Charleston Springs Golf Course

Great course with several birdie opportunity par 5s, but probable double bogey if you miss.
No trees on course in true links style, deep bunkers, very well maintained. Among the best
facilities of any public course I have played. Great scenery, very high native grasses in summer,
which is tough (but better than being behind another tree). Great value for County residents,
but very expensive for others.

Man, what a disappointment. I’ve heard a lot of good things about this place over the years, enough so that I dropped $80 to check it out. It fell far short of delivering.

First off, anyone who thinks there is a single thing about this course that is a “links” has no idea what a links is. Second, this course is just a boring slog that never ends. Every hole is framed with tall grass that, with the heavy rain this year, has become so thick that it’s not only unplayable, but you’re not likely to find your ball. What’s left is one straight, boring, totally lacking in any strategy at all, hole after another. If you like being forced to hit balls up the middle all day, and never given a dogleg to attack, an angle to gamble on, or a risk that has a reward, then this place is your cup of tea. It’s like a really narrow driving range, but you get to putt as well.

I really wanted to like this course, and came here expecting to enjoy it. I’m sorry to say I didn’t. Tricked up maintenance aside, the course just doesn’t offer much. When you factor in the tricked up maintenance, it’s just a uninteresting way to spend an afternoon.

Great facility for a public course - practice areas better than most private clubs. Challenging layout, particularly if you don't hit it straight - US Open type rough most of the time. I pref er the North to South but either is a great value (if you are a Monmouth County resident).