11 Best Golf Courses in Delaware

Delaware, also known as "the First State" or the "Blue Hen State," may be one of the smallest states in terms of population and landmass, but it has its unique charm. The state is a corporate hub, it has its unique and quirky history, and a great shoreline for families and groups to visit during the summer. Besides the beach, there are plenty of amazing golf courses to play on in the "Blue Hen State," numbering nearly 50 courses to choose from, with over two dozen public courses, four municipal courses, and 16 private courses to explore. Here are the 11 best golf courses in Delaware:

White Clay Creek Country Club

White Clay Creek Country Club is a public golf club located in the southwest part of Wilmington, offering private club amenities on an impressive 18-hole golf course. The course was designed by Arthur Hills and Steve Forrest, who have designed courses in different parts of the country and the world. White Clay was designed with a focus on environmental sensitivity, as the course showcases an abundance of natural beauty. The cost of tee times for the public ranges from $80 to $100, depending on the time. It's also noted that White Clay has a dress code policy that golfers must obey when on the course.

Since the course is located in the Wilmington Metro Area, it is conveniently situated just five to six miles away from the Wilmington Airport, which offers regional flights, and approximately 28 miles away from the Philadelphia International Airport. The course is just east of the college town of Newark, home of the University of Delaware, where people can enjoy local restaurants, bars, and shops before and after a day on the course. The Chuchmans Crossing Train Station is conveniently located next to the course and offers train service to Wilmington for those who prefer not to drive to the course.

For those wanting to stay on after a solid round of golf, the course features a restaurant called At the Rail: Wine Bar and Grille, which serves fresh meals, offers amazing drinks, and provides both indoor and outdoor seating options for golfers and non-golfers. At the Rail is a wonderful place for romantic dinners, family gatherings, birthday dinners, reunions, and casual lunches in a luscious setting.

Deerfield Golf Club

Just west of White Clay Creek is Deerfield Golf Club in Newark. Deerfield is a public 18-hole golf course in the state. The course was designed by William Gordon in 1955 and was formerly a private golf club called "The Louviers Country Club," until it was renamed in 1994. Gordon has designed other golf courses in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, and West Virginia. The average cost for a tee time at Deerfield ranges from $35 to $65 for groups of one to four people, as the golf course is set on a lush course surrounded by woods and hilly terrain.

The Deerfield Golf Club is about 11 to 12 miles away from the Wilmington Airport and is 36 miles away from the Philadelphia International Airport. However, Deerfield is approximately 3.4 miles away from downtown Newark, providing residents with access to a vast array of community amenities, as it's a very popular college town in the state.

Deerfield offers a few excellent amenities, including a lovely dining area with a diverse menu, making it a wonderful spot for gatherings on celebratory occasions and holidays. Deerfield also hosts weddings, as its scenic setting is an amazing place to tie the knot in front of friends and family near the gazebo or among the pine trees, as well as a 10,000-square-foot ballroom for the reception, and a pub for those looking to watch sports and enjoy some ice-cold beers. Of course, the club has a shop with merchandise and golf gear for everyone to enjoy and to improve their game on the green.

The Rookery South Golf Club

Just four miles away from Broadkill Beach is the Rookery South Golf Club, an 18-hole public golf course in Milton, a town in the central part of the state, where golfers can enjoy a round or two on greens surrounded by forests, suburban neighborhoods, and a heron rookery east of the course. The course opened in August 2000 and was designed by Pete Oakley and Chris Adkins, who created a challenging yet enjoyable experience for golfers of all skill levels.

The public tee time prices for those looking to play a round of golf begin at $99 from 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. ET, after which the price drops to $60 on weekdays and weekends. The best times to go golfing at Rookery are sometime in the late afternoon to early evening to avoid the crowds and get a lower tee time price. The closest airport to Rookery is surprisingly the Salisbury Regional Airport in Maryland, which is 43 to 45 miles south of the course. However, the course is near beach communities like Lewes and Rehoboth Beach, where golfers can relax and enjoy the beaches on the Delaware Shoreline.

The Rookery South Golf Club features a pro shop, where golfers can browse the latest styles and gear for a sharp and successful time on the green. The course also features a restaurant called the Heron Grille, which serves delicious meals and drinks for everyone, including those who have had a long and incredible day on the green. A bed and breakfast near Rookery is the Mansion Farm Inn, where guests are treated to a lovely breakfast and a fantastic place to recharge for the weekend, as the bed and breakfast has been in operation since the 19th century.

DuPont Country Club

Just north of Wilmington is the DuPont Country Club, a private golf course featuring three courses, 26 tennis courts, a fitness center, and a swimming facility, making it a notable club to visit and potentially join. DuPont was designed by Scottish golf course designer Alfred Tull, who designed courses mostly in the northeastern part of the country. Because Dupont is a private country club, the membership has an initiation fee in the tens of thousands. Bronze members pay monthly dues of $196. For those looking to play unlimited golf, the monthly prices post membership are $526 for individuals and $429 for limited golf. The best times to golf at DuPont are during the spring and fall months, when the weather is just right with moderate temperatures.

Because DuPont is located in the Wilmington Area, it's approximately 10 miles away from the Wilmington Airport and 20 miles away from Philadelphia International Airport. DuPont is also four miles away from downtown Wilmington, where people can explore the city and find train service to Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. As mentioned earlier, DuPont has more than just golf courses; it also features over two dozen tennis courts, a swimming facility, and a fitness center within the country club. The Clubhouse at DuPont is a great place to unwind, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy drinks before and after a long day on the green at the Legends Pub.

The Peninsula

Just on the banks of the Indian River Bay is The Peninsula Golf and Country Club, a private 18-hole golf resort and gated community near the Delaware Shore. The course is surrounded by suburban neighborhoods, ponds, and the Indian River Bay itself, making for an exciting golf course to visit. The course was designed by legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus, a golf Hall of Famer who has designed numerous golf courses around the country.

Because the Peninsula is a private club, membership costs are approximately $15,000 for those residing in the surrounding community. Monthly HOAs for non-residents begin around $400. Sport membership initiation fees typically start at around $25,000, and monthly fees are approximately $300. The best times to go golfing at the Peninsula are during the early mornings in the spring and fall. The closest airport to the Peninsula Golf and Country Club is the Salisbury Regional Airport in Maryland, which is 34 to 35 miles south of the course, while the Wilmington Airport is about 90 miles away from the course.

The amenities at the Peninsula are incredible; there is a pro shop in the country club with the latest gear and apparel for golfers, an app for people to download for free, giving people interactive information and scorecards online rather than the traditional paper cards, the Clubhouse restaurant and Terrace Grille are open all year round, making them perfect spots for golfers to enjoy meals and drinks after a lovely day on the green. There are athletic clubs with pools, racquet courts, and gyms.

Baywood Greens Golf Course

Just north of the Peninsula is the Baywood Greens Golf Course and Clubhouse, an 18-hole public golf course in Millsboro, which is also very close to the beach towns on the Delaware Shoreline. The course is surrounded by relaxing ponds and forests, and was designed by Brian T. Ault and William R. Love, renowned designers of exceptional golf courses across the country.

The average green fee begins around $199 for one to four golfers from 7:30 a.m. until 1:50 p.m., then decreases to $109 to $89 from 2:50 p.m. until 4:50 p.m., making golfing in the early to late afternoon a very desirable time. The Baywood Greens Golf Course is 34 miles away from the Salisbury Regional Airport in Maryland, while the Wilmington Airport is 85 miles away from the course. Luckily, the Delaware beach towns are nearby for those looking for places to explore after a nice round of golf.

The Baywood Greens Golf Course has some great amenities for those who want to enjoy the course a bit longer, such as private golf lessons, a pro shop, private beaches and marinas, tennis courts, swimming pools, and the Baywood Clubhouse, which serves incredible food, especially during crab cake nights on Mondays, hosts weddings in the ballroom, veranda, paver patio, and library, and hosts private events, making for a memorable time.

Bear Trap Dunes

Just west of Bethany Beach is the Bear Trap Dunes, a public 27-hole golf course in Ocean View. The course is renowned for its abundant dunes, coastal terrain, and firm greens that roll true, making it a fun course to play. Bear Trap Dunes was designed by Rick Jacobsen, a former associate of Jack Nicklaus, who has designed championship-style courses in the United States, Europe, and East Asia.

The rates for an 18-hole round of golf for one to four players begin at $100 from early mornings until 3:00 p.m. ET. Then the rate drops to $70. The best times to go golfing at Bear Trap Dunes are in the spring months. April to May and the fall months of September to November, when the weather is neither too hot nor too cold. The closest commercial airport to Bear Trap Dunes is the Salisbury Regional Airport in Maryland, which is 30 to 33 miles away from the course, while the Wilmington Airport is around 100 miles away from the course.

Just like the Peninsula, Bear Trap has its great share of amenities, like the Coastal Kitchen Restaurant, where golfers can enjoy a relaxed meal and drinks in a luxurious and high-quality setting. Bear Trap also hosts meetings, events, and weddings, making for a memorable time. There's also a pool and tennis courts across from the clubhouse, for those looking to take a swim or hit the courts instead of golfing for the day.

Frog Hollow Golf Course

On the northern side of Middletown is the Frog Hollow Golf Course, a semi-private 18-hole golf course open to the public, but it also offers membership options and occasionally hosts private events. Frog Hollow is renowned for its challenging yet player-friendly design style, characterized by strategically placed bunkers, rolling bent greens, residential neighborhoods surrounding the course, and ponds throughout. The course opened its doors in 2000 and was designed by Allen Liddicoat and David Horne, who have designed a couple of other courses in the state.

For those looking to play on Frog Hollow's course, rates begin at around $40 to $50 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET, then decrease to $34 to $40 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The best times to go golfing at Frog Hollow are early during the weekdays to avoid the crowds, or late on a Saturday afternoon. The course is about 18 miles south of the Wilmington Airport, and is about 13 to 14 miles away from Delaware City, where golfers can enjoy nice scenic views of the Delaware River waterfront.

Frog Hollow does have some great amenities for golfers to enjoy, such as the Pub at Frog Hollow, where golfers can enjoy a wonderful cuisine after a nice round of golf. Frog Hollow also features a pool, a couple of tennis courts, and a clubhouse that can host events for up to 125 people. Additionally, Middletown offers some wonderful local restaurants to explore, such as Pithari and the Crooked Hammock Brewery, both located within the community.

Plantation Lakes Golf and Country Club

Just west of the Peninsula Golf Club and Resort is the Plantation Lakes Golf and Country Club in Millsboro. Plantation Lakes is a semi-private 18-hole golf course renowned for its natural beauty and challenging atmosphere, situated amidst ponds, residential neighborhoods, and lush green forests. Plantation Lakes was initially designed by Arthur Hills, who also designed the White Clay Creek Country Club. Hills designed the first nine holes, but the remaining holes were designed by Hills Forest Smith, with the intention of increasing strategic play and making the course more playable.

The rates at Plantation Lakes start at $20 for range practice, $40 per hour for simulator rental, and $90 for a 45-minute lesson, either indoors or outdoors. Green fees at Plantation Lakes begin at $109 from 8:00 a.m. to $75 from 3:00 p.m. until 3:50 p.m.. However, prices can fluctuate depending on what day people or individuals golf. The best times to go golfing at Plantation Lakes are usually early mornings to avoid the heat and crowds, or late afternoons for lower prices and slightly cooler weather.

The closest airport to Plantation Lakes is the Salisbury Regional Airport in Maryland, which is 24 to 30 miles south of the course. The Landing Bar and Grille is located in the clubhouse, where golfers can enjoy a full lunch or dinner before or after a productive day on the green. They can also attend special events at the restaurant, such as live music, Oktoberfest, or themed nights. There are also walking trails near the course, an outdoor fitness area, tennis courts, swimming pools, and a grand ballroom, where people can host weddings, corporate events, birthday parties, reunions, and more.

Heritage Shores Golf Club

Further inland in the western part of the state is the Heritage Shores Golf Club, a public 18-hole par-72 golf course in Bridgeville, known for its championship-style course, and is regarded as one of the best public golf courses in the state. Heritage Shores was designed by Arthur Hills, who also designed the Plantation Lakes Golf and Country Club and White Clay Creek Country Club.

The price for green fees and rates changes and fluctuates throughout the day, with prices in the morning starting around $128. Prices then decrease during the afternoon to $68 and then to $45 in the later parts of the afternoon and early evenings. The closest airport to Heritage Shores is the Salisbury Regional Airport in Maryland, which is a 30-mile drive away from the course, while the Wilmington Airport is about 75 to 90 miles north of the course. Luckily, the city of Seaford is six to 7.5 miles south, with plenty of amenities for golfers to enjoy after a nice round on the green.

Heritage Shores offers a range of wonderful amenities, including two restaurants: Passwaters Restaurant and 1730 Tavern, as well as the Sugar Beet Market. Both restaurants provide excellent meals and drinks for all to enjoy before or after a long day on the green. Heritage Shores also features a pro shop and hosts outings and tournaments, as well as weddings, bridal showers, golf clinics, banquets, and parties, all of which contribute to a memorable experience at the course.

Maple Dale Country Club

Located in the northern part of Dover, the state capital, is the Maple Dale Country Club, a private 18-hole golf course that opened as a three-hole course in the 1920s and expanded into an 18-hole course in 1969. When the course expanded to 18 holes, it was designed by Russell Roberts, who also designed the Old Landing Golf Course in Rehoboth Beach. Maple Dale is also known for its beautiful, well-maintained course and challenging layout, keeping golfers on their toes at all times.

The cost of green fees at Maple Dale for one to four golfers starts at $50 from 8:00 a.m. and then decreases to $40 from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. However, since Maple Dale is a private country club, the championship monthly membership price for a single person is $319, while the monthly membership for families is $399. The non-resident memberships begin at $169 per month for single members and increase to $224 per month for families.

The closest commercial airport to the Maple Dale Country Club is the Wilmington Airport, which is 42 to 50 miles north of the course, while the Philadelphia International Airport is about 69.4 miles north of the course. For those who hang out at the country club after a nice, long day on the green, Maple Dale has plenty of amenities to experience. The Par and Plate Restaurant, located at the clubhouse, offers an incredible meal and drinks for all to enjoy. Maple Dale has a ballroom, a veranda outside the ballroom, and a boardroom for small meetings.

Golfing In Delaware

Overall, each of these 11 golf courses in Delaware is unique, special, and offers golfers a memorable experience, thanks to their diverse landscapes, ranging from courses near the shoreline to those surrounded by wooded forests. The courses offer numerous on-site amenities and are also located near wonderful communities with additional amenities to enjoy outside of the courses. When visiting "the First State," make sure to explore one of these fantastic golf courses for a day or two and enjoy their unique and challenging layouts with friends and family.