Economical Trip in the North East

[wrx_junki]

Couple of friends I want to go on a road trip to a weekend golf trip to somewhere near NYC besides Long Island that has some nice courses. They have to be somewhat affordable, meaning under $100 for green fees. Looking to play 3 different courses in a 3 day span so they need to be in the vicinity of eachother. Any suggestions would be great.

[nevets88]

How far are you willing to drive? These are about 2 hours from Manhattan.

http://www.oldehomesteadgolfclub.com/index.php
http://www.centervalleyclubgolf.com/

[PhilsRHman]

My first thought was Crystal Springs in Northwest Jersey, but that's going to be right on the cusp of that $100/day greens fee. I haven't played out there yet, but have been trying to find a chance for a couple years now. I've heard such great things, and you'd have the choice of 4-5 courses all right there.

Not sure if it's too far, but how about Atlantic City? Golf down there is incredibly underrated. You'd have the choice of 5-10 solid courses within 30 min of the casinos in a range of prices. Emerald Golf Links is a favorite of mine because it's a great value as a county/township course. A step up in price would be Harbor Pines, Twisted Dune, Brigantine, but should all should be under 100. You've also got Seaview and Blue Heron, but I've never played them because the others have suited me at a better price. Sand Barrens and Shore Gate are a longer drive from AC but Sand Barrens is one of the few courses on my list of just never having a desire to return. Whatever you do, stay away from Mays Landing. It's basically a muny. If you're like me and my friends, you'll want something to do at night, and at this point the casinos have rooms about as cheap as you'll ever find.

[Gioguy21]

look up these courses in jersey (around Wharton, NJ):
Berkshire Valley Golf Course in Morris County, NJ
http://www.morrisparks.net/
Ballyowen Golf Course in NJ
http://www.crystalgolfresort.com/
(worth the drive)
Blue Ridge Trail Golf Course in Mountaintop, Pa
http://www.blueridgetrail.com/


(i've played all 3 and all have course management, grip and rip holes, beautiful scenery and prices all reasonable)

[Gioguy21]

I'd suggest taking the longer drive and going to Blue Ridge Trail first, runs about $37 on weekdays and $46 on weekends for fees including cart, then take 80 east to the Wharton exit, follow 15 north to Bershire Valley Road, make a left, follow till signs for the course on the left, Berkshire Valley Golf Club will run you $90 before 2pm and $55 after for fees including the cart, then onto Ballyowen which (don't know the directions to there from Berkshire Valley) will run you on a Friday $125 before 2pm and $80 after, or on weekends $145 before 2pm and $90 after. In MHO, to end with Ballyowen (saving money from the first two) it'd be worth the trip. I've done this circuit of 3 about 5 times and still love it. Just thought I'd help

[CG031]

How far are you willing to drive? These are about 2 hours from Manhattan.

I have played both of those, both in tournaments as well. Don't go to Old Homestead, that place is terrible in my opinion.

Center Valley is a GREAT course, and a GREAT challenge. Def. stop there if you can. Also head over to The Architects just across the border of PA in NJ...not far from NYC at all... http://www.thearchitectsclub.com/2007/index.php

[wrx_junki]

My first thought was Crystal Springs in Northwest Jersey, but that's going to be right on the cusp of that $100/day greens fee. I haven't played out there yet, but have been trying to find a chance for a couple years now. I've heard such great things, and you'd have the choice of 4-5 courses all right there.

Atlantic City would be the worst option possible. My friends go down there often enough. I can imagine one of them going down money before we even play a round of golf and end up just trying to win it back for the entire weekend.

[nevets88]

The Architects GC, I totally forgot about that. Nice course. There's also a couple bunched together in the Amish section of PA.

[youngskip40]

A 3rd vote for the Architects. Great course. Although if you play it on the weekend in the morning, you're going to go above your $100 number. Love that course, but there are very few courses anywhere that I'd pay more than $100 to play.

Play that during the week if you can. Then it's kind of a bargain. $80 on a Friday isn't too bad either.


Scotland Run is in South Jersey, or I'd recommend that. Good stuff there.

[sabram]

1. The Catskills are less than two hours from NYC and have a wide selection of courses, some very good and all affordable. The two top courses are The Big G at Grossingers and the Concord Monster. Some of the others worth considering are the Nevele (27 holes 18 by Fazio 9 by Robt Trent Jones), Kutshers, Tarry Brae, Villa Roma, Woodloch Pines, Lochmor or Tenanah Lake. You could play West Point or Wallkill on the drive up. It is a nice course and not expensive.


2. Putnam and Dutchess Counties ar about 90 minutes North of NYC. You could play Centennial (27 holes), Links at Unionvale, Casperkill, McCann, Garrison, James Baird State Park or Silo Ridge. Other than Centenial, none of these are expensive.

3. If you want to drive a little further, there is a lot of good cheap golf near Binghamton. Conklin Plaers Club and The Links at Hiawatha are the best. En-Joie was the home of a PGA Tour event for many years, Chenango Valley State Park, Endwell Greens and Heritage CC are good choices.

All of these are a lot less expensive than what you will find in Atlantic City, Crystal Springs/Balleyowen or Architects, and you will really feel like you are on a vacation. There is inexpensive loding in these areas as well.

[CG031]

The Architects GC, I totally forgot about that. Nice course. There's also a couple bunched together in the Amish section of PA.

A 3rd vote for the Architects. Great course. Although if you play it on the weekend in the morning, you're going to go above your $100 number. Love that course, but there are very few courses anywhere that I'd pay more than $100 to play.

Yeah I live about 20 minutes from Architects. I go there everyday to work on my game, however. I call it my home course but only play it a few times a year because I simply can not afford the greens fee's as a young kid, but a great course and facility. One of my favorite, if not my favorite public course I've ever played.

[youngskip40]

Yeah I live about 20 minutes from Architects. I go there everyday to work on my game, however. I call it my home course but only play it a few times a year because I simply can not afford the greens fee's as a young kid, but a great course and facility. One of my favorite, if not my favorite public course I've ever played.

Certainly one of the best layouts of all the public tracks I've ever played. The price is a bit ridiculous though, the only time I've ever played there is on a Tuesday for PA Tuesdays, $55 for PA residents.

If you play it on a weekend and want to play 36 holes though it become a little more doable... the replay rate is only $40.

[CG031]

Certainly one of the best layouts of all the public tracks I've ever played. The price is a bit ridiculous though, the only time I've ever played there is on a Tuesday for PA Tuesdays, $55 for PA residents.

Yeah, how often do you make it out there? Is it a far drive from Philly? I'd assume it a little over an hour? I may have even seen you there if you go there quite often (I'm there everyday using the practice facilities which are state-of-the-art.) I also stand on the practice green and watch people tee off since it's right next to each other. Most players are awful but you get the occasional real good player, haha.

55$ isn't too bad. Includes the cart fee, and small range bucket. I wish they had a junior rate WITHOUT the cart fee. If they did I'd probably play there three times per week but for me and my dad to go out and play on a weekend or even on one of those special days is going to be over 100 dollars easily, and on the weekend could approach (or will) $200 for both of us, so I usually only get out there 4-5 times per year... But, as mentioned great course. If anyone gets a chance to at least go there once - well worth it.

[RemyM]

2. Putnam and Dutchess Counties ar about 90 minutes North of NYC. You could play Centennial (27 holes), Links at Unionvale, Casperkill, McCann, Garrison, James Baird State Park or Silo Ridge.

Is Silo Ridge open? I know they are in the process of redeveloping the area into a resort with housing and Ernie Els is redoing the golf course. Wasn't sure if the course was currently open though.

[youngskip40]

Yeah, how often do you make it out there? Is it a far drive from Philly? I'd assume it a little over an hour? I may have even seen you there if you go there quite often (I'm there everyday using the practice facilities which are state-of-the-art.) I also stand on the practice green and watch people tee off since it's right next to each other. Most players are awful but you get the occasional real good player, haha.

I haven't been there in a few years unfortunately. It's just about an hour or so, yeah.

[CG031]

I haven't been there in a few years unfortunately. It's just about an hour or so, yeah.

Oh, you should go back if you get the chance. I wish I could play the course more often. I drool just looking at it every time I'm there. A little overpriced? Yes, but the conditions are

incredible for it being a public course. Although, I guess the greens fees help that out, not as much play.