Sunset Valley

As I sit back and think about the 27 inches of snow we got this weekend, I also started thinking about whether I would pick up my clubs again this spring and play golf again. Various injuries and time constraints have allowed me a total of ONE round over the past two seasons. I’m hoping I can get out again this season and when I do I REALLY want to play Sunset Valley again.
I’ve always loved this course and have played it more than any of the other Morris County courses. The layout of this beautiful rolling track makes for a tough round of golf if you can’t keep the ball in the fairway. Tight fairways in some spots, thick rough, lots of trees, water, and significant elevation changes make this a challenging course… especially if you decide to walk it. The course has had its share of renovations over the years… making some holes a bit easier and some a bit tougher, but post-​renovation I always thought they’ve done a decent job of maintaining the course… people expect perfection, but that’s not realistic when you are dealing with drought situations all summer…
I will say the rangers try to keep the pace of play moving (sometimes it’s been completely maddening when there is no one behind us and the group in front of us are the ones slowing the pace of play), but I’ve never played in less than 4 ½ hours here — even keeping up with the group in front of us — and it’s usually closer to 5 hours.

Played here with coworkers during the non busy season. For some reason the ranger kept on telling us to pick up out pace even though we were waiting on the group in front of us.
It’s a nice course but some of the paths were confusing and some of holes weren’t well maintained.

This course always kicks my butt but it is a pretty nice course for a muni. It has a challenging layout with a lot of elevation changes. It has the highest slope rating of all of the Morris County courses. The greens I find overly challenging. Putting really slows the pace of play down depending on the pin positions. The greens roll faster and have more slope than almost any public course I have played. I tend to play other courses in the county system but every once in awhile I give it a go. Definitely a good value for New Jersey.

One of the nicest golf courses I’ve played in New Jersey. This is a public golf course, of which I’ve played at a few and from staff, to starter they weren’t the friendliest BUT Sunset Valley, TINA, you are so hospitable. Your energy from booking was great, and the starters were helpful being I never played the course.
COURSE — I played with a local (vince), nice gent, gave me the lay of the land. Renovated (3mm), and it shows, the fairways, nice, greens, exceptional. Solid condition to play a round. It’s a challenging course, a few uphill greens, but overall will challenge you to think yourself around the course.
SCENERY — being from LA, I thrive to play where there are great views, and this is ONE. The reviews were not what I would typically say inviting so I had to see for myself.
I had an amazing time, serene, picturesque, and just overall a nice place to enjoy a round of golf. I will not be visiting Darlington, not about the negative energy.
Lastly, for a public course, I have to tip my golf hat off, the staff here really enjoy what they do. Kudos to the entire staff at Sunset Valley Golf Course, and county for keeping such a treasure chest for golf.

Having Been a Morris County Resident oh some 15 plus years ago the track back then was very familiar to me. Used to be manicured, challenging, with super fast greens undulating and a real pleasure to play. Having not played here in some time and after the course has undergone some renovations its easy to see why this has been rated one of the worst courses in the Morris county system.
Still an incredible track and difficult layout with your very tight driving holes, incredibly deep rough and sloping undulating greens. What was lacking was course maintenance, course etiquette and everything in between. Tee boxes were weak, with barely enough grass to cover the sand and dirt. Looking down the fairways was fantastic rolling hills, levels of rough etc. Problem is if you hit it in the fairway its shoddy overgrown and simply not well maintained. Greens were never raked (See Etiquette and greens although looking good very bumpy and uneven.
No rangers to maintain pace of play and I understand people are out to have a good time and enjoy the day but there comes a point where you just pick up your phucking ball and move on. Plumb bobbing for 8’s is completely out of hand. When we hit the 4 Hour 45 minute mark and were still on the 18^th tee I had enough and packed it in. Hard to enjoy the round when the groups in front of you are completely clueless as to course pace and the groups behind you.
Clubhouse is small with a serviceable snack bar. Bottom line $ 75.00 for an non resident is a rip off IMHO. Much better options for golf in NJ. This has fallen a long way unfortunately since I’ve been here last.

Among the Morris County courses, this is the worst. Currently undergoing major reconstruction so it may work out in a couple years. A couple holes are just plain unplayable. Perhaps they’ll be fixed after the renovations.