Explore The Rookery Golf Club, located just outside Lewes, Delaware—an esteemed golf destination renowned for its challenging course. This par-71, 6,481-yard course boasts a rating of 70.70 and a slope of 128. Amidst the delmarva scenery of Delaware, The Rookery offers a well designed 18-hole course. The course has well placed water features, strategic bunkers, and some long par-5 challenges. Come join us as we embark on The Rookery Golf Club Review and tee off into a golfing adventure!
Authors Course Thoughts
Since around 2016, I've made it a tradition to play at The Rookery every year. Lewis, Delaware has been a family destination for me since childhood, and now we even have our own place there. This fortunate circumstance has allowed me to experience The Rookery more than 20 times.
Notably, Lewes, Delaware, boasts only two public golf courses in the vicinity: The Rookery Golf Club and the 9-hole American Classic Golf Club. This limited selection leaves few public alternatives without venturing to Millsboro or the Indian River Bay area. It's surprising that, despite the area's surge in popularity over the last decade, The Rookery maintains the only full 18-hole golf course in the Lewes/Rehoboth area.
The course has secured its place among my favorites. The staff's consistently positive interactions and the excellent facilities contribute to a delightful experience. One standout feature is the flat terrain, making it one of the most enjoyable courses to walk. This stands in stark contrast to some courses in Pennsylvania, where it often feels like I need hiking shoes.
One of The Rookery's distinct advantages is its flexibility, allowing me to play in the morning or evening and still have ample time to spend with my family during our vacation. This convenience eliminates the need for a lengthy 45-minute-plus drive just to reach the course.
Course History
Back in August 2000, The Rookery Golf Club made its debut. Designed by Pete Oakley, the 2004 Senior British Open Champion, in collaboration with Chris Adkins, the Golf Course Superintendent.
The Rookery Golf Club Ratings
Bask in the golden glow of a vacation as you soak up the sun at Rehoboth Beach or Lewes Beach. Elevate your vacation by experiencing The Rookery Golf Club, a haven for golf enthusiasts. Tee off amidst a great Delmarva environment, enjoy the challenge of a well-designed course, and a challenging layout that punishes miss hits. So don't forget to check this course off the list next time you are on your family vacation. The perfect blend of coastal bliss and golfing awaits!
Course Design – ★★★½
The Rookery Golf Club spans 6,481 yards from the tips, boasting a rating of 70.70 and a slope of 128. With six strategically placed pond features influencing play on seven holes, delve into our comprehensive review for an in-depth exploration of the different holes.
Par-3’s: The Rookery has five par-3s (Hole 2, 9, 14, 15, & 17). Let's dig into all five holes.
Hole 2: You open up the par-3's with mid-iron to long-iron hole to a medium size green. Strategically placed, a pond looms long and to the right of the green. During summer play, beware of the mound supporting the green; it has a tendency to bounce errant shots into the water.
Hole 9: Concluding the back nine is a challenging 122-yard par-3, testing your wedge skills over a pond. Avoid coming up short to steer clear of the water hazard, and be mindful not to go long, because your will struggle to keep the ball on the green with a chip.
Hole 14: This will be the longest par-3 you encounter at The Rookery. Given its length, be mindful of the excellent bunkering on this hole. Also highway 1 runs just to your left and it can be distracting.
Hole 15: Rarely do you encounter consecutive par-3 holes, but this one is truly impressive. As you approach the tee, you'll be faced with an island green sloping from back to front, perched above the pond. Beware, as coming up short, to the right, or to the left might result in your ball bouncing into the water.
Hole 17: As you approach the end of your round, you encounter the seemingly straightforward 17th hole. Yet, on paper, it might appear easy; however, when the wind is up, it consistently blows right back into your face.
Par-4’s: The holes significantly influence golf course design, as they present a balance between challenge and playability. I will not cover all the par-4's but I will highlight my favorite.
Hole 1: I always enjoy highlighting the opening hole. Openings on golf courses either provide a challenging start or a welcoming introduction. The Rookery exemplifies the latter, offering a friendly handshake with its open fairway and a short iron or wedge approach to the green.
Hole 4: Decisions, decisions. This particular hole poses a challenge with a sizable pond in front of the green, demanding a precise 230-yard shot to carry. However, caution is essential, as going long risks the ball kicking into another pond behind the green. Alternatively, players can opt for a strategic lay-up, setting up a shorter wedge shot to approach the pin.
Hole 7: This challenging hole is bordered by a pond along the right side of the fairway, extending just short of the green. The driver's landing area is notably small, given a smaller pond on the left side of the fairway, creating a narrow landing zone. Approaching the green, a mid-iron shot is required, considering the pond short and to the right. Despite these challenges, the green becomes fairly inviting with an accurately executed iron shot.
Hole 16: Admittedly, Hole 16 consistently outplays me every time I take it on. While the trees provide a buffer against the wind during the drive, the fairway leaves you oblivious to its strength. It's only when you approach the green that the wind comes into play, consistently causing my shots to fall short or veer to the right. This subtle challenge makes it a deceptively difficult hole.
Par-5’s: This is where The Rookery shows its teeth and grinds you down. The Par-5's at the rookery are very challenging so let us explain.
Hole 6: The front nine features a solitary par-5, renowned as the course's most challenging and holding the prestigious title of the number 1 handicap hole. Spanning 500 yards, this dogleg-right hole is flanked by trees along the right side. The green, well-defended by a pond in front, necessitates a formidable long iron shot or wood. Adding to the complexity, the green itself is undulating, featuring small landing areas that require precision to keep the ball hole-high.
Hole 10: Playing at a substantial 600 yards, this hole gives the impression of stretching for what feels like a mile. Notably, the hole boasts a distinctive fairway with vertical church pew bunkers, potentially influencing the second shot. Additionally, the green presents a slope from front to back, emphasizing the strategic importance of staying below the hole for a favorable approach.
Hole 13: Ranked as the second easiest par-5 hole, it doesn't escape without posing its unique challenges. Negotiating this hole involves avoiding, but challenging the pond on the right, a task that rewards you with a clearer line of sight to the green. The green itself is protected by a sizable mound on the left. Once you find yourself on the green, putting becomes relatively straightforward, provided your ball is on the correct level.
Hole 18: Concluding your round, you face the longest par-5 at 618 yards. Surprisingly, this hole features the widest fairway on the course. With no significant challenges, it offers an open expanse, encouraging you to "grip it and rip it" to finish your round on a high note.
Course Difficulty – ★★★★
The course has three large defenses that make it so challenging and why it gets 4-stars. The Rookery has long par-5's, and six well placed ponds. The largest defense of the course is simply the wind. Since the course is so open the wind just rips through the course and sometimes I feel like all my shots are playing into the wind.
Course Amenities & Price – ★★★
The Rookery is brimming with amenities and features for golf enthusiasts. Upon arrival, the welcoming clubhouse beckons, featuring a pass-through hallway offering a scenic view of the course. Inside, a well-stocked pro shop, quite impressive for a public course, awaits. Upon check-in, you can obtain a range token for the driving range, which boasts a grass teeing area and turf mats for use under less favorable conditions. Adjacent to the driving range, a well-appointed short game area provides an opportunity to hone bunker shots and refine your chipping skills. The spacious putting green by the clubhouse allows you to calibrate your putting speeds before hitting the course. To complete the experience, The Rookery boasts a charming small restaurant, offering food and beverages for pre- or post-round enjoyment. The price is in the upper to mid area for public courses but it is well deserved for the quality of course and experience you will get at The Rookery.
Course Conditions- ★★★
The conditions at The Rookery consistently impress. Aside from expected burnout areas in the summer, I've encountered no problems. The greens maintain true rolls with quick speeds, and the plush fairways skillfully prop up shots into the green. I find no qualms with the conditions at The Rookery; they are on par with, if not surpassing, the standards for public courses.
