SoxGolf

The conditions were very good considering all the rain we’ve had. But still you can see the course doesn’t have the finishing touches of a top tier course. However the framework is there and we still had a great time on a deceptively hard course, especially the Quarry nine. We started on Rail, which is no slouch. Elevated tee shot to start. The first of back-to-back par fives stood out to me. Quarry has much more character and it is hard, even though it sports three par 3’s. The second is a beast at 220 from the green tees, over water to a narrow green complex. The par 5 with the silo is a logistic nightmare. Hit a good drive with a slight draw leaves you a second through a narrow shoot, over a ravine. Fun and treacherous. The round is somewhat surreal and spooking with the surrounding abandoned hotel looming, along with the overgrown out buildings and parking lots. If only those walls could talk. The clubhouse is adequate and has a decent bar. I think the course will get better if more people play this old 27 hole hidden (and I mean hidden) gem. It just needs a little more polishing.

This once great course has been in decline for years now. Friday's round was the topper. After 3 hours and only nine holes, I could take no more. For the first time in 30 years, I walked off a course. It began with no starter. We just asked the group in front of us what time they had. 9 minute intervals, so we figured we were next. We waited slightly on the first four tees, but nothing unusual for this course-it is never a fast round. The problems began on the 5th tee, a par 3. One group on the green and two on the tee. When we looked across to the 9th tee box there were 8 carts lined up! Every tee box after this had at least two groups waiting. Apparently they filled every tee sheet time and had an out of control outing on the course. NOTE: This is not a course suitable for outings with hackers. #7 and #9 will destroy them. And to management: If you have outings: 1. Notify other golfers. 2. Add rangers 3. Require them to play forward tees. 4. Place spotters on 7 & 9. 5. Don't fill times anywhere close to the last outing group.
My group and others (remember we spent a LOT of time on the tees with others) called to the clubhouse several times and politely were told they were on it. Not once did we ever see a ranger. To make matters worse, no beverage cart in sight to possibly dull the pain and no water on the course. There wasn't even water in the ball washers! Everyone in my group agreed - the worst golf experience of their lives. And we all agreed that we have given Mansion Ridge enough chances and would not be back (several of my regular group wouldn't even give it a 2nd, 3rd, 4th chance we were giving it Friday).
The course itself wasn't in terrible shape for mid-April. The greens were still recovering from aeration, but rolled pretty true. The bunkers had newer sand and rakes (much improved from last time we played). I've played this course dozens of times. The layout is great. It has fun and interesting holes. It is challenging, but you can score if you play well and smart. Just please choose the proper tees for your skill level. And I would warn you not to have any other plans if you play on a holiday or weekend.
We keep coming back to the course with the hope that Troon will "get it", it is such a good Nicklaus track. Your can't correct a poorly designed course without a bulldozer, but the problems with Mansion Ridge are solvable. Management owes it to a great course, Mr. Nicklaus and hundreds of fans who have played the course when it was special.

If I ever make it back, it might be because of amnesia and I'll probably be a single - my buddies have longer memories that me.

Staff is friendly since Troon took over (that's an improvement). However every other aspect is much worse. The greens were aerated and very bumpy, not small holes as indicated on website. Pace of play - HORRENDOUS. We waited on EVERY hole, tee shots and approaches. Sometimes up to 12 minutes. Not a single bunker on the course had a rake or had been maintained. Sand was hard and bare in many. Edging and overall maintenance of green complexes not up to par. This is still a great layout. It is not for the short hitter or beginner golfer. Holes 6 - 9 are still a great stretch. # 8 is a great driving hole from an elevated tee and # 9 still might be the toughest par 5 in the Met Area. On the back # 12 is still a great par 3 and # 14 a real challenging long par 4 with another long forced carry off the tee. # 18 is a great finishing hole if you match is tied, with a tough drive and a long downhill 2nd to a green guarded by water. Overall a sad demise to a once great course and experience. However, with some investment and maintenance, this once great Jack Nicklaus Signature course could be revived.

River Vale is an excellent old style track. There has been recent tree removal which was much needed, especially on the 10th hole. This helps playability and enhances the visual aspect of the course. Course was in very good shape. Pace of play is often slow and it is expensive for non-town residents. There are better courses within an hours drive for less $. There are a few mundane similar holes (7&16) but some real fun and challenging holes as well. The front nine offers back to back par 5's that are nice holes. The par 3's are varied and challenging, especially the long 14th. If you get a day where the pace of place is good and you get a special price, you'll be glad you played.

Berkshire is a very good public course. It is not really a muni, but not really a high end daily play facility. Sort of just right. For the locals paying lower greens fees, its a gem. At $80 plus on the weekends, it is a little steep for non-residents. The pace of play can be a little slow. The second hole, a 210 yard par 3 from the whites, can back up the course early. On the back there is a drivable par 4 that can often create a wait. The rangers are usually out, but generally take a laissez faire approach. The course is very tight on the first five holes that run high upon a ridge overlooking the rest of the course down in the valley. Beautiful views. As the course turns down in the valley, it is more open, but water does come into play on several holes. Just about every hole has some interest. #13 is a brute of a hole with a good drive over water usually leaving a long 2nd shot to a tricky elevated green. The par threes are solid, with forced carries over the two on the back nine. The course was in very good condition as it usually is. The greens have recovered from aeration. There are very few flat greens on the course and they can run fast. It is a fun course that will challenge you, but will reward you if you are playing well.

This is the toughest and best Bergen County course. There is nothing particularly hard about the course, but you must play well to score well. The course starts with an easy, straight par 5 which gives you a good chance at birdie. The par 3 second is harder than it looks, seeming to play a 1/2 club longer than it appears. The par 4 third is an easy driving hole with a beautifully framed green that you don't want to be above the hole. #4 is a straightforward hole, but 4 is still a good score. The par 3 5th is equally straightforward. The fun begins on 6, an uphill dogleg left with a fairway canting left to right. an uphill approach. The 7th is shorter, but easy to drive through the fairway right. your approach must be aimed short and left of the flag. the 10th, again is not an intimidating hole, but a par is a real good score. the par 5 11th is a birdie possibility. as is the par 5 14th. The best hole on the course might be 17. This is a dog leg right that was greatly improved with the redesign. A beautiful green complex. 18 is a par 4 right in front of your. the aesthetics are hurt by the driving range nets, but this is a long uphill difficult hole. A difficult course if you are not sharp, but very playable. A perfect combination for a muni.

Course is one of the best public course around. Green fees at peak are high ($140), but experience and condition are top notch. When the fescue is down, it is not nearly as tough of a course. There is a links feel to the course, but it does not play like a links course. It is similar to other Rulewich courses I have played (Wild Turkey, Berkshire Valley, Grande Dunes), but the fescue makes the Highlands feel. First two holes are dog leg left holes, with trouble left. The second being more of a cape style hole with death left if you try to cut off too much. The par 5 third is a three shotter with a difficult uphill approach. The par three 6th is 175 yards completely over water to a wide green, followed by a tough dog leg right with water completely along the right side. The 10th is a fun reachable par 5 in the risk reward mold. 11 is another 3 over water, but not as difficult as 6. Two of the toughest holes on the course are 14 and 16 long uphill par 4's. Eighteen presents a tough uphill second shot with the clubhouse and often a bagpiper playing in the background. The course offers a nice 19th hole, as well. Treat yourself to this course if you have never been. It is a must play. Condition is always good, regardless the time of year. Fall is a great time to play.

Years ago this was regularly rated one of the best public courses in the country. Many public courses have passed it by. It is still run as a chummy local club at times. Not residents pay way too much given the competition. With proper pricing the tee times could be filled most days, including weekends. $85? No, not with all the other options. However it is still a fun, unique track. Never in pristine condition, but always playable. From the first hole a 90 degree dog leg par four until the difficult par four 18th, there is variety and shot making holes to keep your attention. If you can play it later in the season when greens fees are much cheaper you feel much better. Decent driving range, putting green and chipping area. It is a great course to walk.

The Black Bear experience is directly related to how much you paid. At $85 it is not worth it, around $35 - $50 you feel like you got value. The course is a solid track with one major flaw, in my opinion. The last two holes are boring. 18 might be one of the most anti-climatic holes in golf. Simply reversing the nines would improve the experience. There are many good holes. The signature par 3 seventh is a tough hole over water. The recent tree clearing behind number 4 is a nice improvement. The par 5's are notable. The first 16 holes are fun an varying. 17 and 18 leave you feeling flat. The starters are friendly and helpful.

Apple Ridge is all about the green complexes. The bunkers are most holes defense, along with smaller greens with undulations. Most holes have no problem driving. It is an approach shot course. Particularly difficult holes include the ninth and the 10th. The 9th is a long uphill par 4 with another difficult green. The 10th a par 3, may be the most difficult par 3 you will face under 175 yards. Often refereed to as the shortest par 5 in Bergen County. It is a fun course and you can score if you stay out of the high faced bunkers.