This year I decided I’m going to get serious about fixing my golf game.

Spending $20 on a large bucket at Delcastle everyday isn’t cutting it anymore.

And as much as I love spending a few hours at 2nd Swing testing new equipment, my wallet doesn’t like that route either.

So it’s time I take a slice of humble pie, and go see the doctor!

And this is what led me to Dr. Ryan Strain. (pictured below)

This past weekend while Sergio was destroying drivers, and Justin Rose had a complete mental breakdown, I spent my Saturday morning at Back Nine Wilmington getting a complete TPI assessment and K-Vest swing evaluation.

I'll be honest, I didn't know what to expect walking in. But what I got was one of the most useful hours I've spent trying to get better at this game.

And the best part? You don't have to travel for this.

It's right here in New Castle County.

Here's a quick breakdown of what TPI & K-Vest actually are:

TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) is the world's leading educational organization dedicated to the study of how the human body functions in relation to the golf swing.

The TPI assessment is a series of physical screenings that identify mobility, stability, and strength limitations that directly affect how you swing a club.

Put simply, it tells you what your body can and can't do, and why that's showing up in your game.

K-Vest is a wearable sensor system that measures your body's movement in real time during the swing (hip rotation, shoulder turn, spine angle, sequencing).

Instead of guessing what's happening, you can actually see it.

Dr. Strain holds a doctorate in physical therapy and is certified in both. That combination matters because he's not guessing at what's wrong with my swing. He's measuring it.

And the data you get is awesome!

And in my case? Ankle and hip mobility.

Both preventing my ability load properly in the backswing, and maintain my posture during the downswing.

Two things I never would have connected to my ball striking on my own.

He didn't just identify them, he walked me through exactly why they matter, what they're doing to my game, and built out a full program to address them.

And I'm already seeing results. Seriously. I’m not just saying this.

Here's what I want you to take away: this isn't just for low handicappers or serious players.

The physical limitations that affect your swing don't care about your handicap.

If you play golf and want to actually understand what your body is doing, and stop guessing, this assessment is for you.

Ryan is also just a genuinely great guy. He just had a baby with his wife, couldn't have been more welcoming, and at no point did I feel like he was speaking over my head.

He explained everything clearly and made the whole session feel like a conversation, not a lecture.

I filmed the entire session too. Once I get the video edited I'll be sharing the full thing so you can see exactly what the process looks like. Keep an eye out for that.

In the meantime, reach out to Dr. Strain directly on Instagram at @swingsciencept to inquire about a session.

This one is worth it folks.

NCC Golf Report Approved ✅

Spring is moving fast, the Masters is over, and there's a lot going on across the county this week.

Here's what you need to know:

🫆 The vandalism situation is still a mystery, but repairs have been completed. If you see Steve, the superintendent, around, make sure you give him kudos.

🚫 The practice green is still PUTTING ONLY, and yes, people are still out there chipping on it. Don't be that person. They have been switching up the pin placements weekly I’ve noticed, which is really nice.

🔥 The range is absolutely flooded on the weekends. It’s busier than last year I think. And still somehow, people don’t know how to work those ball machines… Just push the yellow button folks. 🤦‍♂️

🏗️ The bunker project on Hole #5 is coming along nicely. The first bunker is being scaled back, and the second is being repositioned to encourage you to play left off the tee. The hole is going to play differently once it's done.

If you’ve played Frog Hollow even a few times, chances are you’ve ended up on Hole #4’s fairway off the #5 tee. I know I have.

📅 A few league and range notes to keep in mind:

☕ Sunday brunch at the pub runs 10am–2pm with occasional live music.

⚠️ Greens were aerated last week, expect them to still be working through recovery. Plan accordingly if you're headed out there soon.

🏌️ Callaway Fitting Day today! There are still open spots for both full-bag and single clubs. I am itching to try the new Quantum driver, that thing looks sharp!

📅 2 programs worth knowing about for May:

Tee It Up Series and Learn to Play Series are both announced and tickets are available now. These tend to fill up fast, if you're a newer golfer, grab a spot before they're gone.

🚘 Parking lots are getting re-paved this week. Parking may be tight.

🔔 Rock Card signups have been limited to 150 participants for 2026's season. Kimber, Director of Ops at Rock Manor, has informed me there are less than 50 spots available as of Monday morning. Don’t wait, call the pro shop to sign up.

🚗 90-degree cart rules have been in effect frequently lately. If you prefer to drive the fairways, plan around it.

👏 Shoutout to Superintendent John Jacob, who was recently featured by his alma mater, the University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. There's more to great conditions than what you see on the surface, worth a read. Check it out here.

🎵 Live music every Thursday from 6–9pm. This week, April 17th featuring Dub Glenn.

🍗 Wing Wednesday runs all day, every Wednesday, with Trivia Night from 6–9pm.

Two of the better mid-week course events in NCC.

A few things to be aware of before you book.

League play is picking up and it will affect availability:

🍔 The restaurant is under new management and not yet fully open. A new vendor just signed a lease and it's coming soon. In the meantime, you can still grab a burger or hot dog at the turn from the Whiskey Bar, which remains open.

🏗️ The new clubhouse is coming along and looking really nice. If you've been out there lately you already know anything beats cramming into the trailer. Won't be long now.

⛳ Reminder that Garrisons Lake is still the only course in NCC that hands you a sleeve of balls just for showing up and playing.

🚫 Heads up! They no longer accept walk-ons. I stopped by yesterday around 2pm, tee sheet was fairly wide open, and was told I needed to book in advance. The sheet had room, so it's not just a capacity thing, just the new policy.

If you're getting value from this, a little donation goes a long way. No pressure! Reading and sharing is already a huge help. Thank you 😊

Elite PT is having their Grand Opening & Open House on Sunday, April 19th from 1-4pm.

If you're local and dealing with any nagging golf injuries, or just want to move better on the course, worth checking out.

🤝 Meet the staff. 🥗 Eat some local food. 🏌️ Try out the simulator.

📍 729 Mapleton Ave, Middletown, DE (Town of Whitehall)

I’m looking for a partner for this, if you’re interested, reply to this email.

🗓️ April 25th - Games start at 6pm

🏷️ $25 a team before April 17th, $30 after.

🏆 Cash prizes, Giveaways, and Drink Specials

Register Here: Link to register

Hello, fellow New Castle County golf lovers.

2026 is shaping up to be an interesting year for public golf in New Castle County.

Courses are investing. Bunker projects, new clubhouses, new programming, new events.

The tee sheets are busier than ever, Delcastle’s range is packed, and Garrison’s Lake is doing close to 200 rounds on a Thursday, which tells you everything about the demand that exists here.

This county has more quality public golf per square mile than most people realize, and it feels like the courses are starting to lean into that.

There's a lot to watch this year. I plan on watching all of it. And sharing it with you.

As for right now…

Mid-April in Delaware is a funny thing.

Two weeks ago you needed a jacket. This week you're sweating through a polo by the back nine. That's spring golf here and honestly, I wouldn't trade it.

The courses are in great shape. Aeration season is mostly behind us, the greens are recovering, and we've still got a solid window before the summer heat settles in and makes every round after 10am a grind.

The next 4 to 6 weeks might be the best stretch of golf we get all year.

Get out there, and as always…