Top 10 Golf Courses in Delaware: Discover the Best Fairways in the First State
Delaware, known for its charming coastal towns, historic landmarks, and beautiful countryside, is home to some of the East Coast’s most picturesque and challenging golf courses. From courses nestled among rolling hills to those with stunning views of the Atlantic coastline, Delaware’s golf courses provide a unique blend of challenge, beauty, and rich history that appeals to both avid golfers and newcomers to the sport. Here’s a look at Delaware’s top 10 golf courses, each offering a memorable golfing experience.
1. Bidermann Golf Club (Wilmington)
Bidermann Golf Club in Wilmington is one of Delaware’s most exclusive and prestigious golf courses. Designed by Dick Wilson in 1965, the course offers a classic layout with tree-lined fairways, deep bunkers, and fast, undulating greens.
Bidermann is known for its stunning natural beauty. The course winds through rolling hills and picturesque woodlands. The club’s commitment to preserving the natural landscape and its challenging design make it a standout among Delaware’s golf courses.
2. The Peninsula Golf & Country Club (Millsboro)
The Peninsula Golf & Country Club in Millsboro is a private course designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 2006. Set along the Indian River Bay, the course offers a challenging and scenic round of golf with wide fairways, large greens, and numerous water hazards.
The Peninsula is known for its excellent conditioning and stunning views, particularly on the back nine, where several holes offer panoramic bay views. The course’s combination of challenge, beauty, and luxury amenities makes it a must-play for serious golfers visiting Delaware.
3. Wilmington Country Club – South Course (Wilmington)
Wilmington Country Club has two outstanding courses, with the South Course being the crown jewel. Originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and later renovated by Andrew Green, the South Course offers a challenging layout with narrow fairways, deep bunkers, and small, fast greens.
The South Course has hosted several notable tournaments, including the BMW Championship in 2022. The course’s combination of history, challenge, and excellent conditioning makes it a favorite among avid golfers in Delaware.
4. Baywood Greens (Long Neck)
Baywood Greens in Long Neck is a public course known as the “Augusta of the North” for its stunning landscaping and immaculate conditioning. Designed by Bill Love and opened in 1998, the course features dramatic elevation changes, wide fairways, and large, undulating greens.
Baywood Greens is known for its beautiful flower beds, water features, and challenging layout, making it a favorite among local golfers and visitors. The course’s combination of beauty, playability, and excellent facilities makes it one of the top public courses in Delaware.
5. Rehoboth Beach Country Club (Rehoboth Beach)
Rehoboth Beach Country Club is a private course with a classic parkland-style layout and stunning views of Rehoboth Bay. Initially designed by Ed Ault and later renovated by Arthur Hills, the course features tree-lined fairways, small greens, and numerous water hazards.
Rehoboth Beach Country Club is known for its excellent conditioning and challenging layout, making it a favorite among local golfers and visitors. The course’s history, beauty, and challenging play make it a standout in Delaware.
6. DuPont Country Club (Wilmington)
DuPont Country Club in Wilmington is a historic private course designed by Donald Ross in 1921. The club has three courses, the most prominent of which is the DuPont Course. The course features a classic layout with tree-lined fairways, deep bunkers, and fast, undulating greens.
The DuPont Course has hosted numerous notable tournaments, including the LPGA Championship. The course’s combination of history, challenge, and excellent conditioning makes it a must-play for serious golfers in Delaware.
7. Rock Manor Golf Club (Wilmington)
Rock Manor Golf Club is a public course that was redesigned by Lester George in 2008, transforming it into one of the best public courses in the state. The course offers a challenging layout with narrow fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and water hazards that come into play on several holes.
Rock Manor is known for its excellent conditioning and welcoming atmosphere, making it a favorite among local golfers and visitors. The course’s combination of challenge, beauty, and accessibility makes it a standout in Wilmington.
8. Bayside Resort Golf Club (Selbyville)
Bayside Resort Golf Club in Selbyville is a public course designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 2005. Set along the Assawoman Bay coastline, the course offers a challenging and visually stunning round of golf with wide fairways, large greens, and numerous water hazards.
Bayside is known for its excellent conditioning and stunning views, particularly on the back nine, where several holes offer panoramic views of the bay and surrounding wetlands. The course’s combination of challenge, beauty, and resort-style amenities makes it a popular choice among golfers visiting Delaware.
9. Heritage Shores Club (Bridgeville)
Heritage Shores Club in Bridgeville is a public course designed by Arthur Hills that opened in 2007. It is set among the rolling countryside of southern Delaware and offers a challenging and enjoyable round of golf with wide fairways, large greens, and numerous natural hazards.
Heritage Shores is known for its excellent conditioning and welcoming atmosphere, making it a favorite among local golfers and visitors. The course’s combination of challenge, beauty, and affordability makes it a standout in the Bridgeville area.
10. Bear Trap Dunes (Ocean View)
Bear Trap Dunes in Ocean View is a public course designed by Rick Jacobson and opened in 1999. The course offers 27 holes of championship golf with three distinct 9-hole layouts: Grizzly, Kodiak, and Black Bear. Each layout provides a unique and challenging golfing experience.
Bear Trap Dunes is known for its excellent conditioning and stunning views, particularly on the back nine, where several holes offer panoramic views of the surrounding dunes and wetlands. The course’s combination of challenge, beauty, and variety makes it a popular choice among golfers visiting Delaware.
Conclusion
Delaware’s top golf courses offer a diverse range of experiences, from the historic charm of DuPont Country Club to the stunning coastal beauty of The Peninsula Golf & Country Club. Each course on this list provides a unique blend of challenge, scenic beauty, and rich history, reflecting the state’s commitment to providing an exceptional golfing experience. Whether playing along the bay or in the rolling hills of Wilmington, Delaware’s golf courses promise an unforgettable experience.
References
- Bidermann Golf Club: Official Website
- The Peninsula Golf & Country Club: Official Website
- Wilmington Country Club: Official Website
- Baywood Greens: Official Website
- Rehoboth Beach Country Club: Official Website
- DuPont Country Club: Official Website
- Rock Manor Golf Club: Official Website
- Bayside Resort Golf Club: Official Website
- Heritage Shores Club: Official Website
- Bear Trap Dunes: Official Website
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