Reviewed by: Andrew Cebello, Shoots in the 80s, from Clinton, NJ

Summary:
Ballyowen is truly a beautiful course. It rewards a fairway shot and punishes anything beyond the first cut. Greens are fast and true. I feel fortunate not to have lost any balls.

Customer Service:
Friendly Staff. The girls driving the refreshment carts were very courteous and would not drive by until after everyone hit.

Reviewed by: expro, Scratch Golfer

Summary:
How any buddy rates this golf course under a 4 is beyond me. The lay out is excellent. If you play from the back tees, every club in your bag is played. Try taking a caddie in the summer and truly experience the golf course as it is meant to be played.

Customer Service:
the customer service was excellent. Except for a ranger asking me why I did not replace a divot taken the rough.

Similar Courses Played:
I do not know why people make such a big deal about the driving range. The range is just a place to warm up and get ready for your round. A player does not keep score on the range!

Reviewed by: roulade r, Shoots in the 80s

Summary:
I'm surprised at the consensus here that the course is overrated. There is no doubt that Ballyowen is quite expensive, but it's one of the few high fee public courses that I feel are worth the money.
$125 is a bit expensive, but they run specials all the time once you're on their e-mail list, and you end up paying $85-$100 a round if you catch the timing right. In the New York Metro Area, I think Bally tops Centennial, New Jersey National and Mansion Ridge very easily, and those courses charge around the same price. While Richter Park, Hominy Hill/Howell Park and Bethpage Black are better courses for much less money, the hassle of getting on those courses and the interminable rounds have their own cost other than cash.

While the cart path only rule does slow play, it keeps the course better conditioned than any public course you'll play, and most private courses too. I also think the routing has a good combination of uphill and downhill holes, long and short, and it's a very playable course with good yardages spread among the different tees-- I have when you have to choose between playing from 6300 and 7200 yards.

The rangers aren't really that oppressive-- I'd much prefer having someone on top of things than the typical hands-off approach that leads to 5 hour rounds. I always find the staff courteous and the facilities (especially the Grilled Cheese with Bacon and Tomato at the turn) are exceptional. The best of the Crystal Springs courses by far, although for a less expensive and still enjoyable round, I'd try Black Bear, which also has the advantage of being closer to NYC, if only by 10 minutes or so.

It is true that three of the par threes are similar one-shotters over water, but I think there's a great variation in the other holes. Links designs tend to be more subtle than parkland or desert courses-- they don't impress a lot of folks. There are also enough tees to keep anyone interested. The wind usually blows to spice things up.

I can understand that the atmosphere is a little hokey-- staff members wear plus fours, plaid stockings and hogan caps. There is even a bagpiper during the gloaming. It's a little goofy, but it doesn't put me off-- it's always nice to be able to chuckle when you're on the course.

Customer Service:
Very attentive

Similar Courses Played:
The practice green is usually faster than the course's greens.