While New Jersey is in the second stage of reopening, golf courses and practice facilities are working to create a safe environment for players. An updated executive order was released by Governor Murphy in early June, allowing golf courses to adapt tee times and approve cart use, and allowing foursomes to play, instead of just pairs.
High-contact facilities like on-course restrooms, bunker rakes and water coolers may not be available at most courses, but driving ranges and putting greens are being transitioned to provide the safest possible experience for golfers of all levels. While rules vary by course, social distancing is required at all courses and masks must be worn when indoors. Check the rules for each course before you go.
Atlantic County
Both John F. Gaffney Green Tree Golf Course and McCollough’s Emerald Golf Links are open for play. Tee times are required and due to limited availability you may be asked to play with other twosomes or singles if you’re not in a foursome, but you won’t have to share a cart with others.
Ballamor Golf Club is also open, players are asked to call the golf shop at 609-601-6220 or book online for available tee times.
Brigantine Golf Links’ tee times have been reduced to nine minutes apart. Save up to 20 percent by booking your tee time online, or call 609-266-1388.
Bergen County
As of June 13, courses at Darlington, Overpeck, Rockleigh Red, Rockleigh Blue, Soldier Hill and Valley Brook will operate daily from 6:30 am-6 pm. Advance reservations are required and will only be accepted for 18-hole play on 18-hole courses and 9-hole play on 9-hole courses. Tee times at Darlington, Rockleigh and Valley Brook will remain at 20-minute intervals while Overpeck and Soldier Hill will resume 10-minute intervals. All putting greens, practice and chipping areas will be open, along with the driving ranges at Soldier Hill and Valley Brook.
Junior golfers under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult golfer over the age of 18.
Golfers are asked not to touch or remove flags when putting on the green. Bunker rakes, ball washers and water coolers will not be available. Clubhouses and other facilities will remain closed to the public until further notice.
Burlington County
Tee times are required for The Springfield Golf Center’s 18-hole course and chip and putt area. The driving range is also open and golfers are asked to abide by all social distancing rules throughout the facilities.
While the practice facilities remain closed at Hanover Golf Club in Wrightstown, tee times for groups up to four are available every 16 minutes. Limited use of carts are available as well.
Cape May County
Cape May National and the Avalon Golf Club are open for 18-hole play. For golfers looking for something shorter, the 11-hole course at Laguna Oaks and 9-hole course at The Pines are also available. Social distancing measures must be followed at these courses.
For beginner golfers, families or those who want to go right from the course to the beach, Cape May Par 3 and Driving Range are open. No tee times are required.
Essex County
All golfers are required to wear face masks and follow the social distancing guidelines at all times. Essex County courses include Francis A. Byrne on Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange, Hendricks Field on Franklin Ave. in Belleville and Weequahic on Thomas Carmichael Dr. in Newark.
Gloucester County
Foursomes are now allowed at Pitman Golf Course, with tee times being offered at 18-minute intervals. Golfers are asked to arrive no earlier than 30 minutes prior to their tee time. While the pro shop and restrooms are open, golfers must wear masks and follow all social distancing rules. Sign ups for the Pitman Junior Golf Association summer program have been put on hold.
Hudson County
Offering a 9-hole golf experience with Manhattan views, Skyway in Jersey City is open provided that golfers follow social distancing requirements. The clubhouse is open, but limited to six people at a time. On-course restrooms will be closed and bunker rakes, ball washers and water coolers will not be available. Golfers are also reminded not to congregate, either in the parking lot, near the clubhouse or on the course.
Hunterdon County
As of June 13, High Bridge Hills Golf Club on Cregar Rd. in High Bridge has increased tee time availability. As of June 15, Golf Shop and restroom access will be limited and guests must wear a mask when inside. While bunker rakes and ball washers will be returning to the course, golfers are asked to leave flags in the holes. Tee times should be booked in advance and prepaid either on the course website or by calling 908-638-505.
Heron Glen Golf Course in Ringoes is also asking that tee times, which will start at 6:30 am daily, be booked and paid in advance. Tee times will be spaced 16 minutes apart. The clubhouse, pro shop and food and beverage areas are closed, along with on-course restrooms. The outdoor restroom attached to the clubhouse will be open. Bunker rakes, ball washers and water coolers have all been removed from the course and golfers are asked to leave flags in the hole.
Mercer County
While the Mercer County Park Commission says clubhouses must remain closed, courses are open for pre-booked tee times. Golfers are highly encouraged to wear face masks and follow all social distancing rules in accordance with the state. Mercer County golf courses include Princeton Country Club off Wheeler Way in Princeton, Mountain View on Bear Tavern Rd. in Ewing Twp. and Mercer Oaks on Village Rd. West in West Windsor Twp.
Middlesex County
As of June 12, tee times on Middlesex County courses have returned to eight-minute intervals. Prepayment is required when booking tee times and reservations are best made by calling the pro shop. Middlesex County courses include Tamarack on Hardenburg Ln. in East Brunswick, The Meadows on Hunters Glen Dr. in Plainsboro Twp. and Raritan Landing on Sidney Rd. in Piscataway.
Monmouth County
Golf centers at Monmouth County courses have reopened and courses will begin offering typical golf amenities like bunker rakes, ball washers and flags. Water coolers will not be available so golfers should plan accordingly. Courses include Bel-Aire in Wall, Charleston Springs in Brick, Hominy Hill in Colts Neck, Howell Park in Farmingdale, Pine Brook in Manalapan and Shark River in Neptune.
Morris County
The Morris County Parks Commission announced that tee times will be returning to 10-minute intervals beginning Monday, June 22. Pro shops and restrooms will have limited access and guests must wear masks when entering the building. Further details regarding flag sticks, bunker rakes and ball washers will be released at a later date. Morris County courses include Berkshire Valley on Cozy Lake Rd. in Oak Ridge, Flanders Valley on Pleasant Hill Rd. in Flanders, Pinch Brook on Ridgedale Ave. in Florham Park and Sunset Valley on West Sunset Rd. in Pompton Plains.
Ocean County
At Atlantis Golf Course, tee times are 10 minutes apart for up to four golfers, with the last available time being at 5:20 pm. The course is following all disinfecting procedures and enforcing social distancing rules. The driving range is also open.
Forge Pond Golf Course is open daily from 7 am-5 pm and offers tee times every 20 minutes. Walk-ins will not be allowed and golfers are asked to wear face coverings in all settings.
Passaic County
Preakness Valley Golf Course in Wayne has reduced tee times to eight-minute intervals and has opened all practice facilities, like the driving range and putting green. While other high-contact items like bunker rakes have been removed, restrooms are open.
Salem County
Running Deer Golf Club offers public tee times after 1 pm. All sales are final and tee times must be booked in advance. All social distancing guidelines are also being followed at Town and Country Golf Course and both courses encourage golfers to wear face coverings at all times.
Somerset County
Starting Saturday, June 20, tee times are shifting to 12 minutes apart. All courses will have regular flags, but golfers will be asked to leave them in the hole and not touch them until further notice. Putting greens are now open with no holes and driving ranges are open. Somerset County courses include Green Knoll on Garretson Rd. in Bridgewater, Spooky Brook off Elizabeth Ave. in Somerset, Quail Brook on New Brunswick Rd. in Somerset, Warrenbrook Road on Warrenville Rd. in Warren and Neshanic Valley on South Branch Rd. in Neshanic Station. Courses are open from 8 am-8 pm, Monday through Friday, and from 7 am-8 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
Sussex County
Farmstead Golf and Country Club in Lafayette Twp. will be offering tee times 16 minutes apart by advanced booking only. Golfers are asked not to arrive until 15 minutes prior to their tee time and to avoid congregating in the parking lot or hear the pro shop. Both the clubhouse and pro shop will be closed, but restrooms will be available. The course will not have bunker rakes, benches, ball washers or water coolers and golfers are asked not to touch the flags.
SkyView Golf Club in Sparta has also staggered its tee times to 16 minutes apart and are limited to two players, except for immediate family, caretakers, household members or romantic partners. All golf center buildings, pro shops, restrooms and amenities to the public remain closed. SkyView is also limiting common surfaces by removing bunker rakes, water coolers, benches and ball washers.
At Crystal Springs Golf Club in Hamburg, all six courses and the David Leadbetter Golf Academy are open, along with driving ranges. Bunker rakes, water coolers and ball washers have all been removed from the courses and golfers are asked to avoid touching flags, benches and any other fixtures.
Tee times are not required to play at Hidden Acres Golf Course in Sandyston. The 9-hole course prefers that golfers opt to walk the course due to limited availability of carts and asks that golfers avoid touching high contact surfaces like flags.
Union County
Both Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth and Ash Brook Golf Course in Scotch Plains have reopened and are following the social distancing guidelines put in place by the state.
TopGolf
The popular golf-entertainment venue with locations in Edison and Mount Laurel is working hard to reopen in the safest manner possible. While doors remain closed for now, check their website for information about individual locations.