GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
4.4
929 Reviews (929)
5 Stars
454
4 Stars
380
3 Stars
62
2 Stars
19
1 Stars
14
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.3
Layout
4.5
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
3.9
Amenities
4.2
93.7%
Recommend this course
886 out of 929 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.9
21 Reviews (21)
5 Stars
5
4 Stars
11
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
0
Conditions
3.6
Value
3.8
Layout
4.4
Pace
3.0
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.4
85.7%
Recommend this course
18 out of 21 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
78 Reviews (78)
5 Stars
42
4 Stars
26
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.3
Layout
4.5
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.6
91.0%
Recommend this course
71 out of 78 reviews
Read Reviews
frame.svg
AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
circle-star.svg
Course Highlights
Castle Bay's welcoming staff consistently make golfers feel at home, from the pro shop to the beverage cart. The links-style layout offers a fun challenge for all skill levels, with fairways and greens reliably well-maintained.

About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private
Style Links
Par 72
Length 6698 yards
Slope 130
Rating 71.3

Although it is tucked away just north of Hampstead, Castle Bay Country Club will make you feel as though you've been transported to the British Isles. The golf course offers an authentic Scottish-links design that incorporates the natural wetlands of its coastal Carolina location, giving it a truly unique character. The landscape of rolling dunes is covered with native grasses but completely devoid of trees. Tall sand bunkers are strategically placed throughout and there are also expansive waste areas, both characteristics that are true to its links nature. Water hazards come into play on several holes as well. Accurate shot placement is the key to doing well on this course and just like any seaside links layout, the coastal breezes play a prominent role. Much of the difficulty of the golf course comes from negotiating with the prevailing winds.

Book a Tee Time at
Castle Bay Country Club
Powered by GolfNow.com

Course Details

Year Built 1999
Golf Season Year round

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Fivesomes Allowed No
Dress code Proper attire is required.

Food & Beverage

Food & Beverage

Available Activities

Swimming

Available Sports

Fitness, Tennis
The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+ Annual
golf ball.svg
$120 in monthly tee time promo codes
waivedfees
12 rounds of waived fees
redeemtrophy
GolfPass Member Pricing
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection

Reviews

4.4
929 Reviews (929)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great Time

Course is tight but fair, come here every year to

Play and this gem will be on schedule.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course

Could not have played a nicer course. Absolutely wonderful.I can not say one bad thing about the course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Enjoyable day

I played the blue tees which was around 6300 yards. It was a good test and required using most all the clubs. It was fair test of golf skill. My recommendation is to play the course if you are in the area !

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Solid Course

Enjoyed this course. Pretty wide open for the most part, but has some holes that require you to be very accurate off the tee. The layout was fun and had its challenges, including heavy marsh and high grass areas which you’d expect from this style course. Overhead folks talking about a greens renovation project they will be undergoing in the 2nd half of 2019. I would definitely play this course again, but probably not with temporary greens.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Not disappointed

Course is in good shape, we had one of the first tee times but when we rounded the corner at #7 the pro shop had allowed several groups of female foursomes to shotgun tee off on #’s 5, 6 & 7 and get ahead of us which caused a big delay till #9. Besides that it was a great day with an old military buddy I hadn’t seen in 25 years.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 38
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Hidden Gem but not any longer

I live in Durham (2.5 hours away.) I wanted to play golf and go to the beach, which would be a perfect day and it was. I booked a round on Tuesday at 12:25 at Castle Bay GC through GN. Never played at Castle Bay before. Teed off on time and even though it was hot, there was a gentle breeze that kept the round moving along. The fact that there were not any groups of 3s or 4s in front of me allowed me to play the course in about 3 hours and that was taking my time and enjoying the course. , I will be back.

What a hidden gem; what a great golf course, layout wise and condition wise. Hats off to the grounds crew and the staff at CBGC.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course, slow day

Went out as a threesome on Monday June 17. Course was in great shape, aside from some lazy people not repairing their ball marks on Green. On this particular day there was a best ball tournament that had play backed up. We waited for EVERY SINGLE shot and the round took around 5 1/2 hours. Also the grill is not open on Mondays so our lunch consisted of crackers, a Snickers and a honey bun. Aside from that we loved the course and would gladly return to play again

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 68
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor

A Good Day on the Links

We enjoyed a nice day at Castle Bay.

The course was in good condition and pace of play was pretty good-we finished in four hours.

The pro shop, clubhouse and practice facilities are kept in good condition.

The course itself offers open tee shots but presents more challenges at you approach the greens...which were in excellent condition.

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course for the money.

Course was well maintained and the holes were mostly forgiving. If you hit an average tee shot, you'll be fine. Some holes the penalty for mishits is greater than others, but overall it evens out. Would play again.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great day at a great course.

Conditions were on the softer side considering the rain from the day before but overall Castle Bay was in great condition. Greens rolled true, bunkers were fluffy, only thing I could pick at would be the color of some of the fairways. Will be back more this summer!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Castle Bay

Course is in fairly good shape considering the long stretch of dry weather we have experienced. Greens are in great shape, putt true and hold shots. We started early and finished 18 in 3 hours ten mins.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 38
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Good shape

Course is in good shape. Burnt out links style fairways and greens rolling true.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 58
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Nice Links Course

It's that time of year again, as area courses are aerating the greens. The course was in good condition, and the greens still putted well, so I would not let the aeration stop you from playing. Some of the tee boxes were a little bare, and dry. Hopefully we'll get some rain soon and they can grow in a little more.

It was not as windy today, but there is always wind at Castle Bay and usually more than 1 club.

I just wish they had a ranger as there were two foursomes in front of us and they drove carts everywhere including close to the greens on the # 7 and # 14 and even the par 3 16th.

Actually shouldn't need a ranger, just a little more respect from the golfers!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Castle Bay - Great Day!

Beautiful course, nice consistent greens, a gentle breeze, perfect day.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 17
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 18
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Good Day

I am a Otta towner had a great round of golf, good condition course friendly staff. Course was in great condition which made it a good day! Most Definite will play again!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great condition

There only complaint i have is that apparently golfer etiquette is a thing of the past. The greens are soft and i dont believe many people repair their ball marks because the greens were littered with them. Other than a few greens having fresh sod around them, the course was a joy to play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Nearby Courses
Hampstead, North Carolina
Semi-Private
3.5826817985
230
Hampstead, North Carolina
Semi-Private
3.6491147915
428
Wilmington, North Carolina
Private
3.0
1
Wilmington, North Carolina
Private/Resort
5.0
1
Wilmington, North Carolina
Private/Resort
5.0
1
Wilmington, North Carolina
Public/Municipal
0.0
0
Wilmington, North Carolina
Private
0.0
0
Wilmington, North Carolina
Public/Municipal
4.3
10
Golf Packages

Talamore Golf Resort Stay & Play Package

FROM $137 (USD)
SOUTHERN PINES, NC | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Talamore Golf Resort and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Mid Pines Golf Course, Mid South Course, Tobacco Road Golf Course, and The New Course.

Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club Stay & Play Package

FROM $167 (USD)
SOUTHERN PINES, NC | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Mid Pines Golf Course, Pine Needles Golf Course, Tobacco Road Golf Course, and The New Course.

Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club Stay & Play Package

FROM $167 (USD)
SOUTHERN PINES, NC | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Mid Pines Golf Course, Pine Needles Golf Course, Tobacco Road Golf Course, and The New Course.

Charleston Golf Experience Stay & Play Package

FROM $239 (USD)
CHARLESTON, SC | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Francis Marion Hotel and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of RiverTowne Golf Course, Charleston National Golf Course, Wild Dunes – Harbor Course, Wild Dunes – Links Course, and Stono Ferry Golf Course.

Wild Dunes Resort Stay & Play Package

FROM $369 (USD)
CHARLESTON, SC | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Wild Dunes Resort and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Wild Dunes – Harbor Course, Wild Dunes – Links Course, RiverTowne Golf Course, and Charleston National Golf Course.
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account