Golf in Florida Panhandle

CowtownTexas · February 23, 2014

I haven't been down there in a few years, but will be there in early June. Will likely play Camp Creek. Most likely will avoid the courses closer to Destin. Staying at Watercolor, so Santa Rosa CC is user friendly as it's a short drive.

Any other suggestions in the area?

I'm guessing the courses will be packed that time of year? In the past, we were usually there in off-peak seasons. We're going the first week schools are out here in Texas, so I'd imagine it will be much more crowded than we've experienced in the past.

Bubb · February 23, 2014

Camp Creek is supposed to go private 3/1, but you may be able to get on given that you are staying at Watercolor. Watercolor may also be able to get you on Shark's Tooth, which is second only to Camp Creek in the area. The Sandestin courses are better than you might think. Kelly Plantation is overrated and overpriced. Seascape is not good. Emerald Bay is just OK. It breaks my heart that Camp Creek is going private. It's about as good as it gets for Florida.

cardoustie · February 23, 2014

When are you going Cowtown?

I am there Mar 5-15 if you want to play

wdm50 · February 23, 2014

[quote name='Bubb' timestamp='1393205610' post='8731224']
Camp Creek is supposed to go private 3/1, but you may be able to get on given that you are staying at Watercolor. Watercolor may also be able to get you on Shark's Tooth, which is second only to Camp Creek in the area. The Sandestin courses are better than you might think. Kelly Plantation is overrated and overpriced. Seascape is not good. Emerald Bay is just OK. It breaks my heart that Camp Creek is going private. It's about as good as it gets for Florida.
[/quote]I played with a member down there this past summer he told me they were thinking about going private, sounds like he was correct, you are right , it is a fine layout here on the Gulfcoast, probably the nicest around, not really a lot of stellar track's around here.

act0fgod · February 23, 2014

My recomendation is to check out Windswept Dunes. About 30 min away from Camp Creek.

CowtownTexas · February 23, 2014

[quote name='cardoustie' timestamp='1393206387' post='8731324']
When are you going Cowtown?

I am there Mar 5-15 if you want to play
[/quote]

I get down there sometime around June 9th or I might take you up on it. Going with the in-laws and they don't play a lot of golf. Personally, I hate the beach, but my kids love it and while I've skipped this trip the last few years I thought I'd go this year. Still plan to play golf 2-3 times that week.

I'll check out Sharks Tooth as well. Windswept Dunes looks interesting, but might be further than I want to drive.

I've played Emerald, Raven, Plantation, Regatta, and a couple of others closer to Destin and wasn't real impressed. Not bad courses, just not worth fighting the traffic to get back up to that end of the beach to play them again.

If Camp Creek went private, that may be the most attractive option. Seems like that would offer the best option of missing a 6 hour resort round of golf.

BamafaninKY · February 24, 2014

Camp Creek has been private before and it didn't work. Hopefully it won't this time either.

cardoustie · February 24, 2014

I've got times already at Camp Creek and Shark's Tooth. Love both of those tracks. Will perhaps also do Hombre and Santa Rosa GC (as I honeymooned across the street from there)

WIndswept Dunes is OK. BIG and Open and long from the tips.

Need to try a new track outside the usual Destin mix. I gotta bump up my total courses played count

bcflyguy1 · February 24, 2014

Cowtown and Cardoustie-

You should both give Rocky Bayou Country Club a call (it's in Niceville). It is private, but they do sometimes allow out-of-towners to come play for a reasonable rate.

cardoustie · February 25, 2014

Thx bcfly

act0fgod · February 27, 2014

[quote name='cardoustie' timestamp='1393254509' post='8734052']
I've got times already at Camp Creek and Shark's Tooth. Love both of those tracks. Will perhaps also do Hombre and Santa Rosa GC (as I honeymooned across the street from there)

WIndswept Dunes is OK. BIG and Open and long from the tips.

Need to try a new track outside the usual Destin mix. I gotta bump up my total courses played count
[/quote]

OK is the best you get in the area.

If you're looking to bump of the courses played there are two courses operated by Eglin AFB in Niceville. They have similar terrain to Rocky Bayou (rolling hilly terrain on sand) but I like the layout at Eglin more than Rocky Bayou. I'd play either course at Eglin before Rocky Bayou and way before Santa Rosa (I will add if quick greens are important to you Eglin probably won't be your thing).

bcflyguy1 · February 28, 2014

[quote name='act0fgod' timestamp='1393563215' post='8763070']
[quote name='cardoustie' timestamp='1393254509' post='8734052']
I've got times already at Camp Creek and Shark's Tooth. Love both of those tracks. Will perhaps also do Hombre and Santa Rosa GC (as I honeymooned across the street from there)

WIndswept Dunes is OK. BIG and Open and long from the tips.

Need to try a new track outside the usual Destin mix. I gotta bump up my total courses played count
[/quote]

OK is the best you get in the area.

If you're looking to bump of the courses played there are two courses operated by Eglin AFB in Niceville. They have similar terrain to Rocky Bayou (rolling hilly terrain on sand) but I like the layout at Eglin more than Rocky Bayou. I'd play either course at Eglin before Rocky Bayou and way before Santa Rosa (I will add if quick greens are important to you Eglin probably won't be your thing).
[/quote]

Therein lies the problem with Eglin; the conditioning can be very hit-or-miss. They have new management there in the last six months and apparently conditions have been better since then, but haven't seen that for myself.

jvalhalla · April 9, 2014

Eglin is in decent shape right now. They are reworking a couple of the greens on the Falcon course but the Eagle course is in great shape. By June I expect both will be in excellent shape. Challenging golf courses.

youraway2 · August 21, 2014

[quote name='act0fgod' timestamp='1393214587' post='8732288']
My recomendation is to check out Windswept Dunes. About 30 min away from Camp Creek.
[/quote]

Just played it, fantastic conditions and very fun to play. If you play t all the way back,good luck 7700+.