North Jersey affordable private clubs

oldpalchamp · January 5, 2012

Milford area

I have a good friend who moved to North Jersey last fall and is looking for a private club that won't cost an arm and a leg to join. He is a very good golfer and serious about the game. So, do any of my golfwrx brethren know of a good club, private, or semi-private, or even a good public course with annual memberships where a guy could meet other golfers and find a game?

Thanks

PreppySlapCut · January 5, 2012

Milford and Hackensack are nowhere near each other. Hackettstown?

oldpalchamp · January 5, 2012

I don't know. I thought he said Hackensack. He lives in Milford.

PreppySlapCut · January 6, 2012

Well if he wants to drive an hour and 40 minutes to his club, then I would recommend Hackensack Golf Club (I won't be "that guy" by recommending Ridgewood). If I'm right and its actually Hackettstown, I would recommend Panther Valley...

phillyspecial · January 6, 2012

Sorry to hijack, but I am moving to Bergen County and am interested in Hackensack - do you know much about it? course, membership, dues?

migolfke · January 7, 2012

New Milford is close to Hackensack, so he may live there. I don't know specifics about Hackensack Country Club, but my guess is a full membership is not cheap. Haworth Country Club may be more affordable. Depending on how old he is, he may want to inquire at the local clubs (Hackensack, White Beeches, Arcola, Apple Ridge, etc.) if they have any "junior" membership opportunities. I know at least one of the local clubs was offering a 3 or 4 month membership last summer for a limited number of golfers under 30 for a very reasonable price. They were looking to introduce some new young blood into the club who were into golf. It may have been invitation only though.

As far as semi-private/ public courses in Bergen County, there are not a ton of good options. The county courses can be brutally slow, especially on the weekends and are generally not the best run. Sometimes the thought of walking in to see if there was an opening would keep me from even trying. Not a lot of good semi-private options - RiverVale is okay. Emerson has struggled lately - I think it changed ownership a few times.

Sussex County has some nice course, especially Ballyowen and Wild Turkey. Black Bear is more affordablee. Rockland County also as some nice tracks - spook rock.

And the Bethpage Courses aren't all that far.

Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Simp · January 8, 2012

I don't think there's anything "affordable" in north Jersey. Lol

Bonneville85308 · January 8, 2012

If he's in Milford, Hunterdon county (right by the Delaware River), he would be pretty close to Oak Hill Golf Club, which I believe is in Milford. There are a few decent public courses in the Phillipsburg, NJ/Easton, PA area that might offer memberships; Harkers Hollow (used to be private), Morgan Hill (I'm not a fan though), Riverview, Architects Club, etc. All depends on how far he's willing to drive.