West Orange, New Jersey · Northern & Central New Jersey
Francis A. Byrne Golf Course
Seth Raynor drew it in 1928, Charles Banks built it, and Stephen Kay restored the templates: a Road 1st, a Biarritz 2nd, a Short 5th and an Eden 14th.
- 18Holes
- 70Par
- 6,971Yards
- West OrangeLocation
- county (Essex County Parks)Access
About Francis A. Byrne Golf Course
Byrne is Essex County's Golden Age course: Seth Raynor designed it in 1928 for what was then a private club, and Charles Banks built it after Raynor died. It's nearly 7,000 yards over hilly ground in West Orange, with deep bunkers and rolling greens, and it asks for length and accuracy at the same time.
The reason to play it is the template holes, which Stephen Kay brought back in the county's renovation: the Road hole at 1, the Biarritz at 2, the Short at 5 and the Eden at 14. The 2nd is the one people talk about. Golf Today reports the green was stretched to 65 yards long, with a dip in the middle between raised front and back sections, and the hole can play up to 270 yards from the back. Hit the correct plateau or you'll be putting through the dip.
The club behind it, Essex County Country Club, dates to 1887, and Golf Today calls it New Jersey's oldest club. Raynor died in 1926 partway through the East course; Banks finished it and built the whole West course, which the club later ran as a semi-private course. In 1978 the club sold the West course to Essex County for $3.1 million, and it was renamed Francis Byrne.
It's one of 2 courses in West Orange on Yoink, and the closest alternative is Rock Spring Golf Club at West Orange, about 2 miles away — handy when your first choice is booked solid.
What it's like to play Francis A. Byrne Golf Course
There are about 38 bunkers out there, well above average, so a good bunker game pays.
Course character from OpenStreetMap contributors' survey data (ODbL).
Booking a tee time at Francis A. Byrne Golf Course
Get an Essex County Golf ID card if you'll play more than once. Under the county's 2026 policy, resident card holders book through the automated system 10 days ahead and Gold Card holders get 14 days; a non-resident card for Byrne, Hendricks and Weequahic also gets 10 days. Card holders pay $55 on weekdays and $65 on weekends, against $65 and $85 without a card, and carts are $25. Cancel at least 12 hours ahead or pay a $20 no-show fee, and check in 20 minutes before your time. The shop is 973-736-2306.
How to get a tee time at Francis A. Byrne Golf Course
Yoink
If Francis A. Byrne Golf Course looks full for the day you want, it usually isn't for long: groups drop, rounds get moved and times reopen at all hours.
Yoink checks the sheet for you. Set a watch for the date, window and group size you want, and you'll get a push notification as soon as a spot opens — then book it directly with Francis A. Byrne Golf Course.
- Pick Francis A. Byrne Golf Course in Yoink.
- Choose your day, time window and number of players.
- Get an alert when a matching tee time opens — then book it directly with the course.
Golf courses near Francis A. Byrne Golf Course
- Rock Spring Golf Club at West Orange · West Orange · 2 mi
- Hendricks Field Golf Course · Belleville · 5 mi
- Weequahic Golf Course · Newark · 6 mi
- East Orange Golf Course · Short Hills · 6 mi
- Meadows Golf Club · Lincoln Park · 8 mi
- Pinch Brook Golf Course · Florham Park · 8 mi
- The Learning Center at Galloping Hill · Kenilworth · 8 mi
- Galloping Hill Golf Course · 9 mi
All 75 Northern & Central New Jersey courses in New Jersey · New Jersey golf courses
Francis A. Byrne Golf Course FAQ
Where is Francis A. Byrne Golf Course?
Francis A. Byrne Golf Course is in West Orange, New Jersey, in the Northern & Central New Jersey area — about 2 miles from Rock Spring Golf Club at West Orange.
Is Francis A. Byrne Golf Course open to the public?
Francis A. Byrne Golf Course is county (Essex County Parks).
How many holes is Francis A. Byrne Golf Course, and what's par?
Francis A. Byrne Golf Course is an 18-hole regulation course: 18 holes, par 70, 6,971 yards.
How do I get a tee time at Francis A. Byrne Golf Course when it's booked up?
Set a watch for Francis A. Byrne Golf Course in Yoink with your date, time window and group size. Yoink monitors the course's tee sheet and alerts you the moment a matching time opens, including cancellations. You book directly with the course.
What golf courses are near Francis A. Byrne Golf Course?
Nearby options include Rock Spring Golf Club at West Orange, Hendricks Field Golf Course and Weequahic Golf Course. Yoink watches 75 courses in the Northern & Central New Jersey area.
Sources
Facts on this page come from these pages, checked 2026-09-28. Rates and booking rules change, so confirm with the course.
- essexcountyparks.org · government
- essexcountyparks.org · government
- golftoday.co.uk · media
Never miss a tee time at Francis A. Byrne Golf Course
Yoink watches the tee sheet so you don't have to. When a time you want opens up, your phone buzzes — you book direct.