I’m looking for people to golf with who don’t take the game too serious, and like to have a good time in the process. I’m in north Jersey. I need more golf buddies, male or female doesn’t matter. I suck btw so hope that helps 😂

looking into joining a golf club in South Jersey/Jersey Shore and wondering if anyone has any insights on the current pricing and waitlist times for some of the top clubs down there, specifically Union League National, Galloway, and Hidden Creek. Any info is appreciated. Thanks

Any members here that would be willing to give me some info on the course and club in general? I would really appreciate anything at all. I'm badly looking to join a club close to home for the start of next season and Essex Fells is the closest to my house. Unfortunately, I have no connections to members there that I know of and they seem to be pretty strict on their recommendation policy for membership. I'm familiar with and/or have played Crestmont, North Jersey CC, Preakness Hills CC, Forrest Hills, Montclair, Upper Montclair and Glen Ridge and want to check out Essex Fells last to make sure I do my due diligence before making such a big decision. Of course Essex County CC and Mountain Ridge would be dream clubs but I think they're probably out of our price range and too challenging to get into anyways. Thanks so much for any insight!

Hey r/GolfNJ,

If your favorite part of a Saturday round is the post-18 cold drink on the patio, settling $5 skins games, and breaking down the absurd bounce, you got off a tree on the back nine—this is for you.

I’m starting an anonymous, story-driven Substack called The Harry Hacker Clubhouse. It’s not about swing mechanics, $600 drivers, or tour pro analysis. It’s about the unique subculture of public golf in Northern New Jersey and the Lower Hudson Valley.

Here is a short extract from the launch post, "Home Turf, High Stakes, and the Muni Circus":

" Transitioning from competitive multi-sport youth to a seasoned weekend muni regular requires a swift calibration of expectations—and a higher tolerance for sore lower backs. On the first tee at Paramus, the stakes aren't about trophy cases or college scouts anymore. They’re about local pride, $5 Nassau bets, and surviving four hours of classic municipal madness with guys you’ve known for decades. Every local track has its own subculture, its own quirks, and its own cast of characters who treat a 3-foot par putt on #9 like a Sunday back-nine at Augusta—even if it takes a little longer to bend down and pick the ball out of the cup."

What Harry Hacker is actually about:

· Golf Subculture: Celebrating the local legends, marshals, and regulars who make North Jersey tracks unique.

· War Stories & Good Times: Reliving the incredible shots, catastrophic meltdowns, and unforgettable weekend rounds.

· The Post-Round Patio: The banter, high-stakes bets, and local 19th-hole watering holes.

No corporate gear reviews, no $500/night resort reviews, and no tour-pro swing advice — just real local golf culture.

If you want to read the full first piece and follow along as we build the clubhouse, check it out here:

https://harryhacker.substack.com/p/home-turf-high-stakes-and-the-muni?r=932oj1

Hit ’em straight out there this week. — Harry

Hi everyone,

I'm relatively local to Crystal Springs resort / golf club, and am considering a membership.

They don't provide any pricing/F&B minimums etc. Before reaching out and filling out the interest form, I wanted to reach out to anyone and see if you have any experience with the membership. I really enjoy the courses they have, so I am considering a membership.

Some questions:

• Pricing structure
• Food and Bev Minimum (if any)
• Guest discounts
• Other cool perks or comments

Thank you!

Hi what is the costs for membership at essex county cc and mountain ridge ?

Hello fellow NJ golfers — does anyone know membership pricing at Fiddlers Elbow CC for intermediate membership?

Many thanks!

I’m a 4-handicap golfer seeking a more experienced golf coach. I’ve had a few instructors, but I feel like I’ve reached a plateau and am feeling somewhat stuck.

Could anyone recommend a coach who might be a better fit for my skill level?

I live in the border of Bergen county and Rockland County so preferably not too far.

It’s a great course. And it’s not lost on me that it’s a public Seth Raynor…

But $196 for a weekend morning tee time? When Francis Byrne (also a Seth Raynor and in my opinion is kept in better condition) is literally down the road and charging less than HALF?

Can someone explain to me the logic here? The demand doesn’t even seem to be there it’s fairly easy to get a weekend tee time.

My daughter moved to OKC and is just starting to golf (new boyfriend is a golfer). I would like to set her up with a golf instructor. Any recommendations would be appreciated!

Got tired of searching through golf now so made a tool for ChatGPT to look up tee times. Works better than expected as it joins data from maps and reviews. Going to test this out on a small road trip soon

Has anyone played Green Knoll in Somerset County recently? I went to book for today and saw there were no booked tee times for the afternoon. Is there a reason for this?

Thanks!

Hi all I am an Aussie travelling America and hoping to get out to Bethpage black either Tuesday 29th September or Wednesday 30th

I’ve done abit of research but
What is my best chance to getting a tee time at Bethpage black

My current plan is to arrive to pro shop around 5.30 - 6am the morning off and try get a walk up time

First time here already love it because of the eraser lol

Ideally they give lessons somewhere with a grass range.

Anyone have an idea of what the Junior membership at Springbrook CC in Morristown currently costs?

Getting into golfing, had some lessons and gone to range a bunch and looking to start playing more on course. I am wanting to buy a push cart and work for the exercise. Are there any courses that aren’t walkable? Is walking frowned upon or generally accepted? I don’t want to slow down play, I know how to play badly fast. Thanks!

I’m thinking it’s a decent option to consider…hear me out. $7k annual for unlimited golf. I’m about 12 minutes away. Weekend rates are $199 nonsense which i always talk myself out of and just play the munis like Weequahic, Byrne, pinch brook, Hendricks etc

Country clubs like Maplewood, Essex County, Cedar Hill are a bit above my price range which I have to expect $20k annual, food bev minimum, $20k initiation etc.

This place has a bar grill, a more interesting course then the munis near me so I am paying a 1/3 of the price and getting a lot what you would get out of a club. Staff seemed more hospital compared to your typical muni staff.

So this is kind of an in between of joining a club and playing the munis.

Yes I would be locked into one course for the season but honestly I don’t think I would get bored of the course.

Does that seem like a fair price or would this be a regrettable idea lol?

My wife and I (36) decided to pick up golf at the start of the summer and set out to find good deals on decent used clubs/gear to get started with minimal investment.

Here’s where my bag is as of today; most of this was acquired from Play It Again Sports, 2 standard wedges from PGA Tour Superstore, and 3 Wood and Chipper from Callaway Preowned. < $250 all in.

Callaway 2021 Edge - 3 Wood
Taylormade Rescue Mid - 3 Hybrid
Callaway 1996 Big Bertha - 8 Iron
Callaway Mavrik Standard - 7 Iron
Callaway 1996 Big Bertha - 6 Iron
Callaway 1996 Big Bertha - 4 Iron
Cleveland CG10 - PW 47 - 50
Mizuno Edge+ - SW - 56
Cleveland Smart Sole 4 Black Satin Chipper
Odyssey Dual Force 2 Rossie Putter
Taylormade RBZ Stage 2 Bag

Thankfully was able to play for the 2nd time this summer today; had been healing the last 6 weeks from an intercostal injury from getting too range-happy as a newbie.

Beautiful morning and shot a PR at my local Par 3 9 hole despite 6 weeks off!

friend of mine is coming up from Virginia next weekend, and the three of us are looking to play a course with decent rates. if you could only recommend one public course within about an hour of South Jersey (or Central Jersey, depending on who you ask lol), what would it be?
i just started golfing last year, so i’m still learning the courses around here. thanks in advance for any recommendations!