Somerset Hills set in New Jersey is a private club from 1899 and course design by A.W Tillinghast.
I played the course in August 2015 on a sunny summer day. I arrived early in the morning and the sprinklers where still running upon my tee off. The course had soft lush fairways where the ball almost sits teed up on the grass.
the course
First hole is a slight dogleg left to right par 4 relatively straight forward if you have a caddie that can give you good directions on where to aim. 2nd hole a downhill par 3 where I missed long and left. A quite elevated green so not the place to miss it and made bogey.
3rd green also a elevated green which I hit but 3 putted for bogey.
4th is an interesting green which you can tell from the picture. It has some severe hills and elevations that should be avoided if can.
The front nine is relatively open and straight forward holes and the back nine is a very different starting from the 11th.
the back nine at Somerset hills country club
As you can see from above it is a narrow tee shot. It doglegs almost 90 degrees to the right so really a precision shot from the tee.
Second shot uphill to a green with a big bunker on the left hand side and water if you miss further left. A really good hole and rewarding to make par.
best par 3 at Somerset Hills Country Club
Best hole on the course with beautiful view. The pin position on the left hand side obviously brings the water more into play and I hit a great shot over the pin a little long. Didnt get the birdie….
A dogleg left to right with trees on both sides. Requires accuracy from the tee, but a good tee shot will be rewarded.
After a good drive you still have a challenging approach with water in front and on the left hand side of the green.
Finishing hole a short par 4 uphill. Risk reward hole for long hitters. I managed to get my only birdie on the 18th which was a nice way to finish.
My experience
The course was in very good condition and especially liked the majority of the back nine where you have holes with more character and course management becomes a bigger part of your game. It is a lovely course overall and a place you should play if possible.
My score of 76 was pretty good and the back nine 36 was satisfying. I didn’t make many mistakes which can really cost you on the back nine where the course is more difficult.
