River Vale Country Club
About
River Vale Country Club (formerly known as Bergen Hills Country Club.) sprawls across the gently rolling hills of northeast New Jersey. It has been ranked on Golf Digest's list of "Best Places to Play," but it still manages to remain one of Bergen County's most well kept secrets. You'll hardly ever run into crowds on this golf course. The layout has a classic design that incorporates a variety of elevation changes. Tricky uphill and downhill lies will be your biggest challenge on this layout. Strategically placed bunkers lurk beside the greensides and there are several holes where water hazards come into play, including the par-5 fifth, which has a lake on either side of the green. River Vale a tight golf course that demands accuracy and while it's not overly formidable, your skills will definitely be put to the test.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | 72 | 6504 yards | 71.3 | 131 |
| White | 72 | 6168 yards | 69.7 | 128 |
| Gold | 72 | 5892 yards | 68.4 | 122 |
| Red (W) | 72 | 5378 yards | 71.3 | 127 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue M: 71.8/134 | 394 | 368 | 336 | 185 | 525 | 468 | 389 | 160 | 375 | 3200 | 384 | 325 | 482 | 351 | 233 | 475 | 381 | 133 | 540 | 3304 | 6504 |
| Blue/White M: 71.0/132 | 372 | 368 | 336 | 161 | 525 | 450 | 365 | 160 | 375 | 3112 | 365 | 325 | 482 | 351 | 215 | 454 | 366 | 133 | 522 | 3213 | 6325 |
| White M: 70.2/130 W: 76.4/137 | 372 | 350 | 325 | 161 | 488 | 450 | 365 | 148 | 364 | 3023 | 365 | 308 | 471 | 321 | 215 | 454 | 366 | 123 | 522 | 3145 | 6168 |
| Gold M: 69.2/127 W: 74.9/134 | 354 | 341 | 318 | 155 | 438 | 444 | 352 | 144 | 360 | 2906 | 334 | 304 | 466 | 316 | 191 | 438 | 321 | 100 | 516 | 2986 | 5892 |
| Red M: 66.9/122 W: 71.9/129 | 338 | 271 | 268 | 146 | 417 | 442 | 307 | 107 | 302 | 2598 | 326 | 302 | 410 | 267 | 176 | 408 | 314 | 98 | 479 | 2780 | 5378 |
| Handicap | 3 | 7 | 13 | 15 | 11 | 1 | 9 | 17 | 5 | 4 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 18 | |||
| Par | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
| Handicap (W) | 3 | 15 | 7 | 13 | 9 | 1 | 11 | 17 | 5 | 4 | 16 | 10 | 14 | 12 | 2 | 6 | 18 | 8 |
No Hot Deals for this date.
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
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Bar, RestaurantReviews
Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by Lilytommy13 on 05/01/2026
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Photo submitted by Lilytommy13 on 05/01/2026
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Photo submitted by Keith2180142 on 04/13/2023
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Nice Par 3 Photo submitted by u000004587760 on 06/26/2021
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Photo submitted by Jeffbreny on 06/01/2021
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Photo submitted by Simon03Wheatley on 12/01/2020
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Photo submitted by rich4par on 10/12/2020
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Photo submitted by u000005300319 on 11/06/2019
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Photo submitted by Robert2937087 on 10/24/2019
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Photo submitted by Franco6968 on 09/11/2019
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Photo submitted by max135 on 07/16/2019
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Photo submitted by LICC on 11/11/2018
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Photo submitted by LICC on 11/11/2018
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Photo submitted by LICC on 11/11/2018
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Photo submitted by LICC on 11/11/2018
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Photo submitted by LICC on 11/11/2018
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Photo submitted by LICC on 11/11/2018
A good test
I find this course to be tougher than its rating
I enjoy this course but have seen the conditions better
A good value from golf now otherwise it's overpriced
Greens
The fairway should be revceded and the green need to be more maintained
Rivervale
Love the course. Challenging and nice layout
One of the better public courses! Right now a few greens under repair but atill pretty good conditions considering recent weather.
This jcourse is well maitanined
Overall a good experience. Too many rules. Practice area to controlled. Cannot take carts to Driving Range
mr
nice course .i will play again and recommend to my friends
Great first experience
Played the course for the first time and had a great experience. It is challenging and requires precision with all shots and putting. Conditions were pretty good given it was December 30th. Definitely will come back to play it again next season.
Very warm December so played a very average course
Great warm December weekend, I and every other golfer wanted to play so place was very busy. Facility very outdated, driving range below par, starter was overworked so no time for pleasantries . Greens were very slow and bumpy but that had to do with time of year.
Layout was just ok, that won't change with warm weather. A few blind holes,, severe elevations and you really have to be aware of other golfer as the fairways are close together. You also need to be aware that the cart path to the next hole may put you in the "line of fire" from another hole.
Considering the volume of golfers the pace of play was ok. For a sizzling deal it was fine, don't think I would ever pay rack rate greens fees. It was nice to play golf in NJ in mid December .
Delusions of Grandeur...
I've played here for years and found it to be a decent course that is convenient for the price. However, today I was turned away from the course because I was wearing "sweat pants". It was 42 degrees out, and what I was actually wearing is outdoor gear that I bought at a golf store to be worn in cold weather. Being that this is a public-owned golf course, and being that it was a very cold day and that the course was pretty empty, I thought they were joking, but they were not. One of the other golfers told me that it was important to keep up the course's decorum and seemed quite pleased that I was being refused access. In my 10 years of playing here, I have never encountered such a thing, but apparently things are changing -- see a few reviews before this. If this is their marketing strategy, it will not work -- the small number of golfers who get off on on this type of atmosphere will not be able to keep this place going.
Course conditions
Layout is horrible
New architecture is needed here
Enjoyable round
The course is not very long, not so easy and not too hard. Mixed levels were enjoyable. On the green, balls rolled true. Maintained well both of green and fairway. Plays a little slow, it took 4 1/2 hours.
I satisfied most of its conditions and will play again whenever I can have good deal.
Great course
Value for ypur money is great. Greens were perfect. Tee boxes were great. Some leaves on fairways but great overall course.
Great course
Great course for the right price. They take care of the course and the staff is great.
Nice course but with some attitude
This is a very nice course for the money. I booked through GolfNow at a discounted rate. It is extremely well maintained even in late October. Only gripe is one of the Rangers has a serious attitude problem. Made a condescending off-color comment over something very minor.
Enjoyable round !!!!
The course is not very long but plays to all levels of play. With rolling fairways and uphill and downhill lies. Rough was medium length providing for faster pace not having to search for balls. Greens were rolling true with shuttle to severe breaks from ongulatied design. Only gripe were the ball marks on greens that weren't repaired. There were many but did not effect putts. Just don't understand players not being courteous to facility and for players behind them. Can't blame the course for ignorance and non courteous behavior. I will definitely be back.
Scenic views
Wide open course with good views. Not easy, and not hard. Plays a little slow. Takes over 4 hours to play.
Pay for the Play
I played this course years ago on cold, hard, end of winter/early spring day and forgot about it. Played it Saturday and won't forget it. The overall clubhouse facilities make the utmost with the space afforded this course. Clean, sharp and well attended; that country club feel in a nice little package.
The course itself is very well maintained as indicated by lush fairways, thick sand filled bunkers and nicely kept receptive greens albeit on the smaller size. But those smaller greens hardly made for an issue. Multiple holes had that postcard look which surprised me. Even though the holes were primarily straightforward with some elevation changes, shot selection key doglegs and layout appeal made for a visual round. Holes are close to one another as to be expected from an older traditional style of course. However, only minimal cross over shots happened during the round as the trees lining the fairways provided ample protection and little obstruction when trying to place shots. Those fairways offered mostly flat lies, few divots not repaired and great sub layer when compacting and taking that professional divot. When on the green, balls rolled true and certainly made use of the undulations. There were minimal ball marks and my lines were clear for the most part near or far to the hole.
My one small qualm would have to be the yardages and some teeboxes. I felt some of the markings were a lil long in the sense it said 126 but played 106 to the green. That's a bit excessive but the point is I was short and long a few times. It could have been my selection, but after a few miscues a golfer wonders. Teeboxes? Need some minimal leveling.
Do yourself a favor. If you like shot selection, bagging the hand cannon and making some birdies on a more traditional compact well established track, pay to play River Vale.
Great fairways & greens !
Very well maintained but due to heavy rains the day before, it was cart path only so pace of play was slowed.
Good round on a very hot day
checked for hot deals, and found good deal that was better than my town senior rate. Paired up with friendly group, and although I played a little worse than my 13 handicap, enjoyed the day. Nice that the club put cold bottled water on cart for each rider. Also several tee boxes had refreshing COLD water. We needed it on this day. Course played in 4 hours, so good pace. Greens were a little slower than last time I played, but ran true. Overall nice day
Solid traditional course
River Vale is an excellent old style track. There has been recent tree removal which was much needed, especially on the 10th hole. This helps playability and enhances the visual aspect of the course. Course was in very good shape. Pace of play is often slow and it is expensive for non-town residents. There are better courses within an hours drive for less $. There are a few mundane similar holes (7&16) but some real fun and challenging holes as well. The front nine offers back to back par 5's that are nice holes. The par 3's are varied and challenging, especially the long 14th. If you get a day where the pace of place is good and you get a special price, you'll be glad you played.
It was a nice course
I am surprised the course was in such good condition for this time of the season. Lots of crabgrass in the tee boxes. No biggie.