Destin may be best known for white-sand beaches and emerald-green Gulf waters, but it is also a strong destination for golfers. Several well-regarded courses are just minutes from the beach, giving visitors an easy way to add a morning or afternoon round to a coastal vacation.
Four of the best options for Destin golf are Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club, Kelly Plantation Golf Club, Indian Bayou Golf Club, and Emerald Bay Golf Club. Each offers a different experience, from championship layouts to fairways with views of Choctawhatchee Bay.
Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club
Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club is an 18-hole, par-72 championship course designed by Robert C. Walker, a former lead architect for Arnold Palmer. The course stretches to 6,894 yards and is open to the public.
Golfers can expect strategic bunkers, water hazards, and several tee options that make the course approachable for different skill levels. The memorable par-5 18th provides a risk-reward finish that can tempt longer hitters to reach the green in two.
Regatta Bay also offers a golf academy, practice facilities, GPS-equipped carts, a golf shop, and on-course food and beverage options. For travelers comparing rentals in Destin, staying nearby makes it easier to fit a round into a beach-focused trip.
Kelly Plantation Golf Club
Kelly Plantation Golf Club is a semi-private, 18-hole course designed by Fred Couples and Gene Bates. Playing up to 7,099 yards, it offers multiple tees for beginners, recreational golfers, and experienced players.
One of its biggest draws is the scenery. The course runs along Choctawhatchee Bay and incorporates 11 lakes, with Hole No. 4 offering a wide view across the bay. Players may even spot dolphins during their round.
The club also has extensive practice facilities, including a hitting range, chipping area, bunkers, and a large putting green. It is a strong choice for golfers looking for a premium round near Destin vacation rentals.
Indian Bayou Golf & Country Club
Indian Bayou Golf Club has been part of the local golf scene since 1978. Older travel resources may describe Indian Bayou as three nine-hole courses totaling 27 holes, but the club’s current official website identifies it as an 18-hole course designed by Earl Stone.
The course provides five sets of tees, giving families and groups with mixed skill levels more flexibility when choosing how to play. Rental clubs and golf instruction are also available.
Its central Destin location is another advantage. Visitors can spend a few hours on the course and still have plenty of time for the beach, shopping, dining, or other activities later in the day.
Emerald Bay Golf Club
Emerald Bay Golf Club is an 18-hole course designed by noted golf architect Bob Cupp. The layout includes water features and views of Choctawhatchee Bay while providing challenges for experienced players and tee options for less experienced golfers.
Cupp later returned to oversee a major renovation of his original design. The project updated the course while retaining the characteristics that helped make Emerald Bay a popular local option.
For visitors researching golf courses in Destin, Emerald Bay is especially convenient for combining golf with beach time, restaurants, and other attractions along the Destin and Miramar Beach corridor.
Plan Your Visit
Planning your round at one of Destin’s top golf courses is easy when you stay close to the greens. Book your Destin vacation rental with Breathe Easy Rentals to secure a comfortable home base just minutes from both the fairway and the beach.
Final Thoughts
Destin gives golfers several excellent choices without requiring a long drive from the beach. Regatta Bay stands out for championship play, Kelly Plantation combines challenging golf with bay views, Indian Bayou offers a long-established local course, and Emerald Bay features a distinctive Bob Cupp design. Playing a round at these top-rated courses remains one of the best things to do in Destin for outdoor enthusiasts
Booking a vacation home close to these courses also makes planning easier. You can schedule an early tee time, return to your rental, and still have much of the day available for the beach or time with family.
Book Your Destin Vacation Rental with Breathe Easy Rentals
Breathe Easy Rentals offers vacation homes and condos that make a comfortable home base for a Destin golf getaway. Our properties pair convenient locations with the cleanliness and maintenance standards guests expect from a boutique vacation rental company.
Guests can also enjoy included beach chairs and umbrellas, plus flexible early check-ins and late check-outs with prior approval. After your round, trade the fairway for the Gulf and make the most of every day of your Destin vacation.
