
McCulloughs Emerald Course
McCulloughs Emerald Golf Links

About this course
McCulloughs Emerald Golf Links occupies a site in Egg Harbor Township, in the southern New Jersey coastal region near Atlantic City. Designed by Stephen Kay and opened in the late 1990s, the course was built on relatively flat terrain characteristic of the area's coastal plain. Kay, a New Jersey-based architect known for restoration work at classic northeastern courses as well as original designs, created a layout that incorporates links-style elements adapted to the local landscape. The routing features open playing corridors, strategic bunkering, and native grasses that evoke seaside golf despite the inland setting. The course plays across former agricultural land, with the design emphasizing ground game options and wind as a factor in club selection and strategy. Kay's work here reflects his understanding of golden age design principles, with wide fairways that reward thoughtful positioning and greens that feature subtle contours. The relatively modest elevation changes are used to create visual interest and strategic variety across the eighteen holes. McCulloughs Emerald serves the southern New Jersey golfing community as a daily-fee facility, providing access to a links-inspired experience in a region where such designs are less common than traditional parkland courses. The course benefits from its proximity to the shore, with coastal breezes influencing play throughout the year. The layout offers a straightforward test of golf that emphasizes course management and shotmaking over length alone.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in NJ
Quick facts
- Location
- Egg Harbor Township, NJ, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 2002
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Stephen Kay
- Par
- 71
- Length
- 6,535 yards
- Difficulty
- 71.7/130
- Course Vaults score
- 6.6
Getting there
McCulloughs Emerald Golf Links lies in the coastal flatlands of southern New Jersey, most easily reached via Atlantic City International Airport, just fifteen minutes to the south, or Philadelphia International for those connecting from broader networks roughly an hour northwest. The drive from Philadelphia traces the Atlantic City Expressway eastward through the Pine Barrens before spilling into the salt-air corridor of Egg Harbor Township, where suburban sprawl gives way to pockets of open ground and the occasional glimpse of tidal marsh. The final approach is understated, the kind of quiet arrival that befits a public-access gem tucked between the casino glitter of Atlantic City and the working-class authenticity of the Jersey Shore.

FAQ
Common questions about McCulloughs Emerald
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
McCulloughs Emerald has a Course Vaults score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 60 logged golfers.
McCulloughs Emerald was designed by Stephen Kay.
Yes. McCulloughs Emerald is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at McCulloughs Emerald is 71.
McCulloughs Emerald plays 6,535 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at McCulloughs Emerald is 130.






