Ballyowen GC
View of a green at Ballyowen Golf Club.
GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
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
frame.svg
AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
circle-star.svg
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.

Book a Tee Time at
Ballyowen Golf Club
Powered by GolfNow.com

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

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+ Annual
golf ball.svg
$120 in monthly tee time promo codes
waivedfees
12 rounds of waived fees
redeemtrophy
GolfPass Member Pricing
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection

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 5
Handicap 25+
Skill Beginner
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Gorgeous Windy Links Course

Great Links Style Course. Course is very up & down with serpentine, winding fairways. Early spring so the "fescue" was non existent. Unfortunately, my swing was horrible, so I lost a lot of balls, but more due to sheer laziness than anything else (I buy 'em by the gross online). Honestly I had no business being on this course (I'm a "2 off the tee" hack), but for $45 bucks mid day on a sunny, breezy Monday, I simply couldn't pass it up. Convinced me that lessons are needed. Great course, beautiful.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Great track for 1st round of year

Course in very good shape even with snow & ice
No croud on a windy but sunny day
Golfnow rate was excellent. Will return.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

One of NJ's Best Link Courses

Beautiful course and so much fun, it's pricey but well worth it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Fair weather
Used cart

This course is best played with winds gusting to 30 mph with threat of rain to party sunny...and a pint or two...

We had a fabulous time at Ballyowen Nov 25 with 67 degrees! We were greeted by all staff and restaurant employees with friendly, professional service. Thank you! The day was perfect and my opponent in the match shot 73. My 35 on the front sadly did not carry over to the back nine...lol... but the course seemed to come alive in the wind giving us every challenge Roger G. Rulewich had in mind. Thank you Ballyowen and Crystal Springs Resorts. We love what you've created here. Now I realize we don't have to retire in Florida...just visit Fla, January to March, the rest will be golfed right here at home in New Jersey.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

The staff

When I played there was a Cold weather delay and the staff called me let me know so I would not be waiting around in the cold . That was very nice of them

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Goitta play it!

Great course.....will be back...! Weather was iffy first few holes but hey...! it's a Links course....!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 90
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 500 Contributor
Previously Played
Average weather
Used cart

One of the best in NJ

Ballyowen is always in excellent condition even in the end of season. The price from golfnow is too good to pass.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
First Time Playing
Fair weather
Used cart

Good if You Like Links Style Courses

Played the course with some friends this past saturday. The course is in nice shape. The greens were a bit tricky to get a feel for the speed but also in good shape. The course was packed so we waited on every hole. It took over 5 hours to complete the round.

The staff was friendly and helpful. We got there early to have lunch, and it's a good thing we did as they were closing the Pub at 2pm for a wedding which we were told is a regular occurrence. Since that was the only place to get food it would be a good idea to let golfers know that when they make a tee-time that there are no other eateries available on the premise and they'll have to go elsewhere if they want to eat after their round.

The pro shop was well stocked for men, but only a small section for women. I'm guessing not many women play this course.

The starter and ranger were nice and personable. They couldn't do much about the pace of play. It would probably be helpful to space the tee-times out. We played after 1pm at a price of $95 per person which I thought was a bit pricey.

Overall it was an okay experience. If you like links style courses you might find it more enjoyable. If you prefer a woodsy layout I suggest you take a pass on Ballyowen.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Top notch links course, near bucket list quality.

Beautiful links style course. There was a 2 hour frost delay and I thought that the starter might have a nervous breakdown dealing with it! But our 1:40 tee time went off at 2:10. The course is absolutely beautiful. Rolling hills, and several greens 20+ feet above your 2nd shot, and most of us aren't really experienced enough to figure out how to adjust club selection in order to hit the greens. Definitely enjoyed the experience. Got on at $40+tax on a Tuesday. Sometimes $140, so that was a steal.

Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 24
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

A Tuesday Morning 5 Hour Round!?

My first time playing here so I'm not sure whether to fault the course or the two foursomes in front of us who were apparently all doctors, but still could not seem to grasp a few basic concepts: 1) if you park your cart 40 yards from where you think you lost your ball, do NOT walk all the way to the ball, spend five minutes looking for it before deciding its gone, only to walk all the way back to the cart, grab a club and another ball, and back to the spot to hit it; 2) if three out of the four of you are women, you do not need to wait for the group in front of you to clear the green when you're 250 yards out, a distance which even the sole male in your group had no possibility of hitting; 3) do not explain your pace to the two-some behind you (us) who you did not let play through as being reasonable because "we're new here" - that is no excuse.

The course was really nice. Conditions were good, not excellent. Greens are fast and true. The wind was howling which made it a true links challenge. I would imagine that the course has a lot of birdie opps when you catch it on a calm day.

BUT - there is no excuse for a Tuesday morning, 9am, 5 hour round. That was just ridiculous. Course ranges seem totally content with a 4:30 pace, which means when a group is only 30 min behind that pace, they dont feel the need to do much about it. Maybe if you shot for 4hrs, you'd actually get groups in in 4:30.

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

2nd time is a charm

Typical links course- keep it in the fairways and you have no trouble. Some blind 2nd shots on few holes made the round a bit more challenging and other than the weather (80 degrees & HOT!) it was a very nice round. "Play/manage the course" and you will have fun. We did.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Rangers, Wake Up!

First 6 holes took 3 hours and ten minutes--that' translates into a 9 and half hour round. Rangers were asleep at the wheel. Didn't see one until I phoned into the clubhouse and complained.

Probably should have asked to be comped for another round.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Super slow!

Tee time 2:20 did not make the turn til 4:55! Had no choice but to replay the front....Hurry up and wait golf!

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
First Time Playing

Not worth the price

This was my first time playing here. After reading all the stellar reviews I was expecting a much better experience. The layout is great but the course was in fair condition at best. The greens were in poor shape. Too many pitch marks not fixed, fairways were average but nothing to write home about. The bunkers are a joke. They look more like a gravel pit than a beach. You risk damaging your club if you land in a bunker. Lastly after listening to the starter tell us how the pride themselves on a 4hr 15min round there were no rangers to be found on the back 9. Looks like they all went home early today. Took us 5hrs to play. Waited on every hole. Even the other people we played with who play here often said that Wild Turkey is in better shape. Save your money and go somewhere else so you won't be disappointed.

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

great course

Thoroughly enjoyed my round, great course, great condition, value for money during the week

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Great golf course

Very enjoyable course esp for the hot rate of $75. Free range balls to warm up, a great feature.

The course. Well maintained and extremely beautiful. Very challenging but very much worth it. I just cant understand why a few players don't replace green divots, sacrilege on a track so well maintained.

I will be back.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Beautiful course

Got a fantastic rate from Golf Now "Hot Deals" plus had additional discount from them because it's my birthday this month. $100 course for $35, can't beat that. Conditions of the course were great and staff was very friendly. Layout is terrific and greens in fantastic shape as they air rated them couple weeks back. Pace was little slow only because my playing partner and I played terribly. That did not matter as playing on a monday morning is a reward in itself. Can't wait to go back.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great time, great value

A fantastic course with fantastic views. The staff was great and the price is right.

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

awesome track

unfortunately entire course was just airefied, however the layout is awesome and can't wait to play it again when course recovers from airefication

Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Ballyowen

This is a great course with multiple tee boxes that offer challenges for all level. There are few trees and no relief from the sun, so think about the weather before playing. It can be very hot. Also, when the wind picks up, usually in the afternoon, it adds to the difficulty.
We try and play it once or twice a year. It is worth the 45 minute ride.
As I said, few trees in play, but there is water.
Fun time was had by all.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Nearby Courses
Franklin, New Jersey
Public/Resort
4.1815575287
537
Hamburg, New Jersey
Public/Resort
4.1654618136
329
Franklin, New Jersey
Private
4.0
1
Hamburg, New Jersey
Resort
4.1436401018
181
Hamburg, New Jersey
Semi-Private/Resort
4.1851002575
450
McAfee, New Jersey
Public/Resort
4.1783612703
1070
McAfee, New Jersey
Public/Resort
4.1783612703
1070
Vernon, New Jersey
Public/Resort
3.8676278856
147
McAfee, New Jersey
Public/Resort
4.1783612703
1070
Sparta, New Jersey
Semi-Private
4.3956246192
679
Oak Ridge, New Jersey
Semi-Private
4.3451817222
686
Golf Packages
The Monster Golf Club

Resorts World Catskills Stay & Play Package

Click Below
MONTICELLO, NY | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Resorts World Catskills Casino and golf at The Monster at Resorts World Catskills.

Resorts World Catskills Stay & Play Package

Click Below
MONTICELLO, NY | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Resorts World Catskills Casino and golf at The Monster at Resorts World Catskills.

Seaview Stay & Play Golf Package

CLICK BELOW
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Seaview, A Dolce Hotel and golf at Seaview Golf Club - Bay & Pines Courses.
Seaview Golf Club - Bay Course

Seaview Stay & Play Golf Package

CLICK BELOW
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Seaview Hotel - Destination by Hyatt and golf at Seaview Golf Club - Bay & Pines Courses.
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account