NW Florida??

[KingKwas9]

Does the Rivieria of NW Florida warrant a golf trip?

 

If so, then what are 3-4 best courses in the area?

 

Sandestin:

The Links?

Baytown?

Raven?

Burnt Pine?

 

Is Kiva Dunes too far away?

 

Is Camp Creek Private?

 

What about Shark's Tooth?

 

Thank you!

[OK_Golf]

I've never traveled to the area specifically for golf, but I could see doing that in mid- to late spring (or maybe early fall). I've played a few rounds on summer beach trips, though:

 

I played around Destin about four or five years ago so these reviews are dated ...

Raven: pretty fun course, lined by tall pines with pine straw in some areas off the fairway. Conditions were "ok" and it wasn't the hardest course out there. Good for a resort round. I don't have in problems with the course, but it doesn't standout to me.

 

Regatta Bay: enjoyed this course quite a bit. It had just rained (hard), the day before we played, so it had some standing water, but I really liked the layout, the practice area, and the greens were in great shape.

 

I played around Watersound two years ago:

Windswept Dunes: Really fun course; really long (so pick the right tees); wide open fairways, big greens with tiers and lots of sloping. Thought it was in pretty good condition and had a GREAT practice area (particularly large short game practice area). No clubhouse (as of two years ago), but that didn't matter to me

 

Camp Creek (Saved the best for Last) best course of the four and one of the best publicly accessible (you have to stay at a St Joe property) I've every played. Conditions are great, design is good, lots of undulation. This is a MUST play in my opinion.

[bcflyguy1]

It may not warrant a trip just for the golf since many of the courses are so similar, but if you're here anyway there's good golf to be played.

 

Rocky Bayou CC considers itself private, but does allow some outside play. Rates are reasonable, conditioning as good as anywhere in the area. Several holes have some elevation change so it’s not your typical pancake flat Florida course. Quaint little mom & pop private club.

 

Burnt Pine is the class of Sandestin, but you have to stay on the resort property to be able to get on. The conditons on Burnt Pine benefit from it getting played less than the other courses on the resort. The Raven is decent and so is the Baytowne course, but the Links will likely disappoint if you play it.

 

You can play Camp Creek and Sharks Tooth (both are considered one private club) if you stay at the WaterColor Resort off of 30A. Sharks Tooth has an odd hole or two as I recall, but Camp Creek is as stern but fair a test of golf as the area has. Camp Creek used to host local US Open qualifying. Both tend to be in immaculate condition, but definitely play Camp Creek if you have to choose one or the other.

 

Windswept Dunes east of Freeport is a fun course that was built about 15 years ago. It’s a bit of a drive if you’re staying near the beach, but fun with good conditions and rates more reasonable than courses closer to the Gulf. It tips out at 7900+, and since it's at sea level and the fairways typically don't provide much run it plays extremely long if you try to get ambitious with the tees you choose to play.

 

Kiva Dunes is probably more of a drive than you’d want to take unless you’re staying in the Pensacola/Perdido area.

 

Indian Bayou, Kelly Plantation, Regatta Bay, and Emerald Bay are all decent or better options, but they tend to be crowded, expensive to varying degrees, and they all kind of blend together because they’re so similar to each other.

 

Avoid Bluewater Bay, Shalimar Pointe, and Seascape.

 

Best three courses in the area, IMO:

1. Camp Creek

2. Burnt Pine

3. Rocky Bayou CC