Topsail Island is a 26-mile-long barrier island located off the coast of North Carolina, just north of Wilmington. Topsail boasts many high-quality golf courses nearby, including some of the best courses in the state, making it a haven for avid golfers.
There are also several driving ranges and miniature golf locations if you’re looking for a more relaxing golf experience.
So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a casual golfer looking for a fun experience, these 9 best golf courses near Topsail Island, NC, are designed to cater to all interests and skill levels.
Golfing near Topsail Island, NC
Castle Bay Country Club
Located about a 30-minute drive from Topsail Island, Castle Bay Country Club is a fun course for players of all levels. Located in Hampstead, North Carolina, this 18-hole championship golf course offers a challenging Scottish links-style layout.
The course spans 6,713 yards from the longest tees and boasts a par of 72. Castle Bay offers an authentic links-style experience without trees, with tall bunkers, water hazards, and waste areas strategically placed throughout the course. This layout demands a precise shot placement on every hole, providing a challenging experience that will test your skills. The prevailing sea breeze adds extra complexity to the game, keeping players on their toes.
Castle Bay provides first-rate practicing facilities, including a driving range with grass teeing areas and synthetic mats and a short game area with sand traps and target greens.
After a day on the course, golfers can relax and enjoy delicious pub cuisine at the New York Corner Pub in the beautiful Clubhouse.
Olde Point Country Club
Located in Hampstead, NC, just outside Wilmington, Olde Point Country Club is a picturesque 18-hole golf course with a challenging and scenic layout. Designed by Jerry Turner, this course should be on the must-play list of any golfer who comes to the area.
The golf course features Paspalum greens and Bermuda fairways, which have been meticulously maintained to offer golfers a premium playing surface. Stretching across 6,913 yards with a par of 72, Olde Point provides a challenging and varied golfing experience, ideal for golfers of all skill levels.
Set alongside the Intercoastal Waterway, the course features elevated tees, strategically placed bunkers, and undulating greens.
Olde Point, as a semi-private club, offers a variety of memberships that provide access to exclusive benefits like advanced tee time reservations, league play options, and access to the swimming pool, tennis courts, and members-only lounge.
For those seeking thrilling golf events, Olde Point hosts the Annual St. Patrick’s Day Green Ball Golf Tournament, a fun-filled event featuring a modified two-ball scramble format and delicious Irish cuisine.
Belvedere Country Club
Located in the coastal town of Hampstead, NC, Belvedere Country Club is a hidden gem for golf lovers. With a rich history dating back to the 1970s, this exceptional golf course has evolved into an inviting par 71 layout. It has an exciting combination of six-par threes, seven-par fours, and five-par fives, making it a well-rounded challenge for golfers of all skill levels.
The front nine of the Country Club takes players on a journey toward the serene beauty of the Intracoastal Waterway and back toward the Clubhouse. The back nine of the course goes inland, creating a unique figure-eight configuration with no parallel fairways.
Beyond its impressive layout, Belvedere Country Club offers additional amenities, including a Pro Shop, driving range, putting green, and Belvedere Grill for excellent lunch delicacies. Moreover, you can book tee times online for an enjoyable and challenging golf experience.
Beau Rivage Golf & Resort
Beau Rivage Golf & Resort is a premier golf destination in Wilmington, North Carolina, just a short drive from downtown. Designed by a famous golf architect, Joe Gessner, Beau Rivage Golf & Resort was opened in 1988.
The course offers 11 holes with stunning water elements and rolling dunes, wooded hills, valleys, and hills. Bermuda grass fairways and greens on the course are carefully maintained, ensuring a quick and accurate roll for putts.
One notable feature of the course is the significant elevation changes, with the 12th tee box offering spectacular views of Wilmington’s long-needle pine trees.
Beau Rivage Golf & Resort offers various membership options to suit different budgets and interests, including full, seasonal, business, resort, and recreational memberships. The resort has a Pro Shop for purchasing equipment and the Veranda Bar and Grill for post-round dining and refreshments.
If you’re looking for a complete golf vacation, Beau Rivage Golf & Resort offers stay-and-play packages, providing a convenient and enjoyable way to explore the course and surrounding areas.
Wilmington Municipal Golf Course
Located in Wilmington, North Carolina, Wilmington Municipal Golf Course is one of the best public courses near Topsail Island, North Carolina. Designed by Donald Ross in 1926, this 18-hole championship course is available to the public at affordable prices.
Maintained by Wilmington’s Park and Recreation Department, the course is in outstanding condition, attracting both local and visiting golfers. It has been recognized as one of the best municipal golf courses, even ranking in Golf Week’s List.
Renowned for its accessibility and challenging layout, the course features rolling mounds and high-wall bunkers that add to the excitement of the game. One of the course’s standout features is the incorporation of distinctive turtleback greens, a design feature frequently connected with Donald Ross courses, adding a challenge to the player’s putting skills.
As a municipal course, it is open to the public, and players can reserve tee times in advance.
Bear Trail Golf Club
Located in Jacksonville, NC, about 30 minutes from Topsail, Bear Trail Golf Club is an 18-hole championship golf course that provides a laid-back and enjoyable golfing experience. Designed by Rusty Simmons of Simmons Golf Designs and Gene Daniel of Blackwater Golf LLC, the course opened its fairways in 2007.
The course, spanning 6,848 yards, features a 71 par with a rating of 71.4 and a slope of 125 from the back tees. It is known for its wide fairways, ample greens, and light rough, all of which contribute to a gentle and enjoyable round of golf. However, don’t be fooled by its tranquility; water comes into play on 14 of the 18 holes, and four feature forced-carry wetlands requiring strategic play.
The front nine features a picturesque tree-lined layout, while the back nine features risk/reward par-5 holes. Other amenities include a driving range, putting greens, and a Pro Shop well-stocked with high-quality equipment and apparel.
Whether you are a low-handicap player looking for a challenge or a novice golfer looking for a pleasant golfing experience, Bear Trail Golf Club caters to all golfers.
Country Club of Landfall
The Country Club of Landfall is a famous golf and country club near Wilmington. It is recognized as one of the premier golf courses in the Topsail Island area. The Country Club features two 18-hole championship golf courses designed by golf legends Jack Nicklaus and Pete Dye, offering a world-class golfing experience.
In addition to golf, the Country Club of Landfall provides a variety of amenities and services, such as tennis courts, dining options, social events, and a luxurious clubhouse. The club is located within Landfall, a private community recognized for its beauty and proximity to Wrightsville Beach.
As a mature and member-owned private club, the Country Club of Landfall has maintained financial stability and is a perfect choice for golf lovers.
Star Hill Golf Club
Located in Cape Carteret, just a short distance from Emerald Isle, Star Hill Golf Course is an outstanding golf course about 1 hour outside of Topsail. Led by Carl Bearmen, a Professional Golfers Association of America member, the golf course offers high-quality instructions and services.
Star Hill Golf Club features a 27-hole regulation-length course, allowing players to access three distinct nine-hole, par 36 courses: the Pines Nine, the Sands NIne, and the Lakes Nine. The course also features NEW Champion Bermuda G12 greens, which are similar to those found at famous clubs like Quail Hollow Club and Pinehurst #2, ensuring an unparalleled playing experience.
During your 18-hole round at the club, you can enjoy access to the Champions Club and Grill Room, offering a perfect spot for dining and social gatherings.
Whether you’re a visitor or a local, Star Hill Golf Club invites you to play 9, 18, or 27 of its top-notch golf holes against a stunning coastal backdrop.
Paradise Point Golf Course
Located in Camp Lejeune, NC, Paradise Point Golf Course is just 39 miles north of Topsail Island, or about a 40 minute drive. Although it is a military course, the public can access it, but players must have military access to play either course. So if you’ve got a friend who is active duty or veteran be sure to check this course out.
Designed by George Cobb, a renowned golf architect and former Marine, the course features two exceptional 18-hole layouts: the Scarlet, a challenging par 70 course, and the Gold, a remarkable par 72 course spanning 6,857 yards.
The golf complex features two driving ranges: covered bays for all-weather practice and grass. The Gold Course is only accessible to golfers with a golf handicap of 24 or less (except during the winter hours).
Golfers can hone their short game on three-putting greens or take advantage of PGA Professional-led sessions for all skill levels. The Pro Shop offers the products required for daily participation, making it easy for golfers to access necessary gear.
So, whether you’re a military golfer or a civilian looking for a memorable round of golf, Paradise Point Golf Course promises a wonderful day on the greens.
Final Thoughts
Whether you live on Topsail Island or you’re calling it your vacation home for a week or more, check out these best golf courses. From challenging fairways to stunning coastal views, these 9 best golf courses near Topsail Island, North Carolina, offer something for novices and seasoned golf players.
