Country Club option in northern NJ

[mwilkins25]

I’m starting to look to move into my “forever home” and want to find a place close to a great course. We’re mainly looking in Morris, Essex and Union counties around good schools and direct trains to NYC. 

My wishlist for a club is:

 

1. Reasonable price. Ideally under $15k/yr and lowish initiation with stuff for the wife and kids to do. Interested in options higher than that but would not be something I can do right now. 
2. Great course with solid practice facilities. Obviously I’d love 27-36 holes but probably be asking too much for the price

3. More of a laidback atmosphere. I don’t want anything super old school and stuffy. 
4. In or around Union, Essex or Morris counties. 
 

The best options I’ve seen so far would be Upper Montclair’s or Greenbrook. Just wanted to see if there are other options, maybe a bit further south. If we were moving further, I’d just play neshanic or something in that area but it’s just too far (60+ mins each way). 
 

Thanks in advance! 

[NJgolfer11]

Based on what you have said and what you are looking for, Upper Montclair is the better course. However, it is golf only, so if you want things for the family, i.e. pool, then that is out. The course is very nice and have an excellent practice facility.

Green Brook is a really nice course and they have a pool. However, I was informed a few years ago from someone who lives in the area that they would eventually be sold.
 

Shackamaxon in Scotch Plains is a popular place. The dues are surprisingly lower than other courses in the area. They put in a pool a few years ago and it is beautiful. Personally, I did not care for the course, but it has hosted numerous NJ tournaments.

Two of my favorites up that way are NJ National in Basking Ridge and Metuchen in Edison. Both are excellent courses. NJ National has a much better practice facility, but Metuchen has a pool.

Another place you may want to look into is Fiddlers Elbow in Bedminster. It is in Somerset County, like NJ National, but it is close to Morris County. They have 54 holes, pool, etc.

Is $15k your all in amount? Because if so, that is going to be tough when you factor in food/beverage, carts/caddies, etc?

Edited May 17, 2021 by NJgolfer11

[mwilkins25]

16 minutes ago, NJgolfer11 said:

Based on what you have said and what you are looking for, Upper Montclair is the better course. However, it is golf only, so if you want things for the family, i.e. pool, then that is out. The course is very nice and have an excellent practice facility.

Green Brook is a really nice course and they have a pool. However, I was informed a few years ago from someone who lives in the area that they would eventually be sold.
 

Shackamaxon in Scotch Plains is a popular place. The dues are surprisingly lower than other courses in the area. They put in a pool a few years ago and it is beautiful. Personally, I did not care for the course, but it has hosted numerous NJ tournaments.

Two of my favorites up that way are NJ National in Basking Ridge and Metuchen in Edison. Both are excellent courses. NJ National has a much better practice facility, but Metuchen has a pool.

Another place you may want to look into is Fiddlers Elbow in Bedminster. It is in Somerset County, like NJ National, but it is close to Morris County. They have 54 holes, pool, etc.

Is $15k your all in amount? Because if so, that is going to be tough when you factor in food/beverage, carts/caddies, etc?

This is awesome, thanks for the info. Hadn't even heard of most of these!

 

$15k was my yearly dues not including f&b and/or carts/caddies but I also don't want a course that requires caddies.

 

I'm thinking Greenbrook might be the play for now esp since they have no initiation and then reassess if/when they sell.

[NJgolfer11]

5 hours ago, mwilkins25 said:

This is awesome, thanks for the info. Hadn't even heard of most of these!

 

$15k was my yearly dues not including f&b and/or carts/caddies but I also don't want a course that requires caddies.

 

I'm thinking Greenbrook might be the play for now esp since they have no initiation and then reassess if/when they sell.

No Problem. All of the courses I mentioned have caddies except NJ National and I don’t think Fiddlers Elbow does either.

 

Best thing to do is reach out and ask to come for a tour. You’ll probably be able to get a free round in as well.

[mwilkins25]

Awesome, will do. Thanks so much!

[NJgolfer11]

25 minutes ago, mwilkins25 said:

Awesome, will do. Thanks so much!

Anytime.

 

As far as initiation fee, what is your budget?

[mwilkins25]

1 minute ago, NJgolfer11 said:

Anytime.

 

As far as initiation fee, what is your budget?

For now, on the low side. Probably want to wait a few more years before I decide to splurge on something. 

[NJgolfer11]

1 hour ago, mwilkins25 said:

For now, on the low side. Probably want to wait a few more years before I decide to splurge on something. 

I don’t blame you.

 

Im not sure what they’re initiation is now, but Roxiticus in Mendham is an awesome course.

[Wander Bread]

Watchung Valley Golf Club is another option on the cheaper side. Decent course and they are making improvements, but again no pool. 

 

Upper Montclair is fantastic, but certainly a golf and social club. Not great for family. Playing their Member Guest tomorrow with my buddy who is a member.

 

I echo Fiddler's. 3 18's and a nice pool area. Huge club... decent food

 

Maplewood Country Club may be something to look into as well. Only 18 holes and a short course, but great family atmosphere with pool if that is what is important.

 

 

[NJgolfer11]

3 hours ago, Wander Bread said:

Watchung Valley Golf Club is another option on the cheaper side. Decent course and they are making improvements, but again no pool. 

 

Upper Montclair is fantastic, but certainly a golf and social club. Not great for family. Playing their Member Guest tomorrow with my buddy who is a member.

 

I echo Fiddler's. 3 18's and a nice pool area. Huge club... decent food

 

Maplewood Country Club may be something to look into as well. Only 18 holes and a short course, but great family atmosphere with pool if that is what is important.

 

 

I have to agree on Maplewood as far as the family atmosphere. It is supposed to be one of the best family club's in the state.

The course IMO is just nothing special.

[Prof3ssor]

On 5/17/2021 at 10:40 PM, NJgolfer11 said:

I don’t blame you.

 

Im not sure what they’re initiation is now, but Roxiticus in Mendham is an awesome course.

Great track but way over his budget.  

[mwilkins25]

6 minutes ago, Prof3ssor said:

Great track but way over his budget.  

Yeah, 25k initiation is steep since I don’t know exactly where I’m going to move to but the annual dues are very reasonable. 

[Prof3ssor]

On 5/21/2021 at 10:22 AM, mwilkins25 said:

Yeah, 25k initiation is steep since I don’t know exactly where I’m going to move to but the annual dues are very reasonable. 

It's $25k?  I have some friends that paid much more than that.  I guess they dropped quite a bit.  

[mwilkins25]

1 hour ago, Prof3ssor said:

It's $25k?  I have some friends that paid much more than that.  I guess they dropped quite a bit.  

That was mid year discount and and under 35. 

[Prof3ssor]

18 hours ago, mwilkins25 said:

That was mid year discount and and under 35. 

Definitely pays to get in there before 35.  

[golfkid33]

You may want to look at Mendham Golf & Tennis Club. Checks all the boxes on your list. Feel free to DM me with questions if you're interested.

[Bonneville85308]

If you end up in Morris county, you might want to look into Rockaway River CC also. Has a good sized range and short game area, pool, paddle tennis, regular tennis, etc. No idea what the current membership costs are as my familiarity with the club was a long time ago.

[Seth Pistol]

Forest Hill FC is an option.  so is montclair.

[mwilkins25]

For anyone interested, I ended up going with Green Brook. Can’t beat the price plus $0 initiation means im not leaving money on the table if I end up moving further away. 

[OscarNJ]

We are joining GB now as well. I'm a little older, but kids just getting into golf and it's a relatively ($14k+ still a lot of dough in the scheme of things) low commitment way of seeing how much the family will use a club.

[mtnbiker5]

Mendham golf club is tremendous.  No pool but great members and serious golfers.  Tennis courts immaculate and good paddle court scene.  Clubhouse going through major expansion this offseason.  Course is beautiful   Good walking course.  No caddies and cart fee is very reasonable.  Very laid back friendly atmosphere     The back 9 is heaven. Quiet and pretty.  I hear they have a waiting list now but doable.  If the cost is over your budget right down road is basking ridge cc.  Not a bad track but it does flood during heavy rains.  Nice members and vibe.   Does have a pool.  

[golfkid33]

On 11/15/2021 at 6:37 PM, mtnbiker5 said:

Mendham golf club is tremendous.  No pool but great members and serious golfers.  Tennis courts immaculate and good paddle court scene.  Clubhouse going through major expansion this offseason.  Course is beautiful   Good walking course.  No caddies and cart fee is very reasonable.  Very laid back friendly atmosphere     The back 9 is heaven. Quiet and pretty.  I hear they have a waiting list now but doable.  If the cost is over your budget right down road is basking ridge cc.  Not a bad track but it does flood during heavy rains.  Nice members and vibe.   Does have a pool.  

 

Agree on all points. Could not be happier with decision to join Mendham.

[mwilkins25]

29 minutes ago, golfkid33 said:

 

Agree on all points. Could not be happier with decision to join Mendham.

Would you guys be able to share approx costs to join and annual fees?

[mtnbiker5]

I believe initiation is around 20-25k but I know many spread it out over 5 yrs.  

[LPSISCO]

I’m actually on the membership committee at Mendham G&TC. If anyone has any questions feel free to PM me.

[golfkid33]

On 11/17/2021 at 11:42 AM, mtnbiker5 said:

I believe initiation is around 20-25k but I know many spread it out over 5 yrs.  

And significantly less if under 40.