Shark River Golf Course
Shark River Golf Course in Neptune City offers an inviting 18-hole parkland layout that pairs accessible play with natural New Jersey scenery. This public course challenges golfers through tree-lined fairways and well-maintained greens, delivering a balanced round suited to a wide range of skill levels.
Course Overview
Shark River Golf Course in Neptune City, New Jersey, offers a compelling 18-hole experience that balances natural challenge with accessibility. As a public golf course maintained by Monmouth County, its layout sits comfortably in a parkland style, weaving mature trees and gently rolling terrain into a course that encourages strategic shot-making without overwhelming players. The course stretches to approximately 6,200 yards from the back tees with a par of 71, providing a fair test for golfers seeking to sharpen their skills or simply enjoy a casual round.
From the first tee, players encounter fairways lined with towering pines that shape the direction of every drive, while greens present subtle breaks that reward careful reading. The setting captures a subdued charm of central New Jersey’s coastal plain, where the grass is trimmed to robust playability but offers enough softness to mitigate punishing penalties for less-than-perfect swings. The wide variety of hole lengths and design features keep your strategy evolving, whether navigating a narrow landing zone or selecting the right club for an uphill approach.
Shark River is approachable for a broad range of players - from beginners adjusting to the rhythm of the game to lower handicappers who appreciate the precision required by some tighter fairways. The overall conditioning earns praise for its consistency, particularly the greens, which roll true and respond well to firm putting strokes. Walkers will find the terrain manageable, although the absence of a dedicated cart path on several holes means sturdy shoes are recommended to navigate natural turf and occasionally uneven ground.
While the facility does not include a driving range or chipping area, a well-maintained putting green allows players to tune their stroke prior to tee-off. The clubhouse provides straightforward services and a friendly environment typical of county courses, encouraging community play without the formality of private clubs.
Players planning their visit should note the course’s popularity on weekends but appreciate early tee times for a quieter pace. With its combination of playability, solid maintenance, and scenic but unpretentious setting, Shark River Golf Course remains a practical and rewarding option for golfers exploring the Central New Jersey region.
Course Highlights
Tree-lined fairways shape the strategic flow of the back nine while well-maintained, true rolling greens offer a rewarding putting challenge. The parkland-style layout balances approachable holes with tighter fairways requiring precision. Notable for its solid conditioning as part of Monmouth County's golf facilities, Shark River features no driving range but includes a putting green for warm-ups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
Austin Connone
One of the worst golfing experiences my friends have ever had. i am a new golfer trying to get into the game and my friend is a very seasoned player. from the moment we got to the course the staff was extremely rude and their tone just seemed like they were annoyed from the start for no reason. After going into the clubhouse they denied my friend (who is 18) a golf cart even after showing ID because we “looked like children”. This obviously slowed down our pace as we had to walk the whole course and the tees are pretty far apart. after this everything was fine until around the 6th/7th hole when we were told we need to move faster. this obviously was difficult considering how far we had to walk but he told us that was “an excuse”. He then told me “Listen i get your a new player but if you cant play better than dont play at all”. he then proceeded to sit there and watch me and my friend play, continuing to make comments at us and speak to my friend who is a very good player in a very condescending tone. After the way the staff treated us the whole time we decided to just leave the course and not finish as we werent having fun. Overall would not recommend this course to anyone and will make sure to never return here again. So overpriced for an average course and disrespectful staff
Joe
Good course. Narrow fairways. Very walkable. Practice putting green. No warm up range or chipping area.
Gordon Ogden
Very nice
John Thompson
Easy access. Not very busy, yet. Course in great shape. Greens very good. Spring aeration scheduled for April 1st. Course will be closed.
walter blasich
One of, if not best course in the Monmouth County Parks rotation. Never dissapoints.
Ro Ramirez
Steven Branigan
This course never disappoints
Chris Masker
Good shape great staff
Thomas J. Sniscak
While the condition of the course is comparable to many local private country clubs, as soon as you encounter the staff, you will be brought back to reality. With a few exceptions, most of the county employees here will grunt at you in the morning and are unaccommodating. Their demeanor is such that you are bothering them when you ask a question or approach the starter. On the course, slow play is permitted (and the norm), but if you wanted to play a 3 hour round at 7 am, you will be scolded by maintenance. I can comfortably say that the motor vehicle commission surpasses the county golf system in terms of friendliness and service. I bet most of the staff don't even realize that they are in the service industry. They seem to just be there to clock in for the health insurance and benefits. Monmouth County has invested heavily in these courses in the last decade to make them magnificent recreational centers for residents. The next step would be some basic training in hospitality and guest service. I'm not expecting Ritz-Carlton service, but Courtyard Marriott would be refreshing.
Austin Connone
One of the worst golfing experiences my friends have ever had. i am a new golfer trying to get into the game and my friend is a very seasoned player. from the moment we got to the course the staff was extremely rude and their tone just seemed like they were annoyed from the start for no reason. After going into the clubhouse they denied my friend (who is 18) a golf cart even after showing ID because we “looked like children”. This obviously slowed down our pace as we had to walk the whole course and the tees are pretty far apart. after this everything was fine until around the 6th/7th hole when we were told we need to move faster. this obviously was difficult considering how far we had to walk but he told us that was “an excuse”. He then told me “Listen i get your a new player but if you cant play better than dont play at all”. he then proceeded to sit there and watch me and my friend play, continuing to make comments at us and speak to my friend who is a very good player in a very condescending tone. After the way the staff treated us the whole time we decided to just leave the course and not finish as we werent having fun. Overall would not recommend this course to anyone and will make sure to never return here again. So overpriced for an average course and disrespectful staff
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Course Details
Access & Location
320 Old Corlies Ave, Neptune City, NJ 07753, USA
Modest clubhouse providing pro shop services and basic amenities
Walking encouraged and generally comfortable; sturdy shoes recommended due to natural turf and some uneven footing
Open to all players with paid green fee; advanced tee time reservations recommended on weekends
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