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Destination: FL's Emerald Coast

Destination Guide

Destination: FL's Emerald Coast

Florida's Gulf Coast might be overlooked by vacationers preferring Disney theme parks and Palm Beach resorts. But West Florida isn't just for Spring-Breaking college kids. Getaways like Destin showcase some of the state's best golf on beaches just as beautiful as the ones on the other side of the state. Already an established golf destination, courses continue to pop up along Florida's Emerald Coast. Truckloads of money have been dumped into newer courses in hopes of catching the attention of golfers who think all Florida courses are flat tracts filled with water and condos.

Along the Florida Panhandle, you may think you're playing part of Mississippi or Alabama's golf trails. Courses like the Fred Couples/Gene Bates-designed SouthWood Golf Course take advantage of the rolling hills and open pasture lands near Tallahassee.

SouthWood is the keystone to Tallahassee's emergence as a Florida golf destination. Opened in 2002, SouthWood is the first course in the region to fully capitalize on the area's topography. Remarkably tall Oak trees give the course its idyllic feel. Each of SouthWood's holes has a different air. Couples and Bates stuck to the lay of the land and plenty of golfers in Florida have noticed. Even Florida State's golf team has decided to use SouthWood as its home course.

Courses like SouthWood brightly contrast what Florida golf is known for. Places like Destin, Panama City and Pensacola feature shimmering beach resort courses that abound with water and white sand bunkers. These are the courses that Florida made its name with and there are still plenty like them along the Emerald Coast. In Destin, the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort takes up 2,400 acres between the Gulf and the Choctawhatchee Bay. Featuring four 18-hole championship courses, Sandestin rivals any resort in the South. Its two marquee courses, Burnt Pine and The Raven, were respectively designed by brothers Rees and Robert Trent Jones, Jr.

Burnt Pine, opened in 1994, is a little more open and islocated on a more scenic piece of property. It also exhibits the contouring and mounding that Rees Jones is known for. The Raven, a 2000 creation, has a few more tricky shots and plenty of large format, MacKenzie-style bunkering.

See also


Special Deals

Miramar Golf Package
Dates: January 1, 2012 - February 27, 2012
The Classic Golf Package gives you the option to play two of Sandestin's original courses, starting at $123 per person per night. Book www.sandestin.com/golfnow or call expert golf reservation representatives (877) 916-6647 mention promo code SDGOLF
Price range: $123

Courses

Course Spotlight
Emerald Bay: clubhouse

Emerald Bay

Located right along the water, Emerald Bay Golf Club was designed by Bob Cupp to be Destin's premier full-service, 18-hole championship course. Water is a prominent feature as the course overlooks the shores Choctawhatchee Bay and incorporates water features on 12 of the holes. more»

Course City Rates from
Course City Rates from
Burnt Pine at Sandestin Resort
Website
Destin $119
Nicklaus Course at Bay Point Resort
Tee Times | Website
Panama City $30
Raven at Sandestin Resort
Tee Times | Website
Destin $69
Links at Sandestin Resort
Tee Times | Website
Destin $39
Meadows at Bay Point Resort
Tee Times | Website
Panama City $22
Baytowne at Sandestin Resort
Tee Times | Website
Destin $49
Seascape Resort
Tee Times | Website
Destin $27
Regatta Bay Golf & Country Club
Tee Times | Website
Destin $69
Emerald Bay
Tee Times | Website
Destin $40
Scenic Hills Country Club
Tee Times
Pensacola $17.95
Marcus Pointe Golf Club
Tee Times
Pensacola $28
Lost Key Golf Club
Tee Times
Pensacola $40
Tiger Point Golf and Country Club - West Gulf Breeze N/A
Sunny Hills Golf Club
Tee Times
Sunny Hills $28.50 - $39.50
Good/Ugly Course at Hombre Golf Club
Tee Times
Panama City Beach $49
Camp Creek Golf Club
Tee Times
Panama City Beach $69
Choctaw/Creek at Indian Bayou Golf & Country Club
Tee Times
Destin $39
DeFuniak Springs Country Club
Tee Times
Defuniak Springs $19
Regulation at Holiday Golf Club
Tee Times
Panama City Beach $30
Hombre Golf Club - Bad/Ugly Course
Tee Times
Panama City Beach $49
Good/Bad Course at Hombre Golf Club
Tee Times
Panama City Beach $49
Cypress Lakes Golf Club
Tee Times
Cantonment $25.95
Nature Walk Golf Club
Tee Times
Lynn Haven $25
Shalimar Pointe Golf & Country Club
Tee Times
Shalimar $20.95
Tiger Point Golf and Country Club - East
Tee Times
Gulf Breeze $20
Club at Hidden Creek, The
Tee Times
Navarre $20.95
Panama Country Club
Tee Times
Lynn Haven $45
Seminole/Choctaw at Indian Bayou Golf & Country Club
Tee Times
Destin $39
Kelly Plantation
Tee Times
Destin $69
Windswept Dunes Golf Course
Tee Times
Freeport $30
Blackstone Golf Course
Tee Times
Lane Mossy Head $23
Perdido Bay Golf Club
Tee Times
Pensacola $39
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