River Vale CC
A view of hole #6 at River Vale Country Club
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Rating Index Rating
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4.6
1022 Reviews (1022)
5 Stars
552
4 Stars
359
3 Stars
65
2 Stars
28
1 Stars
18
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.2
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.4
93.8%
Recommend this course
932 out of 1022 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
32 Reviews (32)
5 Stars
26
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.4
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.6
93.8%
Recommend this course
30 out of 32 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
96 Reviews (96)
5 Stars
73
4 Stars
19
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.3
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.6
94.8%
Recommend this course
91 out of 96 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
River Vale Country Club consistently delivers lush fairways, pristine bunkers, and fast, challenging greens that reward accurate play. Friendly staff and a well-designed layout featuring elevation changes and tight fairways make every round genuinely engaging.

About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private
Par 72
Length 6504 yards
Slope 131
Rating 71.3

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.

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Course Details

Year Built 1931
Golf Season Year round
Architect Orrin E. Smith (1931) Ron Cutlip

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
GPS Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Fivesomes Allowed No
Single Allowed No
Dress code Proper golf attire at all times. No jeans, torn clothing or jogging shorts. Shirts must have collars and sleeves

Food & Beverage

Bar, Restaurant

Accolades

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+ Annual
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$120 in monthly tee time promo codes
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12 rounds of waived fees
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Reviews

4.6
1022 Reviews (1022)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 17
Dinner 9
Brunch 8
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 27
Elevation Changes 23
Thick Rough 16
This course/club is great for:
Locals 24
Advanced Golfers 21
A Weekend Splurge 11
This Course's Location is:
In the 'Burbs 23
Convenient to the City 21
Worth the Drive 16

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 24
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

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

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Greens

The fairway should be revceded and the green need to be more maintained

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

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.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

This jcourse is well maitanined

Overall a good experience. Too many rules. Practice area to controlled. Cannot take carts to Driving Range

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 128
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

mr

nice course .i will play again and recommend to my friends

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Average weather
Used cart

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.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

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 .

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
2.0
Previously Played
Poor weather
Used cart

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.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Course conditions

Layout is horrible
New architecture is needed here

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

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.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great course

Value for ypur money is great. Greens were perfect. Tee boxes were great. Some leaves on fairways but great overall course.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great course

Great course for the right price. They take care of the course and the staff is great.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Average weather
Used cart

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

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.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Scenic views

Wide open course with good views. Not easy, and not hard. Plays a little slow. Takes over 4 hours to play.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

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.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 15-19
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

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.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

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

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

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.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

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.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
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