If you’ve ever driven down Asbury Road in Egg Harbor Township, you might have missed it. There’s no gaudy neon sign. No massive, gold-plated gates screaming for attention. Honestly, Hidden Creek Golf Club is exactly what the name suggests. It’s tucked away in the woods, far enough from the Atlantic City boardwalk that you can actually hear the wind through the pines instead of the dinging of slot machines. It’s a place that feels like it belongs in the dunes of Scotland rather than the flat, sandy stretches of South Jersey.
Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore are names that carry a lot of weight in the golf world. These guys don’t just move dirt; they find the soul of a property. Back in 2002, when Hidden Creek Golf Club in Egg Harbor Township NJ first opened its doors, people were skeptical. Could a private club thrive so close to the gambling capital of the East Coast? It turns out, that’s exactly why it worked. It offered an escape.
The Coore & Crenshaw Philosophy in the Pine Barrens
Golf architecture is usually pretty loud. Most modern courses try to outdo each other with massive water hazards and artificial hills that look like they were dropped in by a spaceship. Hidden Creek is the opposite. It’s minimalist. It’s raw. When you stand on the first tee, you realize the land wasn't forced into becoming a golf course; the golf course was gently coaxed out of the sand and scrub oak.
The soil here is the secret sauce. Because it's so sandy, the drainage is incredible. You can have a literal monsoon on Tuesday and be playing firm, fast golf by Wednesday morning. This "links-style" feel is rare for New Jersey. Most courses in the state are heavy on clay and get soggy the moment a cloud looks at them funny. At Hidden Creek, you get that satisfying thump when your club hits the turf, and the ball actually rolls. What a concept, right?
The fairways are wide. Like, really wide. You’d think that makes it easy, but it’s a trap. If you’re on the wrong side of the fairway, your angle to the green is basically non-existent. Coore and Crenshaw love to mess with your head like that. They give you all the room in the world to hit the ball, then punish you for being a few yards off your line.
🔗 Read more: Why Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station is Much Weirder Than You Think
Membership, The Dormie Network, and What’s Changed
For a long time, Hidden Creek was a bit of a local mystery. It was private, exclusive, and unless you knew a member, you weren't getting past the pro shop. Things shifted a bit when the Dormie Network bought the place a few years back. If you aren't familiar, the Dormie Network is basically a collection of high-end, destination golf clubs. They specialize in "stay and play" setups where the service is bordering on obsessive.
Some locals worried that the "corporate" ownership would ruin the vibe. It didn't. If anything, it poured money into the things that matter—the maintenance and the lodging. They built these incredible cottages on-site. Now, instead of driving back to a smoky hotel in AC, you can just walk a few yards from the 18th green to a fire pit, grab a bourbon, and stare at the stars.
It’s still private. That hasn't changed. But the "vibe" is different than your typical old-school country club. There’s no swimming pool. No tennis courts. No kids running around with ice cream cones while you’re trying to read a putt. It’s a golf club, not a country club. There is a massive difference between the two, and if you're a purist, you know exactly what I mean.
Breaking Down the Layout: Holes You Won't Forget
Let’s talk about the 9th hole. It’s a par 3, and it’s arguably one of the most frustratingly beautiful holes in the state. It’s not long, but the green is protected by these cavernous bunkers that look like they want to eat your golf ball. If you miss, you’re looking at a double bogey or worse. If you hit the green, you’re still not safe because the undulations are wild.
💡 You might also like: Weather San Diego 92111: Why It’s Kinda Different From the Rest of the City
- The Start: The first few holes ease you in. They’re wooded, framed by tall pines, and feel very "Jersey."
- The Turn: As you move toward the back nine, the course opens up. It starts feeling more like an English heathland course.
- The Finish: The 18th is a beast. It’s a long par 4 that plays back toward the clubhouse. Usually, there's a gallery of members sitting on the patio watching you chunk your approach shot. No pressure.
The greens are famously fast. Sometimes they're "terrifyingly fast." If the wind is whipping off the ocean—which it usually is—putting becomes a game of physics and prayer. You have to play for the "miss" here. You can't just pin-seek all day or the course will chew you up and spit you out.
Why Egg Harbor Township?
You wouldn't think a world-class golf destination would be nestled in EHT. It’s a town mostly known for suburban sprawl and being "near" things. But the geology of this specific pocket of New Jersey is unique. It’s part of the Pine Barrens ecosystem. The sand underneath the grass is essentially the same stuff you find at Pine Valley, which is consistently ranked the #1 course in the world.
Hidden Creek Golf Club in Egg Harbor Township NJ benefits from that same "Pine Valley-lite" DNA. It’s rugged. It’s beautiful in a desaturated, brownish-green sort of way. It’s not the bright, neon green of a Masters telecast. It’s the color of real, working-class golf.
The Food and the Clubhouse Vibe
Usually, club food is... fine. It’s a turkey club and a side of fries. But since the Dormie takeover, the culinary game has stepped up. We’re talking chef-led menus that change with the seasons. Local seafood is a staple. If you’re there during the summer, the scallops are usually a safe bet—they're coming right out of the docks in Cape May or Point Pleasant.
📖 Related: Weather Las Vegas NV Monthly: What Most People Get Wrong About the Desert Heat
The clubhouse itself is understated. It’s a low-slung building that doesn't try to compete with the landscape. Inside, it’s all dark wood and comfortable chairs. It feels like a place where you can actually relax. Nobody is checking to see if your socks are the right length. As long as you respect the game and the course, you’re good.
Misconceptions About Playing There
People think you need to be a billionaire to step foot on the grounds. While it is a high-end private club, the atmosphere is surprisingly down-to-earth. The staff actually knows your name. It’s not about being "seen" like some of the clubs up in North Jersey or the Hamptons. It’s about the golf.
Another misconception is that it’s an easy walk. It’s not. While it’s relatively flat, the distances between tees and the sandy paths will wear you out by hole 14 if you aren't used to it. Most people take a cart, but if you really want the full experience, grab a caddie and walk it. There is something about feeling the sand under your feet that makes you play better. Or at least, it makes the bogeys hurt less.
Actionable Next Steps for Golfers
If you’re serious about seeing Hidden Creek for yourself, you have a few realistic paths. It isn't as simple as booking a tee time on an app, but it isn't impossible either.
- Inquire About the Dormie Network: If you travel for golf, look into the network membership. It gives you access to Hidden Creek and several other top-tier courses across the country. It’s a "national membership" model that is becoming very popular for people who don't want to be tied to one home club.
- Reciprocal Play: If you are already a member at a private club elsewhere, have your head pro reach out. Most high-end clubs have reciprocal agreements or can at least make a "professional inquiry" on your behalf.
- Charity Events: Keep an eye on local South Jersey charity calendars. Occasionally, Hidden Creek hosts outings for local foundations. It’s often the only time the general public can pay a flat fee to play the course.
- Stay in the Area: If you do manage to get a guest invite, don't just fly in and out. Stay in Somers Point or Cape May. Check out the local breweries like Garden State Beer Company. Make a weekend of it.
Hidden Creek Golf Club in Egg Harbor Township NJ remains a masterclass in what happens when you let the land dictate the game. It’s quiet, it’s difficult, and it’s unapologetically focused on the sport. In a world of flashy golf simulators and Topgolf, a walk through these pines is a reminder of why we fell in love with this frustrating game in the first place.