You’re driving down 287, or maybe cutting through the backroads of Somerset County, and you see the signs. If you live anywhere near the Bernards Township area, the Basking Ridge Country Club in Basking Ridge NJ is sort of a local landmark. It’s sitting there on 258 acres of rolling hills, looking exactly like what you’d imagine a prestigious North Jersey club to look like. But here’s the thing—private clubs can be intimidating. People wonder if it’s just a place for high-powered executives to hide away or if it’s actually a community hub where you can wear flip-flops to dinner.
Honestly, it’s a bit of both.
The club has been around since the late 1920s, originally established as the Basking Ridge Golf Club. Over the decades, it’s evolved from a niche golf spot into a full-blown "lifestyle" destination. But don't let the "Country Club" tag fool you into thinking it’s stuck in 1954. It has actually done a pretty decent job of modernization, especially after the renovations to its dining and pool facilities.
The Golf Course: Not Just for Pros
If you’re a golfer, you probably already know that the course was designed by Alexander H. Findlay. He’s often called the "Father of American Golf," and he didn't make this one easy. It’s a par-71 course. It’s not the longest course in New Jersey by a long shot, but it’s tricky.
The layout is classic.
Think narrow fairways. Lots of mature trees. The kind of course where if your drive is off by ten yards, you’re spending the next five minutes looking for your ball in the woods. It’s 6,306 yards from the back tees. That might sound short to the pros, but the elevation changes in Basking Ridge make it play much longer. The greens are notoriously fast. Local members will tell you—half-joking, half-frustrated—that putting here is like trying to stop a marble on a glass coffee table.
What’s cool is that they don’t require tee times for members. That’s a massive perk. You just show up. In a world where everything has to be booked three weeks in advance on an app, there’s something genuinely nice about just rolling up to the first tee when you feel like it.
The Dining Situation at Delicious Heights
One of the weirdest things about Basking Ridge Country Club in Basking Ridge NJ is that it’s actually home to a restaurant that’s open to the public. Most private clubs are strictly "members only" or you're eating a soggy turkey sandwich in a dark wood locker room. Not here.
Delicious Heights Outpost is the on-site restaurant.
It’s surprisingly good. They have this "upscale casual" vibe going on. You can get a solid dry-aged steak or just grab a massive burger after a round. The view is arguably the best part—the restaurant overlooks the 18th green and the Somerset Hills. If you’re there during sunset, the "Golden Hour" across the fairways is basically a postcard.
Because it's open to the public, the atmosphere is livelier than your typical stuffy club dining room. You'll see families, couples on dates, and golfers still in their spikes. It bridges the gap between the "exclusive" feel of the club and the reality of living in a busy NJ suburb.
Membership: It’s More Than Just Golf
Look, if you don't play golf, you might think there's no point in looking at a country club. But the "social" side of things is where these places survive nowadays. Basking Ridge has a massive pool complex. It’s not just a hole in the ground with water; they have a swim team (the "Barracudas"), a playground, and a snack bar that actually serves decent food.
For families in Basking Ridge, this is basically summer camp.
They also have a heavy focus on tennis. There are four Har-Tru courts. If you haven't played on Har-Tru, it's that green clay-like surface that's way easier on your knees than hard courts. They have a pretty active tennis program for kids and adults.
Membership tiers usually break down into:
- Full Golf Membership: Everything included. Golf, pool, tennis, social.
- Associate/Junior Golf: Usually for the under-40 crowd, often with a lower price point to get younger families in the door.
- Social/Pool & Tennis: Access to everything except the golf course (though you can usually play a few times a year for a guest fee).
Prices? They don’t post them on the website. Typical NJ club move. Expect an initiation fee and monthly dues. While it’s not as eye-watering as some of the ultra-exclusive clubs in Far Hills or Bedminster, it’s a significant investment.
Weddings and Events: The "Big Business" Side
You can’t talk about this place without mentioning the catering. If you live in Somerset County, you’ve probably been to a wedding, a bar mitzvah, or a corporate retreat at Basking Ridge Country Club.
They have a dedicated 25,000-square-foot clubhouse just for events.
The ballroom can hold up to 225 people. It’s a huge revenue driver for the club, which is why the grounds are always kept in pristine condition. They know that a bride isn't going to book a venue if the grass looks brown or the flower beds are empty. They have a "one wedding at a time" policy, which is a big deal. Nobody wants to see another bridal party in the hallway while they're trying to take photos.
The Reality of the "Vibe"
Is it snobby? Honestly, not really.
New Jersey country clubs used to have a reputation for being incredibly exclusionary. While Basking Ridge definitely maintains a level of prestige, the atmosphere has shifted. It’s much more family-oriented now. You’ll see kids running around, people in gym clothes, and a general lack of the "suit and tie" requirement that used to dominate the scene.
That said, there are rules.
You still have to follow the dress code on the course—collared shirts, no denim. You still have to maintain a certain pace of play. It’s a place for people who value privacy and a well-maintained environment, but don't necessarily want to feel like they're in a museum.
Actionable Steps for Exploring the Club
If you're actually considering joining or even just visiting, don't just cold-call the front desk without a plan.
- Eat at the Restaurant First: Go to Delicious Heights Outpost. Sit on the patio. Watch the golfers come in. It gives you a "test drive" of the property without needing a membership card.
- Inquire About the "Preview" Membership: Clubs often have seasonal trials or "preview" memberships where you can pay a flat fee for a few months to see if you actually use the facilities before committing to a massive initiation fee.
- Check the Reciprocal List: If you travel for work, ask about their reciprocal privileges. Many private clubs have agreements with other clubs across the country, allowing you to play elsewhere when you're on the road.
- Look Beyond the Golf: If you have kids, check the swim team schedule. The "Barracudas" are a big deal in the local league. If your kids hate the pool, the membership loses half its value instantly.
- Tour the Locker Rooms: It sounds weird, but the quality of the locker rooms and the "turn" (where you get food between the 9th and 10th holes) tells you more about how a club is managed than the ballroom does.
Basking Ridge Country Club in Basking Ridge NJ remains a cornerstone of the local community because it found a way to stay relevant. It’s not just a golf course; it’s a multi-use space that handles everything from a Tuesday night burger to a 200-person black-tie gala. Whether it's "worth it" depends entirely on how much you value having a "third place" outside of your home and office.
Practical Insight: If you’re looking for a wedding venue, ask for the "off-peak" rates. Because the club is so popular in June and September, you can often find significant discounts for Friday nights or early spring dates without sacrificing the view or the service quality.