Castle Bay Country Club
About
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.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 72 | 6698 yards | 71.3 | 130 |
| Blue | 72 | 6328 yards | 69.2 | 125 |
| White | 72 | 5793 yards | 67.4 | 117 |
| White (W) | 72 | 5793 yards | 72.6 | 131 |
| Green | 72 | 5466 yards | 65.5 | 107 |
| Green (W) | 72 | 5466 yards | 72.1 | 126 |
| Red (W) | 72 | 4717 yards | 66.6 | 110 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold M: 71.3/131 | 356 | 353 | 166 | 589 | 174 | 347 | 432 | 566 | 356 | 3339 | 387 | 530 | 181 | 398 | 567 | 390 | 199 | 441 | 266 | 3359 | 6698 |
| Blue M: 69.7/126 | 342 | 301 | 157 | 563 | 161 | 328 | 408 | 536 | 345 | 3141 | 361 | 508 | 157 | 375 | 555 | 377 | 179 | 418 | 257 | 3187 | 6328 |
| Blue/White M: 68.2/124 | 332 | 283 | 133 | 563 | 152 | 320 | 381 | 483 | 345 | 2992 | 342 | 508 | 139 | 351 | 437 | 377 | 179 | 370 | 226 | 2929 | 5921 |
| White M: 67.6/120 W: 73.2/132 | 320 | 283 | 133 | 549 | 152 | 320 | 381 | 483 | 333 | 2954 | 342 | 467 | 139 | 351 | 437 | 339 | 168 | 370 | 226 | 2839 | 5793 |
| Green M: 65.2/108 W: 69.7/121 | 310 | 270 | 128 | 509 | 141 | 308 | 315 | 462 | 323 | 2766 | 324 | 455 | 124 | 334 | 430 | 323 | 160 | 335 | 215 | 2700 | 5466 |
| Red M: 63.0/104 W: 66.7/113 | 258 | 253 | 108 | 391 | 126 | 219 | 287 | 406 | 241 | 2289 | 312 | 390 | 103 | 278 | 404 | 293 | 129 | 327 | 192 | 2428 | 4717 |
| Handicap | 17 | 7 | 11 | 1 | 9 | 15 | 3 | 5 | 13 | 18 | 14 | 4 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 2 | 16 | |||
| Par | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
| Handicap (W) | 17 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 9 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 15 | 14 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 16 | 4 | 18 |
Course Details
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Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by u000007865974 on 04/28/2025
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Photo submitted by u000007865974 on 04/28/2025
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Photo submitted by lfcediel on 10/23/2022
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Photo submitted by lfcediel on 10/23/2022
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Photo submitted by lfcediel on 10/23/2022
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Photo submitted by lfcediel on 10/23/2022
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Photo submitted by lfcediel on 10/23/2022
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Photo submitted by kathyken1956 on 12/12/2020
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Photo submitted by kathyken1956 on 12/12/2020
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Gators and Golf, that’s North Carolina Low Country Photo submitted by Howard61965 on 06/23/2020
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Photo submitted by Fedele on 06/01/2020
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Photo submitted by pmaru77 on 04/29/2019
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Photo submitted by u000001816724 on 07/29/2015
Castle Bay is Okay
Course was in good condition and the pace of play was good too. Staff welcomed us with a friendly manner. cost of round was very reasonable. Greens were in great shape.
Great Course and great value
This course was played when staying in Carolina Beach the week. It played very fast, finished round in 4 hours. No issues, great condition, and very challenging holes. Would definitely play again.
This course has good features
I got a lesson and then I played 18 holes. It was fun course and knowledgeable lesson. Thank you!
Great track
The course always delivers a fun, relaxing around. However, I will say that the Marshall really need to give a push to people that are obviously lining up for their eighth shot when there are people waiting. I know that is chronic and epidemic at public courses this time of year. But I know they can do a better job. I love this place love the restaurant and the people in the clubhouse are great. There’s just a few details that need to be paid attention to to increase the fun factor.
Excellent course
Super fun course. I had a great time. Thank you so much! Long fairways fast putting the
Castle Bay Near Surf City, NC
Played here during a vacation with the family. Tee times were easily available. I didn’t think it was a links golf experience per se, more beachy target golf. There’s not a ton of room to miss and still find your ball. However the positives still far, far out weigh the negatives. Course conditions were great. The people in the Pro Shop were friendly. The short finishing hole was the highlight for me. Really good vibes all around.
Doing the work
No doubt that Debbie caused a lot of work for the grounds crew and the superintendent . you can see the Work being done getting the golf course back into excellent condition. always love to play this golf course
Castle Bay Golf Course
Golf course was excellent and challenging, although the course was sloshy at times and had water laying around on course.
Course in great shape especially given recent rains. Staff pleasant across the board. I never left the course, so can’t speak to amenities. But 2 things: it’s time to get some new carts, I think. Mine was nearly worn out. Cushion was torn and cart seemed to be on its las legs. Also you need to cut new holes every day or at least every other day. Cup edges were ragged. It’s just not that tough to do. But really fun and will certainly return.
Pace of Play
Played with a few buddies on Tuesday morning. Group in front of us consisted of a a foursome with two kids, (6-8 years old), so six golfers and 3 carts. We waited on every tee box and every fairway. When we spoke with the ranger we were told that they were keeping up with the group ahead of them. We never saw that mythical group , but we did finish thirty minutes behind pace. It seems like the Starter and the Ranger were more interested in chatting with each other than actually keeping pace of play reasonable.
Course was in good condition couple holes cart path only but we have had a good amount of rain this month. Afternoon price was well worth it.I had family in town who hadn't played in a while so the layout was very comfortable for him (not many houses) we had a great time
Slowly getting there on a Tuesday
Started slow and continued slow, on a Tuesday the marshals and staters did a good job of keeping the pace up but there should never be a fivesome allowed on the course