Crystal Springs Resort Ballyowen Course, Hamburg, NJ

I noticed not many positive reviews of Ballyowen and as i played it yesterday and had an excellent experience I wanted to put my opinion down. I've lived in New Jersey for nearly 4 years and Ballyowen is the best overall golf experience I've had. I've only played one of the other Crystal Springs courses (Black Bear also fantastic but not quite as unique as Ballyowen). Most of my other golfing experience has been on county courses and range from great (Neshanick) to pitiful (Warren Brook). Someone else noted that they wouldn't pay full price here and I would have to agree but this is purely a personal call on a limit I set myself for rounds of golf (2 kids coming up to college age will do that!) but for those who have more disposable income I would say Ballyowen is well worth the money. I paid $55 for a 3.50pm tee time which included range balls and cart - way better than my local county courses btw. The club house was well stocked and though I didn't look at clothing all the other pricing seemed in line with the higher daily fee courses - $15 for a sleeve of ProV 1s, 12-20 bucks for a glove etc. Great views from the clubhouse of the whole course which sits on a rise with long vistas of the surrounding wooded countryside (views are a rarity in New Jersey from someone who moved from California). As described Ballyowen is a links "style" course (can't be a true links unless it sits by the sea (google the definition) but this does mean there are no trees on the course but the architect has created some neat tee shots and views that trick the eye - yardage book is a good idea and my range finder paid off in spades as there's some uphill and downhill shots to navigate. The other connection to the famed links courses is off the fairway. There are two cuts of rough (last one was about 2 inches and thick) After the second cut it turns to fescue grass about shin to knee height. YOU WILL LOOSE BALLS HERE!! Be prepared for the classic just missed the fairway saw where it went into the rough but you can't find the darned thing. Bunkers, tee boxes and greens are in great shape and the course is well marked with yardage on sprinklers etc. The scenery is beautiful and the golf is well worth the drive out from where I live (about an hour away). I can't wait to go back and play Ballyowen again and the other Crystal Springs courses.