Edgewood CC rivervale NJ

[gregkeller]

Anyone know anything about this club? I am looking to join my first club and this place is only about 3 miles from my home. I am in it for the golf, but I need a family atmosphere for my wife and two small boys to make it worthwhile and an easier sell to the wife. White Beeches is another that I'm thinking about but is just borderline of what I want/can afford, especially with the 10k initiation fees and what seem like steep clubhouse minimums. Any help is appreciated. I really want something within a couple minutes of my home so that I can go for a quick practice session, or quick 9 after work, etc.

[Bonneville85308]

I played Edgewood as a guest maybe 13 years ago and remember little of it. I know it was sold a couple years ago and the new owners planned on making numerous improvements to the course and clubhouse, but I haven't been in that neck of the woods recently to see how that has panned out. Supposedly they were going to make it more family-friendly. From what I recall they were really down on their membership numbers at the time of the ownership change.

[ani5009]

To echo the above comment, I played Edgewood about 7-8 years ago with a friend I'd met in college and it was entirely unremarkable. For what it's worth, I remember seeing a table for White Beeches at the NJ Golf show, so that would at lead me to believe that they might be aggressively looking for new members.

[munihack]

How old are you? White beeches is inexpensive for junior members, are you getting the right info?

[gregkeller]

Yeah, I looked at White Beeches and saw they are having a pretty good deal. I'm 36, so have a few more years to get in on the young professional rate. 5k initiation and 600 a month plus 1200 a year in the clubhouse. It pretty much doubles when I turn 40. It seems like they are looking for members but everything I read says invite only and they ask for member references. So not sure what's up with that. I think the wife and kids would like the tennis and pool.

[Bonneville85308]

everything I read says invite only and they ask for member references. So not sure what's up with that.

 

A lot of clubs in need of members still say this, but outside of the top clubs it's BS, trying to maintain a false air of exclusivity. If you don't know anyone, the membership director will have some members sign your application. They may have you meet for dinner with some folks from the membership committee. At a former club of mine, the membership director would just walk over to the bar and get the first three guys he saw to sign the application. Despite the fact that our membership "was by invitation only." Don't sweat it. I also think it has something to do with tax-exempt status; the club has to appear as if Joe Blow off the street just can't walk in and sign up. As a disclosure, I am not highly familiar with this particular club, these are general observations from other clubs in the region.

[munihack]

Yup I don't really get the pricing there once you are over 40. it is a pretty strong deal as far as junior members go but loses its value proposition compared to other clubs after 40.

[gregkeller]

And that's one of the things that has kept me from looking deeper into it. 5k and 650 a month is doable and I feel fair for the quality of facilities. But then once I'm 40, dues almost double, clubhouse spending doubles and it becomes a pretty decent chunk of money. There is one other issue and that is 8 think their range is irons only.

[dpb5031]

Yup I don't really get the pricing there once you are over 40. it is a pretty strong deal as far as junior members go but loses its value proposition compared to other clubs after 40.

 

Private clubs realize they need younger members to survive, especially post-recession. They've adjusted pricing to attract this demographic.

 

I'm 49 now and have been a private club members for 22 years. I sincerely wish those deals had been available for all those years I was under 40!!!

[munihack]

Yup I don't really get the pricing there once you are over 40. it is a pretty strong deal as far as junior members go but loses its value proposition compared to other clubs after 40.

 

Private clubs realize they need younger members to survive, especially post-recession. They've adjusted pricing to attract this demographic.

 

I'm 49 now and have been a private club members for 22 years. I sincerely wish those deals had been available for all those years I was under 40!!!

 

 

Yeah I understand that. I meant they are a good deal as a junior compared to other junior deals. after 40 compared to other clubs in the area, in my opinion, they are not.

[gregkeller]

I totally agree with this, and If I was 5 or 6 years younger, I might pull the trigger. at this point in my life though I don't want to drop big money on an initiation fee and only stay a member for 3.5-4 years. Oh well, maybe private club life just isn't in my future living in the area I do.

[sabram]

Here's a photo tour of Edgewood taken during a round at the end of the 2016 season.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/albums/72157671186306473 Edgewood photo tour

 

 

Edgewood CC White #2 g approach 316

 

Edgewood CC Blue #5 par 5 from tee

 

Edgewood CC Blue #8 from tee

 

Edgewood CC Blue #9 par 3

[RSK7070]

Pardon my ignorance, but can you explain the cost breakdown more? Initiation is self-explanatory, but is the monthly just social dues or counts for food/etc? Is the 1200 in the clubhouse on food and such? Any idea what the rules on taking caddies are and what a normal loop might go for? Guest greens fees?

 

I'm in the area as well and could cash in on a junior membership somewhere, but really most focused on the golf aspect of it. I've heard mix reviews from my peers about joining up and finding the cost was a lot higher than expected. Won't name the club but a buddy had a provisional membership the first year that meant guests were basically 2x as much and could only play certain times. Kinda defeats the purpose.

 

Thanks

[gregkeller]

Pardon my ignorance, but can you explain the cost breakdown more? Initiation is self-explanatory, but is the monthly just social dues or counts for food/etc? Is the 1200 in the clubhouse on food and such? Any idea what the rules on taking caddies are and what a normal loop might go for? Guest greens fees?

 

I'm in the area as well and could cash in on a junior membership somewhere, but really most focused on the golf aspect of it. I've heard mix reviews from my peers about joining up and finding the cost was a lot higher than expected. Won't name the club but a buddy had a provisional membership the first year that meant guests were basically 2x as much and could only play certain times. Kinda defeats the purpose.

 

Thanks

 

So here is my understanding of how it works at most of the clubs around here, and yes, for the most part you end up spending quite a bit more than what you think you are going to spend each month.

1. Initiation fee (most places don't give this back to you when/if you leave, some do when someone else takes your membership)

2. Monthly fee- this covers greens fees, practice facility and use of the facilities like pool and tennis courts, etc.. Some places charge you an extra yearly fee for bag storage and/or locker

3. Food and Beverage minimums- this is on top of monthly rates and is money spent in the restaurant, on food on course, drinks at the bar, etc.

 

Extra on top

1. cart fees - this is different at each club, but from my research it hovers around the $25.

2. caddie fees- I honestly don't know too much but think it's about $80-100 a round. Courses that have caddies sometimes have certain times of day that you must take a caddie, even if you are riding your foursome gets a forecaddie (in that case each person in the foursome chips in for one caddie). I am not sure if there are any clubs around me (northern bergen county) that are caddie only, but I'm pretty sure that most of the clubs with caddies require their use on weekend mornings.

3. Guest greens fees depend on two things, are you playing with them (guest fees are less) and when are you playing. Haworth for example greens fees are $80/guest during the week and 130 weekend mornings.

[RSK7070]

Pardon my ignorance, but can you explain the cost breakdown more? Initiation is self-explanatory, but is the monthly just social dues or counts for food/etc? Is the 1200 in the clubhouse on food and such? Any idea what the rules on taking caddies are and what a normal loop might go for? Guest greens fees?

 

I'm in the area as well and could cash in on a junior membership somewhere, but really most focused on the golf aspect of it. I've heard mix reviews from my peers about joining up and finding the cost was a lot higher than expected. Won't name the club but a buddy had a provisional membership the first year that meant guests were basically 2x as much and could only play certain times. Kinda defeats the purpose.

 

Thanks

 

So here is my understanding of how it works at most of the clubs around here, and yes, for the most part you end up spending quite a bit more than what you think you are going to spend each month.

1. Initiation fee (most places don't give this back to you when/if you leave, some do when someone else takes your membership)

2. Monthly fee- this covers greens fees, practice facility and use of the facilities like pool and tennis courts, etc.. Some places charge you an extra yearly fee for bag storage and/or locker

3. Food and Beverage minimums- this is on top of monthly rates and is money spent in the restaurant, on food on course, drinks at the bar, etc.

 

Extra on top

1. cart fees - this is different at each club, but from my research it hovers around the $25.

2. caddie fees- I honestly don't know too much but think it's about $80-100 a round. Courses that have caddies sometimes have certain times of day that you must take a caddie, even if you are riding your foursome gets a forecaddie (in that case each person in the foursome chips in for one caddie). I am not sure if there are any clubs around me (northern bergen county) that are caddie only, but I'm pretty sure that most of the clubs with caddies require their use on weekend mornings.

3. Guest greens fees depend on two things, are you playing with them (guest fees are less) and when are you playing. Haworth for example greens fees are $80/guest during the week and 130 weekend mornings.

 

Thanks for the reply sir, that's definitely helpful. On one hand, spending 1200 a year on food doesn't sound crazy if you play quite a bit, but the extras have me up in the air.

[QuieTSToRM33]

Greg, have you joined anywhere ? .... I just moved to the area and started looking myself.

[gregkeller]

I haven't. I'm struggling with a few thing. The first is that I've got a wife and two young boys who, if I joined a club I'd love to have amenities that the whole family can enjoy. That narrows it down to a few clubs that are a little bit more expensive but the extras are quite a bit more and put things at a level that would eat into the majority of my "fun money". Right now Hackensack would be the perfect club if money were no object, but of course it always is

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

What about Hackensack Golf Club? That course is awesome. A lot of expensive courses in Bergen County for sure.

[gregkeller]

Hackensack is at the top of my list. Has a nice new pool, my favorite course layout, absolutely beautiful patio/bar overlooking the course and it is about 5 minutes from my house. It's probably a little out of my price range right now. I guess it's worth looking into a little but I imagine with caddie fees and food minimums it is up there in actual realized cost.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Do you live in Oradell or Paramus? I still have a relative in Westwood that I go to check on 1-2x per year. Hackensack is just awesome, I had a great round there!

[gregkeller]

I live in Westwood, google maps puts Hackensack about 6 minutes from my door but that must be if I hit all four lights between my door and theirs. I am leaning towards waiting a few years and joining there. I love the course layout/conditions and everything. It's the closest to me and literally can drive past the entrance on my way home from work everyday. I've just slowly gotta get my wife to realize that a CC membership is something that will benefit the whole family and not just feed my golf habit :)

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

My family (including me) is from Westwood. I still visit a few times per year. Hackensack is just an awesome golf course.

[NorNJGolf]

I'm considering joining Edgewood (5 min from my home) or Montammy (12 minutes).  It's really about the golf and ability to play, but would also love to have a place where my family and I can socialize with age appropriate members.  Curious if anyone has the inside scoop on the average age of the members for either of these clubs.