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Rating Index Rating
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4.3
943 Reviews (943)
5 Stars
461
4 Stars
386
3 Stars
62
2 Stars
20
1 Stars
14
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.3
Layout
4.5
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.2
93.6%
Recommend this course
899 out of 943 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
32 Reviews (32)
5 Stars
11
4 Stars
17
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
0
Conditions
3.7
Value
4.1
Layout
4.6
Pace
3.7
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.5
90.6%
Recommend this course
29 out of 32 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
56 Reviews (56)
5 Stars
29
4 Stars
20
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.3
Layout
4.6
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.6
92.9%
Recommend this course
52 out of 56 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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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.

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Castle Bay Country Club
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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
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Reviews

4.3
943 Reviews (943)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
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 70
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 59
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 18
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
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Monday golf, but behind a tournement

Had a good time and round today, but a little slow due to a tournament. the course staff was great as there were sponsors around.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 17
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice layout

Nice layout but doesn't play like a linkscourse. Some greens are receptive others arefirm. You cannot run a. shot up because it is too wet. Thereare some hidden hazards that cost me a few strokes. Other then that we had. A great time pace of play was slowed down on the back 9 because the front closed for high school players at 3 pm. They sent out a single between to foursomes an dc another twosome behind us. To get the cash.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Nice Course but wet

Fairways and rough very wet from recent rains. Made some shots chunky due to thin grass and mud but overall a good layout and nice greens.

Would definitely play agin.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Challenging Links Course

Great layout with nice greens. Only complaint is that there where no marshels on the course and play was extremely slow as a result.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fantastic Round

Beautiful course that is well maintained. Awesome greens that roll fast, green fairways with the appropriate hazards. Definitely tested my skills off the tee box. Can't use driver on a lot of the back. Have to choose your clubs wisely! Challenging with the wind. Shot an 80.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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