The Best Golf Courses in Destin, FL

July 31st, 2022 by

Golf is a popular sport enjoyed by many because it’s both challenging and relaxing. Golfing can be a fun hobby, an entertaining pastime, or a challenging sport that provides hours of enjoyment. Those new to golfing might find the game difficult but eventually grow to love its complexities. Golf is an enjoyable way to spend a day outdoors with friends or family. If you’re ready to hit the links, here are some of the best golf courses in Destin, Florida.

The Links Golf Club

Image by AMAURI CRUZ FILHO is licensed with Unsplash License

The Links Golf Club is one of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort’s four stunning golf courses and perhaps the most breathtaking. Architect Tom Jackson designed the course, with five of the course’s holes running along the Choctawhatchee Bay on the Emerald Coast. According to Florida Golf News, Gulf Coast winds increase the challenge of this visually impressive location, making this one of the top five Northwest Florida courses. Golfers of all skill levels will enjoy the design of this unique course. The Links Golf Club offers rentals and a practice facility.

Length: 6,710 yards

Location: 165 Sandestin Blvd. N., Miramar Beach

Burnt Pine Golf Club

Running along the Choctawhatchee Bay and the Emerald Coast, Burnt Pine Golf Club is another of the Sandestin Resort courses. Golf magazines frequently feature Burnt Pine as one of Florida’s best courses because it provides challenging holes and beautiful views with a combination of fairways and complicated bunkers. Rees Jones designed the course.

Length: 7,001 yards

Location: 3300 Burnt Pine Lane, Miramar Beach

Baytowne Golf Club

Tom Jackson designed the third Sandestin course, Baytowne Golf Club, which offers an elevation change for challenge skilled golfers. The course’s five sets of tees make it friendly for beginners and ideal for a fast-paced late afternoon game. Amenities include club rental and a practice facility.

Length: 6,804 yards

Location: 1199 Troon Drive, Miramar Beach

Raven Golf Club

Raven Golf Club is the newest course at the Sandestin Resort, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. Meandering between marshes and pine trees, the challenging course demands careful strategy and concentration from its players. Raven offers club rentals and a practice facility for day golfers and resort guests.

Length: 6,931 yards

Location: 1199 Troon Drive, Miramar Beach

Kelly Plantation Golf Club

Down the Choctawhatchee Bay, west of the Sandestin Resort courses, you’ll find the Kelly Plantation Golf Club. Designed by Fred Couples and Gene Bates, the golf course exists on what was once a turpentine plantation. Forward tees are available for novice golfers, and back tees provide a significant challenge for experienced golfers. Eleven lakes and several strategically placed bunkers add to the course’s complexity. Porpoises, dolphins, and other aquatic wildlife often swim around the bay at this championship course.

Amenities include a clubhouse with a full bar overlooking the course, daily lunch and Sunday brunch, GPS-equipped golf carts, practice facilities, and a driving range. Enjoy complimentary refreshments, including the plantation’s famous chilled apples, at the 10th tee box.

Length: 7,099 yards

Location: 307 Kelly Plantation Drive, Destin

Indian Bayou Golf Club

Indian Bayou Golf Club is one of Destin’s hidden gems. The course has 18 holes amid wide fairways and towering pine trees. For additional help on each tee, consult the club’s website, which lists tips for every hole. The relatively simple layout makes this an excellent course for novice golfers. Amenities include a restaurant, a pro shop, and golf instruction through The Bayou Golf Academy.

Length: 7,078 yards

Location: 1 Country Club Drive E., Destin

Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club

Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club is an 18-hole course on the Emerald Coast. The semi-private course is ideal for all skill levels and is open to the public. The website offers a virtual tour of each hole to help you play your best game. Other amenities include club rentals, golf carts with GPS, a gift shop and clubhouse, a restaurant, beverage carts on the course, and a hot dog stand. The Regatta Bay Golf Academy offers lessons and training with TrackMan radar technology, including Performance Studio software with video and golf swing analysis.

Length: 6,894 yards

Location: 465 Regatta Bay Blvd., Destin

The Golf Garden of Destin

If you’re looking for a family-friendly golf location, visit The Golf Garden of Destin. The Golf Garden has an 18-hole putting course designed by Sammy Rachels, suitable for both children and adults. The nine-hole Executive Golf Course features two par-4 holes and water hazards on seven of the holes. The location also has a 10-acre driving range and putting practice greens.

Length: 1,630 yards

Location: 12958 U.S. Highway 98 W., Miramar Beach

Emerald Bay Golf Club Destin

Bob Cupp designed the original Emerald Bay Golf Club Destin and oversaw the course’s redesign in 2014. The club is inside a gated community and has a dress code that requires collared shirts and doesn’t allow denim. Site amenities include a clubhouse, a golf pro shop, on-cart GPS, and a restaurant with a full bar. Emerald Bay is available to host tournaments and golf events. Whether you want to host a personal, corporate, or charity event, the staff manages and organizes your event.

Length: 7,050 yards

Location: 4781 Clubhouse Drive, Destin

Seascape Golf Beach & Tennis Resort

Course architect Joe Lee designed the 18 holes at the Seascape Resort Golf Course. Tall pine trees, lush foliage, and coastal dune lakes meld to make it a challenging and eye-catching course. Most holes also have water features, adding to the course’s beauty and complexity. Guests can choose to play nine holes in the afternoon when time doesn’t allow for a full 18.

Other amenities include club rentals, a restaurant with outdoor dining, and the ability to get training to improve your golf game at the location’s Purestrike Golf Academy.

Length: 6,148 yards

Location: 556 Seascape Drive, Miramar Beach

That wraps up our list of the best golf courses in Destin. What’s your favorite local course, and why? Let us know which Destin golf courses you enjoy, regardless of whether they made it on this list. Our team at Allen Turner Chevrolet looks forward to hearing from you.

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