New Jersey is home to the United States Golf Association, so it’s no surprise that it’s jam-packed with golf courses — 366 to be exact. Most of the top courses are private clubs, but there are plenty of good public courses too, with several near Ocean Township.
Hollywood Golf Club
Hollywood Golf Club is one of New Jersey’s renowned private golf courses, attracting upmarket clientele and hosting several golf tournaments. It also has a long history, having been established in 1898 and designed by Walter Travis — one of the great names in early American golf. The course design has gone through a few tweaks from various architects over the years. Its most notable challenge is the 16th hole with dramatic “volcano” bunkering along the left side that creates a fairly blind putting surface.
William F. Larkin Golf Course at Colonial Terrace
Locals see William F. Larkin Golf Course at Colonial Terrace as one of Ocean Township’s best-kept little secrets. Largely overlooked by seasoned golfers who prefer heading to more upmarket or challenging courses, this nine-hole course is perfect for a friendly game or as practice for beginners.
Best of all, it’s a public course with some of the most reasonable rates in New Jersey. Residents pay $19 weekly and $22 during weekends/holidays, while nonresidents pay $24 and $27 respectively.
Pebble Creek Golf Course
Looking for a quaint venue for a tea party, breakfast, or lunch? Pebble Creek Golf Course is happy to host your event or party. Its clubhouse has a lovely large covered patio that accommodates up to 170 guests and overlooks the 18th hole — great for viewing and cheering those in your party who are finishing the course. The menu includes breakfast, lunch, buffet, and barbecue options. A minimum of 24 people is required, except for the buffet and barbecue receptions which require 48.
Pebble Creek’s Shotgun Outing and Tee Time Outing packages allow everyone in the group to practice their swing on the greens and enjoy some refreshments afterward.
Hominy Hill Golf Course
Hominy Hill Golf Course is often regarded as the top public golf course in New Jersey with an affordable price. It was named by NJ.com and Inside Jersey as one of the state’s “10 Best Golf Courses for the Money.” Hominy Hill was originally designed by Robert Trent Jones and is managed by Monmouth County Park System. It’s a pretty tough course with three holes being par-5 and even tricky par-3s, which make it an ideal choice for golfers looking to challenge their skills.
Amenities include a well-stocked golf center, snack bar, warm-up range, locker rooms, and beautifully manicured putting greens. There is also a one-mile walking trail near the course for those who aren’t playing but would like a stroll. Book a tee via Monmouth County Park System’s online reservation setup.
New Jersey is a golfing mecca with many of the country’s pro golfers having spent time on its courses and many top-class tournaments hosted here. Even if you’re just a beginner, with the abundance of courses for every level of difficulty, both amateurs and pros will find an enjoyable green to tee off on.
Image by Krzysztof Urbanowicz is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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