Just moved to Montclair, NJ from NYC

[eedub]

Hi All,

 

I've been America's guest for the last 20 years and I'm (sort've) ready to join a club.

 

My priorities are:

1. $25k initiation or less
2. 30 minutes or less from Montclair
3. well maintained greens and practice facility, walkable.
4. pool/social component as my wife and I don't have many friends here yet

 

From what i've read, Essex Fells and Forest Hill Field Club are two options- any insight on them or other suggestions?

 

Also if you're from here or are a member anywhere and can share some insight, please send me a DM!

 

Thanks,

Eric

 

[nickyc23]

Welcome to the burbs! Montclair and Essex County CC may exceed you budget but are worth considering. Forest Hill and Essex Fells are great options but lack modern practice facilities and walkability. Conditioning will not be a problem at any of the courses in your area as most have invested significant resources in renovations and improvements in recent years. As a member at a club in your area for 10+ years I can confirm that dues and initiation inflation is real... Good luck finding a club that fits.

[bandits24]

Did some research into a couple clubs in the area this past fall since the public golf scene here in Northern NJ has gotten pretty brutal lately. Ultimately decided against it because the traffic getting out/in of where I live in Hoboken would just be brutal for when I'd like to play. What I found is almost all clubs in this area require multiple sponsors - some clubs will host networking events or do things to help you meet other members, but others do not. So if you don't know any members at certain clubs then you're SOL. Not sure how old you are, but here's some info I gathered on a couple clubs in the area for people in their mid-twenties (not sure what your age is but I was looking at junior memberships):

• Forest Hill Field Club: This is where I would've joined had I decided to end up joining anywhere. For the junior membership it's a $4k initiation, $6.3k dues and not including some other minor annual fees and monthly food min. Caddy or cart required, however, all days before 3pm. Can walk after that but have to pay a walking fee. Decent looking practice facilities, but a small range that's maybe around 160 yards. It has a decently nice pool area, but it's mainly a golf focused club, so not sure that would fit what your wife if looking for. I took a visit and really thought the whole place was beautiful. Lots of young folks and the place was really buzzing. They got new ownership a few years ago that's put a ton of money into the place and done a really nice job. No sponsors needed to join.
• Upper Montclair: Only spoke to their membership director over the phone, but she sent me all of their brochures following our call. For a junior membership it was all-in around $20k for annual dues and initiation. Believe the initiation could be paid over a few years. Need a few sponsors but they seem to have tons of opportunities to meet members and build some relationships. Think the cart/caddy/walking situation is similar to the above. Downside is that there's a waiting list for this tier of membership that's at least a year long I believe.
• Montclair GC: This place seems like it has a great all around membership, meaning golf, social, and some other CC sports. Spoke to them over the phone and received a brochure, but if I recall correctly you'd need somewhere between 3 - 5 sponsors. I asked over email if they provided any opportunities to meet members if you don't know anybody, but they never responded so took it as a no.

Those are really the only clubs I considered, but if you use the search function here on the Mid-Atlantic page to look for North Jersey clubs, there's a lot of great threads that provide tons of detail for other clubs. It's certainly a tough time to try and find a good club right now though with the golf boom - it's created a ton of demand. Hoping it dies down and gets a little easier in a few years whenever I move back into the suburbs and want to join one. Best of luck.

[bcc624]

On 2/29/2024 at 1:29 PM, bandits24 said:

Did some research into a couple clubs in the area this past fall since the public golf scene here in Northern NJ has gotten pretty brutal lately. Ultimately decided against it because the traffic getting out/in of where I live in Hoboken would just be brutal for when I'd like to play. What I found is almost all clubs in this area require multiple sponsors - some clubs will host networking events or do things to help you meet other members, but others do not. So if you don't know any members at certain clubs then you're SOL. Not sure how old you are, but here's some info I gathered on a couple clubs in the area for people in their mid-twenties (not sure what your age is but I was looking at junior memberships):

• Forest Hill Field Club: This is where I would've joined had I decided to end up joining anywhere. For the junior membership it's a $4k initiation, $6.3k dues and not including some other minor annual fees and monthly food min. Caddy or cart required, however, all days before 3pm. Can walk after that but have to pay a walking fee. Decent looking practice facilities, but a small range that's maybe around 160 yards. It has a decently nice pool area, but it's mainly a golf focused club, so not sure that would fit what your wife if looking for. I took a visit and really thought the whole place was beautiful. Lots of young folks and the place was really buzzing. They got new ownership a few years ago that's put a ton of money into the place and done a really nice job. No sponsors needed to join.
• Upper Montclair: Only spoke to their membership director over the phone, but she sent me all of their brochures following our call. For a junior membership it was all-in around $20k for annual dues and initiation. Believe the initiation could be paid over a few years. Need a few sponsors but they seem to have tons of opportunities to meet members and build some relationships. Think the cart/caddy/walking situation is similar to the above. Downside is that there's a waiting list for this tier of membership that's at least a year long I believe.
• Montclair GC: This place seems like it has a great all around membership, meaning golf, social, and some other CC sports. Spoke to them over the phone and received a brochure, but if I recall correctly you'd need somewhere between 3 - 5 sponsors. I asked over email if they provided any opportunities to meet members if you don't know anybody, but they never responded so took it as a no.

Those are really the only clubs I considered, but if you use the search function here on the Mid-Atlantic page to look for North Jersey clubs, there's a lot of great threads that provide tons of detail for other clubs. It's certainly a tough time to try and find a good club right now though with the golf boom - it's created a ton of demand. Hoping it dies down and gets a little easier in a few years whenever I move back into the suburbs and want to join one. Best of luck.

Have to pay a walking fee at a private club? wtf.

[NJgolfer11]

On 2/15/2024 at 3:15 PM, eedub said:

Hi All,

 

I've been America's guest for the last 20 years and I'm (sort've) ready to join a club.

 

My priorities are:

1. $25k initiation or less
2. 30 minutes or less from Montclair
3. well maintained greens and practice facility, walkable.
4. pool/social component as my wife and I don't have many friends here yet

 

From what i've read, Essex Fells and Forest Hill Field Club are two options- any insight on them or other suggestions?

 

Also if you're from here or are a member anywhere and can share some insight, please send me a DM!

 

Thanks,

Eric

 

It used to be private, but I would check out Rock Spring Club.

There website has a season pass for $6,000 a year before taxes and any add ons(if you want).

I played it 10 years ago and I found it to be one of the better courses. I find Essex Fells overrated IMO.

They had a pool back then too but I am not sure if they still do.

It is open to the public, so worst case, play a round there and if you like it and think it is worth the $$$$, it will not break your bank.

I went to a holiday party at Forest Hill years ago and the membership was awesome. Lot of young professionals, mainly in the Hoboken area. The mens locker room was great. Own bar, shuffleboard tables, TV's etc. Never played the course but it is supposed to be very nice.

Good luck!

[eedub]

Thanks everyone, much appreciated!

[jho786]

On 2/29/2024 at 1:29 PM, bandits24 said:

Did some research into a couple clubs in the area this past fall since the public golf scene here in Northern NJ has gotten pretty brutal lately. Ultimately decided against it because the traffic getting out/in of where I live in Hoboken would just be brutal for when I'd like to play. What I found is almost all clubs in this area require multiple sponsors - some clubs will host networking events or do things to help you meet other members, but others do not. So if you don't know any members at certain clubs then you're SOL. Not sure how old you are, but here's some info I gathered on a couple clubs in the area for people in their mid-twenties (not sure what your age is but I was looking at junior memberships):

• Forest Hill Field Club: This is where I would've joined had I decided to end up joining anywhere. For the junior membership it's a $4k initiation, $6.3k dues and not including some other minor annual fees and monthly food min. Caddy or cart required, however, all days before 3pm. Can walk after that but have to pay a walking fee. Decent looking practice facilities, but a small range that's maybe around 160 yards. It has a decently nice pool area, but it's mainly a golf focused club, so not sure that would fit what your wife if looking for. I took a visit and really thought the whole place was beautiful. Lots of young folks and the place was really buzzing. They got new ownership a few years ago that's put a ton of money into the place and done a really nice job. No sponsors needed to join.
• Upper Montclair: Only spoke to their membership director over the phone, but she sent me all of their brochures following our call. For a junior membership it was all-in around $20k for annual dues and initiation. Believe the initiation could be paid over a few years. Need a few sponsors but they seem to have tons of opportunities to meet members and build some relationships. Think the cart/caddy/walking situation is similar to the above. Downside is that there's a waiting list for this tier of membership that's at least a year long I believe.
• Montclair GC: This place seems like it has a great all around membership, meaning golf, social, and some other CC sports. Spoke to them over the phone and received a brochure, but if I recall correctly you'd need somewhere between 3 - 5 sponsors. I asked over email if they provided any opportunities to meet members if you don't know anybody, but they never responded so took it as a no.

Those are really the only clubs I considered, but if you use the search function here on the Mid-Atlantic page to look for North Jersey clubs, there's a lot of great threads that provide tons of detail for other clubs. It's certainly a tough time to try and find a good club right now though with the golf boom - it's created a ton of demand. Hoping it dies down and gets a little easier in a few years whenever I move back into the suburbs and want to join one. Best of luck.

 

 

Sent you a PM

[OpusXcigars]

On 2/29/2024 at 1:29 PM, bandits24 said:

Did some research into a couple clubs in the area this past fall since the public golf scene here in Northern NJ has gotten pretty brutal lately. Ultimately decided against it because the traffic getting out/in of where I live in Hoboken would just be brutal for when I'd like to play. What I found is almost all clubs in this area require multiple sponsors - some clubs will host networking events or do things to help you meet other members, but others do not. So if you don't know any members at certain clubs then you're SOL. Not sure how old you are, but here's some info I gathered on a couple clubs in the area for people in their mid-twenties (not sure what your age is but I was looking at junior memberships):

• Forest Hill Field Club: This is where I would've joined had I decided to end up joining anywhere. For the junior membership it's a $4k initiation, $6.3k dues and not including some other minor annual fees and monthly food min. Caddy or cart required, however, all days before 3pm. Can walk after that but have to pay a walking fee. Decent looking practice facilities, but a small range that's maybe around 160 yards. It has a decently nice pool area, but it's mainly a golf focused club, so not sure that would fit what your wife if looking for. I took a visit and really thought the whole place was beautiful. Lots of young folks and the place was really buzzing. They got new ownership a few years ago that's put a ton of money into the place and done a really nice job. No sponsors needed to join.
• Upper Montclair: Only spoke to their membership director over the phone, but she sent me all of their brochures following our call. For a junior membership it was all-in around $20k for annual dues and initiation. Believe the initiation could be paid over a few years. Need a few sponsors but they seem to have tons of opportunities to meet members and build some relationships. Think the cart/caddy/walking situation is similar to the above. Downside is that there's a waiting list for this tier of membership that's at least a year long I believe.
• Montclair GC: This place seems like it has a great all around membership, meaning golf, social, and some other CC sports. Spoke to them over the phone and received a brochure, but if I recall correctly you'd need somewhere between 3 - 5 sponsors. I asked over email if they provided any opportunities to meet members if you don't know anybody, but they never responded so took it as a no.

Those are really the only clubs I considered, but if you use the search function here on the Mid-Atlantic page to look for North Jersey clubs, there's a lot of great threads that provide tons of detail for other clubs. It's certainly a tough time to try and find a good club right now though with the golf boom - it's created a ton of demand. Hoping it dies down and gets a little easier in a few years whenever I move back into the suburbs and want to join one. Best of luck.

 

 

Im at Montclair Golf Club since 2018.  If you get 2 sponsors you have opportunities to meet members to get your other letters.  The club is amazing.  4 separate 9's and NO TEE TIMES ever.  Just walk up and play on the 9 which is less crowded and choose your back 9 the same way.   I found this to be the best club overall for us who are a family of 4.  Great facilities top to bottom.  Pool facilities are like a resort.  Driving range has Trackman built in for the whole range