New Jersey's 10 Best for the Money...

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Matt Ward selects his "10 Best for the Money" in the Garden State:

http://njsections.travidia.com/SS/Page.aspx?sstarg=&facing=true&secid=118521&pagenum=49

I like the inclusion Heron Glen near Flemington, NJ just across the bridge from Bucks County, PA. It's a nice 40 minute drive for me plus I can stop off for hot dogs and root beer at Stewart's. Also, NJ gas prices are less expensive.

[Doug Braunsdorf]

This is a good, balanced list and encompasses almost the entire state.  I admit, I have to see/play Ballyowen before commenting further.  Have seen/played the balance of the list.  Well written, Matt.

[Joe Bausch]

No pea-shooter courses there.   

[Cliff Hamm]

Excellent list and well written as usual by Matt. It would be nice if he would return at least for this thread.

 I might have included Seaview Bay, though.  It may be a bit pricey in season but so are ACCC, Balyowen, etc.  I managed to play Seaview Bay for $39 on a golfnow special about a month ago.  Hard to not call that one of the best for the money.

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Redanman would have included Harker's Hollow...

http://harkershollow.com/

[Dan Herrmann]

Matt and I will never agree on Ballyowen.  To me, it was a significant waste of time and money.

[Tim Martin]

No pea-shooter courses there.   

Professor-You should know by now that he doesn`t deal in executive layouts.

[Sam Morrow]

Maybe I missed it but does it even say how much each course costs to play? Isn't that a very important component of 10 best for the money?

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Sam,

Other than saying a second mortgage is not needed, Matt doesn't specifically mention price for each course.

[Sam Morrow]

Sam,

Other than saying a second mortgage is not needed, Matt doesn't specifically mention price for each course.

So in other words a really misleading title.

[Sean_A]

It must just be me, but I think of value as an concept which covers all price ranges.  I can't say about NJ, but for instance, I think Merion is good value even at a very high green fee because the course is that good and the experience is not to be forgotten.  I would have thought many would say the same about Pine Valley, not cheap, but great for the money none the less. 

Ciao

[Bill Shotzbarger]

Don't keep Running Deer on your list. Decent layout but the green complexes are awful. Even the members I played against in a match agreed that the designer must have had boobs on his mind!

[Dan Herrmann]

Sean - that's very well said.  But do NJ daily fee courses rise to even 10% of that level of greatness - obviously not.

[Steve_ Shaffer]

 Here is Matt's response:
 
Prices fluctuate based on time of year and the specific tee times one is looking to acquire.
 
To have mentioned all the different pricing points that would be available would have eaten up valuable editorial space. People can easily google search and ascertain that dimension. There was a desire on my part to effectively balance the need for quality design along with what you get back in return. If price were the ONLY element then a number of courses would not have been chosen -- but at the same time -- those courses selected solely on price would have far little in terms of architectural heft to merit a desire to play them more than once.
 
In sum -- there is a definite dance to merge different elements in a way that clearly seeks to highlight the design elements of note -- and realizing that price is important -- so long as you receive quality value back in return. The reader may not be aware that my experience in NJ golf comes from over 40 years in playing all the key courses. I have little doubt that people will disagree -- but they need to do the legwork before barking about my deficiencies.
 
A place like ACCC is quite expensive -- but given it's historial pedigree -- the Fraser family's ownership for so many years and at the same time what Doak did provide for the course -- makes it noteworthy in my book. No doubt -- some people will find that price high -- as a counterpoint I also selected another top tier area course in Twisted Dune to provide a layout that is no less worthy.
 
I also made it a point to include taxpayer-owned courses that allow people to play quality golf while not forcing one to take out a second mortgage -- Hominy Hill and Heron Glen are two clear examples in that category. From the standpoint of classical architecture Knoll West was chosen because of what Charles Banks did there and what George Bahto has brought back to life.
 
Steve, the point of the article was to demonstrate that public golf in NJ has come a long way from where it was 30-40 years ago. People can pick and choose a healthy diet of quality layouts and they can then decide what elements are of the highest importance for themselves. I believe my charge from my editor was to highlight key layouts throughout the state -- the listing I have provided is not the best public golf by just design alone. It is a merging of different items that reflect the charge my editor wished to see accomplished while also realizing what any avid golf lover / reader would need to really help them enjoy what NJ truly has to offer in the public realm.

[Sean_A]

Sean - that's very well said.  But do NJ daily fee courses rise to even 10% of that level of greatness - obviously not.

Dan

I didn't realize it was only daily fee courses being discussed.  The article is far too blurry for me to even attempt to read it.  In any case, the title is very misleading if only publics are considered. 

As for the 10% comment, I am not convinced.  In my experience many courses which are touted as all world are not nearly as all world as all that and courses given little time deserve more time.  I spose it depends on what one is looking for when playing golf. 

Ciao

[Dan Herrmann]

Sean - Pine Valley is about as perfect an inland course that there can be.  It's that amazing.  It overwhelms the senses and just makes you happy to be there.  And I've never played it!