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
465 Reviews (465)
5 Stars
201
4 Stars
170
3 Stars
69
2 Stars
17
1 Stars
8
Conditions
3.9
Value
4.1
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.3
86.1%
Recommend this course
396 out of 465 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
26 Reviews (26)
5 Stars
10
4 Stars
11
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
3.6
Value
4.1
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.7
88.5%
Recommend this course
23 out of 26 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
44 Reviews (44)
5 Stars
19
4 Stars
14
3 Stars
7
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
0
Conditions
3.8
Value
4.0
Layout
4.4
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.5
86.4%
Recommend this course
38 out of 44 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
465 Reviews (465)

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 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Toughest of the Crystal Springs courses

I love playing Crystal Springs and not because I score so well but rather it is so satisfying when you do play well because if you lose your focus the numbers pile up pretty quickly. The first time or two that you play Crystal it can be visually intimidating but after a couple of rounds you realize there is more room than it appears from the tee box.
If you are not at least a bogey golfer though you should probably pass on Crystal otherwise you will go through golf balls like crazy!
Enjoy!

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
4.0
First Time Playing

Hard to Find

Great course but hard to find. Its tucked in behind and abandoned hotel. Better markets on the road would be a great first step. Short game area could be better.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 57
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great conditions, accuracy needed

Crystal Springs is a great course. Challenging in that many holes are narrow or have difficult approaches. You'll hear people refer to it as 'target golf' and its fairly accurate here. You're often better hitting a 5 or 3 wood off the tee for better accuracy than trying to bomb it with the driver. Conditions were great and greens were fantastic - fast and undulating. The course is very pretty - winding, up and around the sides of hills with mounds and traps that really make it look impressive. The only downside is you're often playing near homes. At $100 it's a bit on the pricey side. At 75-80 it's a real value. The whole layout there is top notch wtih a fantatic clubhouse and amenities.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Greens are very good

But other than the picturesque par 3 on the 12th hole (I believe), the course leaves a lot to be desired.
The biggest impediment to enjoying a round here is the distance between the holes and the amount of time it takes to transition from hole-to-hole; it is quite annoying!
There are few if any signs directing you through the condominium community. At one point, we got so lost, we had to knock on the door of a stranger's condo to obtain directions to the next hole.
Moreover, there are too many instances where the carts have to detour some 30 yards from the green; this significantly slows the round (if your ball lies on the far side, away from the cart path, opposite the green).
Moreover,we were told that we were an entire hole behind the next group at one point: my reaction to the ranger was,"you have to be kidding"! Like it was our fault that we got lost for more than 5 minutes between holes.
The positives, however, is that the greens are good (nice and fast), the course is challenging (although not very friendly to the golfer who is unfamiliar with the course). The par 3, 12th hole is almost worth the trip (I travelled from Eastern LI, and my two relatives were from Brisbane, Australia).
However, all-in-all, for $100 (on a Sunday), it is way overpriced in my opinion. Other than the 12th hole, it is nothing special.
I would put at least half of the 16 courses within 10 square miles from my home in Manorville vs. Crystal Springs any day (and that is not including superior LI courses such as Bethpage, Montauk, Island's End (I just love) and the Hamlet Willow Creek (also love) which are all better bangs-for-the-buck!

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 0-4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Nice track.

Some tight holes. You have to be pretty precise with your tee shots. Overall great course.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
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