iago581

There's a big difference between "retro" and "outdated and old," and this is the latter. The course was unkempt, unloved, probably at one time (40 years ago) was really beautiful, but now they let all the vegetation grow so much you can't even see most of the interesting geographic features here. The cart paths were INSANELY bumpy, like enough that it might throw a club out if you choose to abide by the cart path only / 90 degree rules. I don't know how they ask patrons to play 90 degrees with those paths, its not like the place is really well kept up (the greens ARE nice, in fairness). This absolutely taints the Crystal Springs brand, because I only paid $5 more to play Classic, which was an almost otherworldly experience compared to this.

The abandoned playboy hotel thing IS really creepy, with blown out windows and I'm sure there's a meth lab in there. The course kid told us part of it was being used as Section 8 Housing...nice! I just parked my car out in front of it because it's a poorly laid out place!

I also loved the "Gopher" logo, which is the Playboy Bunny stuff from the 70's, only the ears are painted over. Says a lot. Do not go to this place under any circumstance!!!

Got a mid day, mid week price $49, and couldn't have been happier with it. A lot of interesting holes, great California golf in the hills. The only problem I had with it was it seemed like the membership, or the regulars, or whoever, either don't know or don't care about their responsibility to the golf course and the other players. I don't mean to sound like a stick in the mud, but I'm not sure where these folks learned golf etiquette or even just common sense. The group in front of us was a foursome with three carts, one guy repeatedly parking his cart by the green and trudging 150 yards back to his ball, no sense of urgency getting on and off the hole, I'm not asking for someone to rush, but MOVE. On the back nine there were three or four greens just peppered with divots no one cleaned up, rakes in the traps, like they just didn't care about the place. It's a shame. But great scenery, otherwise a great time, definitely recommended. Just be careful, the greens are CRAZY fast and don't hold; play to the front, not to the pin.

I got this course for $69 on this site, and what a bargain. Obviously, the PGA has a big tour stop here, so it goes without saying that it's a world class facility top to bottom. They don't tell you about the 9% tax (nothing they can do about that) and the souvenir shop might be a little overpriced, but it's a tour stop. Gotta expect that. The staff was a little dismissive, mostly younger guys, but the restaurant folks were great. I played Saguarro / Wild Burro 9s and they were really very challenging, but fun, too. Visually tricky course, but the conditions were outstanding. I loved it all the way, would definitely come back. One thing, don't get concerned by the middle of nowhere type of drive to this place. It'll show up eventually!

I'm an east coast golfer and this was just the trick to get me through the difficult winter. Conditions were excellent (played in Feb), and I got a great rate. What an amazing view on #3, worth half the price on its own. Staff couldn't have been friendlier. Played with a former collegiate player who plays there a lot, showed me around the course. The only thing I didn't really like was the warm up cages instead of a driving range, it's a little deceptive online, kinda looks like they have a range, but definitely not. Minor quibble in an otherwise great experience (even the lunch was great!).

Scenery wise, this is right at the top of the charts in all of NJ. Absolutely gorgeous hole layouts, but tortourously lumpy. Someone said there ins't an even lie on the whole course and that's not realy an exaggeration. Worth the price of admission for the quarry hole (#2 classic). Bring a lot of balls, and be prepared to use clubs at yardages you're not used to. I hit the same club 150 and 190, based on elevation changes, which are absolutely the norm here. Lot of double and even triple tiered greens.

Only complaints: course could have had better signage along the cart paths to offer direction to the unfamiliar. THe starters were letting 4somes out with 4 carts, twosomes out with 2 carts, not pairing twosomes so we really felt rushed for most of the front nine. We had to let 3 groups play through, and while one of our group was playing a little slow, it wasn't THAT slow. Still, I''m definintely going back to this place.