As someone who doesn't frequent the Jersey Shore my knowledge of golf courses in the area was limited. I decided when I went to a friends house this weekend, I would try to sneak some golf in. I was able to get in 27 holes at a couple of local courses.
The course I played on Friday was Shark River Golf Course located in Neptune, NJ. The course is owned and operated by the Monmouth County Park System and offers excellent rates for county residents. While the course is kept in good enough condition, don't expect a place with any bonuses. There is a small putting green, no driving range, and no snack bar at the clubhouse at the turn. It does allow you to play golf near the shore though (about 10 minutes from Belmar, NJ).
(The sign at the entrance to the golf course.)
The Golf Course
The course is probably what you expect from a municipal course. We played the White Tees which played 6,127 and a rating slope of 69.1/127, the course gives plenty of risk reward opportunities for the golfer looking to "go low".
The formula here is wide fairways, big greens and short rough. This allows golfers to make mistakes and still get to the green to score. A few creeks and minimal high fescue offer some hazards but I can't think of a place on the course where OB came into play. I didn't hit the ball too well on this day and still walked away with a 85.
(A look at the 10th hole, 1 348 yard par 4 is pretty wide open.)
The conditions were good. The greens were in good shape as were the fairways. The rough is short and there are areas burnt out which offer a bad lie or two but it's easier than thick rough.
The Par 3's
The par 3's were nothing memorable. As a par 71, the course does offer 5 chances at a hole in one, 2 on the front and 3 on the back.
(The 14th hole, a 180 yard par 3 has a small creek along the right and sand guarding the bunker)
The shortest of the par 3's is the 7th hole playing 142 yards. There are 3 par 3's playing over 180 yards (the 3rd, 12th, and 14th) while the final hole plays around 160 yards. The holes are pretty straightforward and in most cases offer a bail out area. Although one of the shortest holes, the 17th is guarded by a couple of bunkers which make it slightly trickier. These are good holes to make up some strokes.
What Else
A couple par 5's offer the chance to make an Eagle. I have never made an eagle before and had a 15 foot eagle putt on the 8th hole which came within an inch. I walked away with my birdie but I needed to only hit driver then 7-iron into the green. I believe everyone else in the group had a birdie putt too. Make up some strokes here!
The course labels the 1st hole the most difficult playing 417 and a slight dogleg left. The 18th hole is the second most difficult hole on the course, a 578 yard par 5 needing 3 shots to get home in most cases. They are both fairly wide open and both dogleg left.
(Signs at each tee box give the yardage but it's also marked on the tee box)
The course offers a few short par 4's as "scoring" holes. The 18 handicap hole on the course is the 13th hole, a 280 yard par 4 which tempts you to hit driver (I fell for it). A smart play leaves a easy shot into a green protected by nothing.
What WAM Thinks
I would probably play here again if I was in the area but wouldn't seek it out. It's an average course which offers little in the way of views (I think the 17th tee box offers the best) and very few memorable holes. If you want to get in a round of golf at a reasonable price, I would say to come here but don't have high expectations.
Location: Neptune, NJ
Cost:
As a non resident of the county I paid $45 to ride
Slope/Rating: White Tees: 69.1/127 (Blue Tees: 70.3/130)
Proshop: I wouldn't rely on this for anything more than tees, a glove and small selection of balls.
Range: No range but a small putting green.
My Score: 85 (41-44)
Play Again: I probably would play here again but might seek out another course first.
Website: Shark River Golf Course
Notes: Thanks to JP for the hospitality and showing me this course. I will not thank you for beating me on the front 9 with a +4, 40!
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