If you ask a serious golfer in the Tri-State area about the best public tracks, they usually point toward Bethpage Black or maybe Neshanic Valley. But honestly, Hominy Hill Golf Course in Colts Neck belongs in that exact same breath. It is the crown jewel of the Monmouth County Park System. People call it the "Bethpage of New Jersey" for a reason, and it isn't just because the rough is thick enough to lose a sandwich in. It’s because Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed this place to be a monster.
You’ve got these rolling hills and massive, sprawling bunkers that look like they were carved out by a giant. It feels expensive. It feels like a private club where you should be paying $50,000 in initiation fees, yet you’re playing it for a county greens fee. That’s the magic of the place. It’s a championship-caliber beast tucked away in the horse country of Central Jersey.
The Robert Trent Jones Sr. Fingerprints
When you step onto the first tee at Hominy Hill Golf Course, you’re walking into a piece of golf history. Robert Trent Jones Sr. had a specific philosophy: "Hard par, easy bogey." He wanted to challenge the best players in the world while giving the weekend warrior a path to survive. At Hominy Hill, he achieved that by using the natural topography of the Monmouth County countryside.
The bunkering here is iconic. They aren't just little sand traps; they are massive, flashed-up hazards that dictate how you play every single hole. If you try to challenge a corner and miss, you’re looking at a blast shot that requires actual skill, not just a casual flick of the wrists. The greens are also notoriously large and undulating. You can hit the green in regulation and still walk off with a four-putt if you're on the wrong tier. It’s a psychological grind.
Why the Yardage is Deceptive
On paper, the course tops out around 7,049 yards from the championship tees. In 2026, with modern ball technology, that might sound manageable for a low handicapper. It's not.
The par is 72, but it plays like a 75. The wind whips across those open stretches of Colts Neck, and the elevation changes mean you’re rarely hitting off a flat lie.
- The Par 5s are true three-shot holes for most mortals.
- The Par 4s often require a long iron or hybrid into elevated greens.
- If the USGA set this place up for a Major tomorrow, the winning score would probably be over par.
Most public courses in Jersey are cramped. They’re built on old farmland where the holes are squeezed together. Hominy Hill is the opposite. It breathes. There is so much space between the fairways that you feel like you’re the only person on the course, even on a packed Saturday in July.
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The Brutal Reality of the Greens
Let’s talk about the putting surfaces. They are usually kept at a speed that would make most country club members cry. Because they are so large, the pin positions can completely change the character of a hole. A front-left pin on a tiered green might be a simple wedge, but if they tuck it in the back-right behind a bunker, you’re suddenly playing a different sport.
You have to be smart. Honestly, the biggest mistake people make here is "pin hunting." If you aim at the flag at Hominy Hill, you are asking for a double bogey. The smart play is always to the center of the green. Take your two-putt and run to the next tee before the course notices you escaped.
Conditioning That Rivals the Pros
The Monmouth County Park System deserves a massive amount of credit. The maintenance staff treats this place like a US Open site. The fairways are tight, the tee boxes are level, and the rough is consistent. In many public courses, the "rough" is just a mix of weeds and dirt. At Hominy Hill, it’s thick, lush turf that grabs your clubhead and twists it.
It is a walking-friendly course, but be warned: those hills are no joke. If you aren't in decent shape, you’ll be gasping by the 14th hole. Most people take a cart, but if you want the full "old school" experience, grab a push cart and trek it. There’s something special about walking over the crest of a hill and seeing the flag fluttering in the distance against a backdrop of Jersey oaks and maples.
A Legacy of Big Tournaments
This isn't just a local muni where people go to hack around. Hominy Hill has hosted two USGA championships: the 1983 U.S. Amateur Public Links and the 1989 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links. It has also been the site of countless state and regional qualifiers.
When the NJSGA (New Jersey State Golf Association) wants to test the best amateurs in the state, they come here. They know the course holds up. It doesn't rely on gimmicks. There are no "clown's mouth" holes or weird blind shots that feel unfair. It’s all right there in front of you. You just have to be good enough to hit the shots.
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The Famous 18th Hole
The finishing hole is one of the most stressful in the state. It’s a long Par 4 that plays toward the clubhouse. You’ve got a narrow landing area and an approach shot that usually requires a mid-to-long iron over a valley. If you’ve got a good round going, the 18th is where dreams go to die. But if you par it? That beer in the clubhouse tastes significantly better.
Booking a Tee Time: The "Hunger Games" of Jersey Golf
Because it's so good, getting a tee time at Hominy Hill Golf Course can feel like winning the lottery.
- County Residents: You get first dibs through the Monmouth County reservation system. It’s worth living in the county just for the golf access.
- Non-Residents: You can still play, but you pay a higher "Power Card" rate or a guest fee. You also have to wait until the residents have picked the best times.
- The Early Bird: If you want a weekend morning, you better be at your computer the second the reservation window opens.
Honestly, even the non-resident rate is a steal compared to what you’d pay for a similar quality course in New York or even South Jersey. It’s high-end golf for the everyman.
How to Actually Score Well Here
If you want to break 80 or 90 at Hominy Hill, stop trying to be a hero.
The course is designed to punish ego. If you find yourself in one of those massive bunkers, your goal shouldn't be the hole; it should be the fat part of the green. If you're in the deep rough, take your wedge, hack it back into the fairway, and move on.
Also, pay attention to the grain on the greens. While they aren't as "grainy" as Florida grass, the slope of the hills in Colts Neck affects how the ball breaks more than you think. Everything generally tends to pull toward the lower points of the property.
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Beyond the Fairways
The clubhouse is functional and clean, but it isn't a palace. People don't come here for the locker room or the fancy dining. They come for the golf. That said, the practice facility is solid. The putting green is a massive expanse that accurately reflects the speed and slope you’ll find on the course. Spend at least 20 minutes there before you tee off, or your first three holes will be a disaster of three-putts.
Colts Neck itself is a beautiful area. You’re driving past multi-million dollar horse farms and scenic estates to get to the course. It sets the mood. You feel like you’re entering an exclusive world, even if you’re just there for a five-hour round with your buddies.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
To get the most out of your round at Hominy Hill Golf Course, you need a plan. Don't just show up and swing.
- Register for a Monmouth County Golf ID: Even if you're a non-resident, get in their system early so you aren't fumbling with login details when a prime Saturday slot opens up.
- Check the Aeration Schedule: Like any high-end course, they punch the greens twice a year. Playing here a week after aeration is a waste of a good drive. Call the pro shop or check the county website.
- Bring Extra Balls: The rough is no joke. Even a ball that lands five feet off the fairway can disappear if the grass is up.
- Play the Right Tees: If your handicap is above a 10, stay off the back tees. You won't have fun hitting 3-woods into every Par 4. The white tees still offer plenty of challenge.
- Hydrate: There isn't much shade on several of the back-nine holes. Jersey summers are brutal, and the walk is long.
- Post-Round: Head into the town of Colts Neck for a meal. There are some legendary local spots like Huddy’s Inn or the Colts Neck Inn that are perfect for decompressing after the course beats you up.
Hominy Hill is a reminder of what public golf can be when a government entity actually cares about the sport. It’s a championship venue that doesn't care about your social status—it only cares if you can keep your ball in the short grass.
Prepare for a long day. Prepare for some frustration. But mostly, prepare to play one of the best-designed golf courses on the East Coast. If you can handle the "Jones" challenge, you'll keep coming back year after year.