While its white sand beaches get most of the love, gorgeous Destin is a golfer’s paradise, too. With so many top-notch courses near Olympus Emerald Coast, how do you choose where to play your next round? Here’s a handy guide to help you decide which of the top four Destin golf courses is right for your outing. All that’s left for you to do is tee it up and let it rip!
Where Should I Take Out-of-Town Guests?
Living in Destin means you’ll see your fair share of visitors – especially during those warm, tropical summers. When you’re touring out-of-towners, you’ll enjoy a quintessential Florida Panhandle golf experience at Emerald Bay Golf Club. Nestled between Choctawhatchee Bay and Destin’s world-class beaches, Emerald Bay touts a recently renovated course that highlights the natural beauty of the area. You’ll finish with a bang on the back nine, where hole 15 points you straight toward the bay and hole 16 runs along the water, serving up stunning views and making for a very memorable round.
Where Do I Play When My Game Is Sharp?
For the quality of the golf experience, you won’t find a better course in Destin than Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club. An Emerald Coast classic, Regatta Bay has drawn the most accolades of any Destin course, including a ranking as the 24th best public course in Florida from Golfweek. Work up to this round because you’ll want to play when your game is at its best. Regatta Bay boasts a hefty 148 slope rating and will punish those stray tee shots. It’s a pricier course, with weekend rates ranging up to $199 – but if you’re a serious golfer, a round here is a real treat. Expect greens and fairways in impeccable condition and plenty of challenges navigating water, trees, and bunkers.
What’s the Best Course for Enjoying the Sunshine?
Have an unexpected day off from work? A round at Kelly Plantation Golf Club is the perfect way to celebrate. Get outside, soak up the Florida sunshine, and enjoy the stunning course architecture at this local beauty. Designed by former world No. 1 Fred Couples along with Gene Bates, Kelly Plantation features miles of waterfront, including 11 lakes. Navigate a range of hazards on your way to challenging, contoured greens. While you’ll find enough difficulty to challenge even a strong golf game, there’s no way not to enjoy a round here, surrounded by palmettos and magnolias, in one of the most beautiful parts of the country.
What’s My Go-To Destin Course?
Less than 3 miles from Olympus Emerald Coast, Indian Bayou Golf Club features beautiful Bermuda grass fairways and greens. You’ll enjoy every hole on this lengthy par 72 that covers 7,078 yards. Locals love the staff at Indian Bayou and rave about the consistent condition of the greens and fairways. As an inland course, it doesn’t offer ocean views – but you’ll see plenty of water at Indian Bayou with several lakes placed between tree-lined fairways. You won’t have to dig quite as deep in the pockets for your round here; twilight rates in the summer come down to $75. For the balance of course conditions, cost, and closeness, Indian Bayou makes a great case to be your go-to Destin course.
Have a Great Round!
Whatever the occasion, and wherever you play – a round of golf is always the right choice! For more tips on how to enjoy Destin, make sure to check out the Olympus Emerald Coast blog.