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3.9
218 Reviews (218)
5 Stars
66
4 Stars
95
3 Stars
30
2 Stars
20
1 Stars
7
Conditions
3.5
Value
4.0
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.2
Pace
3.9
Amenities
4.1
83.9%
Recommend this course
183 out of 218 reviews
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About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private
Par 72
Length 6959 yards
Slope 136
Rating 72.3

Featuring more than 100 acres of sand, Union League National Golf Club in Swainton, N.J., is a semi-private golf course on the Jersey Shore. It's not all sand, though. The luxuriant fairways could almost be greens. The North/South at Sand Barrens G.C. measures 6,969 yards from the longest tees. The golf course kicks things off on No. 3, a 401-yard par 4 and one of the most popular holes on the course.
Formerly known as North/South at Sand Barrens Golf Club and Union League National Golf Club - North/South.

Course Details

Year Built 1997
Golf Season Year round
Architect Dana Fry (1997) Dr. Michael Hurdzan (1997)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Clubs Yes
GPS Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Dress code Dress code strictly enforced for golf course AND practice facility. Please be prepared to comply. Collared golf shirts and proper length shorts required. No denim.

Reviews

3.9
218 Reviews (218)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 17
Patio Dining 12
19th Hole Scenic Views 7
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 47
Undulating Greens 25
Thick Rough 17
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 27
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 23
A Weekend Splurge 20
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 25
Near Local Attractions 19
Convenient to the City 8

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 170
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 100 Contributor
Philly Advisor
Previously Played
Fair weather
Used cart

solid facility

Played there this day on a Golf Now Hot Deal then paid a few extra bucks to play the North nine holes. There were three small groups playing matches in front of us this day so play was slow. But I have played there before when play moved well and once by myself played 36 holes there in about 4 hours. The course is appropriately named with sand and waste areas all over the 27 holes there. The holes are challenging and you can make them as hard or playable as you want from the tees you play from. There is a mix of long and short holes and a nice variation of par 3 holes. A memorable feature is the double green that serves the 2nd hold on the North course and the 4th hole of the West course.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course

First time I played this course, and definitely will not be the last.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

much improved

This course has come a long way from where it was about 5 years ago.

I played it around 2010, and the fairways had spotty grass, as did the greens--overall really bad conditioning for a course that is in the upscale public category.

When I played over the weekend, my perception was changed. Great greens--fast, but not super fast, nice fairways too. Average rough/bunkers for this time of year--ie not perfect, but not bad either.

Good challenging layout--a lot of unique holes, and friendly staff. A pro shop employee told me that they changed their superintendent about 3 years ago, which would account for the much improved conditioning.

Previously, Sand Barrens didnt even make my top 5 for south jersey shore/ac golf courses. Now, it ranks #2, behind only Shoregate--5 minutes up the road.

Not to mention, it is a steal at $20, and I would gladly pay $50-60 in the off season and around $100 in season.

1. Shoregate
2. Sand Barrens
3. AC
4. Twisted Dune
5. Seaview Pines

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

The name says it all

The course was in very good condition, including tee boxes, fairways and greens. Some bunkers did have areas of standing water. The greens were quite fast and very undulated making for many difficult reads.
Greens have formidable protection from the abundance of traps. Lots of waste area as well. The one issue was pace of play. A foursome two groups ahead of us slowed our twosome to be forced to wait at least five minutes at each tee. Very frustrating, and plays havoc with any sense of rhythm. As a result I played only 9 holes, leaving a bit disappointed. I would like to give it another chance, hoping for better pace and perhaps a ranger to monitor this problem

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Going Downhill

Staff seemed apathetic. Not a smile around. Pro shop nice but at this time of year one would expect to see specials or sales to deplete stock. Post serration snd seeding were evidenced and course conditions were just OK. Not as good as I remembered from prior years. No one around to clean clubs after round and no shoe scrapper. No inducement to return even with fair price.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Sand Barrens getting better

Good layout with a little bit of all types holes. 27 holes. The course has suffered past few years from horrible conditioning....but it is looking better. Played via a hot deal, not sure I'd pay full fare. So many other better options in area.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

This course was excellent and we had a great time

Great course and excellent shape, we had a great time.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Review

Nice layout will be back played the south and north

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Bad Bunkers

For a course that is called "Sand Barrens", more attention should be spent on the bunkers. Fairways, greens and tee blocks are great. Love the design and having three nines. One of my favorite to play in that area. Just not worth the $115 green fees for early rounds. Look for the discounted rates and it is worth it. If you never go into bunkers, then it doesn't matter. We were told that if you go into bunkers, move and place if needed. In defense, it appears that they are working on bunkers as there were piles of sand dumped in some bunkers, but not finished. When bunkers are repaired, this course would be worth the higher green fees.

All the staff I've come in contact with in clubhouse or on the course have been very friendly. With all that was said, I would still recommend to friends, and let them decide.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 139
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Pennsylvania Advisor
Top 100 Contributor
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

course condition has improved

Sandbarrens is an awesome facility. They have 27 great holes of demanding golf, a fine practice facility, a nice clubhouse and a good staff running things. Its in far better shape then when I played here 2 years ago. We played the south and west 9's and had a great time. You have to be so precise with your approach shots as the greens are simply enormous. Where I'd like to see some improvement, is the quality of the greens. The greens still have too much sand in them and they are inconsistent with their speed. If they can get those greens to top standard, it would get a 5 star ranking.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fun course

Always enjoy SB and this time the course outperformed the staff. Pace of play was close to 5 hrs and the staff seemed confused by the cause but it was obvious they were out of sorts from the start. Will take some time before we go back to what had been a favorite.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 32
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great layout

Great course except the stones in the sand can really nick your clubs up. Great layout as well.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Course

The fairways were in fantastic condition almost looked like no one had ever hit from them. Greens were very true. Only thing I would recommend is that you gave bug spray.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played

Harrassing ranger

Played June 2016 encountered a ranger named tom who harrassed our group with petty complaints about 2 wheels off cart path ,pace of play when we were keeping up with group in front,driving down cart path when players were attempting to swing , very rude ,grumpy ranger makes playing this very nice golf course questionable again.Ranger tom doesn't represent your course in a favorable light.great staff in pro shop and starter

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Ranger roids

Played your course on June 15 with a large group of golfers. Everything was going fine until we got out on the course. This is when power ranger Tom began his relentless harassment of our group. Complaining that one cart had 2 wheels on the grass. One player pulled off the path to let him go by and Tom yelled at him for being on the grass. Zooming up and quickly stopping while putting. Complaints of not keeping up with the 3some in front (who r the fastest players in the club) Then the constant lurking and comments. Seems that other reviews r saying the same thing but nothing has been done to correct it.
We are all out to enjoy a day of golf and understand there are rules to follow but Power Ranger Tom is not a good representative of your course. Will think hard about playing there again if he is still there.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Fair and fun to play

The course is in great shape. Greens are fast and firm. A great challenge for all golfers,

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Decent

They are spending money on the course again place was in good shape the only downside is price but that is shore golf on a holiday weekend

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

1st time at SB.......

1st time there and love the layout! very challenging and greens have some humps in them. already aerated and recovering, no problems or complaints about the greens. fairways were recently core aerified which stinks but you can just move your ball (its legal!) and play on. I would like to play the course again when it has fully comeback. It's a great track and I got a good price. golf course staff was very friendly as was the restaurant staff. I had lunch which was good and the beer was very cold!!!! check with the bartender about the alcohol policy as it is a little weird, you need to be a member to order but its only $1 and it good for life. all in all good day and I will be back.....

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Time

Played West to North in cold weather. Course was in great shape and greens were EXCELLENT. All staff.....from the Starter, Property Shop and Restaurant were professional/courteous/accommodating! Can't wait to play Sandy Barrens AGAIN!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great day in late December

We had alot of rain a couple days before (over 3") so some of the bunkers had water in them. But the rest of the course was in great condition for being late December, especially the greens. I play the course at least 4-5 times a year and it's always in great condition.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
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