Inside Golf Digest's Top 25 Courses in New Jersey with Stephen Hennessey

Go behind the scenes on this episode of The DROP Podcast as we sit down with Stephen Hennessey, Managing Editor of Golf Digest and the final voice on New Jersey’s 2025 Top 25 Courses. He shares how the rankings took shape, rater feedback, behind-closed-doors debates, and the standards that defined the elite.Expect deep insights, hot takes, and passionate discussion, why some courses soared, which surprise picks cracked the list, and which snubs still sting. Whether you’re chasing your next bucket-list round or just love Garden State golf chatter, this episode’s a must-listen.Follow The DROP for your weekly fix of Golfing in the Garden State.

A day we’ll never forget. When we launched The DROP Podcast, being invited to Media Day at Baltusrol Golf Club for the reopening of its iconic Upper Course wasn’t on our bingo card, but there we were, walking fairways where legends played and soaking in the moment alongside voices from Golf Digest, GOLF Magazine, LINKS Magazine, and the Metropolitan Golf Association.We toured the historic clubhouse - locker rooms, dining spaces, and more - before getting a full breakdown of the restoration vision from architect Gil Hanse himself. From the behind-the-scenes access to a round on this 4th ranked course in NJ, it was a powerful reminder of how far our journey has come. Join us as we reflect, react, and celebrate a milestone day for Golfing in the Garden State.Don’t miss an episode - follow The DROP for your weekly fix of Golfing in the Garden State.

From junior golf into college dominance and now Director of Instruction at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club, Danny Harcourt shares his inspiring journey. He opens up about landing one of NJ’s top golf roles and hosting the filming of Happy Gilmore 2 right on property with full membership support. If you love Garden State golf, want insider stories from NJ’s top courses, or are curious how Hollywood and golf collide, this is a must-listen. Follow The DROP for your weekly fix of Golfing in the Garden State, including player stories, course breakdowns, and NJ golf culture.

Oakmont delivered absolute carnage at the US Open, living up to its reputation as one of golf’s most brutal tests. We break down the high scores, big names who couldn’t survive, and how the setup humbled even the world’s best. If you love major championship chaos, you’re in the right place.Plus, we recap Matt Lowe’s dominant MGA Public Links win at Hominy Hill with back-to-back 67s, highlight strong finishes from Derek Gutierrez and Ethan Lee, and celebrate Reed Greyserman’s Florida State Amateur Championship win in playoff fashion. We also check in on podcast growth and preview the Travelers Championship and Wichita Open.Follow The DROP for your weekly fix of Golfing in the Garden State.

NBC Sports' lead golf voice Dan Hicks joins us for an inside look at Oakmont ahead of the 2025 U.S. Open, where he’ll be on the call live. We get his take on what makes Oakmont such a brutal test, break down Kevin Kisner's mindset, and make a few bold predictions for this week's action. Dan also shares insight on the next Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black and how it's shaping up to be one of the most electric events in recent memory - plus plenty more from inside the ropes.Follow The DROP for weekly interviews, bold predictions, and local golf stories from across New Jersey.

We spent the day at Berkshire Valley Golf Course - one of NJ’s top-rated public tracks - and we’re breaking it all down: staff, course conditions, layout strengths, pace, pricing, and overall feel. If you're a local or just golf-tripping through the Garden State, this is your tee-to-green guide to one of the best public plays in New Jersey.Follow The DROP for weekly stories, player highlights, and course breakdowns from across NJ golf.SUBSCRIBE ► https://www.youtube.com/@TheDROPGolfPodcastConnect with us on Social:Instagram ►   www.instagram.com/thedrop_pod TikTok ►   https://www.tiktok.com/@thedropgolfpodcast

Fresh off the Ron Jaworski Celebrity Golf Outing at RiverWinds, Mike breaks down what went down on the course - the setup, the stories, and standout moments. Then it’s on to Oakmont as we preview the U.S. Open with bold picks, sleeper names, and why this field is packed with our guys: Max, Chris, Ryan, and James. Plus: a shoutout to NJ Mid-Am champ John Havay, a look ahead to the MGA Public Links at Hominy Hill, and quick recaps from the RBC Canadian Open, BMW Charity Pro-Am, and the ShopRite LPGA Classic at Seaview.Follow The DROP for weekly stories, player highlights, and tournament coverage from across the state.

How do you win a championship when the weather’s awful and the pressure is real? This week on The DROP, we dive into the 2025 NJ Golf’s 4-Ball victory with Sean Vowells and Henry Bolster. Representing Canoe Brook, the longtime friends and partners take us inside their win at North Jersey Country Club - from how they became a team, to how they leaned on each other through one of the toughest mental tests of the year. Smart shot-making, calm under pressure, and a lot of grit - this is how it got done.In the second half, Sean and Henry open up about what clicked in their chemistry, how they stayed locked in during the storm, and why this 4-Ball title means more than most. Whether you’re grinding through qualifiers or watching from the clubhouse, this one’s a must-listen.Follow us for more Golfing in the Garden State:SUBSCRIBE ► https://www.youtube.com/@TheDROPGolfPodcastConnect with us on Social:Instagram ►   www.instagram.com/thedrop_pod TikTok ►   https://www.tiktok.com/@thedropgolfpodcast

Is Shore Gate Golf Club the most overlooked public course in New Jersey? This week on The DROP, we break down why this Ron Fream–David Dale design deserves more attention - from its bold bunkering and dense pine corridors to its undulating greens that demand precision on every hole. We get into current conditions, value vs. price, and whether Shore Gate is still flying under the radar or finally ready for center stage. Plus, Ryan unveils his 2025 Golf Course Rating System, walking you through exactly how he grades courses and what those numbers actually mean for your next round.In the second half, we react to Golf Digest’s newly released Top 25 Private Courses in New Jersey - who made moves, who got left out, and what it says about NJ’s private golf scene right now. We preview the NJ Mid-Amateur Championship, recap the USGA’s “Longest Day in Golf,” and hit Fast Facts: Max Greyserman’s T25 at The Memorial, a look ahead to the RBC Canadian Open, and Korn Ferry updates with Ryan and James in the field for the BMW Charity Pro-Am. We close with a preview of the LPGA’s ShopRite Classic at Seaview Bay, where Nelly Korda and Brooke Henderson headline.Follow The DROP for your weekly fix of Golfing in the Garden State.SUBSCRIBE ► https://www.youtube.com/@TheDROPGolfPodcastConnect with us on Social:Instagram ►   www.instagram.com/thedrop_pod TikTok ►   https://www.tiktok.com/@thedropgolfpodcast

From early inspiration to the head pro at one of NJ’s top private clubs, Craig Smith’s story is everything golf fans love. This week on The DROP Podcast, he shares how he got into golf, the people who inspired him along the way, and what makes the MCGC membership one of the most remarkable in the Garden State.With the 42nd NJ Mid-Amateur Championship just days away, we break down who’s in, what’s at stake, and why this year’s field matters.  Get the inside scoop on what to watch for, who’s in the field, and why this event continues to be a pillar of competitive golf in New Jersey. Whether you’re chasing birdies or just love local golf stories, this one’s made for you.Follow us for more Golfing in the Garden State:SUBSCRIBE ► https://www.youtube.com/@TheDROPGolfPodcastConnect with us on Social:Instagram ►   www.instagram.com/thedrop_pod TikTok ►   https://www.tiktok.com/@thedropgolfpodcast