🌞 Good morning, NCC & surrounding area folks. Let’s talk about the weather…

It has been a scorcher to start the week in NCC, with record-breaking temps expected again today as high as 98 degrees. Oh, and an air quality alert.

But, the forecast flips hard starting Thursday. Temperatures drop, the rain moves in, and the kind of week arrives that makes every NCC golfer consider moving to Florida. We’ve all considered it. Don’t lie.

But the good news is you still have Today and Wednesday, AND we have a plan for the rest of your week too. Here is how to make the most of a split weather week in NCC golf.

🏌️ This is the best weather window of the week.

A few things worth knowing before you book:

Early morning tee times are a premium this week. Everyone knows playing before 11 AM gets you on the course before the heat peaks, but here are the best booking windows available. (last updated 5/19 at 5am)

Best booking windows right now:

Most Available: White Clay Creek - 52 slots Tuesday, 63 slots on Wednesday. Easiest course to get onto currently, at a bit of a premium, but worth it.

Most Booked Up: Back Creek - Tuesday morning/midday is completely sold out with only 19 afternoon/twilight slots remaining.

Hot Deals: Frog Hollow leads the pack with Wednesday deals as low as $34, while St. Anne's has $38 slots running out Today, and Odessa is offering $35 on Wednesday. White Clay, Back Creek, Delcastle, and Rock Manor also have deals around $45. Most with only 1–2 spots left, so act fast!

Most NCC golfers know about one or two simulator options. Here is every one within reach this week and what each one actually costs.

St. Anne's Golf Club - $30/hr The best kept secret in NCC. Cheapest option in the county by a significant margin. If you have not tried it yet this is your week.

Birdies Links & Drinks - $35/hr before 3 PM | $55/hr after 3 PM Full bar, restaurant, and indoor mini golf all in the same building. Get there before 3 PM for the best rate.

Dick's Sporting Goods Brandywine - $50/hr Rock climbing wall, batting cages, and a full retail shop. Good option if you want to make a full afternoon out of it with the kids.

Golf Galaxy Christiana - $50/hr Quieter retail setting with the added bonus of being able to test clubs from the shop floor. Good for anyone thinking about new equipment.

Twisted Irons Brewery - $55/hr weekdays | $70/hr weekends The newest simulator setup in the area. Quality beer, food, and live music.

Back9 Wilmington - $60/hr Currently running a free demo hour for first-time visitors. If you have never played Back9 this week is the time to go.

Creek Links Pike Creek - $65/hr Private setting with only two bays. Most intimate simulator experience in NCC. Great for a focused practice session or a small group that wants the space to themselves.

The value play this week: St. Anne's at $30 is the clear budget winner. The date-night play is Twisted Irons or Birdies Links, and if you have never played Back9 Wilmington, the free first hour deal makes the decision easy.

Save this list. Rainy season is just getting started.

If you’re struggling with your swing so far this season hit up our friend Dr. Ryan Strain, who is a TPI certified fitness and movement specialist right here in the area who we have worked with directly.

He conducts TPI and/or K-Vest screenings which tell you exactly how your body is moving (or not moving) and gives you a roadmap for where your swing is actually breaking down.

Reach out to Dr. Ryan Strain directly to schedule here.

Play Tuesday and Wednesday. Book a simulator for Thursday or Friday. Get that body screen with Dr. Strain you have been putting off. And show up to the weekend ready to go IF the weather breaks.

NCC golf does not stop for rain. It just moves inside for a few days.

There is a conversation happening right now about the future of golf.

How can golf become more accessible?

Ric Carey, Cid Jones and Andrew Ellis, known in the golf community as "Rangefinder" Ric, “2 Putt”, and "Chip" are not just talking about it. They are doing something about it right here in NCC.

A Golf Collab (pictured above) is on a mission to break barriers and redefine what the introduction to golf looks like. Their flagship program Find Your Range launches next Tuesday at Delcastle GC. And if you know someone who has always wanted to try the game but did not know where to start, this is exactly what they have been waiting for.

The Details:

📅 May 21st — June 30th

📍 Delcastle GC and Driving Range

🕡 Tuesdays 6:30 — 7:30 PM

💰 $500 per person

What’s included:

Registration includes onboarding, swing analysis, instruction sessions, golf apparel, and a closing ceremony.

This week’s NCC Golf Trivia Question:

Hello, fellow New Castle County golf lovers.

Two things coming that I am genuinely excited about.

The John Riley interview will be published this week on YouTube and Facebook.

And next week, we have a story coming about St. Anne's Golf Club that the community needs to read. We have been doing the reporting, we have heard from multiple sources, and we are giving ownership a fair chance to respond before it publishes.

It will be balanced, it will be honest, and it will be the kind of story that only NCC Golf Report is positioned to tell.

Stay tuned.