Best Golf Courses Destin

Here are some of the top golf courses in Destin, Florida, offering everything from championship layouts to family-friendly fun—perfect for all skill levels and budgets:

🏆 Championship & Semi‑Private Favorites

Kelly Plantation Golf Club (Public)

Consistently considered the best in Destin, this 7,100-yard Fred Couples/Gene Bates design weaves through coastal wetlands and offers stunning bay views yelp.com+11kellyplantationgolf.com+11floridapanhandle.com+11golfdigest.com. Golf Digest and Golf Advisor praise its condition, layout, and friendly staff kellyplantationgolf.com.

Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club

Owned by Robert C. Walker, this course is often voted the best public course in Destin. Set on 120 acres of protected preserve, it features fast greens, GPS carts, and exceptional customer service regattabay.com.

Indian Bayou Golf Club

A favorite among locals, this semi-private course boasts a 4.6-star rating for its quality and playability forums.golfwrx.com+15golfpass.com+15regattabay.com+15.

🌿 Scenic Resort Courses

Emerald Bay Golf Club

Designed by Bob Cupp and nestled between Destin and Santa Rosa Beach, this course features abundant water hazards and a relaxed clubhouse atmosphere tripadvisor.com+14panhandlegetaways.com+14floridapanhandle.com+14.

Burnt Pine & Raven (Sandestin Resort)

• Burnt Pine (Rees Jones): Championship-style, winding through wetlands and beachfront for 7,000 yards reddit.com+6en.wikipedia.org+6golfdigest.com+6.

• Raven (Robert Trent Jones Jr.): Known for its strategy and former PGA Champions Tour events, it maintains top shape and challenge en.wikipedia.org+9en.wikipedia.org+9reddit.com+9.

🏌️ Value & Family-Friendly Options

The Golf Garden of Destin

An 18-hole putting course perfect for families and beginners, offering an affordable and fun alternative reddit.com+2floridapanhandle.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2.

Signal Hill Golf Course

A hidden gem across the bay in PCB, known for its length (second-longest in Florida) and well-seen reputation for quality yelp.com.

🌾 Hidden Gems & Challenging Links

Windswept Dunes (Freeport)

Praised for its dune-link style and solitude, it’s a favorite for those seeking challenge and tranquility off the beaten path .

Camp Creek & Shark’s Tooth (Private/Possibly Accessible via Resorts)

Highly regarded hidden/private layouts. Many who stay at nearby properties (like WaterColor) can gain access .

🎯 Quick Comparison Table

Course Name	Highlights
Kelly Plantation	Bay views, pro layout, top-tier maintenance
Regatta Bay	Audubon-certified, stunning design, excellent service
Indian Bayou	Local favorite, great condition, affordable
Emerald Bay	Scenic bay-side course, relaxing clubhouse
Burnt Pine / Raven	Resort-championship environments, former tour venue
Signal Hill	Long, family-friendly, budget-conscious favorite
Golf Garden	Putting fun for all skill levels
Windswept Dunes	Unique dune-link layout, serene experience
Camp Creek / Shark’s Tooth	Exclusive and premium playing options

💬 What Players Say

“Kelly Plantation is really the best option…the course now features fully renovated bunkers and tees…panoramic views of Choctawhatchee Bay” en.wikipedia.org+11kellyplantationgolf.com+11titleist.com.cn+11en.wikipedia.org+2forums.golfwrx.com+2golfdigest.com+2en.wikipedia.orgforums.golfwrx.com+2titleist.com.cn+2reddit.com+2emeraldbaygolfclub.com+1panhandlegetaways.com+1“Played Windswept Dunes twice and loved it…Cannot go wrong there.” youtube.com+7reddit.com+7titleist.com.cn+7

🗺️ Suggested Golf Getaway Itinerary

1. Day 1: Kick off with Kelly Plantation for a championship experience.

2. Day 2: Challenge yourself at Regatta Bay, then unwind at its stellar range facility.

3. Day 3: Explore a resort course—choose Raven or Burnt Pine for variety.

4. Bonus: For a unique off-the-radar round, drive to Windswept Dunes or arrange Camp Creek access.

✅ Booking Tips

• Tee times: Book early—especially at Kelly Plantation and Regatta Bay.

• Access: Sandestin courses often available to guests; public can play as well.

• Private courses: Call ahead or check with affiliated resorts for limited access.

• Family-friendly: Signal Hill and Golf Garden are ideal for playful group outings.

Need help with tee-time booking, resort stay recommendations, or choosing courses based on group size and skill level? Just let me know, and I’ll set you up for a perfect Destin golf trip!

Sources

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