If you're 1 hour north of AC, the closest courses would be Sea Oaks and Pine Barrens,both of which are pretty good choices.
That's a good point. Peter, where on the Jersey Shore will you be staying? The answer to your question about where to play will vary quite a bit depending on your answer. In summer traffic, it's a long way from Belmar to Cape May.
JMHO, but if you're close enough to Sea Oaks to play it, then you're close enough to drive past Sea Oaks to play Twisted Dune. That's really not a knock on Sea Oaks, it's an enjoyable golf course, but it's fairly pedestrian for a $100 green fee. However, I recently played it with some high handicap friends and it was a good venue for that. It was very playable and well conditioned; I don't think they felt beat up or overmatched and everyone managed to shoot close to their handicap. That said, Twisted Dune is a superior golf course by far.
Pine Barrens is close to the northern beach areas and is quite solid. It's worth a drive, so if you are on LBI or points north, I would play it. Also, I will second the motion to avoid Shore Gate, it truly is overkill.
In the unsubstantiated rumor department, I have heard that BHP East has essentially abandoned all but basic maintenance on the course at this point. I say this having heard it from several people who "heard it" as well. I have no first hand accounts. Has anyone played there recently? If the rumors are untrue, I would like one last crack at the course.