Berkshire Valley truly is an amazing course. This is a must play for any golfer in NJ you will not be disappointed. When I pulled into the parking lot and was driving up to the club house, I knew I was in for a treat. The overall initial appearance of the course put a smile to my face. The first five holes of the course start on top of a mountain. The view from the first hole is truly breathtaking, as it overlooks the rest of the course. The first five holes are challenging because if you aren't straight off the tee, your ball will be O.B. With that said, if you can survive the first five holes, the rest of the course pretty much opens up. From the tee box, the landing areas on the fairways appear to be tight, however they are wider then they appear. I think other than the first 5 holes; the course can be played by any level of golfer. You don't need to be overly long off the tee on this course to score. There are more than a few holes that you can keep your driver in your bag and use a fairway wood or a long iron off the tee. Other than the first 5 holes, if you are errant off the tee, you still have a decent second shot into the green. Most of the greens are protected by either water or sand so mid-iron play is important, maybe more important then a good drive. This in my opinion makes it fun for average golfers like me. This course is a must play if you are looking for something new and fun.
The Staff at Berkshire Valley was great; they couldn't have been friendly enough. We got lost on our way to the course, called the pro shop and they were very accommodating to us. Once we arrived, they didn't rush us. They let us take our time and once we were ready, sent us on our way up to the first hole.
The facilities at Berkshire Valley were up to par as well. The Putting green was more than adequate, it sits down next to the 18th hole and pretty much overlooks the entire course. You get a true feel as to what the roll and speed of the greens will be when you actually get on the course. The Driving range on the other hand was average at best, but most county courses that I have played don't even have a range so I can't knock it too much. The Club house was nice; however, there is no bar to sit at after the round. They do have a snack bar area in which you can order food and can grab a cold beer. They also have seating inside and outside. The outside seating overlooks the 18th hole, which is nice because you can stop people from watching your sip a cold drink. It should be noted that the front yard, while the Nice, only a few seats and a seating area inside is nothing to write home about, but its purpose will be achieved.
Usually when you hear that they played a course in the county, it is expected that the conditions of the course to be reasonable, but not great. Well, the earth, of course, is the exception to this rule. I thought the course was kept and maintained inPerfection. The conditions at Berkshire Valley have been to me to be as good as any high-end, of course, that I played. Each T-box was spotless, all the fairways have been cut, the bunkers were filled with sand and green from hole to hole were more consistent in the course won. You could simply say that the director of course had a lot of pride in the courses look. Please note that the course is closed on Monday for you, of course repairs
Like most of the countycourses, residents of the county can make reservations can be made over the phone or on the internet. Non-residents on the other hand can only use the on-line option to book tee-times. Tee-times can be booked a week in advance and are posted to the public at 8:00 PM. Times fill up fast and it isnot uncommon to get a busy signal when calling a week in advance at 8:00 PM for a Saturday tee time, so make sure you have the course number on speed dial and keep trying.
Don't be fooled by the county course name. When playing Berkshire Valley expect to pay a private course rate. In county residents will pay $70 for an early tee-time on the weekend, and out of county golfers are charged $95 for the privilege for playing this amazing course. Rates are lower during non-prime hours and weekdays. In my opinion the course is truly worth the price of admission.
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