Delaware Springs Golf Course Review

Delaware Springs Golf Course Review

Review of Delaware Springs Golf Course

Delaware Springs Golf Course opened for play in 1992 and is a fun and straightforward course and an excellent value.  Delaware Springs was chosen by Golfweek in 2008 as one of the "Best Courses You Can Play" and was given 4 out of 5 stars by GolfReview.com.  We think is one of the best municipal courses in Texas and a real joy to play.  

The course designers, Dave Akland and Dan Procter, really put some thought into the course and laid it out to take advantage of the gently rolling hill country terrain and native rough.  Each of the holes has a name that describes what to expect, for example #5 is named "Mountain View" because of it's view of some of the Hill Country Mountains or "Roon the Bend" because of it's sharp dogleg right.  The course is located in a nice golf community and a few homes line some of the, but not all of the fairways.

By today's standards, Delaware Springs is a little short from each of the 5 tee boxes with yardages ranging from 4749 to 6802 yards.  Even though it's a little short, it still will challenge players of all skill levels thanks to blind shots, lots of dog legs requiring a precise drive to make the turn, some elevation changes, and strategically placed bunkers.  Delaware Springs gives you an excellent to have a very enjoyable and relaxing round in the country and an opportunity to walk into the club house with a record score and avoid having to buy the round of drinks.

Both nines are good, however we thought the front nine was a little prettier, a stroke or two harder, and more interesting. The front nine at Delaware Springs is a par 37 with 3 par 5s, 2 par 3s, and 4 par 4s and the back is a par 35 with one par 5.  You'll encounter some fun and challenging holes, like  Delaware Spring's #17  which is listed in Jeff Barr's "1001 Golf Holes You Must Play Before You Die.  At first glance this is a birdie waiting to happen. But, as is often the case in this tricky game, first glances can be deceiving.  This is a devilish little hole, and it's deception is delicious".  Some of the other fun holes include:

• #1, a 524 yard par five with a downhill drive that needs to be precise to make the turn left and avoid the driveable creek which crosses the fairway
• # 6 is a narrow tree lined fairway which requires a great shot off the tee to position you to avoid the large tree in the middle of the fairway and to nail the uphill shot to the green
• #9 is a short 325 par 4 dog leg right that requires excellent club selection and offers a good risk reward shot if you think you can carry the trees and hit the narrow fairway - a good opportunity to walk into the club house with a birdie
• #16 is a 202 yard par 3 with water and a natural area along the entire left side and a bunker plus a couple bunkers guarding the green

The Delaware Springs fairways, which were in very condition, range from flat to gently rolling and they are firm giving you lots of extra roll.  The rough is wide and playable but if you miss it, you'll most likely lose your ball in the native grass and trees. 

The greens range in size from huge to about average and have minor slope and undulation.  They held the ball well, run a little fast (they are kept at a 9 to 10) but true, and they are relatively easy to read.  The majority of the greens were in above average condition.  The last played in February they were dormant but overseeded and int great shape. The fringe is wide - 5 to 6 feet - and puttable. 

The bunkers also range in size from some small pot bunkers to some large strategically placed monstors.  All of the bunkers have been redone with the Better Billy Bunker System with provides better drainage and minimizes sand erosion and contamination.  They were filled with soft, thick, fluffy with sand - a real pleasure to hit out of!

Bottom line - a very good course with great conditions and an excellent value.  One of the best munis in Texas.