Essex County (MA) vs Essex County (NJ)

[Jim Franklin]

For those that have played both, which course do you prefer and why? I have only played MA but will be playing NJ soon. I have heard the back nine in NJ is fantastic and a combo Tilly/Raynor/Banks sounds pretty special to me.

[Steve Salmen]

That's funny.  I'm in the process of getting a game at EC in NJ at the end of the month.  I'm excited to see it.  It looks fantastic on GE.

[Mike Sweeney]

There is a piece of me that does not want to play Essex County (MA). It can NEVER match the level that is has in my imagination (along with Myopia Hunt Club).


That said, Essex County (NJ) is a classic Doak 7 in a land of many Doak 7's. Your very brief review pretty much summarizes the course and I an a HUGE MacRaynor fan.

[Jon Cavalier]

I am also a big MacRaynor fan and think very highly of ECCC (NJ). It has been a few years since I have played there, but renovations that had been completely before the last time I played the course were terrific. It's a very fun golf course.


That said, ECC (MA) is, in my opinion, in another tier. It's one of the best Ross courses I've ever played. Since Myopia Hunt is one of my favorite courses, I completely understand what Mike means, but ECC can hold its own in comparison. In fact, MHC and ECC is one of the finest 36 hole days of golf out there.


In sum, both are really good and quite special in my view. But ECC is a notch above.

[Tim Martin]

Both are great but the Massachusetts version has a leg up and finds it way into the upper echelon of Ross courses.

[Steve Lapper]

I've played both several time and prefer MA over NJ, though not by much. The land movement at ECC is superior to ECCC and they've got a few more truly unique and more interesting holes than found in NJ. The par fours at ECC are, on average slightly better than ECCC, the threes almost equal, and the fives go to ECCC. The back nine at ECCC is superior to the front, as is the case at ECC.


Both courses present exceptional golf architecture over varied terrain and are usually very well conditioned. Both are sporty enough to want to go from 18 green straight back to the first tee. Neither yields effortless scoring, yet aren't brutal enough to score high on the GD scale. Both are relatively better enjoyed on foot and would be wonderful places to play regularly.


The clubs themselves, are night and day in culture, but that may just be a result of their regional locations.

[Jim Franklin]

I've played both several time and prefer MA over NJ, though not by much. The land movement at ECC is superior to ECCC and they've got a few more truly unique and more interesting holes than found in NJ. The par fours at ECC are, on average slightly better than ECCC, the threes almost equal, and the fives go to ECCC. The back nine at ECCC is superior to the front, as is the case at ECC.


Both courses present exceptional golf architecture over varied terrain and are usually very well conditioned. Both are sporty enough to want to go from 18 green straight back to the first tee. Neither yields effortless scoring, yet aren't brutal enough to score high on the GD scale. Both are relatively better enjoyed on foot and would be wonderful places to play regularly.


The clubs themselves, are night and day in culture, but that may just be a result of their regional locations.

As an outsider, What is the difference in culture?

[Joe Bausch]

I've played ECCC and really enjoyed it.  Photos:


http://myphillygolf.com/uploads/bausch/EssexCounty/index.html

[Jim Franklin]

I played ECCC yesterday and was very impressed. All I heard was how great the back nine was and no one commented on the front nine. While the back nine is spectacular, the front nine offered some pretty cool holes too. There were a couple front to back sloping greens that reminded me of Oakmont.

But that back nine was awesome. The double plateau green on #16 was one of the best I have seen. Huge. But my favorite green was #14 with the little spine through the middle. Great day of golf to be sure.

[Brad Tufts]

I've yet to see ECCC in NJ, but Essex in MA is my favorite course in my home state, of the 135 of so I have played in Mass.  I've been fortunate to play the course about 25 times, and I'm like a kid in a candy store each time.  Playing 36 in a tourney there on 9/20 after a couple year lull...can't wait!

[Mike_Trenham]

In the internet age when there are really no hidden gems, ECCC NJ is as good a case as I can offer.