Planning a golf trip - Please help!!

[dstraub]

Hello,

I'm a new poster here and would greatly appreciate any insight I could get into the golf courses around the greater South Walton area. We own a second home in Magnolia Cottages by the Sea but live in Indiana.

In 3 weeks I'm taking a group of buddies down to our house for a four day golf trip. Which courses do you recommend, as I haven't played any of the courses yet. We would like a wide range -- 1 or 2 really good courses and then a few that are more budget rates as we have a below-average group of golfers. We are just getting together to throw back several beers and enjoy the weather.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Dennis:idontno:

[Curtis]

dstraub,

Staying on 30-A is always a plus and Santa Rosa Beach Club(850-267-2229) is a great course. A bit tight but in great shape right now. Price is reasonable and you have several gulf views while playing. Full bar, etc. which is more than likely a must. If you must go into Destin Regatta Bay is a must play. Rated as one of the areas top courses outside of the private clubs.


Sandestin has an array of courses and all are nice. Some a bit trickier than others.

These would all be a good start. If it came down to it I would go with Santa Rosa Beach Club and Regatta.

Fairways and Greens, Curtis.


Raven Golf Club
The Raven Golf Club was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., opened for play in March 2000, and annually hosts a PGA Champions Tour Stop. This course meanders through the wetlands of the Sandestin Resort, and is noted for dramatic water features, challenging bunkering and fairways lined with tall pines. The large undulating Tifeagle greens are fast in speed. Raven plays from 5,060 to 6,931-yards and offers four sets of tees. Raven Golf Club can be reached at 850.267.8155.

book a tee time

Burnt Pine Golf Club
Burnt Pine Golf Club was designed by architect Rees Jones, and opened for play in 1994. This 18-hole work of art has fairways that have been described as tumbling, and the course winds through wetlands and marshes. The many water features of this course come into play on 14 holes including three holes on the bay, and the bunkering is exceptional - making for a most challenging round of golf. The greens are medium in size and fast in speed with large undulations. Burnt Pine plays from 5,153 to 7,001-yards and offers four sets of tees. Burnt Pine Golf Club can be reached at 850.267.6500.


Baytowne Golf Club
The Baytowne Golf Club is Tom Jackson's second creation at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, and originally opened for play in 1984 before undergoing its latest renovation in 2005. The rolling fairways of this course are lined with tall pines and lead to large, undulating greens that are moderate in speed. Water comes into play on twelve holes and the entire course is heavily bunkered. Baytowne is a par 71 course, and plays from 3,002 to 6,804-yards and offers five sets of tees, including junior tees. To contact Baytowne Golf Club call 850.267.8155.


The Links Course
The Links Course winds alongside the Choctawhatchee Bay. Designed by architect Tom Jackson, this course opened for play in 1973. This is a shotmaker's' course where accuracy and proper club selection are a must in order to outfox the prevailing Gulf Coast winds. The medium sized greens are moderately undulating and moderate in speed. Water hazards come into play on 14 holes including five holes on the bay. The Links Course plays from 4,969 to 6,710-yards and has four sets of tees. To reach The Links Course call 850.267.8144.

[Curtis]

Link for Regatta:

www.regattabay.com/

[scooterbug44]

Windswept Dunes just off of 20 near Freeport would probably be good for your group's skill level/budget.

$65 for out of towners to play 18 holes w/ cart.

www.windsweptdunes.com

[seaside2]

We played the NIcklaus course at Bay Point in PC two weeks ago. Really good shape and fun to play.

There is also a new course just north of 98 where the Southern Living Show House was. I think the neame is Origins or something like that. Looked at the course from the street while waiting to get in and it looked really nice. The greens had two flag sticks on the ones I saw so they may only have nine holes open. Try looking this one up on the net. I think it is a Joe project.:idontno:

If you know somebody that can get you into Camp Creek or Shark's Tooth, you are in for a treat (Big time challenge).

[Curtis]

We played the NIcklaus course at Bay Point in PC two weeks ago. Really good shape and fun to play.

There is also a new course just north of 98 where the Southern Living Show House was. I think the neame is Origins or something like that. Looked at the course from the street while waiting to get in and it looked really nice. The greens had two flag sticks on the ones I saw so they may only have nine holes open. Try looking this one up on the net. I think it is a Joe project.:idontno:

If you know somebody that can get you into Camp Creek or Shark's Tooth, you are in for a treat (Big time challenge).

Origins is a nice exec. course. Driver on only 2 of the 9 holes if I remember correctly. Played Camp Creek numerous times before it went private and it was really nice. The only thing to keep in mind with Windswept, Nicklaus course, etc. is drive time. You may not be saving that much by the time you travel to and from.

[STL Don]

We played the NIcklaus course at Bay Point in PC two weeks ago. Really good shape and fun to play.

There is also a new course just north of 98 where the Southern Living Show House was. I think the neame is Origins or something like that. Looked at the course from the street while waiting to get in and it looked really nice. The greens had two flag sticks on the ones I saw so they may only have nine holes open. Try looking this one up on the net. I think it is a Joe project.:idontno:

If you know somebody that can get you into Camp Creek or Shark's Tooth, you are in for a treat (Big time challenge).

I think both Bay Point courses are good--especially if you don't need a real challenge--the non-Nicklaus course. I have enjoyed playing at Hombre in Panama City Beach--not a far drive.

[STL Don]

I think both Bay Point courses are good--especially if you don't need a real challenge--the non-Nicklaus course. I have enjoyed playing at Hombre in Panama City Beach--not a far drive.

Also Seascape has a nice price point and is not too challenging.

[BeachSiO2]

For high and low handicappers, I would go with Seascape and Windswept Dunes, if you only have two. Seascape will be challenging for the low HC but still fun for the high HC. Windswept Dunes is a totally different course, as it is WIDE OPEN but long which allows the high HC to whack all day long and lose very little balls. I also like Santa Rosa but for a high hc, it is tough. It is tight and short all about accuracy. Regatta Bay is a good course if you get a good rate. Do not play Emerald Bay and Sandestin is hit and miss. You can hit alot and miss low prices. On the other hand, I played the Raven for my wedding guys day and it was great!

My order would be:
Seascape
Windswept
Raven/Santa Rosa
Regatta

[beachmouse]

The Golf Garden in Destin falls in the budget-priced and beginner-friendly category. It's very popular with the snowbird crowd if you want to use that as a measuring stick. The Eglin AFB golf course in Niceville is frequently open to civilians, and is probably pretty budget-friendly. (850-882-2949 for more info there)

Pick up the newspaper and those little 'Things to do on the Emerald Coast' booklets. They can be a good way of learning about current discount rates.