Blackstone Golf Course DeFuniak Springs

Blackstone Golf Course DeFuniak Springs: The Hilly Bill Amick Design Destin Golfers Drive 40 Minutes For

Most golfers on a Destin vacation don’t think to drive inland. That’s exactly why Blackstone Golf Course in DeFuniak Springs stays under the radar, and exactly why golfers who make the 38-minute drive tend to come back. Bill Amick designed it, which means it belongs to the same design lineage as Shalimar Pointe, Rocky Bayou Country Club, and Fort Walton Beach Golf Club’s Pines Course. GolfPass ranked it 22nd in Florida in 2015. The course’s own profile notes it was designed to be a premier destination for Destin, Niceville, and Fort Walton Beach area golfers — and the terrain makes that claim credible.

The property sits in Walton County on rolling terrain with genuine elevation changes and slanted fairways that show up nowhere along the coastal corridor. Florida golf is predominantly flat. Blackstone isn’t. The hills create uneven lies, sidehill approach shots, and elevation-adjusted distances that coastal players aren’t accustomed to managing. For golfers who play resort courses all week on dead-flat terrain, a round at Blackstone recalibrates the game in ways that hold up as useful practice.

At 6,624 yards from the tips with a par 72, a 71.8 rating, and a 130 slope, the numbers are honest. The slope reflects the design challenge without inflating it — Amick built a course that earns its difficulty through terrain and routing rather than forced carries or artificial penalties. Tif Dwarf Bermuda greens are consistent year-round and roll well. A driving range, putting green, teaching professional, and on-site dining round out the facility.

The town of DeFuniak Springs itself is worth knowing: it has the oldest public library in Florida still in active use, a Victorian-era historic district encircling Lake DeFuniak (one of only two naturally circular spring-fed lakes in the world, the other being in Switzerland), the Chautauqua Winery, and the Hotel DeFuniak. A round at Blackstone pairs naturally with a morning in town if you’re making the drive from the coast.

Guide to Emerald Coast Golf

Blackstone Golf Course DeFuniak Springs — Course Info

Membership at Blackstone Golf Course

Blackstone Golf Course offers membership options for regular area players. Contact the pro shop at (850) 520-4670 or visit blackstonegolfcourse.com for current membership tiers, dues, and benefits. General Manager and Head Professional Bill Putz handles membership inquiries directly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Blackstone Golf Course DeFuniak Springs

Is Blackstone Golf Course in DeFuniak Springs open to the public? Yes. Blackstone is a daily-fee public course open year-round. No membership is required. Tee times can be booked online at blackstonegolfcourse.com or by calling (850) 520-4670.

What makes Blackstone Golf Course different from coastal Emerald Coast courses? Blackstone is built on genuine rolling terrain with elevation changes and slanted fairways that are rare on the Panhandle. Unlike most coastal courses, which play flat, Blackstone requires golfers to manage sidehill lies, uphill and downhill approaches, and elevation-adjusted distances throughout the round.

How far is Blackstone Golf Course from Destin? Blackstone is approximately 38 minutes from Destin and 30 minutes from Fort Walton Beach via US-90 and SR-285. It’s a viable half-day trip for golfers staying on the coast who want a different style of course.

What are the green fees at Blackstone Golf Course DeFuniak Springs? Peak rates are approximately $52 for 18 holes with cart. Rates are lower Monday through Thursday and during twilight. Walking is permitted. Contact the pro shop at (850) 520-4670 or check blackstonegolfcourse.com for current seasonal pricing.