Top public and private courses in New Jersey

New Jersey is famous for its private golf clubs, with each of the top 15 on Golfweek’s Best list of private courses in the state ranked among either the top 200 modern or classic courses in the United States. Pine Valley Golf Club tops the list in the state, as well as being No. 1 on the Golfweek’s Best ranking of classic courses built before 1960 in the U.S.

But don’t discount the state’s public-access offerings. There are plenty of solid offerings that don’t require an initiation fee.

Golfweek’s Best offers many lists of course rankings, with that of top public-access courses in each state among the most popular. All the courses on this list allow public access in some fashion, be it standard daily green fees, through a resort or by staying at an affiliated hotel. If there’s a will, there’s a tee time.

Also popular is the Golfweek’s Best list for top private clubs in each state. Check out the best of the New Jersey’s public and private courses below.

MORE: Best Modern | Best Classic | Top 200 Resort | Top 200 Residential | Top 100 Best You Can Play

(m): Modern course, built in or after 1960
(c): Classic course, built before 1960

Note: If there is a number in the parenthesis with the m or c, that indicates where that course ranks among Golfweek’s Best top 200 modern or classic courses. 

* New to or returning to list

Crystal Springs Resort’s Ballyowen Course (Courtesy of Crystal Springs Resort)

1. Crystal Springs Resort (Ballyowen)
Hamburg (m)

2. Neshanic Valley
Neshanic Station (m)

3. Seaview (Bay)
Galloway (c)

4. Twisted Dune
Egg Harbor Township (m)

5. Rock Spring
West Orange (c)

6. Architects
Lopatcong (m)

7. Ballamor
Egg Harbor Township (m)

8. Knoll (West)
Boonton (c)

9. Shore Gate
Ocean View (m)

10. Scotland Run
Williamstown (m)

11. Heron Glen
Ringoes (m)

12. Crystal Springs Resort (Wild Turkey)
Hamburg (m)

13. Crystal Springs Resort (Crystal Springs)
Hamburg (m)

14. Seaview (Pines)
Galloway (m)

15. McCullough’s Emerald Links
Egg Harbor Township (m)

Baltusrol’s Lower Course (Courtesy of Baltusrol/Evan Schiller)

1. Pine Valley
Pine Valley (1c)

2. Somerset Hills
Bernardsville (21c)

3. Plainfield
Edison (29c)

4. Baltusrol (Lower)
Springfield (T36c)

5. Ridgewood (Championship)
Paramus (T50c)

7. Galloway National
Galloway Township (45m)

8. Baltusrol (Upper)
Springfield (T63c)

9. Bayonne GC
Bayonne (T63m)

10. Mountain Ridge
West Caldwell…