Castle Bay Country Club

Our biggest issue was that we made tee times (8 of us) for Thursday, on Tuesday, and they didn't tell us that they were punching and sanding the greens the day before we got there. That is unacceptable. Sure, we wouldn't have played there that day, but we would have been happy to come back in a couple weeks. The course is within 30/45 minute drive for all of us, and we enjoy playing lots of different courses, but not when the greens are covered in sand! They may have lost a couple foursomes today, but the good will they would have gained would have made up for it. Now......nobody has an interest in going back.....(it's the second time in the last year they've pulled this on us). They might have got an extra few bucks today, but as a group that plays weekly in this area it will definitely cost them rounds in the future. And, to top it off, the restaurant/bar is no longer open. Lunch and drinks were not an option. It's an enjoyable course that is different than the others we play, but we won't be coming back any time soon. Sure, the greens will be in better shape, but we have lots of options in this area and won't be supporting a course that is more worried about today's dollars than the long term.

I am writing this review so that anyone who has any kind of discount card avoids this course. The Assistant Pro is dishonest and does not have any concept of customer service. He booked my tee time and then I confirmed my discount card with him along with the rate. When we arrived he claimed they do not honor the MYGOLF card and proceed to charge each of us $15 more than the previously stated rate for the card. He continued to lament about how money would come out of his pocket if he only charged our group the discount rate. I asked for the head golf professional and not only showed him that they were an affiliate and showed him the published rate. He claimed that he really didn't know about the card even though it is clearly posted on their website that they are an affiliate. Don't waste your time with these people, dishonest and not worth your money,. GM and head pro R Michael Watson said he was going to call MYGOLFNUS first thing the following Monday. I called as follow up to see if he had made the call and they had never spoken with MYGOLFNUS. I am calling again tomorrow.

This is the best course in Hampstead, NC. The front nine is fun and easy but the back nine is more challenging. If it is windy you had better choose your clubs wisely.

So after reading a bunch of reviews on all the local courses in and around Topsail, it appeared Castle Bay might give us the most bang for our buck. We booked a time on Golfnow for $39.

The course layout was so mediocre. The back 9 did offer a few holes that weren't dead straight and I did appreciate the driveable 18th. There were a couple holes where lack of local knowledge off the tee equaled lost balls. But all in all the layout was bland.

I will say the greens were in good shape. They were rolling about 9 which is about right for public golf. In a perfect world they would have been quite firmer but they did roll nicely. The greens are by far the best aspect of CB.

I haven't played any other courses in the area yet so it's impossible for me to compare CB to its competition. I'm hoping other courses in the area have a little character, something CB seriously lacks. After playing the course, $39 seems high for the product they are offering. Hoping the area has something more to offer the public golfer.

People were very nice (Rangers, Starter, Pro shop)

Course conditions were very good overall.... the greens were very soft and sticky for those approach shots. I thought the layout was fun and gave you a good chance to score. Some greens were very tricky to read and the pin placement was tough on a couple of holes. All in all... a great links

Style course.

I go up to Wrightsville Beach, NC as much as I can to visit our beach house and always try to fit in at least 2 rounds at Castle Bay while there. The course is always in great shape for a semi-private club and the layout is fun and very fair. Price is right and the pace is reasonable although can be a little slow if the place is crowded. It's great for a late afternoon round because it's usually not as crowded at that time. Fun course and nice folks.

Nice track. Blue tees played 6400. Great value for the money, but course maintenance needs some work. Fairway grass height was inconsistent, some weeds/crabgrass, and greens were extremely soft.

Great value for money - links like course, some forced carries but 4 sets of tees make course playable for most anyone.

Greens in excellent condition

I love this course, open links style course, no trees atall. Still aa lot of hazards however, some holes have alot of room for error, excellent greens. Doesn't drain well if it has been raining recently, some real wet areas in low spots. Really cant beat the price, military discount on weekdays.