Thinking about hitting the links in the First State? The simple answer is yes, you absolutely can play golf in Delaware, and it’s a fantastic choice for golfers of all stripes. This guide will walk you through the highlights of Delaware's golf scene and give you the fundamental swing instruction to tackle any course with confidence and enjoy your round.
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Why Play Golf in the First State?
Delaware might be small, but it packs a big punch when it comes to golf. What makes it special is its variety. Within a short drive, you can transition from the beautifully manicured courses nestled in the rolling hills of the north to the sun-splashed, links-style layouts near the southern beaches. The state is easily accessible, relatively affordable compared to its neighbors, and offers a mix of challenging championship designs and more forgiving tracks perfect for a casual day out. Whether you’re a scratch player or just starting, Delaware has a tee time waiting for you.
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The state has a healthy mix of public, semi-private, and private golf clubs. While the private clubs are exceptional, the public golf scene is where Delaware truly shines, offering high-quality experiences without the need for a membership.
Public Powerhouses: Accessible Golf for Everyone
You don't need a special invitation to play some of the best golf in the state. These publicly accessible courses are renowned for their design and conditioning:
Bayside Resort Golf Club (Selbyville): Often ranked the #1 course in a state that you can play, Bayside is a Jack Nicklaus Signature design that winds through woodlands, marshland, and alongside the stunning Assawoman Bay. It's a challenging but unforgettable experience.
Back Creek Golf Club (Middletown): A links-style course that feels like a trip to Scotland. With wide fairways, penalizing fescue, and frequent winds, it offers a distinct challenge and is consistently rated as one of the top public courses in the region.
Deerfield (Newark): A beautiful parkland course known for its excellent conditions and classic layout. It’s set in the scenic White Clay Creek State Park and offers rolling terrain and some of the best greens around.
Baywood Greens (Long Neck): Dubbed the "Augusta of the North" for its immaculate conditioning and stunning floral landscaping on every hole. It's a visual treat and a fun, playable design for all skill levels.
When's the Best Time to Tee It Up?
The prime golf season in Delaware runs from late April through October. During these months, you’ll find the courses in their best shape, with lush fairways and true-rolling greens. Summer can be warm and humid, but morning and late afternoon tee times are perfect. The shoulder seasons of spring and fall are arguably the best time to play, offering pleasant temperatures and beautiful foliage. While some courses remain open year-round, winter play is dependent on the weather, but a mild day in January or February can be a great opportunity to get a quiet and very affordable round in.
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Knowing where to play in Delaware is the first step. The next is showing up feeling ready to play your best. A solid understanding of the fundamentals will make your experience on any of these great courses far more rewarding. We're going to break down the key parts of the swing to give you a strong foundation to build on.
First Things First: Understanding the Golf Swing Action
Let's simplify what the golf swing really is. The action is a rotation of the golf club moving around your body in a circle-like motion. It is powered mainly by your body - specifically, the rotation of your shoulders and hips. If you can get those two parts working together and focus on the idea that the swing is more rounded than upright, that alone will make a huge difference. Too many new players swing with an "up and down" chopping motion, using only their arms. If we're looking for power and consistency, we have to involve the body. Think of it as a twist and unwind: you rotate your torso to get the club up and around you, and then you unwind your torso to bring it back to the ball.
Steering the Ship: How to Hold the Golf Club
Your grip is the steering wheel for your golf shot, and it has an enormous influence on where the clubface is pointing at impact. To get started, line up the leading edge of the clubface so it's perfectly straight, or use the logo on the grip as a guide. When you place your top hand (left hand for a right-handed player) on the club, let it come from the side in a natural position. You want to hold the club primarily in your fingers, from the middle of your index finger to the base of your pinky.
Once the fingers are on, let the palm of your hand settle on top. A great checkpoint is to look down and see two knuckles on your top hand. The "V" formed by your thumb and index finger should point up toward your right shoulder. For your bottom hand (right hand), let it approach the club from the side as well. The palm of your right hand should cover your left thumb. Whether you interlock, overlap, or use a ten-finger grip is a matter of personal comfort. The most important thing is that the hands feel like a single, unified unit. Remember, this will probably feel weird at first. The golf grip is unlike holding anything else, but sticking with a neutral, fundamentally sound hold will prevent you from having to make big compensations in your swing.
The Foundation: Setting Up for a Great Shot
A good setup is the source of balance and power. Start by placing the clubhead behind the ball, aimed directly at your target. From there, your setup is about creating the right posture. Bend forward from your hips, not your waist, and allow your rear end to stick out. This might feel exaggerated, but it's what lets your arms hang down naturally and freely. If you let a line drop from your shoulders, it should fall right over your hands. Many players don't bend over enough and end up with their arms jammed close to their body.
For your stance, a good starting point is to have your feet shoulder-width apart for a mid-iron shot. This gives you a stable base that’s wide enough to allow your hips to turn freely but not so wide that it restricts rotation. Your weight should be balanced 50/50 between your feet. For ball position with shorter irons (like an 8 or 9-iron), place the ball in the middle of your stance. As the clubs get longer, the ball moves slightly forward, ending up inside your lead heel for the driver. Once you're in position, relax. Take a breath and let the tension go before you start your swing.
Creating Power: Mastering the Backswing
Your backswing is where you store up energy. From your setup, the backswing begins with a "one-piece takeaway." This means your shoulders, arms, hands, and the club all start moving away from the ball together, powered by the rotation of your torso. A great feeling is as you are rotating your body, you let your wrists hinge slightly. Just a little fold in that top wrist. This simple action helps set the club on the correct path and prevents it from getting stuck too far behind you.
As you continue to rotate to the top of your swing, you want to feel your weight shifting onto the inside of your back foot, but without swaying your body completely off the ball. A helpful image is to imagine you’re standing inside a barrel. You want to rotate your shoulders and hips, but stay centered as you turn.
The Moment of Truth: The Downswing and Impact
Now that you've completed your backswing, it's time to unwind and deliver that stored power to the ball. The key to a solid strike is the sequence of the downswing. Everything starts from the ground up. The first move is a slight shift of your weight and pressure toward your front foot. As your hips start to unwind toward the target, your torso, arms, and finally the club will follow. It's a natural uncoiling process.
One common mistake players make is trying to 'lift' the ball into the air. This causes topped or thin shots. You have to trust the loft on your club will do the work. The goal with an iron is to hit the ball first, then the ground, taking a small divot in front of where the ball was. This is only possible if you shift your weight correctly during the downswing.
The Picture-Perfect Finish: Your Follow-Through
Your swing isn’t over at impact. A balanced follow-through is a sign of a good, efficient swing. As you rotate through the shot, let your body and arms extend fully toward the target. Your right shoulder (for a righty) should rotate all the way through until it's facing the target. Your hips will be fully rotated, and your back foot will naturally come up onto its toe.
Almost all of your weight - around 90% - should be supported by your front leg. You should be able to hold this finished position comfortably for a few seconds without falling over. Practice holding your finish. It not only looks great, but it demonstrates that you've stayed in balance and committed fully through the shot. This is the culmination of everything: the rotation, the weight shift, and the extension all leading to a beautiful, balanced finishing pose.
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Delaware offers an impressive and accessible golf experience, from the serene parkland courses in the north to the challenging coastal layouts of the south. By equipping yourself with a solid understanding of the swing fundamentals - from your grip and setup to a balanced finish - you’ll be ready to enjoy every moment on these fantastic fairways.
As you get out on these beautiful Delaware courses, you'll inevitably face shots that leave you scratching your head. Whether it’s figuring out the strategy for a blind tee shot at Back Creek or deciding how to play a tough lie in the fescue at Bayside, sometimes you just need a second opinion. When those moments arise, I find that Caddie AI is an amazing new way to have an answer in your back pocket. You can ask for a simple plan to play a hole, and it even has a cool feature letting you snap a photo of any tough lie to see how a professional would play it. This kind of information helps get rid of the guesswork on the course so you can play with true confidence.
Spencer has been playing golf since he was a kid and has spent a lifetime chasing improvement. With over a decade of experience building successful tech products, he combined his love for golf and startups to create Caddie AI - the world's best AI golf app. Giving everyone an expert level coach in your pocket, available 24/7. Caddie's mission is simple: make world-class golf advice accessible to everyone, anytime.
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