Mercer Oaks Golf Course - East Course

Played the East course on a warm and windy afternoon. Windy conditions were a nice complement to the links-style layout. Course had a nice mix of long and challenging holes with a few short par 3s and 4s sprinkled in that you could post a good score. Gave this 4 stars due to the condition of the greens - they were just okay. Slower than I prefer. I will return to play East and would recommend you give it a try.

Played the East Course which had open fairways with the occasional trap(s) to snag the fade of a right hand golfer. Tee boxes, fairways and greens were in excellent condition with the greens being a touch on the slow side. Links style except for number 17 which had trees on both sides of fairway and deer running from the woods on left. Fantastic value for Central Jersey.

This review is for the East side which is a links-ish style layout. The West side is parkland and a few years older. In my personal polling of which side is liked better, it's totally even. Both sides get love.
Most of the East bunkers were fully renovated in late 2014. It was sorely needed but the new heavier sand hasn't settled in yet and likely won't become wonderfully playable until next year. Expect a fried egg or two through late spring '15.
The East is very walk-able with a challenging set of par 3's. The front nine is fairly tame with the par 5 7th being a nice birdie op. Big hitters can give the short par 4 14th a go if the wind is right and you avoid the cross bunkering. #15 is the most challenging hole on the course but don't fall asleep on the obtuse, short, tree-lined #17 either. It doesn't fit at all with a links-style layout but is challenging and demands your respect.
There is no halfway house on the East side so grab your snacks and drinks before hitting the 1st tee or you're at the mercy of the usually frequent & pleasant cart girls.
The 19th hole is an above average bar with really pleasant workers who are happy to get you a cold one promptly. Plan to eat dinner elsewhere though since, for some silly reason, the kitchen closes to golfers at 4pm daily but serves fancy meals to the adjacent wedding reception room most evenings. Go figure. The bar food is generally good quality but the lunch menu is limited to wraps, dogs & wings.
There is a mens locker room for changing but the small shower probably hasn't been used in years. You are brave if you try. The pro shop is capable and the head pro is a truly nice guy. Also worth mentioning is the high quality teaching staff. I've never head a bad word about them in 15+ yrs.
I wouldn't comment on course conditions if I didn't play here almost every weekend so here goes... Being county owned and operated, there is a ALWAYS more that can be done to improve the maintenance. Silly things like clover patches on tee boxes and mid-fairway broken irrigation lines go unattended for too long. Bunkers seem to get raked about twice weekly and I have played here 2 days in a row, on a weekend, with the same hole locations & tees. To me, that's unacceptable for a mid-level county run course. There is no point complaining however since nobody actually has to answer to the golfer here. Both the East & West sides are fair, decent tests of muni golf but could be much better with just a little more polish and care. It's very clear Mercer can learn a lot from neighboring Monmouth county on public course budgeting & maintenance.

Course was in god condition, price on Golfnow was worth it.

It was a Perfect Day for Golf. I was Excited to Play the West course after having a nice (but long) day at the East Course a Month ago. Check In Staff was Friendly and Helpful, Starter was Good and that's were the Nice Day Ended. Upon arriving at the 1st Green couldn't help but notice it was VERY RECENTLY Air Rated, In fact I was informed they we're done just TWO Days Earlier buy the Gentlemen I was paired with- Done Monday, I played Thursday. I have NO Problem with Air Rating Greens as I do Understand It must be done. I do have a problem with is not being informed when I Payed the Normal Price on Golfnow. I have seen Alerts (!) but maybe this should be extended to a week or so after air rating, certainly TWO DAYS is not enough Time. Other then that Fairways and Bunkers we're in Very Good Condition and I'm sure so will the Greens in a Week or Two ;) Lastly the Round Took Over Five, yes (5) Hours to play with my group waited MANY TIMES as the Group in front drove up and down the Fairways, looking for balls, hitting outta turn and sometimes just standing around while a few Hole Gap In Front of them opened up as the day Slowly moved along. A Ranger was Nice enough to a Apologize when we Finished 18 and said, and I Quote:"sorry guys a +5 hour round is Sad and when I said something to them they replied- aahh we aint got no place to go" He replied - what about the people behind you". While I do respect his attempt it would've been nice if he had the ability to push them along, to maybe a 4 1/2 Hour Round. Unfortunately this Is my Second Five Hour Plus Round (one on East and West) at this Club and while I was looking forward to playing it in the Fall Don't think I can bear another Long Round, or Review for that matter.

Once again Mercer Oaks does not disappoint. Greens in great shape, fairways impeccable, water hazards, everything just great. 4 hrs played pretty quick.

i enjoyed very much course and top of that i was lucky to hook up with 3 young good players who can hit ball long enough to play blue tee.
it was a fun day and hope to play again.

Love this course. Fast and receptive greens. Fairways in great shape. Very challenging.

Course is in great shape. Greens rolling nice. Not fast enough but great condition.

The couse is attractive and well maintained. It's challenging fun to play

Mercer Oaks, is a fun golf course that offers two challenging courses with also a great practice area. The fairways were decent length if you play from the white. Some fairways are in need some caring for. The greens were average pace to a slower roll. Overall this a great course that plays well and is one of the better golf course in this area for the price as well.

Course in great condition. Fair, yet challenging. Though difficult to see all trouble off the tee if you've never played
It before.

Played from white tees - 6400 - since blue tees are 6800.

Link style course. Even the west one is good. One of the best courses in NJ. GREENS are slower than you think. Lot of bunkers and avoid them

The only problem we had was we went at 4:00pm and I didn't see when I made the Tee time that this golf course only gives you the cart for nine holes. We had to pay an extra $18 for the back nine. Make sure you look at their whole request before you reserve it. It was in small print at the top. I have made Tee times on this site before and I never had that happen to me before. It looks like you are getting a deal but you are really not because you have to put out another $18.

The east course is in excellent condition. The tees, greens, fairways, rough, and bunkers were all flawless.

The facilities at Mercer Oaks appears new, the staff were not the most friendly, they don't try to hide it either. We were paired with two other players without prior notice, while the course was wide open. The rate we were able to get from golf now I supposed was their discounted rate, given the discounted conditions we experienced. Inconsistent speed of greens, they were not rolled or cut after a recent rain it appears. Overall the course has great potential for a semi challenging experience, however due to the overall condition of the course, the challenge was presented in the form of bad greens keeping. I will hesitant to recommend others for this course despite the stellar rating it has received among other top NJ courses.

Everything was good from the staff to the shape of the course. The only glitch was my tee time was 4:45 and included a cart but was told when I signed in that I had to turn the cart in at the turn and trade it for a pull cart. The gentlemen behind the counter was very apologetic for the inconvience, but it was no big deal. The shape of the course made up for it.

Played the West Course. Relatively flat track with thick rough. Greens were consistently slow (poa annua). White tees are appropriate for intermediate golfers; two additional sets of tees for longer hitters.

We had a rainy misty morning so the fairways and greens were not cut still I enjoyed the day and the course was in good shape.

Course was in an excellent conditions. form the back tees was a challenge.