A Bergen County NJ real estate, north New Jersey home buying guide listing good realtor, MLS and New York commuting information, Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Franklin Lakes, Paramus, Saddle River.

Public Golf Courses

PARAMUS GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
314 Paramus Rd., Paramus
Par: 71 (Blue/White); 75 (Red)
Yardage: Blue: 6,195; White: 6,058; Red: 5,973 Features: The 12th, dubbed the Mausoleum Hole because it features an old stone mausoleum to the right of the green, is a par 3. As for the 13th, it's a short par-5 dogleg right, measuring between 489 and 510 yards out of a chute. Nearby, to the left of the tee box, will be a small winter grave used in the 18th century made of stone and covered in sod. The course is flat with a few small hills. The fairways are about 90 feet wide, with not many trees.
Tee times: In person at the pro shop.
Phone: (201) 447-6067 or 447-6079

HIGH MOUNTAIN GOLF CLUB
845 Ewing Avenue, Franklin Lakes
Par: 71
Yardage: Blue: 6,347; White: 6,101; Red: 5,426
Features: A semi-private club. High Mountain offers a bit of everything, including a fair amount of water and hills. The signature hole is the par-5, 579-yard 16th, where a double dogleg makes it difficult to play. Phone: (201) 891-4653

ORCHARD HILLS GOLF COURSE
404 Paramus Rd., Paramus
Par: 36 (nine holes)
Yardage: White: 2,879; Red: 2,694
Features: A small, interesting course that makes the most of its surroundings, Orchard Hills has its share of troublesome holes. For starters, the par-4, 277-yard first hole, a dogleg right, has a tree entrenched in the fairway that makes an approach shot a chore. From there, No.4 (par 3, 166 yards) is perhaps the toughest, with its elevated tee shot and tiny green tucked behind a water hazard below.
Phone: (201) 447-3778.

DARLINGTON GOLF COURSE
227 Campgaw Rd., Mahwah.
Par: 71
Yardage: Blue: 6,457; White: 6,049; Red: 5,300
Features: One of the most scenic and well-kept public courses in North Jersey, Darlington gets by on more than looks. Eleven par 4s make up the bulk of the holes, including No. 6, a 379-yard stretch that can make or break you. There are only three par 5s, beginning with the first hole. As for the par 3s, the 175-yard second hole and 12th hole are enjoyable. The tree-lined fairways are fairly spacious, the greens can be slick.
Phone: (201) 327-8770.

EMERSON GOLF CLUB
Location: 99 Palisade Ave., Emerson
Par: 71
Yardage: 6,703
Features: An interesting, challenging, but forgiving course that allows the average golfer to post decent scores. The front nine is long, but relatively wide open. The back nine is tight in spots, the last five holes can be fun. The course is in great shape. New carts have been added and the locker room has been redone within the last four years.
Tee times: Recommended: Call five days in advance for weekend tee times.
Phone: (201) 261-1100

OVERPECK GOLF COURSE
East Cedar Lane, Teaneck.
Par: 72
Yardage: Blue: 6,866; White: 6,329; Red: 5,816
Features: Overpeck is a level course and easy to walk. The fairways and greens are well-tended. Most of it is wide open, with a number of water hazards, particularly on Nos. 14, 15, 16, and 18. A lake sits in the middle of Nos. 5 through 7. There are 10 par 4s and four par 3s and 5s. The par-4 14th hole is the toughest to play, as it is a double carry over water. The par-5, 551-yard 10th hole is the longest, with a hill that blinds your tee shot from the fairway.
Phone: (201) 837-3020.

RIVER VALE COUNTRY CLUB
660 River Vale Road, River Vale
Par: 72; Women: 74
Yardage: Blue: 6,470; White: 6,196; Red: 5,293
Features: Smith, a Donald Ross protege, designed short layouts with tough, targeted greens and narrow fairways. A stream cuts through Nos. 1, 4, 5, 9, and 18. There are ponds on 14 and 15. The signature hole is the sixth, a beautiful par-4, 475-yard test that is straightaway to an elevated and bunkered green. It was voted one of the best holes in the state by New Jersey Golfer Magazine. It's also the No. 1 handicap hole on the course. A new irrigation system and cart paths, installed three years ago, are among the additions to assure quality golf.
Tee times: Up to two weeks ahead for any day. Phone: (201) 391-2300

ROCKLEIGH GOLF COURSE
15 Paris Ave., Rockleigh.
Par: 72 (27 holes)
Yardage: White: 2,961 (men), 2,701 (women); Blue: 3,127 (men), 2,872 (women); Red: 3,282 (men), 2,910 (women)
Features: With a Trent Jones design, you can count on getting your money's worth from one of the great master's creations. It's a comfortable and roomy course, with average greens. But expect delays. It's estimated the course handles about 100,000 rounds in nine months. What's more, it's not uncommon for 600 people to play in a day. The Red Course is the most challenging, highlighted by the tricky, par-3 fourth hole. New Jersey Golfer Magazine voted Red No. 7 one the nicest fairways in the state two years ago. The White is not quite up-and-down (No. 3 is an unusual green shot). Blue is flat with No. 7 (par 5, 528 yards) the longest hole of the three courses.

TAMCREST COUNTRY CLUB
Route 9W & Montammy Drive, Alpine
Par: 70
Yardage: Men: 6,056; Women: 4,734
Features: This is a very tight course with small, undulating greens. Perhaps the most difficult hole is the 440-yard par-4 first. It's a dogleg left with a tough, two-tiered green.
Tee times: Open from 7 a.m. until dark. Call five days in advance for tee times.
Phone: 767-4610

VALLEY BROOK GOLF CLUB
15 River Vale Rd., River Vale.
Par: 70
Yardage: Blue: 6,100 White: 5,600; Red: 4,600
Features: The course, formerly known as Pascack Brook, was renamed this spring. Along with the name change comes a facelift. The course is currently undergoing a major redesign and won't open until the late summer at the earliest. All greens and tees are being rebuilt. Drainage has been added and all new grass will be laid. A warm-up range is also under construction.
Tee times: Call no more than five days in advance for both weekdays and weekends.
Phone: 664-5886

Bergen County
Golf Courses

Tee times for certain Bergen County Public Golf Courses can be reserved through an automated system: Bergen County residents with ID call seven days in advance at 7 p.m. for $1.50. Non-residents with ID, one day ahead at 6 p.m. for $3. Call (201) 343-4441

Private Golf Courses

RIDGEWOOD COUNTRY CLUB
96 West Midland Ave, Paramus
Par: 72
Yardage: Championship: 6,938; White tees: 6,539; Ladies: 6,037
Features: The tree-lined fairways make it special and challenging. The small putting surfaces and bunkering add to the charm and high scores. The par-5s are real tough and unreachable in two for the average golfer. Some short par-4s are equally challenging. In general, the course is unique and different.
Phone: (201) 599-3900

RAMSEY GOLF CLUB
105 Lakeside Drive, Ramsey
Par: 69, 70 for women.
Yardage: Mens tees: 5,540; Womens tees: 5,335
Features: The element that stands out is the clubhouse, which looks like a castle complete with old stones and turrets. The course is scenic, particularly the par 3 eighth hole, near the lake.
Phone: (201) 327-3877

ARCOLA COUNTRY CLUB
Paramus Road, Paramus
Par: 72
Yardage: Men: 6,870; Women: 5,572
Features: Water comes into play at Nos.6, 7, 8, 11, 13, and 14. There are four par 3s and 5s, evenly divided on the front and back. Its signature hole is the par-3, 155-yard 11th, which is guarded by a pond in front and has water on each side, hiding a tiny green.
Phone: (201) 843-3990, pro shop 843-9800

APPLE RIDGE COUNTRY CLUB
269 East Crescent Ave., Mahwah
Par: 71
Yardage: Blue tees: 6,624
Features: Apple Ridge is best known for its tight fairways and small greens. There are trees along every fairway, and high rough around most greens. Perhaps the most memorable hole is the 415-yard, par-4 fifth hole, made challenging by the water all along the right side.
Phone: (201) 327-8000

ALPINE COUNTRY CLUB
80 Anderson Ave., Demarest
Par: 72
Yardage: Blue tees: 6,711
Features: Designed by A.W. Tillinghast in 1928, this is a thinking person's course. You need a good command of your short game to score here. Two holes in particular stand out. The sixth hole is 442 yards uphill, and requires a long drive and mid-iron into the green. Everyone who plays the course remembers the 10th hole, a difficult 340-yard par-4. A new high-tech watering system has been installed.
Phone: (201) 768-2121

EDGEWOOD COUNTRY CLUB
449 Rivervale Rd., River Vale
Par: 72 and 71, depending on combination of 27 holes
Yardage: Par 72 6,600; Par 71 6,400
Features: This course is very scenic with a wide variety of trees ranging from evergreens to willows. Its noted for always being in top condition. The hole that stands out is the 442-yard, par-4 fifth hole on the red course. Members call it the Willow Hole and it features a double dogleg.
Phone: (201) 666-1200

HACKENSACK GOLD CLUB
Soldier Hill Road, Emerson
Par: 72
Yardage: Black tees: 6,934
Features: One of the most beautiful and well-kept courses in North Jersey, Hackensack spawned PGA pro Jim McGovern, who used to sneak on the course as a youngster. Its signature holes are the 12th an exact replica of the Redan hole, one of the most famous par 3s in history and the 18th voted the toughest par 4 on the course.
Phone: (201) 261-5500

HAWORTH GOLF CLUB
5 Lakeshore Drive, Haworth
Par: 72
Yardage: Black: 6,884; Blue: 6,432; White: 5,876
Features: This is a solid, challenging golf course. The thing that stands out are the par-3 holes, which are particularly long and difficult.
Phone: (201) 384-7300
Directions: Garden State Parkway North to Oradell Avenue. Take Oradell straight, intersecting Kinderkamack Road, and continue to a red blinking light. Left on Grant Street and take that directly onto Lake Shore Drive, which appears before the bend in the road, and runs along the reservoir on the left. The club is on the right.

KNICKERBOCKER COUNTRY CLUB
188 Knickerbocker Road, Tenafly
Par: 72
Yardage: Blue tees: 6,628
Features: Knickerbocker is known for the speed of greens, undoubtedly the fastest in the county. The signature hole is No.12, a long, demanding par-4, 430 yards from the blue tees. Theres water off the tee about 280 yards and you have to carry water on your second shot to the green.
Phone: (201) 568-4034

MONTAMMY GOLF CLUB
Montammy Drive, Alpine
Par: 72
Yardage: White: 6,364; Blue: 6,890; Red: 5,427
Features: Noted for its long par 3s and its greens, which are undulating. Perhaps the toughest par 3 is No.4, a 195-yard stretch from the back tees that's uphill and ends at a nasty green. Water comes into play in front of the green at the 460-yard, 15th hole. The courses signature hole is No.7, a par-4, 360-yard dogleg right with water at the left of the green.
Phone: (201) 768-9016

OLD TAPPAN GOLF CLUB
83 DeWolf Road, Old Tappan
Par: 70 (nine holes, 35)
Yardage: Blue: 3,076; White: 2,961; Red: 2,547
Features: A well-maintained nine-hole course, Old Tappan is a little overlooked. Altogether there are two par-3s, one par-5, and six par-4s. Water comes into play on the Nos.1, 3 and 9. The fairways are generally open, but in recent years have tightened up. The greens are in beautiful shape and undulating. The signature hole is the sixth, a par-3, 130-yarder from the back tees that looks short and plays long.
Phone: (201) 767-1199

WHITE BEECHES GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
70 Haworth Drive, Haworth
Par: 72; Women: 74
Yardage: Men: 6,583; Women: 5,756
Features: Like most courses in the area, White Beeches trademark is very small, undulating greens. This course has hosted U.S. Open sectional qualifiers, Met Open qualifiers, and the State Open. The two finishing holes are particularly rugged. The 17th is a 428-yard par 4 while 18 is a 215-yard par 3 over water. Reconstruction on the tees, bunkers, and irrigation system has been completed.
Phone: (201) 385-8531

Other Places to Explore

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