If you’ve lived in Hampton Roads for more than a week, you know the vibe. Most "exclusive" spots in Virginia Beach feel like they’re trying way too hard to be the Hamptons. But then there’s Cypress Point. It sits tucked away in the Lake Lawson and Lake Smith area, and honestly, if you weren't looking for the entrance off Cypress Point Boulevard, you’d probably drive right past it without a second thought.
Cypress Point Country Club VA Beach isn't your typical, stuffy "old money" fortress. It’s a Tom Clark design that opened back in 1987. While other courses in the area have gone through identity crises or massive corporate buyouts, Cypress Point has sort of just... stayed itself. It’s a par-72 championship course that manages to feel incredibly private while remaining surprisingly accessible to the community. People often assume you need a trust fund to step foot on the grass here, but that’s just not the reality of how the club operates today.
The Layout That Actually Tests Your Brain
Most coastal courses are flat. They’re basically just sandy fields with some grass on top. Cypress Point is different. Because it wraps around the lakes, you’re dealing with actual elevation changes—well, "actual" by Virginia Beach standards. You aren't hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains, but you aren't playing on a pancake either.
Tom Clark, the architect, is a bit of a legend in the Mid-Atlantic. He didn't just bulldoze the trees; he used them. The fairways are framed by these massive hardwoods and pines that make some of the drives feel like you're threading a needle. It’s intimidating. You’ll stand on the tee box of a par 4 and realize that a 300-yard bomb isn't actually the play. You need to be smart. You need to know where the water is lurking, because Lake Lawson doesn't care about your handicap. It will take your ball and keep it.
The greens are typically bentgrass. In the humid Virginia summers, keeping bentgrass alive is basically a full-time scientific experiment. The maintenance crew here deserves a literal medal. When the heat index hits 100 degrees in July, these greens usually stay true and fast, which is a massive feat of engineering and sweat.
Not Just for the Scratch Golfer
There's this misconception that if you aren't shooting in the 70s, you’ll get laughed off the property. Total nonsense.
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The club has a pretty diverse membership. You’ve got the retirees who play every Tuesday morning like clockwork, and then you’ve got the younger crowd—people in their 30s who work at the Navy base or in the Town Center area—who just want a place to unwind without the pretension.
What You'll Actually Find Inside
The clubhouse is where the "country club" label starts to feel more like a neighborhood hangout. It’s got that classic A-frame architecture that screams 80s elegance but in a way that feels nostalgic rather than dated.
- The Grill Room: This is the heart of the social scene. It’s not fine dining in the sense of white tablecloths and tiny portions. It’s solid, reliable food. Think great burgers, cold beer, and a view of the course that makes the workday feel a million miles away.
- The Pool Scene: During the summer, the pool is basically the headquarters for local families. It’s loud, it’s fun, and it’s a far cry from the quiet "no splashing" rules you find at more rigid clubs.
- Tennis Facilities: They have courts, and they're well-maintained. While golf is the main draw, the tennis community at Cypress Point is tight-knit. You’ll see the same groups playing doubles every weekend, followed by drinks on the patio.
The Membership Question
Here is the thing about Cypress Point Country Club VA Beach: it’s semi-private. That’s a term that confuses a lot of people. Basically, it means they offer memberships which come with all the perks—preferred tee times, social events, no greens fees—but they also allow public play.
If you’re just visiting Virginia Beach and staying down at the Oceanfront, it’s about a 20-minute drive. It’s worth the Uber. Playing here gives you a much better sense of the "real" Virginia Beach than the tourist traps near the boardwalk.
But for locals? The membership is where the value is. They have different tiers, including junior memberships for those under 35, which is a smart move. They realized a few years ago that the future of the club depended on getting the younger generation off the simulators and onto the actual grass.
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Real Talk: The Challenges
No place is perfect. If an article tells you a golf course is flawless, they’re lying to you. Because Cypress Point is built around water and low-lying areas, drainage can be an issue after those massive coastal rainstorms we get. If there’s a nor'easter on Tuesday, Wednesday might be a "cart path only" kind of day. It’s just the nature of the geography.
Also, the course is tight. If you have a massive slice, bring an extra sleeve of balls. Or two. The woods are thick, and the water is unforgiving. It’s a "target golf" course, not a "grip it and rip it" course. Some people find that frustrating. Personally, I think it makes you a better golfer. It forces you to actually think about your club selection instead of just grabbing the driver every single time.
Why This Spot Matters to Virginia Beach
We are losing green spaces everywhere. Drive down Virginia Beach Boulevard or near the Princess Anne area, and it’s just one housing development after another. Cypress Point acts as a bit of a green lung for the Bayside area.
The wildlife here is actually incredible. It’s not uncommon to see ospreys diving into Lake Smith for a fish while you’re lining up a putt. It’s a reminder of what the area looked like before the strip malls took over.
There’s also a sense of history. The land itself has been through various iterations, but as a country club, it has anchored the surrounding neighborhood for nearly four decades. When you buy a house in the Cypress Point neighborhood, you aren't just buying a plot of land; you're buying into a lifestyle where the golf course is your backyard.
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Planning Your Visit
If you're thinking about playing a round or looking into membership, don't just show up and expect a walk-on.
- Book Ahead: Even though it’s semi-private, the tee sheet fills up fast, especially on Friday and Saturday mornings.
- Check the Dress Code: It’s "country club casual." Collared shirts are a must. Leave the cargo shorts at home. It’s not about being elitist; it’s about respecting the game.
- Hit the Range: They have a solid practice facility. If you haven't played in a while, spend twenty minutes there first. You’ll need your swing to be dialed in before you hit that first narrow fairway.
- Stay for a Drink: Seriously. The patio at sunset is one of the best views in the city that isn't the ocean.
The Actionable Bottom Line
Cypress Point Country Club VA Beach isn't just a place to hit a ball into a hole. It’s a community hub that has managed to survive the "death of the country club" era by being approachable.
If you want a challenge, go play the back nine on a windy day. If you want a social life, join the Friday night scrambles. If you just want a decent sandwich and a view of some water, hit the grill.
Next Steps for Golfers and Locals:
Call the pro shop and ask about their current "Introductory Member" specials. They often run deals that aren't widely advertised on the website to attract locals who live within a five-mile radius. If you're a non-resident, check third-party booking sites for "hot deals" during the weekdays; you can often snag a round for a fraction of what you’d pay at the resort courses closer to the beach. Also, if you’re a local business owner, look into their tournament packages. They are one of the most experienced venues in the area for hosting charity scrambles, and the layout makes for a fun, competitive environment that doesn't take six hours to finish. Regardless of how you get there, just make sure you keep your head down and play for the center of the green on hole 18. You'll thank me later.