to Philly Saturday morning/afternoon. Looking for input on quality public courses we could jump off 95 to play in north and central Jersey that we otherwise wouldn’t play given the distance from PHL; perhaps 20-30 minutes off an exit.

I know there’s an abundance of wonderful tracks up in North Jersey West and Northwest of the Manhattan but would prefer if we didn’t add time to the ride home. Price point would not really be an issue. If you’re in for a dime, you’re in for a dollar.

Thanks for your responses.

NJgolfer11 · February 22, 2019

Do you have any ins to get into a private course?

Z1ggy16 · February 22, 2019

Royce Brook and Neshanic Valley. Not crazyyy close to I95 but also not massively out of the way.

Mr288361 · February 22, 2019

It’s certainly a possibility. We have a members of a course by the South Jersey shore points as well as one who owns a a great 9 hole course down there, but don’t want to put onus on them to ask a club for 2 tee times.

Pdj608 · February 22, 2019

Hey all,

Heading up to the 2019 PGA from Philadelphia this May. 8 guys staying in Manhattan Thursday-Saturday and taking the LIR out to Farmingdale Thursday and Friday. We're hoping to play a round on the way home to Philly Saturday morning/afternoon. Looking for input on quality public courses we could jump off 95 to play in north and central Jersey that we otherwise wouldn't play given the distance from PHL; perhaps 20-30 minutes off an exit.

I know there's an abundance of wonderful tracks up in North Jersey West and Northwest of the Manhattan but would prefer if we didn't add time to the ride home. Price point would not really be an issue. If you're in for a dime, you're in for a dollar.

Thanks for your responses.

Second Neshanic Valley and you could also try Heron Glen in Flemington although both are a little bit off 95/Turnpike. Galloping Hill in Union County is nice (off parkway) and the Mercer Oaks courses in Princeton are nice as well.

GolfingDad44 · February 25, 2019

Mercer Oaks seems to fit your needs best based on location

Prof3ssor · February 25, 2019

Hey all,

Heading up to the 2019 PGA from Philadelphia this May. 8 guys staying in Manhattan Thursday-Saturday and taking the LIR out to Farmingdale Thursday and Friday. We're hoping to play a round on the way home to Philly Saturday morning/afternoon. Looking for input on quality public courses we could jump off 95 to play in north and central Jersey that we otherwise wouldn't play given the distance from PHL; perhaps 20-30 minutes off an exit.

I know there's an abundance of wonderful tracks up in North Jersey West and Northwest of the Manhattan but would prefer if we didn't add time to the ride home. Price point would not really be an issue. If you're in for a dime, you're in for a dollar.

Thanks for your responses.

Second Neshanic Valley and you could also try Heron Glen in Flemington although both are a little bit off 95/Turnpike. Galloping Hill in Union County is nice (off parkway) and the Mercer Oaks courses in Princeton are nice as well.

Yeah, I think your best bet is to not take 95 home but jump on 78 out of the city to 287 to 202 and play Neshanic. It's a longer ride home but you can take 202 down to 611.

Z1ggy16 · February 25, 2019

Hey all,

Heading up to the 2019 PGA from Philadelphia this May. 8 guys staying in Manhattan Thursday-Saturday and taking the LIR out to Farmingdale Thursday and Friday. We're hoping to play a round on the way home to Philly Saturday morning/afternoon. Looking for input on quality public courses we could jump off 95 to play in north and central Jersey that we otherwise wouldn't play given the distance from PHL; perhaps 20-30 minutes off an exit.

I know there's an abundance of wonderful tracks up in North Jersey West and Northwest of the Manhattan but would prefer if we didn't add time to the ride home. Price point would not really be an issue. If you're in for a dime, you're in for a dollar.

Thanks for your responses.

Second Neshanic Valley and you could also try Heron Glen in Flemington although both are a little bit off 95/Turnpike. Galloping Hill in Union County is nice (off parkway) and the Mercer Oaks courses in Princeton are nice as well.

Neshanic is by far the better designed and more fun course compared to GH IMO. Galloping does have a few fun tee shots but the biggest challenge about it are the elevation changes on most holes, which are just the same over and over. Neshanic was rated I think... #3 nicest public in the entire state in 2017 or 2018. At least for me... every shot makes me think, because the wind is a huge factor most days and there's certain spots to miss and other spots that can kill you. Galloping is nice but it's not as interesting.

Can't speak to Mercer Oaks though, have never played.

One final thing to consider is that if you guys are really fast players and also get lucky... I'm pretty sure the Twilight rate is "all you can play" after 4 or 5pm in May at Neshanic. There's been days I've played alone there and been able to play over 20 holes for just $30. Not sure on the out of county rate though, might be $40? Still a steal.

ButterCutter2 · February 25, 2019

It's certainly a possibility. We have a members of a course by the South Jersey shore points as well as one who owns a a great 9 hole course down there, but don't want to put onus on them to ask a club for 2 tee times.

don't put the onus on the club. theres this member to member reciprocity website called thousandgreens.com where you can utilize the existing club membership your guys have to request access elsewhere. is there a guarantee 1 host can bring a group of your size? of course not. but it's worth a shot giving the absurd # of awesome private clubs between philly & bethpage.

eagles1 · February 27, 2019

Charleston Springs. Monmouth County, NJ muni. Don't let the word "muni" fool you though. They have two 18 hole courses - and they are both fantastic.

LeoLeo99 · February 27, 2019

Charleston Springs. Monmouth County, NJ muni. Don't let the word "muni" fool you though. They have two 18 hole courses - and they are both fantastic.

Good course. I play Mercer Oaks often. Nice operation but don't know if it's a destination course like Charleston Springs. Neshanic is out in the boonies. Not worth the drive to me and I work sorta near it. I work close to Royce Brook and it's just as good as Neshanic.

OP, every play Makefield Highlands? It's right off I-295 in PA just over the bridge from NJ. Similar to Neshanic; closer to Philly.

Pdj608 · March 11, 2019

Charleston Springs. Monmouth County, NJ muni. Don't let the word "muni" fool you though. They have two 18 hole courses - and they are both fantastic.

Good course. I play Mercer Oaks often. Nice operation but don't know if it's a destination course like Charleston Springs. Neshanic is out in the boonies. Not worth the drive to me and I work sorta near it. I work close to Royce Brook and it's just as good as Neshanic.

OP, every play Makefield Highlands? It's right off I-295 in PA just over the bridge from NJ. Similar to Neshanic; closer to Philly.

Agree on Highlands! Great course and very friendly staff.