“Confidence is the most important single factor in this game, and no matter how great your natural talent, there is only one way to obtain and sustain it: work.” — Jack Nicklaus
A sport said to be Scottish in its origin, golf is one of the most played recreational activities worldwide. According to the National Golf Foundation, there are 24 million players in the United States alone as of February 2021. Golf has a number of health benefits, including promotion of heart health, brain stimulation, and weight loss. It is well-known for social interactions, be it for business or for fun.
Just because you’ve decided to come to the beach, it doesn’t mean you have to put your golf game on hold. Even better, you can plan a full golf trip with your golfing friends! The Eastern Shore has a wide array of beautiful courses that will make any golfer excited to step onto the greens. Below, you will find a small taste of the courses you can find when you’re vacationing in Ocean City!
Bayside Resort Golf Club – 31806 Lakeview Drive, Selbyville, DE 19975
Just off of Route 54, five miles from the Ocean City, you will find the Bayside Resort, voted #1 in the state of Delaware by Golf Week in 2021. Nestled by the Assawoman Bay, this Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course has spectacular views of the bay and picturesque scenery. This location isn’t just a golf course; it is home to the famous Freeman Stage!
Baywood Greens – 32267 Club House Way, Long Neck DE 19966
While this course requires a small road trip, it is well worth the effort to visit. Who wouldn’t want to experience “the eight timbered bridges, two tunnels, 27 acres of manmade ponds, and over 300,000 wildflowers, plants, shrubs, and trees” of Baywood Greens? It holds the honor of being #2 on the list of Top Golf Courses in Delaware for 2021!
Bear Trap Dunes – 7 Clubhouse Drive, Ocean View DE 19970
Only a few minutes north in Ocean View, you will find “a unique and stunning 27-hole masterpiece that is impeccably manicured and exciting for golfers of all skill levels,” contained within majestic trees and dotted with beautiful ponds. As with the previous two courses, this sits on Golf Week’s Top Golf Courses in Delaware for 2021 list at #5.
Eagles Landing – 12367 Eagle’s Nest Road, Berlin MD 21811
Named for the majestic birds often seen overhead, Eagles Landing is unique in that it is the first fully certified Audubon Sanctuary in Maryland. This golf course is bordered by the peaceful Sinepuxent Bay on one side and gorgeous Assateague Island National Seashore on the other. Challenge the “Beast of the East”, Eagle’s Landing’s par 4 signature hole, if you dare!
Heritage Shores – 1 Heritage Shores Circle, Bridgeville DE 19933
Heritage Shores, designed by the famous architect Arthur Hills, was voted #1 in the state of Delaware by www.golfadvisor.com in 2018. Take in the majestic scenery of the golf course, with its sprawling greens, ponds, natural wetlands, and woodlands! Can you overcome the water hazards and still be on par?
Links at Lighthouse Sound – 12723 St. Martins Neck Road, Bishopville MD 21813
Ranking #5 on the 2021 Best Golf Courses in the state by www.marylandgolf.com, this beautiful location sits shores of the Assawoman Bay, looking towards Ocean City on the other side. Take in the tranquility of the 1,000 acres of marshland during the day and enjoy a fantastic dinner at the Restaurant at Lighthouse Sound afterwards!
Man O’War + War Admiral (GlenRiddle) – 11501 Maid at Arms Way, Berlin MD 21811
Here you’ll find two great courses at one great location. On the west side of the GlenRiddle area, you’ll find the Man O’War course, fashioned to emulate the British Isles and full of “large greens, double fairways, pot bunkers, sand dunes, and the ever-present eastern shore winds.” The War Admiral course is surrounded by a wooded area with “rugged, breathtaking bunkers reminiscent of golf’s great past.” You’re sure to find these courses challenging but highly rewarding!
Nutters Crossing Golf Course – 30287 Southhampton Bridge Road, Salisbury MD 21804
Travel barely twenty minutes west of Ocean City and you will find the USGA-designed Nutters Crossing. Step onto the exquisite Bermuda fairways and test your ability against the “sloping hills, eight water hazards, and a maze of over 50 bunkers.” Find all new ways to test your golfing skill on these greens!
Ocean City Golf Club (Newport Bay / Seaside) – 11401 Country Club Drive, Berlin MD 21811
Once again, there are two fantastic courses in one location in Berlin. Sign up for both courses and have fun on 36 holes. The Newport Bay course boasts a “solitude and beauty that will inspire you to challenge the course and evaluate both your play and enjoyment of the game,” while the Seaside course offers a “combination of its traditional design, wide open fairways and classic tightly guarded greens.”
Ocean Pines Golf Club – 100 Clubhouse Drive, Ocean Pines MD 21811
As the “only Robert Trent Jones championship course on Maryland’s Eastern Shore,” the Ocean Pines Golf Club offers 18 courses, surrounded by natural wetlands and woodlands. They also provide a Family Course, making this the perfect place for a family outing!
Plantation Lakes – 20301 Charlotte Blvd., Millsboro DE 19966
Ranked #3 in Delaware by Golf Advisor, this “naturally beautiful, uniquely challenging, [and] Arthur Hills designed” course will meet all of your golfing requirements! With a size of 6,661 yards, you can definitely find the best way to test your golfing skill.
River Run by Gary Player – 11605 Masters Lane, Berlin MD 21811
Awarded a four-star rating by Golf Digest, the River Run Golf Club offers “tranquil scenery, unmatched amenities, and a warm community” in this Gary Player-designed course. Enjoy the sight of the St. Martin’s River while you plan your shots to make it over the traps!
The Rookery – 27052 Broadkill Road, Milton DE 19968
This course may be the farthest away from Ocean City but as with the others, it is worth the road trip. Sitting only miles from Broadkill Beach and the Delaware Bay, The Rookery “features well-conditioned bentgrass greens, tees and fairways that will add to every golfer’s enjoyment.” Plan your next shot carefully as its looks can be quite deceiving!
Rum Pointe Seaside Golf Links – 7000 Rum Pointe Lane, Berlin MD 21811
On the edge of Sinepuxent Bay and just west of Assateague Island National Seashore, Rum Pointe boasts uniquely “Scottish-style links” and firm, beautiful greens. Confident in your trick shots? Try to hit the ball across the ponds to shorten the distance but beware the breeze coming off the bay!
There you have it, sixteen fabulous courses in the Ocean City (and surrounding) area! Have we caught your attention? Ready to plan your trip? Pam’s Golf Getaways can schedule your tee times and get you the best deals! Visit their website or call 800-472-6722 today!
