North NJ Country Club - Junior Member

[Joe1126]

Hi all -

 

Currently married and 28 looking to join a country club in the North/Central part of NJ (west of Newark). Definitely would prefer a country club with a pool and other amenities. 

 

I’ve reached out to a wide range of clubs below, but wanted to see if anyone had more recent feedback on the clubs listed (ie culture, course, clubhouse, events, etc). Also, I’d be open to exploring other clubs in the area. Thanks in advance!

 

Clubs I inquired:

- Fiddler’s Elbow (Bedminster)

- Trump National (Bedminster)

- Forest Hill (Bloomfield)

- Canoe Brook (Summit)

[NJgolfer11]

22 hours ago, Joe1126 said:

Hi all -

 

Currently married and 28 looking to join a country club in the North/Central part of NJ (west of Newark). Definitely would prefer a country club with a pool and other amenities. 

 

I’ve reached out to a wide range of clubs below, but wanted to see if anyone had more recent feedback on the clubs listed (ie culture, course, clubhouse, events, etc). Also, I’d be open to exploring other clubs in the area. Thanks in advance!

 

Clubs I inquired:

- Fiddler’s Elbow (Bedminster)

- Trump National (Bedminster)

- Forest Hill (Bloomfield)

- Canoe Brook (Summit)

Fiddlers has 3 courses. I played the Forest, which is considered there top course and TBH, I thought it was just ok, but to each their own.

The facilities are very nice. 

I went to a holiday party at Forest Hill about 8-9 years ago. IT was a lot of fun, with a good mix of younger members. I have heard the course is nice.

I have not been to Canoe Brook or Trump, but here both are very nice but also pricey.

I would reach out to all 4 and see what they say. Covid helped out a lot of clubs and plenty these days have waiting lists and raised there dues/fees.

 

[Joe1126]

Thanks for the info! Visited Fiddler’s and Trump today. Agree that Fiddler’s has great facilities and heard mixed reviews of the course. Trump was great but struggling to justify the initiation. 

Edited July 17, 2022 by Joe1126

[NJgolfer11]

10 hours ago, Joe1126 said:

10 hours ago, Joe1126 said:

Thanks for the info! Visited Fiddler’s and Trump today. Agree that Fiddler’s has great facilities and heard mixed reviews of the course. Trump was great but struggling to justify the initiation. 

All of the places probably have deals for under 35 or 40. Canoe Brook I know is on the pricier end as well. Forest Hill maybe your best option.

 

[Wander Bread]

On 7/14/2022 at 4:16 PM, Joe1126 said:

Hi all -

 

Currently married and 28 looking to join a country club in the North/Central part of NJ (west of Newark). Definitely would prefer a country club with a pool and other amenities. 

 

I’ve reached out to a wide range of clubs below, but wanted to see if anyone had more recent feedback on the clubs listed (ie culture, course, clubhouse, events, etc). Also, I’d be open to exploring other clubs in the area. Thanks in advance!

 

Clubs I inquired:

- Fiddler’s Elbow (Bedminster)

- Trump National (Bedminster)

- Forest Hill (Bloomfield)

- Canoe Brook (Summit)

 

I work with a member at Canoe Brook and have played there a bunch. Top notch facilities and two great 18 hole tracks. I know the initiation is insane for standard members, probably still really high though cheaper for executive/junior membership. If Trump National is too high Canoe Brook may be as well, but is worth checking out.  Awesome pool and other amenities also.

 

Grew up playing tournaments at Fiddler's. Would agree that the facilities are excellent, but the courses aren't great.

[Joe1126]

6 hours ago, Wander Bread said:

 

I work with a member at Canoe Brook and have played there a bunch. Top notch facilities and two great 18 hole tracks. I know the initiation is insane for standard members, probably still really high though cheaper for executive/junior membership. If Trump National is too high Canoe Brook may be as well, but is worth checking out.  Awesome pool and other amenities also.

 

Grew up playing tournaments at Fiddler's. Would agree that the facilities are excellent, but the courses aren't great.

Appreciate the insight! I spoke with Canoe Brook but they didn’t seem to be hurting for members and suggested I reach out when I move into the area. Also, since I’m planning to move to that area next summer, it was hard to justify a higher initiation giving I will be purchasing a home within the year. 

[NJgolfer11]

8 hours ago, Joe1126 said:

Appreciate the insight! I spoke with Canoe Brook but they didn’t seem to be hurting for members and suggested I reach out when I move into the area. Also, since I’m planning to move to that area next summer, it was hard to justify a higher initiation giving I will be purchasing a home within the year. 

If you want a pool, nice course, check out Metuchen.

[Joe1126]

2 minutes ago, NJgolfer11 said:

If you want a pool, nice course, check out Metuchen.

Awesome, will do. Any thoughts or experience with Roxiticus or Echo Lake? 

[Prof3ssor]

10 hours ago, Joe1126 said:

Awesome, will do. Any thoughts or experience with Roxiticus or Echo Lake? 

Can't comment on Echo Lake but I have played Roxiticus many times and it is a nice track.  Amenities and pool are nice but it's a bit stuffy for my taste.  I'm unsure of the junior membership cost but I have some friends that are members and know what they spent to get in the door and what the minimums are each month and it is quite costly just like Canoe Brook. 

Edited July 19, 2022 by Prof3ssor

[NJgolfer11]

13 hours ago, Joe1126 said:

Awesome, will do. Any thoughts or experience with Roxiticus or Echo Lake? 

I have played both courses and both are awesome.

 

Echo Lake will probably be higher.

[Joe1126]

13 hours ago, Prof3ssor said:

Can't comment on Echo Lake but I have played Roxiticus many times and it is a nice track.  Amenities and pool are nice but it's a bit stuffy for my taste.  I'm unsure of the junior membership cost but I have some friends that are members and know what they spent to get in the door and what the minimums are each month and it is quite costly just like Canoe Brook. 

Thanks for the insight. By stuffy do you mean some of the members?

[Joe1126]

10 hours ago, NJgolfer11 said:

I have played both courses and both are awesome.

 

Echo Lake will probably be higher.

Thanks again, I appreciate all the help!

[Prof3ssor]

10 hours ago, Joe1126 said:

Thanks for the insight. By stuffy do you mean some of the members?

Feel free to PM if you would like as I prefer to not to go into details as there is always someone that you will offend on the internet.  I grew up in Mendham and know the area quite well.  The older crowd over there is great but the newer generation is a different story.  I'm in my early 40's so kind of in between.  I was at Basking Ridge for 6 years but now I'm over at Brooklake in Florham Park and could not be happier.  It's not in the same league as some of the places you are looking at but it's perfect for me especially since I'm a mile away and I think it is one of the best deals in NJ for a membership for what you get. 

[JCortiz]

On 7/15/2022 at 3:03 PM, NJgolfer11 said:

On 7/14/2022 at 4:16 PM, Joe1126 said:

Hi all -

 

Currently married and 28 looking to join a country club in the North/Central part of NJ (west of Newark). Definitely would prefer a country club with a pool and other amenities. 

 

I’ve reached out to a wide range of clubs below, but wanted to see if anyone had more recent feedback on the clubs listed (ie culture, course, clubhouse, events, etc). Also, I’d be open to exploring other clubs in the area. Thanks in advance!

 

Clubs I inquired:

- Fiddler’s Elbow (Bedminster)

- Trump National (Bedminster)

- Forest Hill (Bloomfield)

- Canoe Brook (Summit)

Fiddlers has 3 courses. I played the Forest, which is considered there top course and TBH, I thought it was just ok, but to each their own.

The facilities are very nice. 

I went to a holiday party at Forest Hill about 8-9 years ago. IT was a lot of fun, with a good mix of younger members. I have heard the course is nice.

I have not been to Canoe Brook or Trump, but here both are very nice but also pricey.

I would reach out to all 4 and see what they say. Covid helped out a lot of clubs and plenty these days have waiting lists and raised there dues/fees.

 

 

 

Looked into Fiddler's two years ago (I'm at Black Oak now), and what turned me off was I heard it wasn't even worth it at times because tee times are hard to get (a member I was playing with said this and only joined because the other aspects of it were great for his wife and kids)

 

Also currently looking for a new club in the Caldwell/Wayne area with more amenities compared to what I have now since I recently moved, but with prices jumping up in the area I'm looking at compared to what I signed on to at Black Oak it may make it hard to move...

 

 

[NJgolfer11]

4 hours ago, JCortiz said:

 

 

Looked into Fiddler's two years ago (I'm at Black Oak now), and what turned me off was I heard it wasn't even worth it at times because tee times are hard to get (a member I was playing with said this and only joined because the other aspects of it were great for his wife and kids)

 

Also currently looking for a new club in the Caldwell/Wayne area with more amenities compared to what I have now since I recently moved, but with prices jumping up in the area I'm looking at compared to what I signed on to at Black Oak it may make it hard to move...

 

 

I have heard Black Oak is a very nice course. You got some excellent players there.

[Joe1126]

On 8/9/2022 at 5:01 PM, JCortiz said:

 

 

Looked into Fiddler's two years ago (I'm at Black Oak now), and what turned me off was I heard it wasn't even worth it at times because tee times are hard to get (a member I was playing with said this and only joined because the other aspects of it were great for his wife and kids)

 

Also currently looking for a new club in the Caldwell/Wayne area with more amenities compared to what I have now since I recently moved, but with prices jumping up in the area I'm looking at compared to what I signed on to at Black Oak it may make it hard to move...

 

 

That doesn’t surprise me - long lines waiting for tee time at the pro shop while I went for a visit. Given this may be slightly skewed as they have 3 18s but still a concern. 

Have you checked out Green Brook CC in North Caldwell? I can’t speak about the club but my wife is from that area and heard decent things. Their dues in their site seem moderate with no initiation/minimums. 

 

[JCortiz]

13 hours ago, Joe1126 said:

That doesn’t surprise me - long lines waiting for tee time at the pro shop while I went for a visit. Given this may be slightly skewed as they have 3 18s but still a concern. 

Have you checked out Green Brook CC in North Caldwell? I can’t speak about the club but my wife is from that area and heard decent things. Their dues in their site seem moderate with no initiation/minimums. 

 

 

Haven't gotten the opportunity for a visit. Would like to play a round and see the practice area there. I'll probably get more serious looking around towards mid-fall but I've heard good things as well. 

[NJgolfer11]

1 hour ago, JCortiz said:

 

Haven't gotten the opportunity for a visit. Would like to play a round and see the practice area there. I'll probably get more serious looking around towards mid-fall but I've heard good things as well. 

Green Brook is a nice layout. It has been a few years since I played there, but I remember the range not being the biggest, as far as mats/areas to hit. I am not sure how long it is yardage wise.

[fundustrial]

I’ve played Canoe Brook a few times and thought it was okay to be honest and nothing special. 
 

I’ve heard Arcola is great but haven’t played there yet.

[el papa malo]

Hi

 

I have been a member of Upper Montclair for 8 years now.  We have three 9's and there is never an issue getting out.  The membership is super friendly.  Lots of small business owners who made successful businesses, doctors, lawyers, FAs.  Great club, course is always in great condition.  I have hosted a number of visitors via Thousand Greens and they all comment about the course conditions being so good.

 

A few years back we made a concerted effort to get more junior members and we were very successful. 

 

Someone on the this forum joined UMCC as they ran into me in the locker and commented that they joined (initially explored) UMCC because of my initial comments. 

 

You can PM me for more info, or just reach out to our membership director Kara Boasi.

 

Good luck

[golfortennis]

I don't know anything other than they have an excellent assistant pro there, but is North Jersey Country Club on your radar/in your vicinity?