GACCA Spotlight: Golfing Around Atlantic County

By Judy Felicetta, GACCA Communications Director

Events Director, Blue Dog Hospitality Group

Many avid golfers engage in year-round golfing, with some even traveling to warmer climates solely for the purpose of playing. However, as the warmer weather arrives, it may be beneficial to have a list of golf courses in Atlantic County where you can practice your swing. While there are nine golf courses available in this region, here are highlights of the top four.

Harbor Pines Golf Club in Egg Harbor Township is a favorite among public golfers in southern New Jersey since its opening in 1996. Located 15 miles from Atlantic City’s boardwalk and casinos, the course offers a beautiful, challenging layout designed by Stephen Kay and Doug Smith. The parkland-style course features five sets of tee boxes and generous fairways, ensuring an enjoyable round for all skill levels. The holes play in various directions, providing plenty of variety. Hole no. 9, “Escape,” is the toughest par 4 due to its length and precision required to avoid water and trees. The course’s distinctive bunkering includes the long Sand Creek bunker on the par-5 7th hole and the enormous half-acre sand pit on the par-4 17th hole. The undulating greens present big targets with multiple pin placements. Harbor Pines Golf Club also boasts extensive practice facilities and a lively Grill Room restaurant, making it a premier place to play in Atlantic County.

Seaview Golf Resort, a Troon Golf-managed facility, in Galloway, is a premier golf destination in the Northeast. Steeped in history and tradition, it offers 36 holes of Championship Golf on two historic courses. The Bay Course, designed by Donald Ross, has undergone a bunker restoration, re-turfed fescue mounds, and improved drainage. The Pines Course, with its scenic parkland setting, also benefited from a bunker restoration, tree removal, and a cart path upgrade. The resort’s vibrant golf shop, recognized as one of the top golf shops in the country, received a facelift. It offers a wide selection of equipment, apparel, and accessories for golfers of all ages. Seaview provides an unmatched golfing experience for various occasions, including day trips, weekend getaways, group outings, and bachelor parties. Its unique Family Golf Program allows families to play 9 holes together from the “family tees,” offering a fun and cost-effective alternative to other entertainment options.

Brigantine Golf Links, a historic and unique links course owned by the City of Brigantine Beach, New Jersey, is a must-play for anyone near Atlantic City. Built in 1927 by Wayne Stile and Jon Van Kleek, it spreads out on a barrier island just across the bay. It’s the closest layout to the iconic Boardwalk and casinos. Renowned for its value, the course has been restored to its original links heritage. The nearly treeless course features four sets of tee markers, offering distance options from 5,053 to 6,507 yards. The wide open, gently rolling terrain includes natural dunes, berms, marshes, creeks, ponds, and tidal inlets. Wind significantly impacts the game. The course boasts par 3s and reachable par 5s for scoring. Its small, undulating greens are praised for being among the finest putting surfaces in Southern New Jersey. Brigantine Golf Links is a shot maker’s course that truly captures the essence of the original Scottish game. Opportunities to hit creative bump-and-run shots on the land’s mounds and contours add to the fun. You’ll see plenty of birdlife and wildlife on this National Audubon Sanctuary. Walking in historic footprints, you’ll be on the course where legendary golfers Walter Hagen and Harry Vardon practiced before competing in the Open Championship. The course lacks a driving range but has a putting green for practice. The clubhouse features a pro shop and snack area. For an authentic links experience near the Atlantic City Boardwalk, make a tee time at Brigantine Golf Links.

Blue Heron Pines Golf Club, a celebrated South Jersey golf destination since 1993, located in Egg Harbor City, was designed by Stephen Kay to complement the natural beauty of Atlantic County’s Pinelands. The course features majestic tree lines, water features, strategic bunkering, and scenic depth, making each round unique. Recognized as one of the best 18-hole courses at the Jersey Shore, it challenges experienced players while welcoming golfers of all skill levels. As a semi-private club, it’s open to both members and public players. Each hole presents a different challenge, from tree-lined fairways requiring accuracy to water hazards demanding thoughtful club selection and course management. Strategically placed sand traps protect the greens and reward correct approaches, while consistently smooth and well-maintained greens offer a true roll that rewards golfers who control their speed and trajectory. With each visit, players learn to know where to miss, which pins to attack, and when to play conservatively, gaining a genuine advantage.

Located in Northfield, NJ, just 6 miles from the Boardwalk, the historic Atlantic City Country Club is a premier, semi-private daily-fee course. Opened in 1897 and updated by Tom Doak in 1999, it stretches to 6,577 yards (Par 70) and is famously known as the "Birthplace of the Birdie." It has hosted six USGA Championships and has seen legends like Arnold Palmer, Bob Hope, and Frank Sinatra walk its fairways. It features challenging marshland carries, large undulating greens, and deep bunkers, all framed by the skyline of Atlantic City in the background.

Now get out there and enjoy those links!