Ballyowen GC
View of a green at Ballyowen Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.5
401 Reviews (401)
5 Stars
248
4 Stars
108
3 Stars
28
2 Stars
10
1 Stars
7
Conditions
4.4
Value
3.9
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
3.9
Amenities
4.5
90.4%
Recommend this course
360 out of 401 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
5.0
4 Reviews (4)
5 Stars
4
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.8
Value
3.8
Layout
5.0
Pace
5.0
Amenities
4.8
StaffFriendliness
4.8
100.0%
Recommend this course
4 out of 4 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
35 Reviews (35)
5 Stars
23
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
5
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.5
Value
3.8
Layout
4.7
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.6
91.4%
Recommend this course
32 out of 35 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Ballyowen stands out as one of New Jersey's finest public courses, with a highly rated layout featuring wide fairways and thick rough. The beautifully manicured conditions, stunning clubhouse, and driving range consistently impress golfers visiting this top-rated course.

About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private/Resort
Style Links
Par 72
Length 7094 yards
Slope 134
Rating 74.1

Ballyowen Golf Club is an homage to the great Scottish links courses, the place where golf originated. The course sprawls across 250 acres of rolling farmland that overlooks the Walkill River. The layout tumbles through valleys and hills, staying as true as possible to the natural contours of the land. Much like a traditional links golf course, the virtually treeless landscape is accented with craggy knolls. The challenging layout features lush green fairways that contrast beautifully with the pristine white sand bunkers and golden patches of rough that border the greensides. There are also water hazards that come into play on five holes. Ballyowen has earned the title of New Jersey's top public course and Golfweek has even ranked it as one of the top 50 courses in the country.

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Ballyowen Golf Club
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Course Details

Year Built 1998
Fairways Bent Grass
Greens Bent Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Roger Rulewich (1998) A. John Harvey

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Caddies Yes
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

Clubhouse, Spa, Showers, Lockers

Accolades

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Reviews

4.5
401 Reviews (401)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 24
19th Hole Scenic Views 21
Dinner 13
Course Challenges Include:
Thick Rough 43
Bunkers 42
Undulating Greens 36
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 42
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 32
A Bucket list/Top 100 Pick 29
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 47
In the 'Burbs 17
At a Resort 15

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 17
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Nice but a bit overrated

I think this is a very nice and challenging course overall.

I can't understand how it is the #1 public course in NJ though- many of the sand traps are rock hard and have hundreds of rocks!! Lots of the fescue is dead and just plain dirt.

Some of the greens are really beat up but maybe that is just due to the fact that it is August.

Overall it is very nice and worth playing at least once but just a bit disappointed for the hype and cost.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
1.0
First Time Playing

Never Even Got to Play

I booked a tee time for 7 Am this morning (Aug 4th). I arrived at the course at 6 AM and hit balls at the range and putted until about 6:45. I walked to the starter and gave him my name. I was informed that he sent the other 3 people out early and that I would be given a ride to meet them at the 3rd hole.

My tee time was at 7 AM so I was very disappointed that he sent the other 3 people out beforehand. Like I said I was there at 6 AM (60 mins before my tee time) and checked in with him 15 minutes beforehand. I don't understand how this could happen. I was very much looking forward to playing the course and I got up at 430 this morning and drove from Brooklyn, paying many tolls along the way.

Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Ballyowen Is a Beast

Beautiful course and very challenging. It is extremely well maintained, one of the best I’ve seen. A bit of a far drive for those of us on Long Island, but well worth it on occasion. Would definitely recommend to anyone and would come back without hesitation. Now if only my game could match up!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Top Notch

Although the pace of play is sometimes a little slow, this is the best public golf course in New Jersey. By far...

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Overall nice course

Nice course and fairly challenging. Staff could have been friendlier in pro shop and restaurant. Sand traps were also very rocky.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Pace of play

About 30 minutes prior to my time. I saw 6-7 carts going off on the first tee. I proceeded to play a 3.5 hour 9 holes. They were very accommodating in the pro shop and gave me a 9 hole rain check as I left after 9. Absolutely awful.

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 56
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Another great day at Ballyowen

Early April weather. A bit wet in the morning and temps around 40. Slowly warmed up to a beautiful day around 55-60. Some wind but nothing too crazy. Greens were in very good shape, rolled well and speed was decent. Not as fast as prime time summer but much faster than other courses this time of year. Pace was great, never pushed or waited on anyone.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

great time at ballyowen

we had a great time. weather was great. they paired us with a nice couple of young guys. lots of small talk.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

This course is amazing!!!

What a fantastic course! Definitely has a European type format and the course is in fantastic condition! Rained the day before and it was cart path only, but the pace of play was good, took about 4 hours and 30 minutes to complete in a foursome. Will definitely be coming back again soon!

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 30
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Waiting on EVERY shot for over 5 hours!!

Rangers totally failed to manage pace of play. We were stuck in golfing purgatory standing around on every shot. Our round required 5 1/4 hours to complete which is 45 minutes longer than the target set by Ballyowen and at least 75 minutes longer than it should take. It's certainly the nicest public course in NJ but I'll never be back.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 27
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Great Links Syle Course - Pretty Tough

Very challenging links style course. Fairways are very deceiving and the greens were fast and very undulating. Conditions were fantastic, staff was super friendly and helpful. I think this course would be a little easier second time around as some holes are very tricky to the eye. Overall excellent time. Dont know about some of the negative reviews as this lace is top notch and the staff has it all buttoned up. They keep you spaced part nicely so no waiting, they don't cram tee times in. Worth a trip out to play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Scotland in Northern New Jersey

This is a Fantastic golfing destination for myself and 3 golf buddies (playing together for 50 years), Excellent in every way. Played on a hot afternoon in August: tee off 3:30pm. Arrived at #16, with a chance to maybe break 80, as a foursome cut in front of us needing, I guess, to finish before nightfall. Long Story Short …. played 17 and 18 in the dark …… ruined the score and the day.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Not Worth the Hype

Played this course various times between 5 and 7 years ago. Came back, was excited to bring a friend for the first time. Bragged about the course. Walked away so embarrassed to have done this. Course still has nice views and in better than average condition, but play was so slow. Cart girl did come by within first half hour, which was great. However, had no Powerade or Gatorade. Said she’d come back soon after getting restocked. Didn’t come back until I called the main office over an hour later. Slow play also in my opinion could’ve been helped if a ranger had been out there. Took an hour and a half to finally see one, but again this had to be requested in same call as when asking for the cart girl. For the $ the course charges, I’d expect more on course amenities. Don’t remember these problems years ago, and surely will not be returning here.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
1.0
Previously Played

Not Worth It

Ranger not out here often enough, nor was cart girl compared to how it was years ago. Wouldn’t recommend at all. Coursein good shape, wonderful views, but staff on course not as on point as it was years ago and just disrupts the round

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays Twice a year
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

wonderful golf course

All the staff is nice and kind.

All the courses are well maintained condition.

The green was pretty fast.

The Hamburg from the clubhouse restaurant was really good food like 5 star hotel restaurant.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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