Golf in Delaware
Overview
Golf in Delaware
What golf looks like for retirement in Delaware: where to do it, what the state costs, and the towns that fit.
Golf in Delaware
Delaware has a handful of public courses clustered in the central and southern portions of the state, including Maple Dale Country Club in Dover, which offers public play. The state's small size means golfers can reach courses in neighboring Maryland and Pennsylvania within a short drive, and the season is generally year-round in the southern part of the state.
Published local price
Deerfield Golf Club (Newark, DE; public 18-hole); Player's Card members (monthly fee) play weekdays for $30 and weekends after 12pm for $40; standard walk-in rates vary; rates vary by season and tee time
deerfieldgolfclub.com · as of 2026Where to go
What Delaware costs
Cost of living
100
BEA index, U.S. = 100
State income tax
~4.5% state income-tax planning rate
Social Security
Not taxed
How people start
- 1
Map the public and municipal courses nearby
Most metros list city-run courses with published fee schedules. Those set the affordable floor before any private club enters the picture.
- 2
Ask about senior and resident rates
Many courses post a reduced weekday senior rate and a season pass. The difference between pay-per-round and a pass is the number that usually drives the yearly cost.
- 3
Price the season, not the round
In warm states the season runs most of the year; in cold ones it is a few months. The yearly cost is rounds-per-year times rate, plus cart and equipment.
Common questions
Is Delaware a good place to retire for golf?
Delaware has a handful of public courses clustered in the central and southern portions of the state, including Maple Dale Country Club in Dover, which offers public play. The state's small size means golfers can reach courses in neighboring Maryland and Pennsylvania within a short drive, and the season is generally year-round in the southern part of the state.
What does it cost to retire in Delaware?
Delaware has a cost-of-living index near 100 (U.S. = 100), about a 4.5% state income-tax planning rate, and does not tax Social Security. The full state guide breaks down property tax, sales tax, and long-term-care costs, each sourced.
Sources
The life your money is for