miktmurray

The Pearl East layout differs a lot from hole to hole. Sometimes you need to carry water, hit a fade around a dog leg flanked by thick trees or punch a ball under hanging limbs. Greens were in great condition and rolled very true. Staff was friendly. The only strange thing is that the last tee time is at 3:30. I finished my round ten minutes after (3:40) and wasnt allowed to go back out for a replay of their West Course. Definitely a good value for the local rate.

Charleston Springs North is an absolutely gorgeous track located in Millstone Twsp. NJ. It is not only in prime condition for being a public county course, I would venture to say that course conditions at CSN exceed those at a fair amount of country clubs. From the 1st to 18th hole you will find yourself thoroughly engaged in an excellent test of golf. Tree and water hazards are sparse but present and each hole is flanked by high fescue which only gets more jungle like as the spring turns into summer. Fairway bunkers on most holes are expertly placed so that an golfer is forced to be extremely creative because even a perfect drive can carry into the long stuff off the hard and fast fairways. Each hole is significantly its own at Charleston Springs while also maintaining contiguity with the rest of the design so that no hole sticks out as inferior. When the flagstick is replaced and hands shook on the last green you can be sure you played a complete gift of a golf course.

The rates are extremely fair for walking but the system should really do something about the price of the electric carts they have available especially since the Central Jersey region's temperature often enters dangerous territory. If you are an incomplete group be assured that you WILL be paired with people who either have reserved a spot via the online system or are walk-ons. If you choose to walk as a single and the rest are riding you will not be permitted to ride in the cart with the other member of the party, you will be forced to walk and keep up with the riders pace of play. Also the crowds which the Monmouth County Park systems can attract can be severely hit or miss so be wary of this if others effect your game. Staff at CSN and most of the MCPS courses is also another hit or miss scenario. I'm guessing that the pristine quality of the courses also lends itself to swelling up their employees ego's.

The facilities which are not part of the actual game itself are also very nice although they appear rarely used. A full locker room with showers is available. The grill room at Charleston Springs is better than all of the other courses since none of the others have any to really speak of. The putting green is large and they even have a short game area which can be utilized for ten dollars and a range where tokens are exchanged for balls.

I often find myself comparing other courses to the experience I have playing CSN because it truly is an incredible course.

My Dad and I played this course in the afternoon in just over 2 1/2 hours so the pace of play may be different during the busier morning hours. That being said, it was a really a fun round of golf which was followed by a round of 18 at their sister course around the corner called "Meadowlands". One of the architects who designed Farmstead was also a primary designer for their sister course but rest assured Farmstead is clearly its own track. Some of the fairways on Farmstead were a little spotty but in light of the fact that I played this course just after the 14' US Open at Pinehurst was completed I took this as an interesting part of the challenge. A very wide and expansive layout where if you find yourself near the hazards be prepared to hit a creative shot off the pine straw or out of a fairway bunker. Interestingly enough this course also includes something not seen at every course, a par 6!

One of the most frustrating rounds of golf from the second I pulled my car into the parking lot. One row of cars was blocked off by a group of buddies drinking Bud Lights before they even teed off. Staff in the clubhouse treated my group with an extremely smug attitude as if their position as cashiers in the club pro shop at "Pawley's Plantation" allowed them to be short and condescending. As our group pulled up to the first tee we shocked to already find that the next group was waiting for us to tee off, they were literally right behind our set of carts. The group in front of ours played extremely slow and jammed up the entire course from the very first hole. Each time they reached the green play would come to a halt as each golfer needed to exercise the patience of a PGA veteran with each putt. Finally we reached the 18th fairways where the ranger had miraculous appeared and was closely following the group, sorry but it was a bit too late to push the pace of play. Loud pop and rap tunes were blasting from the back porch of the clubhouse where there was no wedding actually occurring just the set up process. Extremely off-putting . The course was very well kept, layout was okay. But to be honest I can't remember much of the actual golf at Pawley's because on each shot I had to wait so long that I got completely disinterested with the whole affair. Would love to return and play the course in the afternoon when it's not packed, maybe the clubhouse employees will be remotely friendly next time.

Interesting golf course located just off the main drag in Calabash. A lot of the holes reminded me of my home course back in New Jersey which was a pleasant surprise. Pace of play for 18 holes was pretty awful so I would advise going in the afternoon to avoid that problem all together. What I remember most about Meadowlands is how pleasant of an experience it was just looking at the course and foliage, picturesque. Maybe I am biased since I played the best round of my life here, but oh well. One thing that is EXTRMELY DISAPPOINTING is the "Foot Golf" course they have installed at Meadowlands. Maybe they are doing it to attract customers or something? I actually thought the guy inside was pulling our leg when he told us about this new activity and annoying imposition by soccer fans. Anyway, the GOLF part of the course is loads of fun. Go play Meadowlands and its sister course Farmstead which is around the corner. Both distinct from one another.

A great course considering the rate you will pay. The staff was also very friendly and accomadating. Greens were in excellent condition but some work could be attended to near the sides of the greens, those areas were a little shabby. Otherwise the course was a very beautiful track through the Carolina pines.

Howell Park is a great course cut from the woods in Farmingdale, NJ. The layout is challenging but allows for many scoring opportunities. Woods and extremely thick rough flank most holes so accuracy is a must. If a player hits an errant tee shot a hole can quickly turn into a deep woods hunt or a slash fest in the rough. All of the par 3's feel the same but they're all elevated quite differently and forces the player to adjust club lengths. I love playing this course and the price is right for a public course in NJ. As with most Monmouth County courses the staff is often unfriendly and arrogant, so be wary of that. No food or beverage to speak of except for the basic refreshments on the beverage cart but the course is located in Farmingdale and a short drive from a couple bars which are suitable for a nineteenth hole.

Saratoga National is a superior golf course located just shy of the Adirondacks in upstate New York. Groups who play here are given the ultimate treatment from the moment you unload your bags. Carts are top of the line which have onboard coolers stocked with ice and water, ball and club washers and a great GPS system which is so sophisticated it alerts you on the seventh hole that you should order some food to be ready at the turn(get the cheesesteak). Well why not? How about a cigar at the turn as well? They have those and they even hook you up with a complimentary cigar cutter. Before your round you should warm up on the great practice facilities which include a limitless range, short game area and large putting green. The 1st to 18th holes at Saratoga are just perfect. Course conditions are excellent and its location in upstate New York is great because you really do get a feeling of remoteness that is otherwise absent when playing in heaveily populated areas. The course is very difficult but if you're not having a great round try your best to just have fun because it is such a unique and enjoyable experience. Any memory of frustration is eclipsed by the course and amenities. The clubhouse is gigantic. The food and drink at the 19th hole was, as expected, great. Out back overlooking the 18th green was a huge stone patio and bar with a waterfall. We played the course in April and it was still chilly so no one was populating that area but my Dad assured me in the summer it was quite a scene on a hot day. The fees run pretty high in the summer months but early spring isn't that bad, you'll get the royal treatment either way. Can't wait to play again.