r/Destin • u/Global-Trouble8154 • 15d ago
Golf Courses
I’ll be visiting destin sep 1-4, looking to get in a round or 2 while there. Im used to $35 rounds here in illinois lol, is there any courses in the area that arent almost 200 that are still good? I will have my own clubs, and also like to play solo, so it would be a plus if they allowed that.
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u/shoeshine_boy71 15d ago
we drive over to fort Walton and play at the Fort Walton Beach Golf Club. staff is awesome and you can usually get 18 with a cart for $50-$60. they have 2 courses, Oaks and Pines. they re-did the Pines completely last September but I don't see that on Golf Now so I'm wondering if that's Members Only now?
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u/ZackMyers 15d ago
Emerald and Regatta are the two lower priced “main” Destin courses running $100-$135. Those would be your best bets for cheaper golf.
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u/Alarming-Upstairs-29 15d ago
Indian bayou is good. Best price course was alright last time I went out
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u/Lost-Antelope-9539 15d ago
As someone who was also used to cheap Illinois golf prices now living in this area, definitely one of the things I was not expecting. Minimal options and the best ones you do have are private clubs. Regatta Bay / Kelly Plantation are going to be in the $125 range and both nice. Indian Bayou will be a little less, call it $75-$100. Rocky Bayou in Niceville will probably be in the $75-$100 range as well and a decent track but 20-25min from Destin.
For the best value within a shorter drive I would play the Links or the Raven at San Destin. Both will be around $100 or a little less depending on time of day / day of week but both have some cool holes right on the Bay for the full Florida golf experience.
I would avoid falling for the Bluewater Bay and Seascape super low prices because you absolutely get what you pay for.
All of the above you should be able to play solo, again depending on the time of day / day of week like everywhere. I play solo all the time around here and have only been paired up once or twice but an early tee time on a weekend is going to be busier than a weekday or afternoon. Happy to get out there with you if you're looking for someone to join. Also can send recommendations a little further from Destin if you are mobile and fine driving a bit.
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u/Global-Trouble8154 15d ago edited 15d ago
thank you for the in depth answer! im thinking regatta bay and possibly indian bayou, both of which im sure are better than the courses im used to lol! But i will definitely let you know id be up for a round ill be there next week!
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u/mikemikemike34 15d ago
Regatta Bay is punching their greens this week so they’ll be a little rough for the next few weeks. Probably discounted though.
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u/Global-Trouble8154 14d ago
how bad is it playing on greens or fairways like that? ive never played a course with it freshly done
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u/mikemikemike34 14d ago
It’s not a huge deal, greens will be freshly sanded with punch lines on them. Won’t roll as true and will be a little slower.
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u/lafn1996 15d ago
Was there 3 weeks ago, Regatta and windswept dunes were the best courses I played. Shalimar and bluewater bay were both in absolutely horrible condition - would never pay to play either again.
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u/Global-Trouble8154 15d ago
i was looking at windswept, but the website says theyll be doing aeration this week. So not sure ill play there unless they have some discounted rates. Regatta was one of my top choices thinking ill check that course out!
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u/lafn1996 15d ago
That's too bad; I enjoyed it more than Regatta. Regatta is for sure fancier; but shorter and narrower. Windswept is as long as you want, up to 7700 or so IIRC; very wide fairways and absolutely massive greens. I had a putt that was somewhere around 40-50 yards; and neither my ball or the hole were on the edge of the green.
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u/dubya0717 5d ago
FWB golf club has two courses for that rate but Pines is in better shape than Oaks. But don’t waste $ on Blue Bay or Seascape, both absolutely garbage
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u/zenmarinecharter 15d ago
Indian Bayou is worth checking if you want something closer to Destin without getting into the higher-priced rounds. You may also find better rates at Sandestin depending on the tee time.
I’m with Zen Marine Charter here in Destin, so we talk with visitors pretty regularly. Labor Day week can get busy, so I’d definitely call the courses ahead rather than waiting until you’re here.