North Jersey / Rockland County Private Clubs

[Chief not Chase]

Hello forum.

 

I live in Bergen County NJ and have been shopping around for private club memberships. I’m 34, wife 31 so looking for a junior executive type memberships.

 

The priority for me is golf. I want a solid track that I’ll enjoying playing over and over with a full range and practice facilities.  ‘Nice to haves’ would be tennis/pool/fitness/quality restaurant so my wife can find value in the club as well.

 

Budget is certainly a constraint unfortunately.  I’d like to avoid an initiation and would like the total (all fees, ‘incidentals’’, etc.) annual costs to be $15k-$20k. Definitely prefer to be in the lower end of the range, especially the first few years.

 

Can any one provide some feedback on these clubs:

 

-North Jersey CC

-Upper Montclair

-Green Brook

-Rockaway River

-Tuxedo Club

-Haworth

-Knickerbocker

-Edgewood

 

Any others I’m missing? 
 

Any general advice?

 

thanks!

[NJgolfer11]

1 hour ago, Chief not Chase said:

Hello forum.

 

I live in Bergen County NJ and have been shopping around for private club memberships. I’m 34, wife 31 so looking for a junior executive type memberships.

 

The priority for me is golf. I want a solid track that I’ll enjoying playing over and over with a full range and practice facilities.  ‘Nice to haves’ would be tennis/pool/fitness/quality restaurant so my wife can find value in the club as well.

 

Budget is certainly a constraint unfortunately.  I’d like to avoid an initiation and would like the total (all fees, ‘incidentals’’, etc.) annual costs to be $15k-$20k. Definitely prefer to be in the lower end of the range, especially the first few years.

 

Can any one provide some feedback on these clubs:

 

-North Jersey CC

-Upper Montclair

-Green Brook

-Rockaway River

-Tuxedo Club

-Haworth

-Knickerbocker

-Edgewood

 

Any others I’m missing? 
 

Any general advice?

 

thanks!

Avoiding an initiation is going to be borderline impossible since COVID.

 

I have played Upper Montclair, Rockaway River, Knickerbocker and Green Brook. All are solid tracks.

Knickerbocker would be my top choice. Great course. Excellent facilities. Has a really nice pool area, for your wife to enjoy.

Upper Montclair is strictly golf and you would need a caddy each morning for weekends. Come to think of it, I believe all 4 courses I mentioned have caddy programs.

I like Green Brook a little more than Rockaway River, but I would look into Knickerbocker first.

Good luck!

[Wander Bread]

Not a shot at avoiding initiation unfortunately

[Chief not Chase]

3 hours ago, Wander Bread said:

Not a shot at avoiding initiation unfortunately

 

yea I see that.  Hopefully at least deferred to when matriculated to full membership and/or paid down yearly under junior executive 

[Abh159]

2 minutes ago, Chief not Chase said:

 

yea I see that.  Hopefully at least deferred to when matriculated to full membership and/or paid down yearly under junior executive 

 

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but I'd get these dreams (delusions) out of your head. Clubs around the country are full and have waitlists stacked with people willing to pay the full initiation up front. For example, my club doubled the initiation fee (for Jr and Full) last year, and even with that the length of our waitlist has tripled since then... If you can't or won't pay an initiation fee when joining your best bet is going to be waiting a few years to see if things slow down.

 

If by some miracle you do hear of a club offering discounted fees I'd run as fast as you can in the opposite direction. In this market if someplace is having to do that then it's not a place you want to be.

[Chief not Chase]

9 minutes ago, Abh159 said:

 

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but I'd get these dreams (delusions) out of your head. Clubs around the country are full and have waitlists stacked with people willing to pay the full initiation up front. For example, my club doubled the initiation fee (for Jr and Full) last year, and even with that the length of our waitlist has tripled since then... If you can't or won't pay an initiation fee when joining your best bet is going to be waiting a few years to see if things slow down.

 

If by some miracle you do hear of a club offering discounted fees I'd run as fast as you can in the opposite direction. In this market if someplace is having to do that then it's not a place you want to be.

 

ok fair enough - this is definitely a seller's market.  I know NJCC and Tuxedo allows you to pay down initiation as a junior member and then you're on the hook for the full balance when you matriculate.

 

Curious to get back on the topic of clubs and feedback there.

[Looper34]

Hackensack CC and Rockland CC are both great tracks in that area with some nice additional amenities. I've played Edgewood and Tuxedo and they're nice as well but I've heard Tuxedo is some big bucks to join.

[Wander Bread]

30 minutes ago, Chief not Chase said:

 

ok fair enough - this is definitely a seller's market.  I know NJCC and Tuxedo allows you to pay down initiation as a junior member and then you're on the hook for the full balance when you matriculate.

 

Curious to get back on the topic of clubs and feedback there.

 

I only have intimate knowledge of UMCC of the courses you listed. Fantastic 3 9's and strictly golf. Good group of guys, but like many other clubs the prices have gone up quite a bit on both the initiation and dues side so would probably be out of your range. 

 

Maybe check out Forest Hill Field club if that isn't too far from you. That could be on the cheaper end.

[Abh159]

2 hours ago, Chief not Chase said:

 

ok fair enough - this is definitely a seller's market.  I know NJCC and Tuxedo allows you to pay down initiation as a junior member and then you're on the hook for the full balance when you matriculate.

 

Curious to get back on the topic of clubs and feedback there.

 

Sorry. Wasn't trying to sound too pessimistic. I was just trying to say that "deals" aren't really something to be had right now when it comes to private golf/country clubs.

 

The $15-20k annual dues are realistic (once you factor in misc. costs like cart/caddie fees, food and beverage, tournament fees, and so on) so you're on the right path there. However, most clubs in that area are also going to have an initiation fee of at least five figures (even for Jr memberships) plus a waitlist on top of it. Private club memberships are firmly in the luxury category and not the necessity. I imagine they'll start to creep back down again over the next 5-10 years as the golf boom dies down.

Edited March 8, 2023 by Abh159

[Chief not Chase]

3 hours ago, Looper34 said:

Hackensack CC and Rockland CC are both great tracks in that area with some nice additional amenities. I've played Edgewood and Tuxedo and they're nice as well but I've heard Tuxedo is some big bucks to join.

 I assumed Hackensack would be out of my budget.  Do have any info on that?  

 

What did you think of Edgewood?  Their junior executive membership isn't bad cost wise.  Amenities seem nice but range seemed small.  Also they don't have a initiation for junior members so hope springs eternal there. 

[Looper34]

Edgewood use to be 27 holes until a couple years ago. Not sure why but they had some money issues and sold off some property and put in some nice looking condos on part of the property so now it's 18 holes. They might be looking for members with the deal you mentioned. I played it at least 10 years ago so I can't comment on the current condition but it was a nice place back then. They filmed a Amazon Prime TV series there a few years back called "Red Oaks". 

I've played Hackensack a couple times last year with a friend who is a member and it's affordable but I don't know what the current numbers are for new members. Food and drink are great, real nice locker room and the membership that I've met were a nice bunch. Range is a little narrow with a huge net on the left but it works.

Another smaller club nearby that I just thought of is White Beeches. I played it last year for the first time (after driving past it for years) It was nice, had a nice pool, locker room and the restaurant was nice. It's an old Walter Travis Course that isn't that long but it was a challenge. I have no idea what it cost though.  

[Chief not Chase]

Thanks Loop.  I'll give both a look.

[TP693]

What about Paramount?  It may be just over the line into NY but not far.

[T_Golf_23]

On 3/8/2023 at 8:53 PM, Looper34 said:

Edgewood use to be 27 holes until a couple years ago. Not sure why but they had some money issues and sold off some property and put in some nice looking condos on part of the property so now it's 18 holes. They might be looking for members with the deal you mentioned. I played it at least 10 years ago so I can't comment on the current condition but it was a nice place back then. They filmed a Amazon Prime TV series there a few years back called "Red Oaks". 

I've played Hackensack a couple times last year with a friend who is a member and it's affordable but I don't know what the current numbers are for new members. Food and drink are great, real nice locker room and the membership that I've met were a nice bunch. Range is a little narrow with a huge net on the left but it works.

Another smaller club nearby that I just thought of is White Beeches. I played it last year for the first time (after driving past it for years) It was nice, had a nice pool, locker room and the restaurant was nice. It's an old Walter Travis Course that isn't that long but it was a challenge. I have no idea what it cost though.  

I though red oaks was filmed at Willow ridge… 

 

…. ahh … it was filmed at both locations…. Both were in financial desperation as well… 

 

edgewood is a good track. Fun course. Always heard that they had a small golfing membership. So very easy to get tee times. 
 

to rockland country club is a good track. Lots of variety. The driving range is across 9W…. So there is the risk of being run over every time you go to warm up. It is a very hard walking course. Lots and lots of up and down…. 
 

I think paramount may be your best bet…, although I heard the course is a little quirky… 

Edited March 20, 2023 by T_Golf_23

[Wettyb]

On 3/8/2023 at 7:28 AM, Chief not Chase said:

Hello forum.

 

I live in Bergen County NJ and have been shopping around for private club memberships. I’m 34, wife 31 so looking for a junior executive type memberships.

 

The priority for me is golf. I want a solid track that I’ll enjoying playing over and over with a full range and practice facilities.  ‘Nice to haves’ would be tennis/pool/fitness/quality restaurant so my wife can find value in the club as well.

 

Budget is certainly a constraint unfortunately.  I’d like to avoid an initiation and would like the total (all fees, ‘incidentals’’, etc.) annual costs to be $15k-$20k. Definitely prefer to be in the lower end of the range, especially the first few years.

 

Can any one provide some feedback on these clubs:

 

-North Jersey CC

-Upper Montclair

-Green Brook

-Rockaway River

-Tuxedo Club

-Haworth

-Knickerbocker

-Edgewood

 

Any others I’m missing? 
 

Any general advice?

 

thanks!

 

You should check out Watchung Valley Golf Club

[Diesel_z06]

Anyone have more info on rockaway river CC in Denville??

[MC21]

On 3/24/2023 at 9:15 AM, Wettyb said:

 

You should check out Watchung Valley Golf Club

Do you have any idea what their initiation and rates are after the renovations? I had a call scheduled with them in the fall but something came up and I never revisited it. They wouldn't provide me any details through email until after that introductory phone call with whoever runs the membership committee. 

Edited April 25, 2023 by MC21

[ForrestBear315]

Any further membership info/ease of entry / or follow-up on Watchung Hills?  Thanks

[nacuri1]

I'm in the same boat and looking hard at Edgewood as there is no initiation fee under 40. Paramount used to be called Dellwood. I played it a ton on the high school golf team. The quirkiness comes in on the first and 8th holes as they both go over the road. The rest of the course is challenging and fun, in my opinion. 

 

If you're only interested ing golf, Haworth CC is a good track but doesn't have a pool. Membership is more reasonable because of that.

[sabram]

On 6/27/2023 at 11:18 AM, nacuri1 said:

I'm in the same boat and looking hard at Edgewood as there is no initiation fee under 40. Paramount used to be called Dellwood. I played it a ton on the high school golf team. The quirkiness comes in on the first and 8th holes as they both go over the road. The rest of the course is challenging and fun, in my opinion. 

 

If you're only interested ing golf, Haworth CC is a good track but doesn't have a pool. Membership is more reasonable because of that.

If you liked Dellwood when you were in High School, you'd love it now. The new owner renovated the course several years ago and it is really excellent. The renovation was done by Jim Urbina, a former Doak associate who co-designed Old Mac at Bandon. The greens are really interesting and fast. If it's in the right proximity and you can afford it, Paramount is a great place to join.  Edgewood is okay, but IMO, not quite in the same league as Paramount from a golf course perspective, although it is a nice club.

 

Click on a photo below to link to photos of the course

 

Paramount

 

Edgewood

Edited July 1, 2023 by sabram

[nacuri1]

Unfortunately I’m a good 25-30 minutes from Paramount now which is a little too far. 
 

great pictures by the way. Going to tour Edgewood this week and hopefully sign up before my 40th in the fall. The lack of initiation fee under 40 is too good to pass up.

[samjshen]

Does anyone have any information about Montclair golf club? Im 36 and live in the city and plan to move to NJ in a year or 2. Thanks

[NorNJGolf]

Did you end up joining Edgewood?  Are you enjoying it?  

[nacuri1]

Yes I did. The course is immaculate. Greens are fast and true. A little short for me at 6400 from the tips but the greens are keeping my scores in check :)

3 hours ago, NorNJGolf said:

Did you end up joining Edgewood?  Are you enjoying it?  

 

[bandits24]

On 8/28/2023 at 10:29 AM, samjshen said:

Does anyone have any information about Montclair golf club? Im 36 and live in the city and plan to move to NJ in a year or 2. Thanks

Were you able to find any information on Montclair Golf Club? Looks like their junior membership runs all the way up to age 37.

[samjshen]

I was able to find so info on MGC JR is until you turn 38, you will need 5 letter of recommendation for a JR membership.  For each year you are a Jr member you get 10% off the regular initiation fee.  

[TopHackMac]

Anyone here have any info on Ramsey Golf & CC?

[3PuttLefty]

I played there last year. Course was in good condition. Definitely on the short side as far as yardages go.  Fun family atmosphere. No driving range though.  

 One tee box sits below the bar, and on certain weekends u get heckled on your tee shot. All in good fun.  

[OpusXcigars]

On 8/28/2023 at 10:29 AM, samjshen said:

Does anyone have any information about Montclair golf club? Im 36 and live in the city and plan to move to NJ in a year or 2. Thanks

Im a member at Montclair Golf Club.  I know this was posted a while ago but you need any info?