Best Golf Courses in Destin, Florida

Destin is better known for its beaches than its fairways, but the golf here is legitimately good. Within 30 minutes of Harbor Boulevard you’ll find over a dozen courses ranging from a Fred Couples design on Choctawhatchee Bay to four championship layouts inside a single resort. It’s one of the more underrated golf destinations on the Gulf Coast.

Here’s a breakdown of the best courses and what makes each one worth your time.

Kelly Plantation Golf Club

Kelly Plantation is the course most associated with Destin golf and for good reason. Designed by Fred Couples and Gene Bates and built on the site of a 19th-century turpentine plantation, it sits on the north shore of Choctawhatchee Bay at 307 Kelly Plantation Drive.

Golf Digest gave it 4.5 stars and it has held the No. 1 spot on GolfAdvisor.com’s Florida list. The back nine runs along the bay, with several holes offering views that are difficult to find elsewhere in the region. The course plays 7,099 yards from the back tees with a rating just under 75, putting it among the more demanding layouts on the coast.

What separates it from comparable courses is that it’s actually playable for higher handicappers. The forward tee options have very few forced carries, which Couples and Bates designed intentionally. It’s a course where a 25-handicapper and a scratch player can both enjoy the round. The history of the property, the bay scenery, and the overall conditioning make it the benchmark for Destin golf.

Address: 307 Kelly Plantation Dr, Destin, FL 32541

Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club

Regatta Bay is the other course that regularly tops Destin rankings. Designed by Robert C. Walker and renovated in 2019 for $2.25 million, it’s a semi-private facility open to the public that plays through coastal marshland and pine corridors.

The course plays 6,853 yards from the tips. Despite residential development on some holes, the routing through preserved wetlands gives several stretches a secluded, natural feel that’s harder to find as development has spread along the 98 corridor. The par-3s are particularly well-designed — varied in distance, each requiring a different club and decision.

Green fees here are among the higher end locally, but the course conditions, design quality, and waterfront setting earn it. If you’re playing only one course in Destin, this and Kelly Plantation are the two that compete for the top spot.

Address: 465 Regatta Bay Blvd, Destin, FL 32541

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort — Four Courses

Sandestin is technically in Miramar Beach, east of Destin along Highway 98, but it’s where most Destin-area golf vacationers end up. The resort has 72 holes across four distinct championship courses, each with its own character.

Burnt Pine Golf Club is the crown of the collection. Designed by Rees Jones, it plays through wetlands and pine forests on the front nine and opens to bay views on the back. It plays 7,001 yards from the back tees (rating 74.7) and Golf Magazine named it the “Crown Jewel of Florida Golf.” Burnt Pine is semi-private — open to resort guests and those staying at Sandestin properties; general public access after 1 p.m. in summer.

Raven Golf Club was designed by Robert Trent Jones II with hilly terrain that’s unusual for coastal Florida. The bay and lake nines were designed by Tom Fazio in 1981, with the Marsh nine added by Fazio and Jerry Pate in 1987 and the Magnolia nine by Jerry Pate in 1993. It plays 6,931 yards (rating 73.8) and has the best mix of challenge and accessibility in the Sandestin stable.

Baytowne Golf Club is the most accessible of the four — plays 6,804 yards at a rating of 73.2. It’s well-suited to mid and higher handicappers who want a quality round without the difficulty level of Burnt Pine or Raven.

The Links Golf Club sits in the western portion of the Sandestin property with bay views and a more relaxed layout at 6,710 yards (rating 72.2). It’s the most forgiving of the four and a solid option for beginners or those playing a second round after a more demanding morning course.

Address: 9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy W, Miramar Beach, FL 32550

Emerald Bay Golf Club

Emerald Bay sits along Choctawhatchee Bay between Destin and South Walton, renovated in 2014. The clubhouse has indoor and outdoor dining, the course offers bay views on several holes, and the overall package — pricing, conditioning, and scenery — makes it a reliable option for a full golf day.

It plays around 6,800 yards and handles a broad range of handicaps. Not the most difficult course in the area, but consistent and well-kept.

Address: 40 Emerald Bay Dr, Destin, FL 32541

Indian Bayou Golf Club

Indian Bayou is a members-only club near Big Kahuna’s Water Park, designed by Earl Stone. The club features two nine-hole courses — Seminole and Choctaw — each with distinct personalities. Seminole has wider fairways with water on four of nine holes. Choctaw is known for its length, with only two par-3s. Access requires membership or a guest invitation, but it’s worth knowing about if you’re connected.

Address: 1 Country Club Dr, Destin, FL 32541

Quick-Reference Comparison

Tips for Planning a Destin Golf Trip

Book tee times at Kelly Plantation and Regatta Bay at least a week in advance during spring and fall peak seasons — they fill fast. Summer rounds should be teed off before 9 a.m. to avoid the worst of the afternoon heat. If you’re staying at Sandestin, the Stay & Play packages give access to all four courses and represent good value compared to booking individually. For multi-course trips, building in one Sandestin course, Kelly Plantation, and either Regatta Bay or Emerald Bay covers most of what the area has to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best golf course in Destin, FL? Kelly Plantation and Regatta Bay consistently rank highest. Kelly Plantation has the edge for views and prestige; Regatta Bay for course design and conditioning.

How many golf courses are there in Destin, Florida? Destin and the immediately surrounding area (including Miramar Beach and the South Walton corridor) has over a dozen courses within 30 minutes. Sandestin alone accounts for four of them.

Is Burnt Pine open to the public? Burnt Pine at Sandestin is semi-private. Resort guests and Sandestin property owners have full access. General public access is available after 1 p.m. during summer months. A Stay & Play package is the easiest way to get a round in.

What is the easiest golf course in Destin for beginners? The Links Course at Sandestin or Baytowne Golf Club are the most beginner-accessible options with professional facilities and enough forgiving layout to make the round enjoyable.