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

Orlando Golf Package
Dates: March 1, 2013 - September 26, 2013
Purchase a 3- or 7-day membership at Orlando's MetroWest Golf Club and enjoy unlimited golf, cart fees, and range balls. Book your morning round in advance and then book your replay round the same day of play. This Robert Trent Jones Sr. signature design features spring-fed lakes, mature native trees, rolling fairways with dramatic elevation changes, and large undulating greens surrounded by sculpted bunkers. MetroWest offers complimentary club storage so you don't have to lug your clubs to and from the club.
Price range: $90 - $276

Courses

Course City Rates from
Course City Rates from
Bluewater Bay Resort - Bay Course
Tee Times | Website
Niceville $29
Emerald Bay
Tee Times | Website
Destin $35
Baytowne at Sandestin Resort
Tee Times | Website
Destin $57
Raven at Sandestin Resort
Tee Times | Website
Destin $69
Burnt Pine at Sandestin Resort
Website
Destin $109 - $159
Links at Sandestin Resort
Tee Times | Website
Destin $47
Bluewater Bay Resort - Lake Course
Tee Times | Website
Niceville $29
Bluewater Bay Resort - Marsh Course
Tee Times | Website
Niceville $29
Regatta Bay Golf & Country Club
Tee Times | Website
Destin $59
Nicklaus Course at Bay Point Resort
Tee Times | Website
Panama City $39
Meadows at Bay Point Resort
Tee Times | Website
Panama City $35
Seascape Resort
Tee Times | Website
Destin $29
Bluewater Bay Resort - Magnolia Course
Tee Times | Website
Niceville $29
Panama Country Club
Tee Times
Lynn Haven $25
Windswept Dunes Golf Course
Tee Times
Freeport $57
Club at Hidden Creek, The
Tee Times
Navarre $19.95
Choctaw/Creek at Indian Bayou Golf & Country Club
Tee Times
Destin $52
Seminole/Choctaw at Indian Bayou Golf & Country Club
Tee Times
Destin $52
Cypress Lakes Golf Club
Tee Times
Cantonment $25.95
Hombre Golf Club - Bad/Ugly Course
Tee Times
Panama City Beach $54 - $69
DeFuniak Springs Country Club
Tee Times
Defuniak Springs $15
Marcus Pointe Golf Club
Tee Times
Pensacola $28
Good/Ugly Course at Hombre Golf Club
Tee Times
Panama City Beach $54 - $69
Tiger Point Golf and Country Club - East
Tee Times
Gulf Breeze $20
Camp Creek Golf Club
Tee Times
Panama City Beach $150
Lost Key Golf Club
Tee Times
Pensacola $50
Shalimar Pointe Golf & Country Club
Tee Times
Shalimar $15
Nature Walk Golf Club
Tee Times
Lynn Haven $15
Good/Bad Course at Hombre Golf Club
Tee Times
Panama City Beach $54 - $69
Kelly Plantation
Tee Times
Destin $59
Scenic Hills Country Club
Tee Times
Pensacola $19.95
Regulation at Holiday Golf Club
Tee Times
Panama City Beach $35
Tiger Point Golf and Country Club - West Gulf Breeze N/A
Perdido Bay Golf Club Pensacola $29 - $69
Blackstone Golf Course Lane Mossy Head $39
Sunny Hills Golf Club Sunny Hills $28.50 - $39.50
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