LinksGems
LinksGems
LinksGems
LinksGems
LinksGems
LinksGems
LinksGems
Overview
Essex County Country Club has been touched by some of the game’s best designers, with A.W. Tillinghast routing a new layout on the current site in 1918. Seth Raynor kept seven of Tillinghast’s original holes (Nos. 1 through 6 and the ninth) during a 1925 redesign. Before construction began, Raynor passed away, leaving his associate Charles Banks to do the rest. Banks favored the template holes of Raynor and Macdonald and his brilliant renditions are still standouts today, including a Redan, Double Plateau, Alps, Punchbowl and Eden. A young Gil Hanse extended the course to 7,100 yards, added fairway bunkers and removed thousands of trees. In the fall of 2023, Hanse and partner Jim Wagner returned to perform some updates and sharpen features—most notably reinvigorating the dogleg-left opening hole—continuing the portfolio of great architects to have worked at this storied New Jersey site.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
Best in State: Ranked in Top 15 in New Jersey since 2015.
2023-'24 ranking (and previously): 13th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Enjoyable golf experience with template holes routed over hilly New Jersey landscape."
Read More2024
Review
“Essex County is a wonderful Charles Banks/Seth Raynor design that was just renovated by Gil Hanse and now features improved visuals with expansive views of much of the course while you play your round. The course is fairly forgiving off the tee, but relies on its extremely fast, firm conditions and large greens to defend par. It is often said that Essex has the best back 9 in New Jersey, but this falsely implies that the front isn't great, which is untrue. The 2nd hole is a wonderful little risk/reward 293 yard par 4 with a diabolical green, while the par threes on the front (and overall) are stellar and memorable. The course uses the underlying slope of the land excellently and is a very pleasant and fun walk. I would say Essex is one of the most underrated courses in New Jersey and is well-worth your time."
Read More2024
Review
“Essex County Country Club is a fantastic day of golf if afforded to you. The Tillinghast, Raynor, Banks and Hanse amalgamation winds about a expansive property overlooking the Caldwell mountains and offers sweeping vistas for enjoyment. The clubhouse sits at a high point on the property, and from the back patio, one can enjoy watching golfers play the thrilling par-3 ninth and the daunting par-4 eighteenth finishing hole. The facilities are fantastic, and staff ensure that once on property you have a great time. This club is not to miss."
Read More2024
Review
“Wonderful restoration completed in June. This course is so much more fun to play now ...and it was always fun! Kudos to the club for their great work on a Charles Banks gem!"
Read More2024
Review
“An excellent renovation brought some life into this old Tillinghast/Raynor course. Around 25 bunkers were added, and several were pushed closer to the greens, making it far more challenging and interesting for long-ball hitters. Many trees were removed, and fescue was added between fairways, creating great definition and color contrast between holes. Numerous tees were also added to create length and improve playability for all levels of golfers."
Read More2024
Review
“Really incredible job on the renovation. Course is pretty fair with your tee shots, The Green complexes are incredible, potentially some of the best in the New York metro market. Courses in wonderful shape. Cannot hit driver off every Tee, a superb mix of par threes. The greens can welcome some very creative shots, direct attacks, high attacks, low attacks, or play the slopes and sweeps on the greens to get it near the hole. Some penal shaving on most of the greens require some difficult pitches back if you miss. Great elevation swings, and truly a wonderful gem in New Jersey."
Read More2024
Review
“An old time course with greens and tees adjacent, greens with more tilt than undulation, very walkable."
Read More2023
Review
“The first 3 holes ease your way into the course and it gets progressively more challenging from there, especially on the back 9. Not a lot of trouble off the tee but a wonderful second shot course. A great mix of par 3s - not only distance but also direction and integration of the green complexes into the hole. Wide use of false fronts and spines on the greens - a great way to distinguish the course from other places to play. Elevations are engaging -- who knew there was a mountainous region of North Jersey. A delight to play and be punished by. Conditioning note: the course received .75" of rain in the morning and was bone dry when we teed off at 2 pm."
Read More2022
Review
“Possibly the most underrated course in New Jersey. Firm conditions. A perfect balance of fun and challenge. Possesses arguably the best finisher in the state."
Read More2022
Review
“Essex County is a gem. The back nine rightfully gets a lot of attention."
Read More2021
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