River Vale Country Club

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

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.

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 Facility very outdated, driving range below par, starter was overworked so no time for pleasantries .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 .

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.

Layout is horrible
New architecture is needed here

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

Very well maintained but due to heavy rains the day before, it was cart path only so pace of play was slowed.

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

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.

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.

Course is in very good shape. Some of the holes on the front and back are very similar which makes the overall layout a little boring if you play it regularly. A bit pricey for a municipal course, especially for a non- resident, but it's a nice course to play for a change of scenery.

Knew and liked before,,,,new there was change in ownership considered it a little pricey but needed to get a round in close by...River Vale fit the bill...had very good time, course was in great shape

One of the best public courses in the Norther nJ area. Course is in excellent condition. Course slope rating is 132 which I assume is from the blues. Could not find a slope rating from the whites. Only complain is that, when we played, it was extremely hot and the water coolers were empty on the front 9. Not good. Usually that have cart service but not on Monday's I'm told.

Have played here many times. Very fun layout- reasonable elevation changes, some challenging, and some forgiving holes. Course usually in great shape. Bunkers are OK. Made some great improvements over this past winter though to various bunkers, trees, and rough.