OT: NJ Golf season

[RUBubba]

Anyone play The Rose in Old Bridge? - Thoughts/comments.

I played it last year. I liked it, but it needs another year to grow in, as there were spots where the grass was still coming in. I thought the greens, though in good shape, were a bit hokey as many had multiple tiers to them. The last couple of holes were a shooting gallery though as people were criss-crossing fairways.

I plan on going back again this year.

 

[knightfan7]

Anyone play The Rose in Old Bridge? - Thoughts/comments.

The range and putting green are currently closed. No reopen date.

Agree with the previous poster said about some greens being tough (over tricked?)The last Par 3 comes to mind Agree about and a couple fairways way too close together.

Here's what I was going to say before reading the previous post..................

Played it in a 90+ degree day last summer. I liked it but I'm not a CC guy and understand Publics are not going to be perfect. Some tough greens. Fairways were fine. Being it's only 18 months old, there are areas still growing in off the fairways or at least was back then. It has a range that runs parallel to #1 so any tee shot to the right may be an issue finding it w/o getting cranked in the head (joke). IIRC last year depending on day it was $95-115 with cart unless you're a townie.

 

[jtung230]

Pine Valley?

No on the possibility this year. Need to work on my relationship with Eli Manning to see if he gives me a look. Should also add Metedeconk is also on the list for this year.

 

[kupuna133]

No on the possibility this year. Need to work on my relationship with Eli Manning to see if he gives me a look. Should also add Metedeconk is also on the list for this year.

Metedeconk is fun. But you better be hitting the ball straight that day or you are going to be in trouble. Get your sand game sharpened and bring extra balls because you’re not finding anything 5 yards off fairway. Had the pleasure of playing there 15-20 times. Stayed in the cabins a couple of times. Top notch. But it is a golf club not a country club. Clubhouse is nice but sparse. Meant to golf have a drink and leave. A true players club. And like Caves it is not meant to be your primary club. They want it to be a “National” membership.

 

[knightfan7]

No on the possibility this year. Need to work on my relationship with Eli Manning to see if he gives me a look. Should also add Metedeconk is also on the list for this year.

The only one I've ever played in Golf Digest's top 25 is Essex County. It's where I learned the game. I worked there for 2+ yrs in HS and back then they had a pretty liberal policy for caddie play during the summer so I took advantage.

 

[Erial_Lion]

Thanks! I guess I have no reason to go there now. Unless they have some limited open times.

Edit: Just went to their website. Still a daily fee course with membership options. Will try to get there this year.

Based on what I was told by a member last weekend, I'm surprised that they are still accepting tee times from the public. I'd expect that to be shut down sooner than later.

Scotland Run Golf Williamstown Going Private. Restaurant/Bar to Remain Public - 42 Freeway

The Scotland Run Golf Club in Williamstown NJ is converting to a Private membership course. The Highlander Pub & Grill will remain public.

42freeway.com

Scotland Run Private Membership Offerings - Ottinger Golf Group

Scotland Run Golf Club is transitioning to a Private Golf Membership in 2025. Secure your private membership today.

ottingergolf.com

 

[RUBubba]

The best golf courses in New Jersey

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And the top "You can play" courses

The best golf courses you can play in New Jersey

The best golf courses you can play in New Jersey from GolfDigest.com

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[Ru41285]

When I lived in Mercer county, I always thought the price of playing as a resident was good at the Mercer Oakes courses in West Windsor and they're usually kept up pretty well. Haven't played them in over a decade though.

I also grew up playing the Mercer courses especially both Oaks courses. I haven't played them in ages until this past summer I played Mercer Oaks East....it was approaching dog track territory.

Really poor conditions. I get it was a hard summer with the lack of rain but they appeared to only be cutting once a week. The greens were practically fairways. Terrible bunkers. Weeds all over the fairways. As someone who has a lot of nostalgia for that course having been a young lad playing it growing up, it was sad to see.

 

[Section124]

I also grew up playing the Mercer courses especially both Oaks courses. I haven't played them in ages until this past summer I played Mercer Oaks East....it was approaching dog track territory.

Really poor conditions. I get it was a hard summer with the lack of rain but they appeared to only be cutting once a week. The greens were practically fairways. Terrible bunkers. Weeds all over the fairways. As someone who has a lot of nostalgia for that course having been a young lad playing it growing up, it was sad to see.

Agree on Mercer Oaks East last year. My older brother used to lived in East Windsor & Highttown and Mercer Oaks was our regular courses. I prefer the East but we played last summer and it really was in dog track condition. It was always great prior. Hopefully it gets better this year.

 

[Caliknight]

Metedeconk is fun. But you better be hitting the ball straight that day or you are going to be in trouble. Get your sand game sharpened and bring extra balls because you’re not finding anything 5 yards off fairway. Had the pleasure of playing there 15-20 times. Stayed in the cabins a couple of times. Top notch. But it is a golf club not a country club. Clubhouse is nice but sparse. Meant to golf have a drink and leave. A true players club. And like Caves it is not meant to be your primary club. They want it to be a “National” membership.

They have the best range I've ever seen. Cabins are great.

 

[kupuna133]

They have the best range I've ever seen. Cabins are great.

Range is next level.

 

[jtung230]

Best range I’ve experienced was Cascata in Vegas. It was better than most holes I play here.

 

[jtung230]

I’m most excited about my upcoming round at Old Sandwich this summer

 

[kupuna133]

I’m most excited about my upcoming round at Old Sandwich this summer

Heard great things. Thought I had an invite to play arranged through an old colleague. He wasn't a golfer but said his client had a hook at Old Sandwich only to find out when we landed in Boston the guy had a membership at "The Country Club." So we had to settle to play that dog track. HAHAHA

 

[RUBubba]

Who took advantage of the nice day and got out?

 

[ruteelrice]

Was surprised to learn that Royce Brook is going fully private and are building houses on the public course. Explains the poor conditions the last number of years. Used to be a great place.

 

[Section124]

Was surprised to learn that Royce Brook is going fully private and are building houses on the public course. Explains the poor conditions the last number of years. Used to be a great place.

That’s been talked about for years. Is it finally happening? Haven’t been there in years.

 

[knightfan7]

Spring Meadow is closed for renovations. Supposed to open in a few weeks. Don't know what they're doing but anything can help.

 

[knightfan7]

That’s been talked about for years. Is it finally happening? Haven’t been there in years.

Haven't played the Public 18 in years. Liked it.

 

[RUBubba]

The East side at Royce Brook had been a disaster for several years since they were doing the bare minimum of maintenance. Tee boxes were chewed up and there was no sand in the bunkers. Once the sale of the property was imminent, they began working on the holes that were going to be a part of the new course, while neglecting the holes on the private West side that were to be turned into the housing.

I am not positive, but I thought I heard there will be a few tee times available to the public

 

[Rutgers1976]

Have played Old Bridge/Rose 3x and it's definitely going to be an up and coming place once it matures. Thise green complexes are a real challenge. Big, undulating greens, requiring you to come in from the right direction or you're totally screwed. And agreed that once the roguh matures, it's going to be a bear of a course.

 

[knightfan7]

Just wondering. Any olde tyme golfers ever play a course with sand greens? Pinehurst #2 was one when it opened. I did a couple times when I was in Missouri.

Found it strange but at least there weren't much break on putts.

The Legacy of Sand Greens

Discover the fascinating history of Pinehurst No. 2's sand greens, a testament to golf's evolution from sand to grass putting surfaces.

linksmagazine.com

 

[Section124]

Just wondering. Any olde tyme golfers ever play a course with sand greens? Pinehurst #2 was one when it opened. I did a couple times when I was in Missouri.

Found it strange but at least there weren't much break on putts.

The Legacy of Sand Greens

Discover the fascinating history of Pinehurst No. 2's sand greens, a testament to golf's evolution from sand to grass putting surfaces.

linksmagazine.com

I never played on one but there were a bunch when I was out in the Midwest. I believe I read in Golf or Golf Digest magazine there are still many courses with them.

 

[RUBubba]

Played Neshanic this Saturday. For this time of year, it was fine. Course wasn't wet, but I don't think the greens have been rolled this year yet. Full shoulder turn on some of those long ones.... :-)

 

[RUBubba]

Just heard that Royce Brook has reversed itself and will now become a public course. Not sure when this will go into effect, but based on the number of members they have and sold for 2025, I guess it will be for 2026.