golfing in Fort Walton Beach/Destin FL

pjammer13 · August 2, 2007

any where I just MUST play when there?

I am going to Fort Walton Beach for a week starting this Sunday. Is there anywhere that I just must play while there? I am looking for any advice on where I should be teeing up next week so I can try and get some tee times before I leave. Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

CP

fratlord · August 2, 2007

Kelly Plantation is a very nice course, it is a Fred Couples signature course. Regatta Bay is also very nice. Both have been in great shape when I have played them. Both have websites also.

Steven

rickiegolfer · August 2, 2007

sandestin

azone · August 2, 2007

Raven or any of the Sandestin courses.

CowtownTexas · August 2, 2007

I wouldn't consider any of them "must play", but all mentioned are decent courses. The Raven would probably be my first choice, but even it isn't a "must play".

I'm surprised there aren't better courses in that area.

Swingtheclub · August 5, 2007

Curious for you guys that know the area. Is the Eglin AFB golf course still phenomenal or has it slide .

I only got to play it about three times like forty years ago. I still rember the day I shot even par there. Thought I was a god.

To this day the deepest bunkers I have ever seen.

SRV · August 6, 2007

I play the course at Eglin every week and it is in good shape right now. The greens are rolling very well and true.

It is definitely one of the best places to play around here for the cost.

nandoal · September 11, 2007

Anyone play The Moors or Windswept Dunes? I go to Desstin once a year in the winter. Last year I played Regatta Bay, Seascape and some muni in Fort Walton.

Gozz · September 11, 2007

Must play would be http://www.sharkstoothgolf.com/ if you can get on (private). If you are a member of a country club your pro might be able to call down and get you on, but be prepared to drop some coin.

http://www.joetowns.com/campcreek/index.asp would be my #2 but I've heard they have gone private also. It is a Fazio course and a great layout. You should be able to get on this time of year.

If you don't mind driving over to Panama City Hombre is a good course also. You can get a free round off their website right now. http://www.hombregolfclub.com/golf/proto/hombregolfclub/

I've heard Windsweep Dunes is nice but I have not played it. In Destin my favorite was Kelly Plantation. It has some nice holes along the bay. http://www.kellyplantation.com/

67VIP · December 21, 2007

I spent six weeks in Panama City (Tyndall AFB) last year and explored most of the courses between there and Ft. Walton Beach. My #1 choice to play would be Camp Creek...absolutely fabulous. Close 2nd would be Burnt Pines at Sandestin. After that I'd say Raven at Sandestin. I played Regatta Bay and it just wasn't that impressive to me...typical Florida course. I've also played The Eagle and The Falcon at Eglin AFB. The Eagle was awesome...great value too. The Falcon had a few holes on it that I thought were gimicky. Hurlburt Field has an 18 hole course but the two nines were built in different decades so they don't match at all. The back nine there is great, however. Same thing at Tyndal AFB, back nine is much better. I didn't play the Hombre, but every one told me it's very nice. The Nicklaus Course at the Bay Point Marriot in Panama City Beach is a great place to go play, too. Very nice condition and a pretty stout layout.

atlanta golfer · December 21, 2007

I go every year at least once to the north Myrtle Beach / Calabash area and also I go every year around spring break (teenagers!) to the Destin area. I hate to say it but Destin is really pretty poor for selection and pricing for golf when you compare it to other golf destinations such as Myrtle or frankly, even my home area in Atlanta. The suggestions above such as Kelly plantation are very good ones, but have you checked out the prices? They are out of sight.

The last few years I have been playing at Bluewater Bay which is just a mile or two back across the bay bridge, leaving Destin. The rates are reasonable and they have I believe 2 or 3 different 18 hole courses that they mix and match front nine and back nine when assigning tee times.

I really don't mean to diss the golf in the Florida panhandle, but to me, I go there for the beach and while there, I try and find a place to play golf. Don't ever go there as a golf destination, unless of course you have lots and lots of cash.

TMBuzz · December 21, 2007

[quote name='fratlord' post='663722' date='Aug 2 2007, 10:35 AM']Kelly Plantation is a very nice course, it is a Fred Couples signature course. Regatta Bay is also very nice. Both have been in great shape when I have played them. Both have websites also.

Steven[/quote]

Kelly Plantation, Regatta, Burnt Pine, and the Raven are money........

67VIP · December 30, 2007

Anybody played the Sharkstooth? I don't think it was open when I was there last year. I would have jumped on it if it was. On the other hand I didn't know about The Tribute in The Colony, Tx until after I left Witchita Falls. I went back and played that one...holy cow. Now I have to figure out a way to play Sharkstooth.

nandoal · December 30, 2007

[quote name='67VIP' post='842238' date='Dec 30 2007, 02:47 PM']Anybody played the Sharkstooth? I don't think it was open when I was there last year. I would have jumped on it if it was. On the other hand I didn't know about The Tribute in The Colony, Tx until after I left Witchita Falls. I went back and played that one...holy cow. Now I have to figure out a way to play Sharkstooth.[/quote]

I think you have to stay at the Water Colors resort. I think Camp Creek is the same. I'm going to Destin in 3 weeks, and am planning on playing 1.) Kelly Plantation, 2.) Windswept Dunes, 3.) The Raven @ Sandestin, and 4.) Camp Creek ( I think I have a connection)

Lsutiger · December 30, 2007

Shark's Tooth and Camp Creek.

Gozz · December 30, 2007

[quote name='67VIP' post='842238' date='Dec 30 2007, 01:47 PM']Anybody played the Sharkstooth? I don't think it was open when I was there last year. I would have jumped on it if it was. On the other hand I didn't know about The Tribute in The Colony, Tx until after I left Witchita Falls. I went back and played that one...holy cow. Now I have to figure out a way to play Sharkstooth.[/quote]

I was in Destin in 2003 and Sharkstooth was open at that time. If I remember correctly it was $150 with a member. I had my pro call down and he could get me on for $200 but that was more than I wanted to pay. If you can get on Camp Creek you will not regret it.

nandoal · December 31, 2007

I'm going down to Destin the week of the 21st. I just booked online through website, Kelly Plantation as a SINGLE (7:30am) on 1/21 for $77. It usually is $125. Anyone care to join? I just might try and show up as a single at Windswept and The Raven.

caverill · February 18, 2008

Just returned from Sandestin...

We played the following courses:

Regatta Bay: Very nice course. Played it in 42 degree, windy weather which took some enjoyment out of the round, but I do recommend the course. Played once.

Raven at Sandestin: Great layout and challenging. The greens were not in great shape. It was like they were dorment. The course is a lot of fun. Played three times.

Baytowne at Sandestin: Just an average course. A few nice holes, but nothing that makes you say wow. Played twice.

Burnt Pine at Sandestin: Very nice course. Challenging but fair. Best conditioned course at Sandestin. Played once.

Kelly Plantation: Excellent course and wonderful layout. Best staff in area. Conditions were the best we saw. Played once.

My ranking:

1) Raven

2) Kelly Plantation

3) Burnt Pine

4) Regatta Bay

5) Baytowne

wolfgame · April 27, 2008

I will be in Destin May 31st through June 7th, anyone else going to be in the area and want to play golf?

BENNYSUPREME · April 28, 2008

Curious for you guys that know the area. Is the Eglin AFB golf course still phenomenal or has it slide .

I only got to play it about three times like forty years ago. I still rember the day I shot even par there. Thought I was a god.

To this day the deepest bunkers I have ever seen.

was at eglin for 4 years and the only courses i didn't see listed were on the robert trent jones golf trail in south AL. no more than couple hour drive.

as far as eglin afb golf courses, they are my fav, falcon even that the eagle course is #3. i'm a memeber of the #1 dod course (eisenhower in CO) and have also played a good 7 or 8 of the top 15 dod courses and elgin rates as my #1.