It has often been said that “golf is a good walk spoiled”, but we can’t go along with that quip about the “game of kings” unless we are having a particularly bad day on the course. In fact, we love golf! And for that reason, we bring you the best golf courses to check out while you are in Destin and Fort Walton.
Fort Walton Beach Golf Club - (Public)
Florida is well known for its impressive selection of excellent golf courses, and the Destin & Fort Walton area of the state has some real gems including ones open to all the public. One such example is the Fort Walton Beach Golf Club that has 36 holes of championship golf a few short miles from some of the finest beaches in America.
This friendly club is considered one of the finest city-owned golf facilities in North-West Florida and as this part of the country is blessed with sunny weather all year round, it is open all seasons. On site, you will find two 18-hole Championship golf courses – the Oaks Course and the Pines Course.
The Pines Course is known for its challenging layout of over 6,800 yards, and as its name suggests has an upland pine forest while the Oaks Course offers over 6,400 yards of narrow, oak-lined fairways with some challenging water hazards for you to navigate. The courses are open from 7:30 am and adult prices for non-members are around $18 for 9 holes and $31 for the full course.
This club also plays host to many community-oriented charity golf tournaments and there is a junior golf program every summer with free lessons for any kids wanting to learn how to play this challenging sport. You will also find restaurants on site with excellent food and beverage service at both courses. You can also look forward to the excellent customer service you will receive on the grounds
Indian Bayou Golf Club - (Semi-Private)
Destin’s semi-private golf course – The Indian Bayou Golf Club is considered a hidden gem in Florida. This is a top-rated 18-hole course that many who visit Florida regularly want to make their golfing vacation home.
With friendly staff, a top-rated 18-hole course with beautiful fairways and lush Bermuda grass putting greens, Indian Bayou Golf Club measures 7078 yards from the longest tees and has a 74.6 USGA rating. The course features 4 sets of tees for different skill levels. Be sure to check this site for prices and availability.
Open all-year-round, you will find various facilities on site including a snack shop and restaurant. Golfing wise you can find a driving range, chipping/pitching area and a putting green so you can hone your skills. If you want tips and lessons from a pro, then you can maybe take lessons with the Golf School Academy on site.
Golf Garden of Destin - (Public)
Situated on the stunning Emerald Coast, the Golf Garden of Destin is golfing fun for all the family. This friendly golf facility welcomes golfers of all skill levels and is open to the public all year round from 7:30 am to 5 pm, but during the summer (June through August), the Golf Garden is even fully lit for evening play.
The highlight for many is the 9-hole Executive Golf Course, which is a great place to bring both the beginner golfer looking for a nicer starter course to practice their all-round game, but also for the more experienced golfer who would like to hone their short game. This course is in a beautiful setting and you’ll likely encounter some of the local wildlife on your way around.
If you don’t have the time or experience for 9-holes, you can enjoy the family-friendly Putt-Putt where you can practice hitting balls on the driving range and test your putting skills too in the Golf Garden. There’s even an 18-hole putting course to try out, which is great for letting the kids have some fun but is also known to test the more seasoned players too. Walk-ins are welcome and adult prices range from $26 for the 9 holes, $8-$13 for the driving range and $8.50 for the putting course.
Kelly Plantation Golf Club - (Semi Private)
Golf Digest gave this course four-and-a-half stars out of five and is consistently rated as one of the best golf courses in Destin by golfers too. The Kelly Plantation Golf Club sits right next to the coast, giving stunning panoramic views of the Choctawhatchee Bay making this challenging course even more tricky as you try not to get distracted by the stunning scenery. The impeccably maintained course is semi-private, visitors are welcome to play though.
The impressive and well-maintained championship golf course on site features a waterfront, intricate bayous, and towering trees of a former turpentine plantation. The course boasts more than 7,000 yards of contoured greens, wide manicured fairways, strategically placed hazards, and panoramic views of Choctawhatchee Bay. All of this makes it one of the most prestigious golf courses in the region.
They also have a driving range with a chipping area and a 10,000 sq ft putting green while the clubhouse offers food and drink that you can enjoy while looking at the stunning views of the course and bay. Tee times run from 7:17 am to 5.55 pm and prices start at $165 for an 18-hole morning tee-off to $89 for an afternoon round.
Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club (Semi-Private)
This golf course is also situated next to the beauty of Choctawhatchee Bay and is known as one of the best in Destin. Moreover, it is often in the running for one of the best in the state of Florida.
It features an 18-hole (par 72) course with a lovely layout with gorgeous emerald green bays to play on and water hazards throughout. As with many courses in this part of the world, expect to share the course with some of the local wildlife too.
On the grounds, you can also find a golf academy with a driving range and the only golf simulation studio in Destin which gives you the opportunity to play over forty prestigious courses from around the world. It comes with video and swing analysis data to help you improve your game.
Other facilities include a clubhouse with a full-service restaurant and a spacious back patio, overlooking a gorgeous pond and our 18th hole which is a picturesque setting for any kind of celebration or company event.
You can tee off from 6:54 am with adult rates starting at $156 for a morning session and $74 for an afternoon round of 18 holes.
There’s a reason why this sport has been a popular pastime for centuries, and if you are a regular golfer you’ll know why. If you are a beginner looking to gain experience, the golf clubs above offer you a great starting point to practice your swing, perfect your putt and fall in love with the game too.