Golf in New Jersey
Overview
What golf looks like for retirement in New Jersey: where to do it, what the state costs, and the towns that fit.
Course sample
Ballyowen Golf Club
Golf ranking
#18
New Jersey scores 72/100 for retirement golf fit.
Current weather
Checking current weather
Find places
This page explains golf in New Jersey. The sorter handles the local question by city or ZIP.
Golf in New Jersey
Essex County operates three public courses including the recently renovated Weequahic Golf Course, with a senior weekday green fee of $35. The New Jersey State Golf Association lists over 100 public-access courses, and many county park systems offer resident discount passes for golfers 62 and older.
Published local price
Hendricks Field Golf Course (Belleville, Essex County public), adult weekday with Golf ID card $40; non-card $55
Published range: $40 to $65.
Essex County Parks Hendricks Field Golf Course Fees · as of 2026Where to go
Golf score
24th of 51 states for retirement golf
Golf score blends year-round playability (34%), playable access (16%), affordability (16%), course pedigree (12%), and statewide course density (22%).
Courses
A sample of marquee courses across New Jersey, with where to play and how to book.
Treeless Celtic links spread across a high Sussex plateau · Roger Rulewich
Up in the northern hills, this treeless links plays like a trip to Ireland, with long views over the Wallkill Valley. Walking with a caddie even earns you a small discount.
Opened 1998 · $$$$ · Slope 131
Every hole honors a different golden age course designer · Stephen Kay and Ron Whitten
Out in Warren County, each hole is a tribute to a famous architect from golf's golden age, so the bunkers and greens keep you thinking. It is a thoughtful, varied walk in the rolling northwest hills.
Opened 2001 · $$$ · Slope 134
Classic county muni restored by Rees Jones in 2014 · Willard Wilkinson
This Union County muni was restored by Rees Jones, so you get real championship shot values at friendly county rates. Seniors with a Player's Card play the weekend for around thirty-five dollars.
Opened 1928 · $$ · Slope 138
Photo: Gatorfan252525, CC BY-SA 4.0
Robert Trent Jones design with 138 bunkers and four water holes · Robert Trent Jones
Long regarded as one of the state's best public courses, this Monmouth County classic rewards a straight ball around its many bunkers. It walks well and keeps prices honest for county residents.
Opened 1964 · $$ · Slope 131
Photo: Jonathan Schilling, CC BY-SA 4.0
Two contrasting layouts, a links North and a parkland South · Mark Mungeam
This Monmouth County complex gives you two very different courses, an open links and a shaded parkland, both at county prices. With wide fairways and a long walking trail, it is an easy day on your feet.
Opened 1999 · $$ · Slope 125
Photo: Atanay, CC BY-SA 4.0
Two million yards of earth moved into rolling Scottish style dunes · Archie Struthers
A short drive from Atlantic City, this wide open layout was shaped into towering dunes and waving fescue for a real Scottish feel. Walking is allowed if you want to stretch the legs.
Opened 2001 · $$$ · Slope 132
Breezy bayside classic where Sam Snead won the 1942 PGA · Hugh Wilson and Donald Ross
This historic bayside course near Atlantic City hosted the 1942 PGA Championship and years of LPGA play. The breeze off the bay and Donald Ross bunkering make a walkable, old-school round.
Opened 1914 · $$$$ · Slope 125
We've mapped 7 courses across New Jersey so far.
What New Jersey costs
Cost of living
109
BEA index, U.S. = 100
State income tax
~5.5% state income-tax planning rate
Social Security
Not taxed
How people start
Most metros list city-run courses with published fee schedules. Those set the affordable floor before any private club enters the picture.
Many courses post a reduced weekday senior rate and a season pass. The difference between pay-per-round and a pass is the number that usually drives the yearly cost.
In warm states the season runs most of the year; in cold ones it is a few months. The yearly cost is rounds-per-year times rate, plus cart and equipment.
Common questions
Essex County operates three public courses including the recently renovated Weequahic Golf Course, with a senior weekday green fee of $35. The New Jersey State Golf Association lists over 100 public-access courses, and many county park systems offer resident discount passes for golfers 62 and older.
New Jersey has a cost-of-living index near 109 (U.S. = 100), about a 5.5% state income-tax planning rate, and does not tax Social Security. The full state guide breaks down property tax, sales tax, and long-term-care costs, each sourced.
Sources
The life your money is for