I was lucky enough to play this course while on vacation a week ago. I saw that this course was highly rated, and I was never gonna give up that opportunity!
-The course has a great variety of holes. There is a good mix of dogleg holes, as well as some straighter holes. The course also has a wide range of distances, shortest being 207 ft and longest being 700 ft.
-The course does a good job of using elevation. Typically, courses near the coast are more flat, but the designers for this course did an excellent job of using the elevation to the best of their ability.
-The course is definitely tough, but fair. The day that I played, I was struggling to find the fairway, and I paid the price. But when I did find the fairway, I was finding myself with good opportunities for birdies.
-The kiosk was easy to find, and the course starts off with a practice hole. There also is a practice basket, which is away from the kiosk and inside the traffic circle.
-Course is in good shape. The long tees were very nice and large, and the chainstar baskets fit well with the vibe of the course. There were benches and trash cans near the tees, which were nice as well.
-The course wraps back around to the parking lot after 9, so it is easy to bail out if you need to.
-Good community. Back in Charlotte, the fellow disc golfers I see are not incredibly friendly, and are always using drugs. I played by myself, so I passed a bunch of groups. They were all extremely nice, and they let me play through. I even played a couple holes with some dudes, and it was a good time.

-Navigation was definitely an issue as a first timer. The layout of the front nine is very confusing, and I can't believe I didn't get mixed up on which hole was which. The layout of the back nine was straight forward, but #10 was tough to find, and I had to pull up the map to locate it. Again, these are all issues for first timers.
-#2 feels like a filler hole to me. When you are on #2 tee, you see another tee pad across the road, which is #3's tee. The transition from #2 basket to #3 tee feels kind of stupid, and the flow of the front 9 would be much better if they used the practice hole as #1, and switch #1 to #2.
-When I played, the baskets were in the short pin locations. This isn't that much of a con, but I was really disappointed that I couldn't play the par 4 version of hole 4.
-The course is prone to disc loss. There is a huge, deep river that runs through the front nine, and many blind shots can lead to some lost discs.
-I played on an early Saturday morning, and it was very busy. I would suggest playing on a weekday if you can.

As a Charlotte based disc golfer, I was IMPRESSED. There are many fine courses in Charlotte, and this gem is right up there with them. The park itself has many other amenities, including soccer fields, tennis courts, playgrounds, and basketball courts. The bathrooms are located in the traffic circle, along with the practice basket. I hope to return to this course some day, and this is a must play if you are in Wilmington.

When this course is in peak form, it is simply beautiful. The area is prone to hurricanes and flooding due to the low elevation and river that runs through much of the front nine (pro tip, that river is much deeper than you think it is!!!). So, yes, there is probably 50 or so days of the year where some of the holes are swampy and the fairways look disheveled. If you played it on one of those days, I am sorry you didn't get the true castle experience. However, if you catch this course on a nice sunny afternoon and see the sun glistening down the fairway of hole 17, you will understand why this is one of the best courses in NC.
They call it Castle Pain because the course is tough as heck BUT the course is unequivocally fair. As with any woods course, good shots get rewarded and bad shots get punished. The only exception may be hole 4's tee shot but I digress.
Great variation in holes from straight, anhyzer, hyzer, long, short, pars 3/4/5s. There are even two holes on the back nine that are horseshoe shaped which are a ton of fun and unlike anything you've probably seen.
One of few legitimate complaints is that this course may terrify newer players. However, the New Hanover Disc Golf Club put in a lot of work installing 18 short tees during 2020 and the outcome is incredible. This also introduced the possibility for ace runs as most of the long holes were near impossible.

It can be a little confusing to navigate the first time you play as you have to cross the park roads three or four times.
It is impacted by weather more than an average course.
It may occasionally hurt your feelings.

Simply due to low elevation and proximity to the coast, this course is not always in peak form. However, when it is in peak form, it is easily one of the best wooded course in NC, if not the best.

Castle Hayne is a multi use park with a rightfully popular 18 hole disc golf course . The traffic circle around the disc golf area has a multitude of parking spaces . There is a bathroom near the parking area .
The Equipment - The putting basket for this course is in an obscure area , in the traffic circle and away from the course . They have a " practice hole " , old #2 , where you can practice your putts , too . The kiosk is across the traffic island and part of the way into the woods section , in front of the practice hole . It is nice and has a course map on it . There are nice dual cement tees . The pro tee pads are longer for better runups . The tee signs are nice and are wood with all of the necessary information . There are also good Next Tee signs to keep navigation less confusing . The baskets are Chainstars , but seem in good shape . There are benches and trash cans throughout the course .
The Landscape - Being so close to Wilmington and the ocean . the course is not going to have an incredible amount of elevation , but course designers have sewn whatever there was into some of these holes . There are creeks that will come into play , luckily not deep enough to lose a disc in . Mostly woods , trees are the norm here .Pine needles cover a lot of the fairways on the course . There are a few holes where the rough will overly punish you , but for the most part , it is kept at a minimum . The course was clean , grass cut and branches trimmed when I was here on a Friday morning .
The Appearance/Atmosphere - I was expecting the course to be a mess from the previous storm fronts , and the fact that there were Course Closed signs at the start and at the #10 , but the signs were being ignored and I felt that the course was in good condition . The course is well above average in appearance , the woods is even serene when many groups of players are on the course . Expect to see some sort of wildlife while playing . The atmosphere is pure enjoyment from playing disc golf . I was here at 9 am on a workday , and there had to be 50 people playing the course . Everyone was having a good time , and the locals are helpful and nice . I even ran into a solo player that lives about 80 miles up I-71 from me .
The Highlights - #4 , 419' is a nice flat tunnel shot that moves slightly left , then at the end , you shoot down over a gully to the basket on the right . #6 , 505' has a tight fairway that slowly turns left . #10 is a nice hole . A tunnel shot where at the end , you can choose 1 of 2 baskets . One is level and to the right and one is to the left and is elevated . #12 is one of the most challenging holes .Only listed at 472' and a par 5 , you have to go station to station and start to contend with an incredibly tight fairway on the 2nd turn . A creek sits to the left until you get to the small green . #14 is a tunnel shot and a hard 90 degree dogleg right . #17 is a straight tight fairway shot with random mature trees between you and the basket .
Signature Hole - #8 700' . Your first drive will go uphill with a creek on your right . You will have to cut your drive to the left . Your next shot will follow a long fairway to where it will eventually cut to the right . The basket is protected by some trees on the left .
The Time - The course loops back to the parking lot after #9 , so you can leave after 9 , but you won't want to . The course has good chances of being crowded . It took me 90+ minutes solo to play here . A group of 4 could take close to 3 hours , but you will enjoy it .

Not much to pick at here .I can't believe that a course like this has Chainstar baskets . An upgrade to yellow banded Discatchers that are easy to see in the woods would be nice .
Flooding must be a concern here . The Course Closed signs look like they have been used before, and not just for tournaments . You might want to check with the parks dept. ( and you may not , as attested to all of the locals out here playing ) .
#2 ? #2 seems out of place on this fine course . Throw it and backtrack all the way back and cross the street to #3 .
Fragmented - A lot of street crossings make the course seem fragmented .
Disc Risk - some blind shots combined with a few spots of rough make the disc risk about medium . To be expected from a woods course of this length .
Bring bug spray .

I had played the old Castle Hayne layout a couple of times , most recently about 7 years ago . The course seems ever more improving and more challenging . The locals here are passionate about the game and protective of this gem . If the parks department enforced the closing of this course for any reason other than a tournament , they might have a revolt on their hands . I am glad that they left old #2 up . It gives you a chance to toss a disc while taking the walk to #1 ( old #3 ) . A lot of variety will make you empty your disc bag during your round . The course will give you as much challenge as you can handle . Better bring your precision " A " Game with you . I saw a lot of groups cutting up and insulting each others questionable drives . I guess this means that the Fun Factor element is also present .
Adding the alternate pins and tees answer the question " Why should I play Castle Hayne ? Why shouldn't you .
My Recommendation - This is not the type of course for an after-dinner round . Even with the challenge of this course trying to break your will , this course would be good for newbies , locals and 1 discers . There are a lot of players , some very good , that can give you advice or help correct a flaw in your game ( They didn't have a full day to work on Mine ) Intermediates to pros will play this course whenever possible . Travelers - This is one of those courses that you might not want to pass up if anywhere in the Wilmington area . Vacationers as far down as Murrells Inlet , south of Myrtle Beach would consider the trip to this course to be worthwhile . Course Collectors will get a memorable round here , and can combine it with several Wilmington area courses to have a full day of bagging . PLAY THIS COURSE !!!!

The (in)famous Castle Hayne is the legendary beast of eastern NC. A long, demanding wooded course filled with par 4s and 5s over surprising elevation, it stands up right alongside the other classic great woods courses of North Carolina.
+ A wonderful array of challenges have been carved out of the woods here. There are tunnels, blind hyzers, tight gaps, and precise landing zones to all contend with. All of these challenges are completely fair, and fairways are generally wide and clean, but this is still a demanding course that asks for the best of your game. Strong scrambling skills will be essential and valuable here.
+ I'm always surprised by how much elevation there is at this location so close to the coast, and the course makes fantastic use of that elevation on quite a few holes.
+ Excellent teepads and tee signs, and good quality baskets.
+ Brand new concrete short teepads were added to a few holes in late 2019, adding some interesting variation to those holes. These are very welcome, as the long tees can be extremely difficult and intimidating for more casual players. Many holes also include posts to mark shorter tees, more suitable for beginners.
+ Large parking lot, two nine-hole loops that return to it, a practice basket, informational kiosk, a picnic shelter, and restrooms are all nice amenities. There's even an entire practice hole before Hole 1, though it's a little silly. Once you find holes 1 and 10 out of the parking lot, navigation is generally smooth and easy.
+ Some of the par 4s and 5s are particularly memorable, and are amongst my favorite holes in NC. Holes 6, 8, 15, and 17 are examples that often come to my mind when I think of great woods holes that combine challenge, fun, and beauty.

- Out of the parking lot, the location of holes 1 and 10 is not immediately obvious, as the practice basket is far away from the course, and the informational kiosk is hidden in the woods by hole 1. See the course map on this site for a helpful picture.
- This course has long had a reputation for being friendly to righty-forehand players. As a balanced but slightly-favoring-forehand player, I would agree with that, and would actually say that it feels overly friendly to forehands. Quite a few holes feature obvious and straightforward forehand hyzers, while the backhand turnover equivalents feel incredibly demanding, and risk massive tree kicks into the rough. Conversely, it feels like there are very few backhand-favoring shots here, and those that do exist still feel completely reasonable for forehand-turnovers to reach. Of course, backhand specialists can still find success here (see: Michael Johansen's long reign as the Azalea Open champ), but to me this course feels 100 times easier with a forehand, to a stronger degree than I've seen on any other course.
- The rough is extremely thick in some of the lower and wetter spots on the course, threatening disc loss on top of whatever strokes are added. The right side of holes 15 and 17 can be particularly bad, and are also particularly easy to griplock or tree-kick into. Not much can likely be done to control this, it comes with the climate and verdant growth. I'll note that the rough is reasonable and scramble-able for a majority of the course, there are just these few trouble spots that lurk.
- Train tracks run alongside Hole 12, and if you're unlucky enough to be playing that hole when a train comes through, prepare for a thundering, bone-shaking interruption to your round. Particularly awful/amusing in tournament play.
- Other park activities and neighboring resident activities can add to the distracting noise on busy days, particularly on the back 9.
- Others have noted that flooding can be an issue after rains.

This new Castle Hayne layout should now have accumulated enough reviews to regain its rightfully deserved place on the list of NC's top courses. It is the king of eastern NC, and an essential course experience for the region. Though the course has been heavily damaged by multiple hurricanes, the New Hanover club and park staff have always done an amazing job bringing the course back to life, stronger than ever. Kudos to them, and long may Castle Hayne reign.

Great new tee signs, good large tee pads, plenty of benches on every hole and good baskets.
Epic NC wooded course in a great beach town location. Plenty of length on this one with 5 Par 4s and 2 Par 5s. Great mix of left and right holes, with only a few going straight.
There is not a lot of elevation in this park, but the designers made use of the changes provided by a creek that runs through the course. No huge up or downhill shots, but enough elevation to make you think about your distance and rollaway possibilities.
Three new holes were added in the last couple of years that blend in with the existing holes perfectly. Two of them use the elevation available and they are breaking in very nicely.
The middle part of the park has RRs, a ball field and shelters, everything you need if you are here for an all day tournament. The backside even has tennis, soccer and football fields, so this is a popular park. The course is laid out very well in areas that don't conflict with those other uses, except having to cross the park roads a few times.

This is the third time I've played the Castle, the second in the current layout. One thing I don't understand is the flow of the front nine holes, this is where the 3 new holes were added. Currently, after playing #2, you walk back along the fairway/road to #3 tee, which is right across the road from #2 tee. (One of the reasons I play is for the exercise, so no big deal for me.) It seems to me, the flow on the front 9 should go, 1-2-5-6-7-8-9-4-3. This way, it would shorten the walk after #2, there would be no crisscrossing around #8 tee and #3 would still end you up by the parking lot, for the walk to #10.
Really no other ""Cons"" for this course, real fun to play.

I enjoy playing this course each chance I have on a beach trip to Wilmington. Its definitely a challenging course that has had some of NC's best players test their skills. I enjoy the challenge. I may have missed on one trip here, because I was bagging other courses. Now that I have played everything in easy driving distance, I'll be playing here on every trip!
A few holes that I have looked forward to playing since my first time here:
#8 - a 700' Par 5 with an uphill left turning tee shot, then a right turning second shot that you have to keep on the ridge, then an ample sized green to approach to.
#11 - Par 4 that starts in the woods, you have to hit a gap on the right to an open fairway, then back into the woods and it turns left to the green.
#17 - a dual fairway Par 4, good amount of space on either fairway, then straight back to the green. If you get stuck in the middle, its not too punishing where you can't get to the green.
There are a couple of short ace runs here also, #9-short Anny with a tight corner and #16-short hole with various lines that could pay off.
I did see the the course stewards are currently laying out shorter tees on several holes, if the current layout is Blue level, these appear to be Whites. Good idea for those that don't throw as far. I will still play the current tees, to see how I compare each time.
While this is a wooded course, with only a few holes with open fairways, nearly all the fairways are fair. Not too tight so you feel like you are playing Plinko, but if you do get off the fairway, the roughs can be tough to recover from. One of the best and toughest courses that I have played and one of the best in NC.
The Castle hosts several tournaments every year, it is definitely the must-play near the SE North Carolina coast.

Beautiful course, NHCDGC keeps this course in tip top condition year round!Great course with the perfect mix of dog legs (left & right), straight holes, long holes, short holes, and little water.Nice benches and top notch signage on every hole!Perfect amount of woods and fairways!Always friendly skilled players to compete against, BRING YOUR WALLET! LOLConsistent monthlies and doubles to play! Just a great course, def a must play if you are in the area!

Could be a little more open holes, if you like that kind of thing.Long course that takes a few hours to play, but if you are short on time you can always just play 9 holes!New holes 5-7 are still being broken in but are way better than they were last year!Couple spots where a cart is a bit bumpy but look for alternate cart trails, like on 8 you can go left around the tree for smooth ride!If your having a bad day the you will be eaten alive by CASTLE PAYNE as some call it haha! But it just makes the days you are playing good feel that much better!Couple spots that collect water when there has been a lot of rain (like 2-3 days un a row) especially on the back 9. Not much elevation, Wilmington is a flat area and the course design uses the little elevation available in the best way possible, but overall fairly flat course.

Also check out Joe Eakes Park in Kure Beach, Castle tends to over shadow this course, but both are GREAT COURSES! Long course that will force you to make golf style decisions and shape shots.Great course to play for practice for 90% of other courses.If you can consistently shoot under par here then you are doing something!

I struggled rating the original Castle Hayne. It's a monster of a course. People travel from all over the Carolina's to play it. It has amazing hole layouts, challenging par 3's, 4's, and 5's. You need every shot in your bag to play it. Just a beast. I actually think the course is better now than the old layout. The three new holes are just as fun and challenging as the rest of the course and don't stick out at all. My challenge with rating the course is its one major flaw: FLOODING. I unfortunately played on day after it had rained and the course was basically underwater (no exaggeration). When I played, the course was not worthy of a 4.0, but I know on most days it is, so I stuck with the rating.

+ Extremely challenging. It has concrete tees that I would consider blue tees (advanced). There are also markers for natural white tees (intermediate).

+ The course is beautiful and the park is well maintained. Good facilities (bathroom) and amenities (baseball field, soccer field, playground).

+ The course is what wooded courses aspire to be. It's technical, requiring precision over distance. But many of the holes throw decent distance at you to make birdies and even pars difficult. If you kick into the woods off of a tree, par becomes even harder to save.

+ The par 4's and 5's have wicked doglegs and small landing zones. You can't just throw through or over the doglegs. You have to play smart, patient, precise golf.

+ Being a coastal/beach course, there's not much elevation, but what little elevation they have, they use. There are baskets on ridges and hills to make putting trickier.

+ Nice concrete tee pads and a couple of rubber ones on platforms on the new holes.

+ Nice tee signs with yardage and hole layout. Navigation is straightforward.

Not many flaws, but the one true flaw it has is kind of a big one (for me):

- FLOODING. Pay attention to the weather and course updates before you play here. I played on a clear day, but it had rained a lot in the days before I played. The course was absolutely under water. There was no getting around it. I walked through standing water on numerous fairways and greens. They attempt to mitigate it with boards, bricks, stones, tees on platforms, etc. But there's only so much that can be done. Water just doesn't drain well here. The creek is a fun obstacle -- I'd consider it a plus -- but it's a raging river after the rain. It's frankly not worth playing the course when it's in this bad of shape.

- My only other nit-pick is the baskets are pretty old and can be tough to spot from far away.

This is a must-play in the Wilmington area. Just pray for dry weather. And bring your A-game when you storm the Castle or else you will feel the PAYNE!!!

Nice large tee pads
Tough but fair layout
Just really nice looking shaped fairways
Well maintained course and facilities
Bathrooms and water available on the course
Every shot and then some covered by the holes
Course map at the first hole
Well maintained ball field to warm up

Only thing I can think of is that the water out of the bathroom sink tasted a little funny but I drank a water bottle filled with it and was fine.
If you like long drive holes, this isn't going to be the course for you, really only a couple or three holes where a fairway driver off the tee is the play.

If you're anywhere near the area or passing through this course should be on your list. There are shorter tee markers in for lesser skilled players or weaker arms. I talked to guy clearing tee pads and he told me there had been a big push by the local club leadership for shorter tees, maybe permanent ones will be in soon.

I was fortunate enough to play the course in a couple of cooler summer days on my way to and back from visiting family but I could see it getting buggy but no more so than any other wooded east coast course in the summer.

If you're playing it for the first time take a few minuets and walk the fairway before teeing off. A lot of the holes look deceptive off the tee, meaning that what may look like the OS mid hard hyzer shot is really a Comet type slow pushing hyzer. You'll appreciate the extra time taken to scout the holes out.

My not be the most friendly course to yellow, orange and red discs. I you think you may have a good chance of missing the fairways then it might be helpful to throw white, blue and pink stuff if you have it, I spent a good amount of time on some holes looking for errant shots with a red and yellow disc.

Overall a really nice course, I really enjoyed my rounds here and look forward to playing it again.

Challenging layout for pros and Ams alike. Mostly wooded fairways offering adequate landing zones and punishing lies off the fairway. Great mix of shot shapes with numerous par 3s, 4s, and even a few 5's.

Large concrete pads (except for two pads which are wood with rubber mats) - could use some TLC as some of them are beginning to show wear.

Foliage - Local club provides adequate maintenance to fairways, bushes, trees, etc. During Spring/Summer expect to see some lines disappear due to greenery.

Park - Adequate parking, bathrooms, and facilities. Trash cans located through the park and on the course.

Local retailer Cape Fear Games offers a large variety of disc golf discs, apparel, etc. as well as being a liaison for the local club.

Baskets - What may have used to have been great baskets are certainly starting to show wear. Some wash out around the basket collars on numerous holes cause the illusion of false elevation. A few of the baskets have some bent cages, rusted chain assemblies, etc. ( to be expected as the majority of the baskets are original to the course.

Topography - Course is prone to standing water after hard rains due to little to no elevation changes. Course remains playable after rain but expect to have wet socks if you are playing after a downpour.

Layout - Unfortunately after a necessary redesign some of the transitions can be a little long. If you have not played Castle before, make sure to take note of the park layout (especially the transition from 9-10) at the warm-up holes kiosk.

Pads - A handful of the pads could use some TLC as they are beginning to show their age. On the 2 elevated wooden pads the use of restaurant style rubber no slip kitchen mats can cause to much grip. Would love to see something new here, possibly turf.

Bring bug spray in the summer months.

Short pad areas are beginning to instituted although the current short pad layout leaves much to be desired and could use some reworking. Hopefully the club plays around with different teeing areas before thinking of permanent solutions.

Ending thoughts - Castle Hayne is a great park and disc golf course. Its is known as a challenging championship level course that makes you work for your score on every hole. Personally I would have liked to have seen some alternate pin positions or additional alternate long pad offerings before succumbing to a short layout but that is neither here nor there. The hardware on the course is certainly beginning to show its age and could desperately use some of the new technology that is now available as far as baskets and tee pads. If you are a beginner looking to play for score this course can be very daunting but is still a lot of fun to play so do not get discouraged! Fortunately there are also other courses in the area that offer a more beginner friendly layout.

p.s. the club in the area has been around since the inception of this course and offers a wealth of knowledge on disc golf, local courses, techniques, and plenty of other disc golf related items so feel free to ask around for advice.

Large tee pads
Challenging
Bathrooms
Great layout
Clean
Safe
Beautiful landscaping
Playground
Lots of parking

Baskets are good but could use an upgrade
Tee pads are needed for alternate tee locations but have heard that this is in the works
Lots of roots
After a heavy rain course is very muddy and creeks flood

This is the course that started my addiction so being objective is tough but I've locked my rose tinted glasses away as best I can.

This is still one of the best courses in NC and an East NC must-play. The idiots, I mean concerned citizens, that needed another road into the park could've hurt the Castle a lot worse. They knocked down a parapet but the excellent club down there rebuilt the Castle arguably stronger than before.

Most of the Castle is the same as ever but you have some new holes and the additions are good. Hole 5 is the newest hole, an uphill par 3 that plays a little farther than it is. In addition to elevation you have to nail a fairly precise flex shot to get a look at the deuce. Hole 6 is a really well-shaped par 4 dogleg left. It's a full throw for most players to get to the bend and a technical hyzer approach. Hole 7 is a classic forehand hole, a straight to fade slight dogleg right. It will feel like a par 4 if you don't have a solid FH or a precise backhand turnover, plus it's easy to overshoot the basket and have a tough comebacker due to rough and being downhill.

Castle is a course that plays a premium on staying on the fairway and the new holes demand it. Unlike the rest of the Castle which has had years of chuckers knocking down rough these holes are very thick off the fairway.

There's also a sort of 19th hole, which is original hole 2. So the course officially starts on original hole 3.

As before the Castle is about executing lines, hitting gaps, staying on landing zones and improvising with a good scramble game. It's open enough that you can BH to your heart's delight but you're going to be up against it if you don't have a solid FH to go with it. You'll also need to knock down your putts b/c most of the greens aren't the score separators that the fairways are (due to coastal flatness). Multi-shot fairways, doglegs, good, true par 3s and a variety of holes keeps the Castle's peasants happy.

Original hole 1 is gone. This is a bummer for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the distance between new hole 1 and hole 10 is much farther now. Secondly, it was one of the few holes that most people had a prayer of acing. I have many Wilmington DG buddies that are still looking for their first ace, largely b/c the Castle hoards ace runs like royal treasure.

Hole 1 (original hole 3) has a road behind it now. It doesn't come into play much but it did expose the green to way more wind than there used to be, adding an extra degree of difficulty).

Hole 2 (OG hole 4) is no longer the wonderful s-curve it was. It got chopped in half by the *$&#@ road. So it's now just a straight putter hole with a quality green. It's also kind of a weird backtrack to the next hole but not too bad. Instead of playing original hole 5 (completely gone ) you proceed to what used to be hole 6.

Hole 4's long green (OG hole 7) like hole 1 is greatly exposed to the wind now thanks to the new road. This isn't necessarily a con, just a warning that your terrible putts and approaches are way more visible thanks to the extra sunlight.

Hole 10's location is still kind of a mystery if you've never been there, the back 9 still floods a lot and you might scratch your head on why the park didn't let the DG community use any of the new land instead of more ball fields that won't be as popular as the course and enough parking for the mall of America but other than that the course is still great.

Concrete tees, great signs, good baskets, yada yada yada. Just go play the course already. If it's warm and the weekend, go early/late and bring bug spray.

The distance on most holes is well within range. IF you can keep it straight and/or to a specific landing zone. This course absolutly DEMANDS shot placement and fairway centric minded golf, if you try a wild 'haymaker' type of shot, dont be mad if it eats your lunch and score.

For the seasoned Pro, this course will still challenge you at almost every tee and most second shots.

Personally, I have adoped a backwards first approach. IE; I usually throw my most trusted straight putter off the tee and then throw a true drive. Shot placement is at a premium!

Biggest Pro- if you play here a lot, your game will travel (it makes you better at easier courses, which almost all are

Second Pro- the local club has put in tons of man (and woman) hours to keep this course maintained and update it when the 'powers that be' have determined parts of the course to be expendable.

Third Pro- there is nothing about the current layout that is cheap, gimmicky, or easy. It may be different and it may take some wearing in to get the fairways into normal shape. But, the TEETH of the old course are in full effect!

This may count as a Pro for some of the old guard but I HATE the chainstar baskets. Im not looking for a magical disc magnet from a basket, but I feel like if a hard spin putt hits strong side and med height, it should stick. Also, if a true 6-12 hyzer putt hits strong side and med height, it should also stick. Neither are the case. It takes a strange combo of 3/4 power and 50/50 spin/push to make the putts stick. Which means that if you do every thing the course asks of you, you still might have a terrible score. Thats it, my only Con, I hate the baskets.

This course is the last place to take a beginner, that is until our new short tees have a permanent home

Thx Hope and Darcy and Nicky and all the other wonder women we have in our club!

There is only one bathroom and once in a while people rent the shelter for kids birthday parties. So just be mindful of other park patrons. Try to be nice, try not to litter, try to be a good person. That last statement just means, in general, but esp at our park.

Bathrooms
Large concrete Tpads
Shaded due to canopy
Challenging
Baskets not always visible from T
Garbage cans
Clean
Safe neighborhood
Parking
Good distance signs
Only a few water hazards
Playground
Shelters

Fairly flat due to it being coastal
Not playable after heavy rain
Difficult to find Hole 10 (next to the playground parking)

Castle Hayne has gone through some major changes in the past year. There are now 3 new holes on the course to replace 3 that were paved for a new park access. Excited to see that there are some short T locations being marked out for permanent positions in the future. Castle Hayne can be really tough and the short locations will be a nice addition for players of all ability levels. Bring your bug spray in the warm months. The park is very clean and in a safe part of town. Fairly flat and one creek runs through the course as a hazard. Well established and nice park.

Beautiful park
Bathrooms
Plenty of parking
Well defined fairways
Nice mix of shots
Two 9 hole loops
Appropriate sized tee pads
Easy to follow

The flatness of the course causes issues from rain. The club/park has done a great job adding drainage to try and combat this issue. Lots of roots in fairways. Not an issue for me but some may see as a con. Older baskets, although they are still in good shape if you putt hard you may see more spit outs/blow through.

This course continues to work you mentally. It dares you to throw a big shot and will punish you when you miss the fairway. It has continued to be one of my favorites even as it has changed over the years. The current layout was actually more challenging for me. It is a course I will always make time to play when I'm in the area.