You’ve probably seen the signs for Seaford, Delaware, while hauling a trailer or a trunk full of beach gear toward the coast. Most folks just blow right past it. They’re thinking about the sand at Rehoboth or the boardwalk fries at Ocean City. But tucked away on Locust Street is a spot that honestly catches a lot of "beach traffic" golfers off guard.
It’s called Hooper's Landing Golf Course.
If you ask a local, they’ll tell you it’s the heart of Sussex County golf. If you ask a tourist who caught it on a bad maintenance day, they might use words I can't repeat here. The truth? It’s somewhere in the middle, and it's way more interesting than your average municipal track.
The weird history of the two nines
Most people assume a golf course is designed by one person with one vision. That’s not what happened here. Hooper's Landing is basically a tale of two different eras stitched together like a Frankenstein monster—but a functional one.
The original nine holes date back to 1949. They were designed by Alfred H. Tull. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Tull was a prolific architect who worked on dozens of classic courses across the East Coast. Back then, it was known as the Seaford Golf & Country Club. It had that old-school, parkland feel. Tight fairways. Small greens. You had to be precise, or you were spending your afternoon punching out from under a loblolly pine.
Then came 1996.
The city decided to expand to 18 holes. They brought in Richard Mandell to design the "new" nine. Mandell is a different breed of architect, and the land he had to work with was different, too. While the front is often described as wooded and traditional, the back opens up. You get more water. You get marshy hazards. You get a sense of the Delmarva Peninsula's natural wetlands.
Playing here is basically a history lesson in golf architecture. You start in the 1940s and finish in the 90s. It’s kinda jarring if you aren’t expecting it, but it keeps things from getting boring.
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Why the "goat pasture" rumors exist (and why they're mostly wrong)
Let’s be real. If you spend any time on GolfPass or Reddit, you’ll see some scathing reviews of Hooper's Landing. People complain about the "burnt" fairways or the "bumpy" greens.
Here is what those people are missing: Bermuda grass.
Hooper's Landing uses Bermuda grass for its fairways. In the transition zone (which is exactly where Delaware sits), Bermuda goes dormant when the weather turns cold. It turns brown. It looks dead. If you show up in April or late October, you might think you’re playing on a hay field.
But honestly? That’s just how the grass works. Once the summer heat hits, that Bermuda wakes up and becomes some of the toughest, most heat-resistant turf you can find. It’s actually great for the local climate because it doesn't require the massive amounts of water that bentgrass needs to survive a 95-degree July day.
The greens are a different story. They’re Bentgrass. This creates a weird dynamic where you have warm-season fairways and cool-season greens. It’s a maintenance tightrope act. Does the staff always nail it? No. I’ve seen days where the greens are rolling like glass and days where they’ve just been aerated and look like a block of Swiss cheese.
That’s the gamble of a municipal course.
The "Stupid" First Hole
I once read a review where a guy called the first hole "the dumbest hole I've ever played."
I get it. It’s a Par 4, roughly 380 yards from the blue tees. The issue is the layout. If you hit a massive, booming drive, you often end up staring at a wall of trees for your approach shot. It forces you to play "position golf" right out of the gate.
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Most golfers hate that. They want to grip it and rip it.
But that’s the charm of the Alfred Tull design. He wasn't building for the modern 300-yard driver. He was building for the guy who could hit a straight 220-yard shot and then chip like a wizard. If you go into Hooper's Landing trying to overpower it, the course will absolutely humiliate you.
A quick look at the numbers
- Par: 72
- Total Yardage: 6,707 (from the Blues)
- Course Rating: 71.6
- Slope: 129
- Acreage: 203 acres of Sussex County soil
The yardage isn't overwhelming. It’s short by modern standards. But that slope of 129 tells you there’s some teeth in those woods.
The vibe is just... different
You won't find a valet here. There’s no guy in a crisp white uniform waiting to take your clubs. It’s a public, city-owned facility managed by a partnership (shoutout to Adkins Management).
The clubhouse is functional. It’s got a snack bar and a pro shop run by Michael Connor, the PGA Pro who’s been the face of the place for years. They celebrated their 15th anniversary under the current management structure recently, and the "15 years strong" vibe is real.
It’s a "jeans allowed" kind of place (well, mostly—the dress code says no tattered clothes, but it’s definitely not Oakmont). You’ll see seniors who have played there every Tuesday since 1970, and you’ll see teenagers trying to learn the game without getting yelled at.
That’s why it matters.
In an era where golf is becoming increasingly "premium" and expensive, Hooper's Landing stays accessible. In-season rates for 18 holes with a cart usually hover around $69-$74. Compare that to the $150+ you’ll pay at the resort courses closer to the beach, and you start to see why the locals protect this place.
Practical tips for your round
If you’re actually going to play here, don't just show up and wing it.
- Check the Aerification Schedule. Seriously. Call the pro shop at (302) 629-2890. If they just punched the greens, you’re going to have a bad time.
- Mind the "Turn." Unlike most modern courses, the 9th hole doesn't bring you back to the clubhouse. You’re out there. Pack your snacks and your extra water before you tee off on #1.
- The Wind is Real. Since you're on the Delmarva Peninsula, the wind can whip across those back-nine water hazards. A 150-yard shot can easily turn into a 170-yard struggle.
- Embrace the Bermuda. If the fairways look brown in the spring, don't panic. The ball will actually sit up nicely on dormant Bermuda. It’s like hitting off a tight carpet.
Is it worth the stop?
If you’re a "conditions snob" who needs every blade of grass to be perfectly manicured and emerald green, you might be disappointed. Hooper's Landing is a working-man's golf course. It’s rugged in spots. It’s quirky.
But it’s also a heck of a challenge.
The mix of the old-school Tull design and the newer Mandell holes creates a variety you won't find at the cookie-cutter resort courses. It’s a place where you can actually afford to bring your kid or your buddy who only plays twice a year.
Next time you’re heading down Route 13, pull off. Grab a burger at the snack bar. Play the first hole and try not to get stuck behind those trees. You might find that the "goat pasture" rumors were just a way to keep the crowds away from one of Delaware's best values.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit:
- Book in advance: Even though it's public, weekend mornings fill up fast with local leagues.
- Use the range: They have a full-length driving range and a practice bunker. Use them. The greens at Hooper's are small and well-bunkered; you'll need your sand game.
- Watch the seasons: For the best "green" look, visit between June and September when the Bermuda is peaking.
- Support the shop: Michael Connor and the staff offer custom club fitting that’s often cheaper than the big-box stores in the city.