Ballyowen Golf Club

I reserved the 6:10 tee time for $105 ($35 off 6:20 tee time). I ended up going out as a single and was the first guy off behind the 4 maintenance guys that play every morning. They let me through on hole 6. Course was in great shape. It's tough to play alone, especially with my aging eyes and the tough rough. Lost a few balls. Did not score well but I was done in 3.5 hrs and just a gorgeous day. It is a good deal at $105 and sometimes on GolfNow you can get better deals. Full price is hefty and I don't often play at those rates.

It's hard to knock this course because it is easily one of the most pristine public golf courses in all of NJ. It is a step ahead of its brother & sister courses (Crystal Springs & Wild Turkey) at least as far as the conditions goes.

All that being said, for me, it is a forgettable course in terms of its design. It is a rather generic links course with very little in the way of memorable holes or unique features or signature holes. In fact, the bag pipers playing off in the distance is probably the most unique thing about this course.

Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful golf course and compared to other courses that charge similar $100+ green fees, it is probably in much better shape. There is just something so generic about it that I only find myself wanting to play it once a year as opposed to Wild Turkey that I would play over and over and over.

It's a great course for long-hitters because there are a ton of risk/reward opportunities, but it is also friendly enough for those that like to lay up and play it safe. The fescue can drive you insane if you’re not hitting the ball straight, but the tee boxes, fairways and greens are amongst the best I have played this year.

Overall the facility is top notch, staff is super-friendly, food is very good, and I know I got what is probably my best bargain of the year with a $55 Hot Deal. Certainly worth playing if you get the opportunity.

Generally used to playing country clubs, this course condition and amenities are on par with CC. Price is a bit higher, but less crowded means for golfers who really enjoy golf has some breathing room.

There were some groups that were horrendously slow. They were older ladies that could only drive 100 yards with horrible swing. They never lost any ball (I'm sure), but took a long time. Other than them, all was good.

Couse conditions - great
Well manicured course
Food and beverage cart was seen on several occasions
Great pace of play
Treat yourself to this wonderful course

First time I've played this course and it was excellent. Fairways, rough, bunkers, greens, everything was great. I expected the greens to roll much faster than what they did though. With the views and links style it's a simple reason why it is always one of the best courses you can play. It would be nice if a ranger went around though instead of getting stuck behind some hackers and the ranger saying in short "oh well". If it weren't for the GolfNow Hot Deal of $40, I wouldn't ever put out $110+ to play. Overall this course is a must play at least once!

For those that have not played this (tree-less) course, it's design utilizes distance, grasses and water as the challenges to overcome. The course is in very good condition, the greens are fast and true. The staff is exceptional and friendly. Avoid the traps as they contain small amounts of sand and numerous small stones.

Beautiful course in phenomenal shape. High grass will catch your strays but you can find them and play from it, at least right now. Greens a touch slow but overall good.

My only complaint was the pace of play, like others have mentioned. We rode a 4some, even after picking up a single and playing as a 5some for the last 13 holes. When we called and asked for a ranger to do something about it, he rode by, said hi, and left.

But, overall I understand why this is the top public course in the state given its layout, challenge, and condition. It's well worth the trip, and if you get a hot deal time, you're flat out robbing them!

Course was very well maintained and greens surpurb!

This is an excellent layout and it's in great condition. It was a little slow but it was really due to one group. I highly recommend it, especially if you can play later in the day at a reduced rate.

Great course, but can be slow because there are no Marshall's on the course ensuring groups are moving at a reasonable pace. Other than that, this is a very nice course, but beware that hitting into the deep grass is practically a guarantee that the ball is lost.

Except for pace of play Ballyowen never fails. Very well maintained, challenging layout, beautiful scenery.

We didn't play. The weather was bad enough, sporadic thunderstorms, some lightening, to have us not play. But the course was still open so some could play later after weather cleared. So I'm out $110 bucks and will never use you again.

Great course.....getting up there is a pain if you aren't from the area but once you are what a course. I imagine when the fescue is up in the summer this place is diabolical. Feels like a country club and you pay country club prices. That being said this place attracts better golfers than some of the others, which keeps up pace of play.

Know the course well and love it. Early in season after tough winter and greens had recently been aerated so won't complain about condition, but slow play was an issue. Starter made issue about but no evidence that anyone was telling anyone to play faster. Fescue was low so that should not have been factor. Staff friendly.

Took advantage of a hot deal and it's deserving to be the top course in the state. Although it was a 2.5 hour drive, it was well worth the trip. Conditions were great for the beginning of the year and much easier to play with the fescue not fully grown. Each hole had an awesome layout with hills and elevation changes. Wish this course was closer and looking forward to playing the other 6 sister courses within the same area.

Terrific course. Best available public in NY region. Considerable wind, which may be normal, but, so what. Greens heavily aerated, but reduced price made up for that inconvenience. Made for many more undeserving gimmes.

Great course. The only drawback is that its a slow round. The conditions were very good for this time of year. Will definitely be back

Finally got to play this course. So glad I did. All the great reviews
Are true. I got there early and they let me go as a single. Was not
that busy . It is in superb condition and the greens are very fast.
I wish it was a bit closer to NYC. but worth the trip.
Staff were really friendly.

Course was still maintained (not quite but close to peak season). Even had a drink cart out there in sub 55 degree weather and ball washers. Fescue was thankfully cut down a bit - still would advise hitting away from this stuff. Views were incredible.

Course did not manage tee time seperation and allowed too many people to play off the wrong tee. Also, to chare $100+ at 1:00 in Oct is unacceptable since you most likely won't get the round in. The course is gourgeous and in super shape. It was a shame I could not finis the round and had to wait 10 minutes on each tee.