A view of hole #6 at River Vale Country Club
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Rating Index Rating
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4.4
775 Reviews (775)
5 Stars
384
4 Stars
297
3 Stars
53
2 Stars
26
1 Stars
15
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.2
Layout
4.5
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.3
91.4%
Recommend this course
700 out of 775 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
35 Reviews (35)
5 Stars
22
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.1
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.5
82.9%
Recommend this course
29 out of 35 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
138 Reviews (138)
5 Stars
90
4 Stars
32
3 Stars
11
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.2
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.5
92.0%
Recommend this course
127 out of 138 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private
Par 72
Length 6504 yards
Slope 131
Rating 71.3

River Vale Country Club (formerly known as Bergen Hills Country Club.) sprawls across the gently rolling hills of northeast New Jersey. It has been ranked on Golf Digest's list of "Best Places to Play," but it still manages to remain one of Bergen County's most well kept secrets. You'll hardly ever run into crowds on this golf course. The layout has a classic design that incorporates a variety of elevation changes. Tricky uphill and downhill lies will be your biggest challenge on this layout. Strategically placed bunkers lurk beside the greensides and there are several holes where water hazards come into play, including the par-5 fifth, which has a lake on either side of the green. River Vale a tight golf course that demands accuracy and while it's not overly formidable, your skills will definitely be put to the test.

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River Vale Country Club
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Course Details

Year Built 1931
Golf Season Year round
Architect Orrin E. Smith (1931) Ron Cutlip

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Clubs Yes
GPS Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Fivesomes Allowed No
Single Allowed No
Dress code Proper golf attire at all times. No jeans, torn clothing or jogging shorts. Shirts must have collars and sleeves

Food & Beverage

Bar, Restaurant

Accolades

Reviews

4.4
775 Reviews (775)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 16
Dinner 9
Brunch 8
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 25
Elevation Changes 22
Thick Rough 14
This course/club is great for:
Locals 23
Advanced Golfers 19
A Weekend Splurge 11
This Course's Location is:
In the 'Burbs 21
Convenient to the City 19
Worth the Drive 14

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course but forced to be in a cart with a random person

This course was definitely nice and worth the money, but I was bit confused why I wasn’t allowed to be in my own cart. I booked this round as a solo and was never told I was going to be forced to ride with the rest of the group (and also figured this wouldn’t happen anymore since COVID). The experience was fine but it’s more the principle of it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 84
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 250 Contributor
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Over the Bridge Fun Challenge

RVCC is always a fun track to play that provides some challenging holes and consistently speedy greens. the round this time was much slower than I have played in the past but other than that, another great experience. The ranger was present but clearly didn't move people along or was tasked with a the impossible challenge of a busy Friday am. All in all... I will be back again.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Course in Excellent Shape

Promised myself I would start writing reviews on here since I generally rely on them myself on GolfNow. Course is in fantastic shape and matches the value of any of public course in area or near Crystal Springs. Greens are very challenging, have to have good pace on putts and be able to hold shots. As an under 10 handicap, this course mixes well with value, conditions, and atmosphere. Played a few times already this year and will definitely be back.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

nice course but too many elevated greens and elevated tee box. With a bad foot, I had to stop after 10 holes. Women's tees make for a very long course

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 27
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Extremely challenging greens & pin placements

Interesting and challenging golf course. The greens were quick and most of the pin placements were extremely challenging. If shots landed in the wrong spot on the green, a 3 or 4 four putt was likely.
My only problem with the course was the pace of play; 4 hours and 55 minutes is too long for a round of golf. I would suggest a few rangers on the course to see to it that a reasonable pace of play is maintained.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Difficult pin locations

They mad it it a challenge and the greens were purposely pitched with the hole at the high point which increased the difficulty.
But how else do you learn ?

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Best Ever

I started playing this course many many years ago haven’t played in a good 10 years it is in great shape from tee to green could play every day

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 18
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Wonderful Day !

Course is in excellent condition. Very fast greens . Tee’s and fairway great shape. Offering driving range and chipping green. Played after 3pm , great value .
Bar and restaurant are a bonus . This course is a must play , if wanting to experience a country club setting. Nice mix of long and short holes. Bunkers are in wonderful shape. A few holes have water in play. Overall one of the best course in Northern Jersey.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great Public Track!

Always enjoy a round at River Vale! I love the course layout and the greens are the fastest public course greens you will find in the area. The course is fair if you play from the proper tee boxes. I have never had issues with pace of play and their practice facility is great. My only complaint is that they still charge $75 for a 4:00PM Tee Time on a Friday. We were lucky the group in front of us was running late, so we got to jump ahead and hardly had to wait. This allowed us to finish just as the sun was setting (4 hour round). I also think for their price tag that they should include a small bucket of balls, but overall great track.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Difficulty Moderate
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