Ballyowen Golf Club at Crystal Springs - 7th
Crystal Springs Golf Resort's Ballyowen Golf Club cracked New Jersey's Top 10.
1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg, New Jersey 07419, US
(973) 862-4351
Location Map

About Crystal Springs Resort

Crystal Springs Resort is a 4,000-acre playground located only an hour across the New Jersey state line from New York City. It is one of the country’s largest golf resorts with six courses - Ballyowen, Black Bear, Cascades, Crystal Springs, Minerals and Wild Turkey – and three driving ranges. The Grand Cascades Lodge houses 220 guest rooms with an inspired welcome: An outdoor putting course leading to an indoor lobby with high ceilings, wood beams and a stone fireplace. Both it and the 175-room Minerals Hotel feature their own spas and pools. Children will love the Biosphere, an indoor pool complex with an aquarium, vortex pool and caves, 140-foot waterslide and café, all in a tropical theme. Twelve restaurants are spread out among the course clubhouses and hotels, delivering a variety of menus and price points. Between the Mineral Sports Club and Adventure Center, there’s always a new activity or program to enjoy.

Facts

Price Range$$$$, $$$
Property Class★★★★
Acres4000
Year Opened1972
Number of Units300-500

Amenities

RestaurantsFine, Bar, Casual
Room TypesRoom, Suite
PoolIndoor
Short CourseYes
TennisYes
Fitness CenterYes
Practice FacilityYes
Beach AccessYes
Golf School/AcademyYes
Banquet SpaceYes
SpaYes

Services

Room ServiceYes
ConciergeYes

Rules

Is the resort pet friendly?No
Is resort stay required for a tee time?No

Golf courses at Crystal Springs Resort

Images from Crystal Springs Resort

Reviews

4.1
1615 Reviews (1615)

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 5
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful Course

This course is absolutely beautiful, with a great mix of challenging holes that keep the round interesting. The practice range was also in excellent condition and a great way to warm up before our tee time at 5:30.

We started behind just one couple, which was perfect for maintaining a smooth pace. Unfortunately, ahead of them was a group of five men with three carts, which really slowed things down noticeably. It was surprising this was allowed, as it affected the flow of play.

Eventually, we decided to quietly play through without formally asking — they didn’t seem to mind, as they were taking their time searching for balls and enjoying a very relaxed round. That was our only real concern on an otherwise wonderful experience.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Used cart

High Handicapper Beware

NJ golfers should be challenged by this course at least once.

One of the most beautiful, unique course layouts to kick the crap out of the average-high handicap golfer. This course is the most difficult public course in NJ. Tight lines on tee shots and obstacles 220-260 yards out makes driver on most holes the wrong play, even the par 5s. Shots missed in the thick rough lead you scrambling for bogey or worse. Even a perfect drive can result in a sloping lie on a fairway mound. Course conditions were average for public golf: Sand traps were more like dirt, fairways approaching greens were torn up, and greens are slow. Difficulty and conditions should be overlooked as Crystal Springs has some of the most beautiful scenery and interesting layout in public (and private) golf.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

GOOD

Challengable course layout

condition of the green is oaky, but tee box is not even, bunker seems to be not managed for a long time.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Solid 9 Hole Course ⛳️

Great value, staff, and good pace of play for 9 holes

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 73
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played

Very nice course

Black Bear is about a 75% challenging golf course. It requires very good concentration to play. Despite that I like the course very much. The staff is terrific.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course condition very good. Sand traps are neglected

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 20
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 21
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Awesome

I love playing here. The staff is amazing the course is great!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 22
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 22
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Challenging Course

3rd time playing here. Challenging course with narrow fairways. Be prepared to bring more balls as wayward shots will be gone into the woods or water.

Overall fairways were well maintained and greens were consistent throughout.

However the pace of play was a little slow perhaps due to lost balls etc.

The Bird House (halfway place) is nice to catch a beer and snacks(between hole 8 & 9).

Highly recommended with friendly staff.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Now Reading