Never miss what is happening in Sussex County
Events, new openings and weekend plans from Newton to Vernon, Sparta to Stanhope. Straight to your inbox, free.
The golf courses in Sussex County NJ are some of the most scenic in the state, with mountain views, quarry lakes and wide open links-style layouts tucked into the Skylands. Our team put together this guide to the courses you can actually book, plus one well known private club, with the town, the number of holes and what makes each one worth the drive.
The short version: Crystal Springs Resort runs six courses across Hardyston, Franklin and Vernon, including Ballyowen, Crystal Springs, Wild Turkey and Black Bear. Farmstead in Lafayette and SkyView in Sparta round out the public options. The 2026 season is winding down as fall turns to winter, so call ahead before you load the clubs.
Crystal Springs Resort courses
Crystal Springs Resort is the biggest name in Sussex County golf. The resort lists six courses designed by Robert von Hagge, Robert Trent Jones and Roger Rulewich, plus an 18-hole natural grass putting course. Tee times for all six are booked through the resort, and the main reservations line is 855.977.6473. Note that several courses use a Hamburg mailing address even though they sit in Hardyston Township.
Ballyowen (Hardyston)
Ballyowen opened in June 1998 and was designed by Roger Rulewich, who previously worked as lead design associate for Robert Trent Jones Sr. It is a links-style course inspired by Irish and Scottish heathland: a treeless spread of grassy meadows and rolling terrain with 360-degree views of the Wallkill Valley and the surrounding mountains. The resort lists 71 bunkers, water in play on holes 5, 6, 7, 11 and 15, and tees ranging from 4,903 yards (Red) to 7,094 yards (Black). Ballyowen also offers caddie service, which is rare at a public course. Address: 137 Wheatsworth Road, Hamburg.
Crystal Springs Golf Course (Hardyston)
The resort’s namesake Crystal Springs course opened in 1992 and was designed by Robert von Hagge. It plays just over 6,800 yards from the championship tees, with rolling mounds framing the fairways and greens. The course and resort take their name from natural springs formed by old limestone quarries, most noticeable around the 11th hole. Per the resort, Golf Digest rated it among the Top 25 New Golf Courses in America when it opened. Address: 1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg.
Wild Turkey (Hardyston)
Wild Turkey is another Roger Rulewich design, built on what the resort calls basin and ridge terrain. The basin holes (3 and 12 through 17) have the open, treeless feel of Ballyowen, while the ridge holes bring in elevation. The signature 7th is a par 3 with a forced carry over a quarry lake to a well protected green. Wide fairways and moderately contoured greens make it friendly for higher handicaps, while the back tees add plenty of challenge. Address: 1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg.
Cascades (Hardyston)
Cascades is the newest course on the property, a 9-hole Roger Rulewich layout that opened in 2009. It plays 3,627 yards from the Black tees down to 1,538 yards from the Green tees, with junior tees, alternate oversized cups and four-seat family carts. It also has 18 holes of FootGolf, played with a soccer ball. This is the best pick in the county for beginners, kids and families. Address: 1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg.
Black Bear (Franklin)
Black Bear Golf Club opened in July 1996 and was designed by Jack Kurlander and David Glenz. It plays from 4,785 to 6,673 yards across four sets of tees, with 65 bunkers and water in play on holes 2 and 7. Black Bear is also the practice hub: it has a lighted double-ended driving range and the David Leadbetter Golf Academy. Address: 138 State Route 23, Franklin.
Minerals Golf Course (Vernon)
Minerals Golf Course is a 9-hole executive layout by Robert Trent Jones at the base of Hamburg Mountain, playing a little over 2,305 yards. The resort notes that Golf Range Magazine named it one of the Top 12 Short Courses in America. With forward junior tees, two sets of cups per hole, junior rental clubs and 18 holes of FootGolf, it is a good quick round or a family outing. Address: 2 Chamonix Drive, Vernon.
Other public courses in Sussex County
Farmstead Golf and Country Club (Lafayette)
Farmstead is a 27-hole public facility at 88 Lawrence Road in Lafayette. The club says it has been offering golf for about 56 years and that New Jersey Herald readers voted it Best Golf Course eight years in a row. Three nines give you more ways to mix up an 18-hole round, and Farmstead also hosts golf outings, banquets and weddings. Phone: (973) 383-1666.
SkyView Golf Club (Sparta)
SkyView Golf Club is an 18-hole course on more than 190 acres at 226 Lafayette Road in Sparta. The website offers online tee time booking and lists membership and rate options. The clubhouse overlooks the course, and SkyView is also a wedding and private event venue with on-site lodging. Phone: 973-726-4653.
A private club worth knowing
Lake Mohawk Golf Club (Sparta)
Lake Mohawk Golf Club at 471 West Shore Trail in Sparta is a private, member-focused club with dining, golf outings and private events. The club is set up for members and their guests, so check with the club about guest play. If you are in the Lake Mohawk area anyway, our guide to where to eat and drink in Sparta has plenty of post-round options.
Which Sussex County course should you play?
- Bucket list round: Ballyowen, for the links feel, the views and the caddie option.
- Classic resort course: Crystal Springs, the original von Hagge design with its quarry springs.
- Elevation and a signature par 3: Wild Turkey and its quarry lake carry on No. 7.
- Practice and lessons: Black Bear, with the lighted range and Leadbetter academy.
- Beginners and kids: Cascades or Minerals, both 9 holes with junior tees and FootGolf.
- Value and variety: Farmstead’s 27 holes in Lafayette.
- Golf plus an event venue: SkyView in Sparta.
Know before you go
- Winter season: Sussex County sits in the higher, colder northwest corner of New Jersey, and none of these courses post a fixed closing date for 2026 on their websites. Late fall play depends on weather and frost. As of early October 2026, the Crystal Springs course status page listed all six resort courses as open. Call or check the course website before heading out in November and later.
- Frost delays: Cold mornings in October and November often push back first tee times. Book later in the day if you can.
- Booking: Crystal Springs offers public, Rewards and member tee time options through its website. Farmstead and SkyView take bookings through their own sites and phone lines.
- Addresses: Ballyowen, Crystal Springs, Wild Turkey and Cascades use Hamburg mailing addresses but are in Hardyston Township. Black Bear is in Franklin and Minerals is in Vernon.
- Make a day of it: The resort courses are close to Hamburg and Franklin. See our picks for the best restaurants in Hamburg and our things to do in Franklin guide.
Planning more time in the Skylands? See our guides to things to do in Sussex County.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many golf courses does Crystal Springs Resort have?
Six: Ballyowen, Crystal Springs, Wild Turkey, Black Bear, Cascades and Minerals, plus an 18-hole putting course. Cascades and Minerals are 9-hole courses.
Are the golf courses in Sussex County NJ open to the public?
Most are. The six Crystal Springs Resort courses offer public tee times, Farmstead describes itself as public golf, and SkyView takes online tee time bookings. Lake Mohawk Golf Club is private.
When do Sussex County golf courses close for the winter?
The courses do not publish a fixed closing date. Play usually continues into late fall as weather allows. Call the course before you go in November or December.
What is the best golf course in Sussex County for beginners?
Cascades in Hardyston and Minerals in Vernon are both 9-hole courses with junior tees, oversized alternate cups and family carts, which makes them the easiest starting points.
Is Ballyowen in Hamburg or Hardyston?
Ballyowen uses a Hamburg mailing address (137 Wheatsworth Road) but is located in Hardyston Township.
Never miss a weekend in the Skylands. Our free newsletter rounds up the best events, food and things to do across all 24 Sussex County towns every week. Sign up free here.
Primary sources for this guide: Crystal Springs Resort golf, Crystal Springs Resort directions, Crystal Springs course status, Farmstead Golf and Country Club, SkyView Golf Club and Lake Mohawk Golf Club.
Featured photo: stock image of a golf course, for illustration only. Photo by Kindel Media via Pexels.
Have a Sussex County event coming up?
Share it with Sussex County.
Festivals, fundraisers, 5Ks, school nights, grand openings. Send us the date, time, place and a flyer, and our team will reach out about getting it in front of Sussex County.
Enjoying our Sussex County coverage?
Add us as a preferred source and our stories show up higher in your Google results.
Add as a preferred source
