Shore Gate Golf Club
Shore Gate Golf Club offers a strategic 18-hole shore-style layout characterized by rolling fairways, deep bunkers, and undulating greens. Located near the New Jersey coast, it blends challenge and playability for a range of golfers seeking authentic seaside golf without punishing winds.
Course Overview
Located just steps from the Atlantic coast in Ocean View, New Jersey, Shore Gate Golf Club presents a challenging yet enjoyable 18-hole layout that demands strategic thought and precise execution. This semi-private course typifies a shore-style design, with gently rolling fairways weaving through natural dunes and sandy waste areas that stand as ever-present hazards. The setting itself offers a compelling blend of seaside character without the harsher winds typical of more exposed links courses, creating a more forgiving environment for players of various skill levels.
Shore Gate’s routing is notable for its risk-reward opportunities, featuring deep bunkers and undulating greens that test putting strokes with subtle breaks and varying speeds. The course's layout encourages aggressive play off the tee, while placing a premium on course management as players navigate tight approaches guarded by strategically placed hazards. The conditions on the fairways and greens have consistently received praise for their firmness and smooth surface, providing an engaging playing surface that rewards shot-making and touch.
Golfers here will find ample tee boxes catering from forward positions for higher handicaps to back tees that stretch over 6,700 yards, maintaining the course’s championship feel. While the facility does not offer modern luxuries such as GPS in their carts, the pace of play remains steady, supported by thoughtful course design and attentive staff.
Beyond the course, amenities include a modest clubhouse and an outdoor refreshment stand that offers casual fare, perfect for a quick bite between nines. Practice areas are solid, providing warm-up opportunities with driving range stalls and putting greens.
For golfers seeking a public course with a solid challenge and authentic shore golf character, Shore Gate is a rewarding destination. Its careful balance of tactical holes and natural coastal scenery, paired with reliable course conditions, makes it a must-play for visitors and locals alike. A round here promises to engage mental acuity and precision, wrapped in a laid-back Jersey Shore atmosphere that encourages repeat visits and steady improvement.
Course Highlights
Shore Gate features a shore-style design with wide fairways, large sandy waste areas acting as natural hazards, and greens with subtle but challenging contours. Deep bunkers demand careful shot placement throughout the round. The course balances championship-caliber length at over 6,700 yards with approachable tee options. Its layout encourages risk and reward, rewarding precise iron play and accurate drives. While the clubhouse is small, the course’s coastal character and consistent conditioning set it apart in the New Jersey shore region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
Dan Mattson
Best public golf course in South Jersey. Challenging, but fair. Great staff as well. A must visit if you're down the Shore.
Mr. Mills
Had an amazing day at Shore Gate it’s unlike any other golf course in South Jersey. The golf course was in Phenomenal shape the greens were excellent and rolled true. The layout of the course makes it fun and challenging. I would say this is a must play for anyone visiting the Jersey Shore. The Staff was super helpful as this was our first time playing this Gem.
Stephen Kearney
10/10 conditions 10/10 layout 10/10 course staff - Great track, very challenging, amazing golf experience, will certainly be back!
Flavors & Fairways
Shore Gate Golf Club (New Jersey, USA) Played: Sunday early morning, paid $175. Shore Gate Golf Club is a beautifully designed and challenging course that offers great playability and solid conditions. While the price is on the higher end, it's justified by the course experience. However, the small and outdated clubhouse and lack of GPS in carts may leave some wanting more. Still, it’s a must-play in the region for serious golfers looking for a rewarding round. 1. Course Layout: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5) The layout is excellent—challenging but fun. Tee shots, approach shots, and green complexes are all thoughtfully designed and engaging. Every hole feels intentional, offering both difficulty and enjoyment. A very well-designed course. 2. Tee Box Condition: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5/5) Some tee boxes were not completely flat, and several had noticeable divots. Maintenance could be improved to better match the quality of the rest of the course. 3. Fairway Condition: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5) Firmness and turf consistency were good. Fairways were well maintained with only minor issues—solid condition overall. 4. Green Condition: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5) Greens were smooth, fast, and well-maintained. Firmness was appropriate, and the speed was enjoyable without being unfair. A strong point of the course. 5. Value for Money: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5) $175 is not cheap, but the course delivers. The design, conditioning, and challenge justify the price, especially for golfers seeking a premium public golf experience. 6. Clubhouse: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5) This is a weak point. The clubhouse is quite small and outdated, with limited restrooms and cramped space. However, the small outdoor food stand offering hot dogs, sausages, and burgers was a pleasant surprise that added a half-star. 7. Pace of Play: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5) Flow was very smooth, especially for a weekend morning. No noticeable delays, well-managed pace throughout the round. 8. Cart: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5) Standard electric carts, comfortable but nothing special. The biggest downside is the lack of GPS, which is expected at this price point. 9. Specialty: There are both pros and cons here. The course earns bonus points for being genuinely fun and challenging—but the poor signage in several areas made navigation confusing. Due to this mix, no star rating is assigned for Specialty.
Scott O'Donnell
Shore Gate is easily one of the nicest courses near the Jersey shore. Featuring undulating greens and fairways, with a terrific and interesting layout, this course will keep you coming back. Although it is not in eye-popping condition as it had been in the past years, it is still a sight to behold. When it is in top shape, you’ll feel like you walked into the TV during the PGA tour. Plenty of tee boxes (some very far back) maintain the championship course feel. The risk-reward design presents you with constant gambles, with deep sand traps galore. One hole is half sand trap. Some traps have the good sand, but some look like the old Sand Barrens course. Even though it is a shore course, you’ll survive without bug spray, and won’t get punished by the afternoon bay breeze. Excellent practice facilities also. A MUST play.
Adam Schlanger
Crab grass, hole liners not sunken into the ground, nonexistent rough. This place reeks of neglect despite the $115 greens fee and constant play. The greens are well kept but average at best. I’ve seen this place go downhill over the past few years. Do yourself a favor, play somewhere else until they produce a $115 product or lower their greens fee.
Dominic Frassinelli
Shore Gate is a phenomenal public golf facility that harbors private club conditions. The greens were out of this world as they were fast, smooth and true. We played on a Sunday afternoon and they were still in excellent condition. Most public facility greens will get chewed up with footprints around the hole from the morning wave of players, but not Shore Gate!! They stayed smooth and true all the way through the afternoon and early evening!! As for the course, it is an amazing challenge with many teeing options. You will not get bored here at Shore Gate because each hole looks different and unique. Pars that are made here make you feel like you earned it and you’ll feel like your game is improving as well! There is a full driving range and putting green, separate short game areas that include a practice bunker. You’ll be greeted by very personable bag staff and pro shop staff (Greg and Chris) follow suit. Shore Gate is the top public option when you’re near OCNJ, Sea Isle, Avalon, Stone Harbor all the way down Cape May!!
Logan Winsor
They have gone mad with these prices
Flavors & Fairways
Shore Gate Golf Club (New Jersey, USA) Played: Sunday early morning, paid $175. Shore Gate Golf Club is a beautifully designed and challenging course that offers great playability and solid conditions. While the price is on the higher end, it's justified by the course experience. However, the small and outdated clubhouse and lack of GPS in carts may leave some wanting more. Still, it’s a must-play in the region for serious golfers looking for a rewarding round. 1. Course Layout: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5) The layout is excellent—challenging but fun. Tee shots, approach shots, and green complexes are all thoughtfully designed and engaging. Every hole feels intentional, offering both difficulty and enjoyment. A very well-designed course. 2. Tee Box Condition: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5/5) Some tee boxes were not completely flat, and several had noticeable divots. Maintenance could be improved to better match the quality of the rest of the course. 3. Fairway Condition: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5) Firmness and turf consistency were good. Fairways were well maintained with only minor issues—solid condition overall. 4. Green Condition: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5) Greens were smooth, fast, and well-maintained. Firmness was appropriate, and the speed was enjoyable without being unfair. A strong point of the course. 5. Value for Money: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5) $175 is not cheap, but the course delivers. The design, conditioning, and challenge justify the price, especially for golfers seeking a premium public golf experience. 6. Clubhouse: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5) This is a weak point. The clubhouse is quite small and outdated, with limited restrooms and cramped space. However, the small outdoor food stand offering hot dogs, sausages, and burgers was a pleasant surprise that added a half-star. 7. Pace of Play: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5) Flow was very smooth, especially for a weekend morning. No noticeable delays, well-managed pace throughout the round. 8. Cart: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5) Standard electric carts, comfortable but nothing special. The biggest downside is the lack of GPS, which is expected at this price point. 9. Specialty: There are both pros and cons here. The course earns bonus points for being genuinely fun and challenging—but the poor signage in several areas made navigation confusing. Due to this mix, no star rating is assigned for Specialty.
Henry
Rudest staff. Big Chungus behind the counter was ripping chewing tobacco and almost didn’t let us play because we didn’t have polos on. Bad representation from the wide man behind the counter
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Course Details
Access & Location
35 School House Ln, Ocean View, NJ 08230, USA
Modest clubhouse with lounge and outdoor concession stand
Walking allowed and encouraged; terrain is mostly gentle but recommend sturdy shoes for sandy waste areas
Open to members and public players with tee-time reservations; advance booking recommended during peak season
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