Destin, Miramar, where you playing?

Richardcabeeza · July 16, 2017

Just got down to my condo in the Destin/Miramar beach area. Was a bit of a crap shoot buying this but I can literally pay for it if I rent it out twelve weeks a year (currently averages 48 weeks booked a year, but that includes the previous owner never staying here. I'm going to stay here, probably 4-8 weeks a year. Still a no brainer of an investment. although this is my first time visiting the property and it is god awful.to get in and out. The last 8 miles just took 3+ hours. Yikes. Not my idea of a vacay. Anyways people seem to love it and the same people book it year in and out. Thanks loyal people! I'll try to maintain the standard that makes you think that this place is awesome (it is but I spent 16 hours in a car today so I'm a little jaded on that!!).

Anyways, courses in the area? We are here the next 8 days and are looking to add one or two more rounds. I have Kelly's Plantstion added early tomorrow morning and on Tuesday, were playing the Regatta Bay course. From what I've seen these are the two best around here hence me booking them. Are there any others that deserve mention with those or even a "value" type course that is well worth it? If there are I'll line them up sometime this week, and I'd like to book my place as a "golfing condo" type place. Might even try to work out a stay and play type deal at some point. So with that type of package finding a hidden gem is very key.

Thanks for the anticipated replies. Hopefully. I'm 100% new to this area and I'm throwing blind darts. Even if I don't turn this into a golf destination, I'm pretty sure my 4-8 weeks a year here will be profitable and that I'll find some serious golf to be played.

As an aside, I typed this about 10pm local time. I never hit send. After that I took my kids down to the ocean (their first time ever seeing it!) and went for a night swim in the GOM. Creating memories is where it's at, heck I might not rent this place out near as much as I plan. They all told me that if was the coolest thing they've ever done. There was a storm way off shore and the surf was fairly brisk. Couple that with a midnight dip.... memories were being built. Good times, all.

Have a great night ladies and gents!

Richardcabeeza · July 16, 2017

Update: Kelly's Plantation is an almost world class course. Wow. Got pushed back a bit due to serious thunderstorms (woke up and it sounded like a war zone). I don't know anything about any other area courses but I can highly recommend this one. Greens rolled well but were a bit slow (can't roll and cut when it looks and sounds like Normandy circa 1944) but otherwise a fantastic course. For those that abhor slow play please note that they take pace much more serious than any other course I've ever played. You will play your round in 4:15 tops (not shabby for resort golf) even if the staff has to provide you with a new ball to replace the one you lost, or rake your bunker, or tend your flag. It's a bit pricey but again, resort golf coupled with having adequate staff on hand, I have no issues with it. I'll play this one every time I'm here. If the greens were a little faster I'd easily call it a top 10 course I've ever stepped on. Even so it's in the mix. I hope they're all like this. I've got anround booked tomorrow at something Raven (I think) that was recommend by someone I met on the course. Too lazy to look it up, and Regatta Bay on Tuesday.

Here until Saturday so still would appreciate recommendations. If it's recommended I'll play it unless I'm booked and I'll let everyone know what I think of it. Weds-Fri are open still and could play early Saturday but not sure on that.

dconcepd · July 16, 2017

im a local here in destin. you can't go wrong with Kelly as stated above. Regatta, the raven at Baytowne. Indian Bayou has some of the best greens in the area. Burnt Pine is member guest only highly recommend it. (reminds me the champions tour use to come to the Raven) they stopped because of the traffic while they were here.. a hidden gem is just north of Destin in Niceville. its worth the bridge toll they recently installed (reopened september 16) tri-eagle greens. hope this helps if you need any info shoot me a pm

Richardcabeeza · July 16, 2017

Thanks much Dconcepd! If the best greens are in injun country, I'll be there! Looks like Wednesday is taken care of! Now to find a way on to Burnt Pine.... (I've always been pretty resourceful- you think my pro calling will get me on? Price isn't too big of a concern although I don't want to buy a membership for one round, that's for sure!)

TLfan · July 18, 2017

I have a Thursday morning at Burnt Pine, down until Friday

sethdavidsdad · July 18, 2017

Regatta is my favorite in that part, but haven't played Indian Bayou yet. The best in the area is Camp Creek about 30 minutes away. It's private but you can probably make some calls and get on if your a member of a club.

Cottonseed. · July 18, 2017

Emerald Bay.

cardoustie · July 18, 2017

get over to Camp Creek

Richardcabeeza · July 18, 2017

Heading out for Regatta in a few minutes. I hope it's as good as Kelly's. I wasn't super impressed with Indian Bayou yesterday, however the greens were very nice (thanks for the tip!).

I'll have my pro give a call to see if he can land me on Burnt Pine or Camp Creek (or both) for tomorrow and Thursday.

Thanks again!

Richardcabeeza · July 18, 2017

Regatta was very nice. Played pretty slow (just under 5 hours, but the course tried to speed things up to their credit and I fully understand not tossing a group or groups that paid to play). I'll have to chew on which I liked better between this and Kelly's Plantation but I'm leaning towards Kelly's if for no other reason than it can play slightly longer. I certainly didn't use every club in my bag today, I think I did at Kelly's. I like the looks of the scorecard when it's driver/wedge (or short iron) but don't feel the same level of tried and proven as when I'm approaching a long par 4 with a 3 iron in hand. I played about the same (albeit with a putt or two dropping today) as I did at Kelly's and I was 6 strokes better today. I could easily reverse those results if I played both again, Kelly's just seems a little more of a test of golf ability. That said I'd happily play either anytime again. For that matter I'd play Indian Bayou again too, just not quite as "wowed" there. Certainly a good bang for your buck there for resort type golf though.

Richardcabeeza · July 19, 2017

One thing that I'll add, since it's very near and dear right now, I've been hitting up the Publix right down the road (2.5 miles or so) since I got here at my new condo. Every time I walk into that place it smells like bread heaven. I finally took the plunge and bought a loaf this afternoon. Holy carb heaven batman! It tastes better than it smells. Adkins might be dying in his grave but I can assure you that I'm not listening to a word he says. That stuff is legit. Getting ready to have a cold lunch meat Sammie (on Dagwood sized hunks) just as soon as I type this. Yum. Cya!!!!

Edit: half sized of course (in case my doc is reading this). Only half sized.

Parrot · August 7, 2017

You've gotten some good responses. I second or third Indian Bayou. It is a good test and a lot of fun to play. I saw the biggest water moccasin that I've ever seen a step or two off the fairway on number 4 of the Creek Course.

Windswept Dunes in Freeport is a very good track. It is well-conditioned. There isn't much of a clubhouse to speak of and some of the staff are incredibly rude but the course more than makes up for those drawbacks. It is about a half-hour from Sandestin but well worth the drive.

I haven't played the Raven at Sandestin in years but it was always in good shape when I did. Baytowne at Sandestin has a few good holes but, to me, it isn't worth the money.

Santa Rosa Golf Club off 30A is a decent track.