Course was in decent shape in the fairways, but my issue lies in the fact that the greens were freshly aerated within about a week or so and were bumpier than most sub-par municipal courses. If you go on there site it claims "Aeration completed for season" and that's about it. But for $195 it's unacceptable to not have a putt roll flat. Cart could barely make it up half the hills at the course. We were rushed to start a few minutes early because they were "jam packed" and I understand not starting late but I shouldn't feel rushed teeing off before my tee time. Although I think they want to portray a fancy course it's massively overpriced for what it is, they pack in too many groups into the schedule (and put it on the players to rush to keep it moving - and never works). And for the price it's a shame to be playing and can't even get a good putt. For the same value as a guest price at most high end private courses there's many other public options out there in the area that are far better value. I could play Berkshire Valley, Bowling Green and still have enough money for a drink.... And also have a smooth roll on my putts.
Nicholas G.
Driving up to the clubhouse you can see that the course is a links type course. It is an impressive layout! I went on a Monday morning and it didn't have a ton of people. This is an awesome course with very nice people running it. It was $95 for 18 holes plus a cart on a weekday which isn't bad. This is rated as one of the best public courses in NJ and I would whole heartedly agree. It is a challenging course too with a lot of hills and tough pin locations. Make sure to bring extra balls because you will definitely lose a bunch. I will definitely be back. 5 stars all the way.
Liam Escobar
Very clean and accessible spot. They offer large meals and for reasonable rates. We loved the menu very much and the waiters were very personal and explanatory. Will definitely recommend this place.
Thomas Fitzpatrick
Nice pub. Great scotch selection
Briana W.
The Ballyowen is a beautiful place. I celebrated my cousins wedding here and the pictures came out beautiful. It is hot especially in the middle of the summer. A nice spot to have an outdoor wedding or celebration. I have to say if you are coming south from here it is a little difficult to find so make sure you have the right directions. Food was okay.
Eva-n-Laszlo Novak
On Saturday, we called Crystal Springs resorts as this is one of their establishments, and the current phone number for the restaurant is theirs. We were told that the place was open and that we could just go over to eat dinner. Thus, we drove out of our way to have dinner there. To our shock, it appears that this place was closed. The doors were open, but there was no one there to greet or to serve us. After making some loud noise to make sure that we were truly alone, we left. Shame on Crystal Springs resorts for not being honest!
Andrew C.
What a beautiful difficult golf course out in the way yonder. We drove an hour or so out of NYC for a charity golf event to enjoy a cool day playing golf. The hilly golf course had high grass or fescue that surrounded the fairways. There was hardly any trees or water hazards. If your ball was not in the fairway, it was buried in the outer part of the fairways and nowhere to be found. I would love to play this course again when we are not playing in a tournament.
Christina G.
We recently had our wedding at Ballyowen golf club. The first time we ever saw the venue, it literally took our breath away. When you pull in, There are rolling hills and beautiful views surrounding the cocktail room and the reception building. I think the views are what sold us on the venue. Overall we were very happy with our wedding. Our guests raved about the view, as well as the food selection during cocktail hour. One of our guests even said it was the best they've ever had at a wedding. The team there (although we had our doubts when we first booked) Was beyond our expectations. They filled all our requests, and went above and beyond. Louis was phenomenal. He was the maí®tre d' for our event, and I highly recommend him. Silje, The event coordinator at Ballyowen was also really great to work with. She was super organized, and always answered emails (even when I asked her 100 questions!). The venue isn't for everyone. I specifically wanted a venue that wasn't a typical ballroom. I wanted something with an outdoor component, that did not share the space with another wedding in the same day. Ballyowen hit all those checkmarks for us. Over all it was the best day of my life, and we are so happy we chose this venue to host.
Elizabeth Popoloski
This is one of the best restaurants attached to a golf course in Sussex county. They always have a good selection of beers and wines, and their menu changes seasonally. The staff has always been nice, especially Andy, and the Scottish theme is cute. I would recommend, but know it's semi-expensive for the area.
We had a great time playing even though we were behind a slow foursome and blamed for a slow pace of play. Thx to Joe the starter/ranger for smoothing things over.
Barbara H.
My experience after golfing has been great food and service in the restaurant!! Golf course is pristine and surrounding mountains make the view even more beautiful.
Paul C.
I'd give Ballyowen 4 stars for difficulty, but I will say for the record that there is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY this course is worth the $135 a round they get at the high point of the season. I played this course for the first and only time in late April 2016 (before the rough and gorse were fully grown out - the rest of the course in good condition, however) and got a great afternoon deal of $45 for my round. That said, despite being mid-week and playing alone, it took me far too long to play as I got stuck behind an incredibly SLOOOOWWWW foursome and just ahead of a twosome I eventually joined. The rangers did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about trying to speed up play, which itself is rather amazing considering the thugs they hire to work at their sister course, Black Bear off Rt. 23. As I mentioned above, the course is somewhat difficult due to its many unusual design features, the topography of the land it sits on and the way they do let the rough grow out (think of Scottish and Irish links courses and you get the idea). Ballyowen somehow has acquired a near mythic reputation as being the toughest course open to the public in New Jersey (and certainly one of the most absurdly expensive) but all I can say is that while it was in good shape for when I played, the lack of any attempt to regulate pace of play made for a very aggravating round and convinced me that my one foray to this course would be the first and last time I bothered despite having the Crystal Springs Rewards Membership. I am not originally from NJ and it never ceases to amaze me how NJ golfers (like their counterparts on the roads) are some of the most inconsiderate people in this part of the country. The minute you politely ask someone to pick up the pace, you get an attitude or an outright suggestion that you should go and perform an impossible anatomical act on yourself. The folks I played behind at Ballyowen were no different, were mediocre golfers at best and had ZERO business hitting from the back tees. For me, my one round was like having a tooth pulled without benefit of anesthesia and the course's management left much to be desired. All I can say is that playing public golf at any of the Crystal Springs resort courses makes a great argument for joining a private club if you can afford it.
Linda H.
Had a great time as a novice golfer with our Fore Caddy Liam! Will return in the Fall!
Donna F.
NJ gets a bump rap, but with the skiing, hiking trails, biking trails, Delaware River, and golf courses you are missing out if you don't "get" why we're called the GARDEN STATE!!!! With that being said ....get outdoors. You can't pick a 'bad' golf course and Ballyowen is tops! They offer a "9 and Dine" on Thursday nights. $45 gets you 9 holes, a cart, dinner and prizes. A great way to play the course without spending a fortune.
Course was in decent shape in the fairways, but my issue lies in the fact that the greens were freshly aerated within about a week or so and were bumpier than most sub-par municipal courses. If you go on there site it claims "Aeration completed for season" and that's about it. But for $195 it's unacceptable to not have a putt roll flat. Cart could barely make it up half the hills at the course. We were rushed to start a few minutes early because they were "jam packed" and I understand not starting late but I shouldn't feel rushed teeing off before my tee time. Although I think they want to portray a fancy course it's massively overpriced for what it is, they pack in too many groups into the schedule (and put it on the players to rush to keep it moving - and never works). And for the price it's a shame to be playing and can't even get a good putt. For the same value as a guest price at most high end private courses there's many other public options out there in the area that are far better value. I could play Berkshire Valley, Bowling Green and still have enough money for a drink.... And also have a smooth roll on my putts.
Driving up to the clubhouse you can see that the course is a links type course. It is an impressive layout! I went on a Monday morning and it didn't have a ton of people. This is an awesome course with very nice people running it. It was $95 for 18 holes plus a cart on a weekday which isn't bad. This is rated as one of the best public courses in NJ and I would whole heartedly agree. It is a challenging course too with a lot of hills and tough pin locations. Make sure to bring extra balls because you will definitely lose a bunch. I will definitely be back. 5 stars all the way.
Very clean and accessible spot. They offer large meals and for reasonable rates. We loved the menu very much and the waiters were very personal and explanatory. Will definitely recommend this place.
Nice pub. Great scotch selection
The Ballyowen is a beautiful place. I celebrated my cousins wedding here and the pictures came out beautiful. It is hot especially in the middle of the summer. A nice spot to have an outdoor wedding or celebration. I have to say if you are coming south from here it is a little difficult to find so make sure you have the right directions. Food was okay.
On Saturday, we called Crystal Springs resorts as this is one of their establishments, and the current phone number for the restaurant is theirs. We were told that the place was open and that we could just go over to eat dinner. Thus, we drove out of our way to have dinner there. To our shock, it appears that this place was closed. The doors were open, but there was no one there to greet or to serve us. After making some loud noise to make sure that we were truly alone, we left. Shame on Crystal Springs resorts for not being honest!
What a beautiful difficult golf course out in the way yonder. We drove an hour or so out of NYC for a charity golf event to enjoy a cool day playing golf. The hilly golf course had high grass or fescue that surrounded the fairways. There was hardly any trees or water hazards. If your ball was not in the fairway, it was buried in the outer part of the fairways and nowhere to be found. I would love to play this course again when we are not playing in a tournament.
We recently had our wedding at Ballyowen golf club. The first time we ever saw the venue, it literally took our breath away. When you pull in, There are rolling hills and beautiful views surrounding the cocktail room and the reception building. I think the views are what sold us on the venue. Overall we were very happy with our wedding. Our guests raved about the view, as well as the food selection during cocktail hour. One of our guests even said it was the best they've ever had at a wedding. The team there (although we had our doubts when we first booked) Was beyond our expectations. They filled all our requests, and went above and beyond. Louis was phenomenal. He was the maí®tre d' for our event, and I highly recommend him. Silje, The event coordinator at Ballyowen was also really great to work with. She was super organized, and always answered emails (even when I asked her 100 questions!). The venue isn't for everyone. I specifically wanted a venue that wasn't a typical ballroom. I wanted something with an outdoor component, that did not share the space with another wedding in the same day. Ballyowen hit all those checkmarks for us. Over all it was the best day of my life, and we are so happy we chose this venue to host.
This is one of the best restaurants attached to a golf course in Sussex county. They always have a good selection of beers and wines, and their menu changes seasonally. The staff has always been nice, especially Andy, and the Scottish theme is cute. I would recommend, but know it's semi-expensive for the area.
Excellent food and service!
Restaurantji Recommends
We had a great time playing even though we were behind a slow foursome and blamed for a slow pace of play. Thx to Joe the starter/ranger for smoothing things over.
My experience after golfing has been great food and service in the restaurant!! Golf course is pristine and surrounding mountains make the view even more beautiful.
I'd give Ballyowen 4 stars for difficulty, but I will say for the record that there is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY this course is worth the $135 a round they get at the high point of the season. I played this course for the first and only time in late April 2016 (before the rough and gorse were fully grown out - the rest of the course in good condition, however) and got a great afternoon deal of $45 for my round. That said, despite being mid-week and playing alone, it took me far too long to play as I got stuck behind an incredibly SLOOOOWWWW foursome and just ahead of a twosome I eventually joined. The rangers did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about trying to speed up play, which itself is rather amazing considering the thugs they hire to work at their sister course, Black Bear off Rt. 23. As I mentioned above, the course is somewhat difficult due to its many unusual design features, the topography of the land it sits on and the way they do let the rough grow out (think of Scottish and Irish links courses and you get the idea). Ballyowen somehow has acquired a near mythic reputation as being the toughest course open to the public in New Jersey (and certainly one of the most absurdly expensive) but all I can say is that while it was in good shape for when I played, the lack of any attempt to regulate pace of play made for a very aggravating round and convinced me that my one foray to this course would be the first and last time I bothered despite having the Crystal Springs Rewards Membership. I am not originally from NJ and it never ceases to amaze me how NJ golfers (like their counterparts on the roads) are some of the most inconsiderate people in this part of the country. The minute you politely ask someone to pick up the pace, you get an attitude or an outright suggestion that you should go and perform an impossible anatomical act on yourself. The folks I played behind at Ballyowen were no different, were mediocre golfers at best and had ZERO business hitting from the back tees. For me, my one round was like having a tooth pulled without benefit of anesthesia and the course's management left much to be desired. All I can say is that playing public golf at any of the Crystal Springs resort courses makes a great argument for joining a private club if you can afford it.
Had a great time as a novice golfer with our Fore Caddy Liam! Will return in the Fall!
NJ gets a bump rap, but with the skiing, hiking trails, biking trails, Delaware River, and golf courses you are missing out if you don't "get" why we're called the GARDEN STATE!!!! With that being said ....get outdoors. You can't pick a 'bad' golf course and Ballyowen is tops! They offer a "9 and Dine" on Thursday nights. $45 gets you 9 holes, a cart, dinner and prizes. A great way to play the course without spending a fortune.