Monmouth County Public Golf Courses

Playing a round of golf can offer many benefits to seniors. Golf Digest Magazine reports that the average golfer burns at least 1,400 calories from walking the 18 holes in a round, and even as much as 850 from simply riding in the cart, and the act of actually golfing can help seniors build muscle in their chest, buttocks, back, and forearms. For seniors in particular, the biggest benefit of golf is the endless mental calculations that must occur throughout the game. To quote the great Arnold Palmer, “Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated.” In other words, hitting the links for a few rounds offers a mental challenge in combination with several miles of walking and ample social opportunities. Seniors in retirement rarely partake in activities with the level of strategic thinking involved while working, but golf provides a way for a mental challenge that also releases endorphins, which may help your mood and well being.

Residents of Applewood in Monmouth County, New Jersey, are lucky to have access to some of the premier golf courses in the Nation, not just New Jersey. With 6 premium courses within 25 minutes of Applewood, residents are encouraged to experience the health benefits of golfing any day of the week that they’d like!

Bel-Aire Golf Course

Phone: 732-449-6024

Website: http://www.belairegolfcourse.com/

Address: 3120 Allaire Road at Route 34, Wall, NJ 

The Bel-Aire golf course, found in Wall, New Jersey, is open to the public year round. This 27-hole facility features an 18-hole executive par 60 course with 6 par 4’s, a 9-hole par 3 course, and most importantly; a well-stocked golf center with vending machines for snacks and refreshments. The Bel-Aire golf course offers players from all skill levels a relaxed environment to learn the game of golf. As part of the Monmouth County Park system, the Bel-Aire golf course offers a variety of introductory and intermediate golf clinics for both adults and juniors.Junior golfs. The Bel-Aire golf course is also one of two courses in Monmouth County that offer courses for FootGolf. At Bel-Aire, FootGolf players have access to a 9-hole course that will take approximately 1.5 hours to complete and is available for all ages. Guardian permits are also now available for non-playing adults who would like to accompany their junior golfers or foot golfers under the age of 12 onto the course. There are no fees for Guardian permits, though they must be completed in the Golf Center on the day of play for each visit. Please also keep in mind that the Bel-Aire 9-hole Golf Course does not accept advance reservations, as it is a walk-on, first-come-first-serve, facility.

Charleston Spring Golf Course

Phone: 732-409-7227

Website: http://www.charlestonsprings.com/

Address: 101 Woodville Road, Millstone Township, NJ

Charleston Springs in Millstone Township, New Jersey s a beautiful 36 hole course that offers championship level golf. Designed by noted golf course architect Mark Mungeam, Charleston Springs is split into two courses. The North Course is a link style course, with a par 72, and features expansive fairways with native grasses and wildflowers. There are extensive features including bunkers, water hazards, and perfectly maintained greens. The North Course has received a USGA course rating of 73.4 and a slope rating of 126. On the other hand, we have the par 72 South Course, which is designed in the classic parkland style. It is similar in style to the ‘golden era’ of courses in from the beginning of the 1900’s. The South Course utilizes more natural features and existing terrain to highlight each hole. As it follows the parkland style of courses, the South Course frames each hole with sporadic trees and native grasses. The South Course has obtained a USGA course rating of 73.2 with a slope rating of 125.

The Charleston Springs complex features a food and concession snack bar, locker rooms with showers, and a fully stocked golf center with a wide selection. In 2007, a Short Game Area was also added to the complex, which features two chipping greens, a putting green, two green side bunkers, a fairway bunker, and an acre of fairway for players to practice their short game. For more information about the Short Game Area, please consult the Charleston Springs website.

Hominy Hill Golf Course

Phone: 732-462-9222

Website:http://www.hominyhill.com/

Address: 92 Mercer Road, Colts Neck, NJ

Hominy Hill in Colts Neck, New Jersey, is often considered one of the “Crown Jewels” of New Jersey golf and not just Monmouth County. Hominy Hill is fairly consistently rated as New Jersey’s #1 public golf course. Designed by Robert Trent Jones and established in 1964, Hominy Hills has played host to numerous regional championships, as well as two USGA National Amateur Public Links championships. The course itself measures a total of 7049 yards, and has earned a USGA course rating of 73.8 and a slope rating of 135. Hominy Hill features over 130 bunkers with water features coming into play for four holes on the course. At Hominy Hill, players will find access to a well-stocked golf center, GHIN handicapping, as well as a war-up range, locker rooms with showers, and a manicured putting green. Players will also, of course, have access to a food and concession snack bar.

Howell Park Golf Course

Phone: 732-938-4771

Website: http://www.howellpark.com/

Address: 405 Squankum-Yellowbrook Road, Farmingdale, NJ

Located in Farmingdale, NJ, Howell Park features a rustic setting with immaculate bentgrass fairways, sloping greens, and a golf experience rarely found outside of private courses. This course is regularly ranked among the top 50 public golf courses in the US, and is considered one of the premiere golf courses in New Jersey. Featuring 6964 yards of greens from the blue tees, as well as a warmup range and beautifully maintained warm up practice green, the Howell Park golf course is a par 72 that has earned USGA slope ratings of 73 and 126. This classic golf course was designed by Frank Dwayne and was opened in 1970. Be careful though! The entrance to this golf course can be a little tricky to find. It is  located on preventorium Road in Howell Township, which is adjacent to the Howell High School.

Pine Brook Golf Course

Phone: 732-536-7272

Website: http://www.pinebrookgolfcourse.com/

Address: 1 Covered Bridge Boulevard, Manalapan, NJ

Pine Brook in Manalapan, New Jersey, is one of the shortest public golf courses in the Monmouth County park system, but don’t let that fool you. This 4,168 yard course may be short, but it’s not without its challenges. Pine Brook includes one par 5 hole, five par 4 holes, and twelve par 3 holes, and has earned a USGA rating of 59.8 and slope rating of 93. For a real challenge, leave your woods and driver at home and see how well you do! Similar to the Bel-Aire course, Pine Brook also features an 18-hole FootGolf course, with play starting at 12 pm daily. FootGolf isn’t all that makes Pine Brook such an exceptional course. In 2012, pine Brook became the Park System’s very first junior-friendly course, with adjusted tee markers and score cards.

Shark River Golf Course

Phone: 732-922-4141

Website: http://sharkrivergolfcourse.com/

Address: 320 Old Corlies, Neptune, NJ

The Shark River golf course in Neptune New Jersey is one of the oldest in the Monmouth County Park system. Designed by Scottish golf pro Joseph “Scotty” l’Anson in the early 1900’s, Shark River offers a challenge for golfers of all levels. Though it is only of modest length, with 6457 yards, Shark River is uniquely designed with its narrow fairways, deep bunkers, and small but well-protected greens. With a handful of par 4, risky par 5s, and strong par 3 holes, Shark River has earned a USGA course rating of 70.3, and a slope rating of 130. This par 71 course also features a well stocked mobile concession cart for snacks and refreshments throughout March to December with vending machines filling the gap in the winter months. It is also worth noting that Shark River is open year round, weather permitting.

Go Golf in Monmouth County!

Tee times for all golf courses in the Monmouth County Public golf system are available only after purchase of a Monmouth County Resident ID card or Non-Resident reservation ID card. For more information about any golf course in the Monmouth County Park system, please call (732) 758-8383 to speak to a lovely person!

All photos courtesy of Monmouth County Parks