Crystal Springs GC: #11
View of the 11th green from Crystal Springs Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.1
464 Reviews (464)
5 Stars
200
4 Stars
170
3 Stars
69
2 Stars
17
1 Stars
8
Conditions
3.9
Value
4.0
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.3
86.0%
Recommend this course
395 out of 464 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
25 Reviews (25)
5 Stars
9
4 Stars
11
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
3.6
Value
4.0
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.7
88.0%
Recommend this course
22 out of 25 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
43 Reviews (43)
5 Stars
18
4 Stars
14
3 Stars
7
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
0
Conditions
3.7
Value
4.0
Layout
4.4
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.5
86.0%
Recommend this course
37 out of 43 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Crystal Springs delivers one of New Jersey's most uniquely challenging and scenic public course layouts, with hilly terrain and strategic holes that reward thoughtful shot selection. Friendly staff, solid course conditions, and strong overall value make this a compelling choice for golfers seeking a country club feel.

About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private/Resort
Par 72
Length 6816 yards
Slope 139
Rating 73.5

Crystal Springs Golf Club in Hamburg touts a reputation of being not only the most challenging golf course in New Jersey, but also one of the most challenging layouts east of the Mississippi. The site filled with water after its use as a limestone quarry in 1929, which formed the natural springs on the 10th hole that the course is named after. The layout is definitely a shot-maker's course. Carefully sculpted mounding that frames the fairways and greens defines each hole. There is also tall and gnarly rough treacherously guarding the tight fairways. The golf course sits just a few miles from New Jersey's highest point, sprawling across an undulating terrain that makes it difficult to find an even lie. One of the most notably difficult, and subsequently the most talked about, holes is the 11th. The hole is perched atop a cliff overlooking the Windsor Quarry.

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Course Details

Year Built 1992
Fairways Bentgrass
Greens Bentgrass
Golf Season Open: 3/15 Closed: 12/12
Architect Robert von Hagge (1992)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No

Food & Beverage

Bar, Snacks, Restaurant, Beverage Carts

Lodging

Lodging Available

Available Facilities

Showers, Lockers

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top Courses in New Jersey (2015 #8)
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Reviews

4.1
464 Reviews (464)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 22
Dinner 15
19th Hole Scenic Views 10
Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 38
Bunkers 37
Undulating Greens 36
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 32
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 28
A Weekend Splurge 18
This Course's Location is:
At a Resort 36
Worth the Drive 35
In the 'Burbs 12

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fantastic

One of the best courses in New Jersey, easily. This course is a wonderful experience and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a challenge.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 164
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Top 100 Contributor
Verified Purchaser

You better be a good golfer

The course layout is not for an average golfer. There are mobile's and narrow fairways and some carries that a lot of golfers will not like. This is a resort course and a lot of players are not good and slow down the pace of play and not have a clue what they are doing. I do not recommend this course for that reason unless you wanted to fight a six hour round I get frustrated !

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 20-24
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Very tough course

If you like narrow fairways, lots of houses, and crazy terrain then this is the course for you. It is wonderfully maintained yet very tough to play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
2.0

Highly Disappointed

I haven't played here in a few years and figured I would give it another chance. When I arrived in the clubhouse I explained a unique situation I had to the kid behind the counter, he basically blew me off and had no interest in providing good customer service (around 3:00pm on 6/15). Acted like he was doing me a favor checking me in? The over priced track was in fair condition. Very little grass on the fairways, tee boxes were bare in a lot of spots. Bunkers were horrible, like cement. Greens were good and the Rangers were very polite and friendly. Yesterday was the last time I'll drive that far to be annoyed and disappointed. Certainly not worth the money or time! Go elsewhere imo

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Poor
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 19
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
1.0
First Time Playing

Good shape, horrible design

This course is probably the least fun golf course I've ever played. It's incredibly narrow with houses lining most holes. Some holes we didn't know where the fairway was or where the hole was going. There were giant boulders literally 5 feet off the green so any slightly errant shot could hit one and kick it 50 yards away. It's a truly horrible layout. The conditions were decent as the greens were smooth albeit slow. I proudly say I'll never play this course again...once was one time too many.

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Great Course

The course is in great shape and the layout is fantastic. Worth the hour drive to play there.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Average weather
Used cart

What A Steal

Really..... 20 bucks..with a cart.. Hot DEALS.... ii was told this couse needed a little work but that comment was off base.. this course had very true greens and clean fairways.. open room for us long hitters...staff was great (i was 20 min late)..

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 21
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather

Strange test of golf at Crystal Springs

While a tight course running through a housing development in the hills can be found in a lot of places Crystal Springs goes that one further and deploys mounds not just on the side of the fairways but right in the middle of most fairways as well. The result sometimes really penalizes good shots and unfairly rewards some poor shots. While there are some beautiful holes and vistas (namely #11) the overall feel is that you are looking at cheaply constructed town homes for the most part. The conditioning is ok but not spectacular. Grass is cut unevenly in many spots probably due to the effect of all those mounds. Lots of big rocks around greens as well that give it a sort of gimmicky feel. While it didn't feel like play was very slow the round ended up being 5 hours probably due to the 30 minutes of driving to the next tee box.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Resort Golf Near Home

Awesome Layout. Just be mindful of your ball selection because you can lose many of them. Be prepared for a long round. Crystal stacks tee-times way too close, so you always get backed up. Greens need some work as they seem really slow. Good bit of ground under repair but at least that shows they care. Course price is great value if you can get a reduced rate. Clubhouse bar is a ripoff.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Used cart

Strait to the point

1. Green were horrible. Furry, slow and recently aerated

2. Fairways very ondulated...Which means that great drives will end up giving you and uneven lie.

3. Staff very friendly.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Good course....bad services and hidden fees

Got there and was told we had to pay an additional $3 for a resort fee...never heard of this. Started play on time and then realized that the greens had been recently aerated the greens and had topped them with sand...Could not get a straight line with our puts...we should have been told by somebody so we could make a decision to play or not..Starter asked for cell phone so he could text a barcode for a free beer in the restaurant. We did not receive a text and no one could tell us how we could get the beer we were promised. When leaving a new Land Rover parked in a handicapped zone . Saw the person get out..No stickers or handicapped plates he looked fine...we complained and were told that it was the owner of the place....I guess that makes it ok...I won't be going back

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 153
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 500 Contributor
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Hard but fun golf course

Lots of trees and blind shots with dog legs. Fun for all levels if you pick the right set of tees. The day i went (3PM) played from the back tees to give me more room on tee shots(first time playing).Course has lots of movement up and down hill and side to side like a ski run.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great golf !!!

Excellent golf course in NJ.

Wish to play more often.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Beautiful mountaintop golf course

First time at this course, but played other Crystal Springs courses before. By far the more difficult course there. Incredibly beautiful and in good condition. Pace of play a little slow as course was difficult in spots, but fun to play. I would return.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 161
Handicap Don't know
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 100 Contributor
New York Advisor
Previously Played

Extremely challenging track, not for the weak minded

One of the hardest tracks I ever played. Course especially from the tips plays very long. A number of the holes have force carry over water and other hazardeous areas. Most greens not only have elevation changes but have surrounded bunkers as well. Fairways are not only extremely narrow, they mostly contain moguls as well. Hitting good tee shots in the fairway ending up with a 2nd shot with the ball close to your knees or way below seems like unfair punishment for hitting good shots. Be prepared to use all the clubs in your bag. Low handicap players will definitely enjoy the challenge this track has to offer. Mid to high handicappers should know what they are getting themselves into and bring extra sleeves of balls.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Greens

Greens were yet but still in awesome conditions.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Local Knowledge a big plus

First, this isn't a long course. I played the blue and only took out driver a hand full of times and still had a short iron or wedge into most greens. Course was in good shape. A couple tee boxes were being repaired, but they seemed to have plenty of extra so not a big deal.

If you're playing here for the first time, have a good app or a range finder. Plenty of tee shots require placement over bombing it, and you can get into trouble by going long unless you know where to aim.

Not sure about the slow greens comment. With the amount of slop on some of the greens I don't think they could be made much faster... else many hole locations would be impossible.

Try the 'Waffle & Wings' at the bar/lounge after the round. I only wish this course was closer to my home.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Crystal spring

The course is in excellent condition the green is a bit slow and the pace of play is even slower

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 45
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Course is nice

Nice course but can give you some tough lies

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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