Destin golf trip itinerary: four days and four courses with short drives
A Destin golf trip itinerary for four days: Kelly Plantation, Regatta Bay, Raven and Indian Bayou, with drive times, fees, a Sandestin and a value version.
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A good Destin golf trip itinerary for four days is Kelly Plantation, Regatta Bay, the Raven at Sandestin and Indian Bayou, one round a day from a base in east Destin. All four took public tee times in October 2026, none needs a resort stay, and the longest drive from the base is 16 minutes on routed free-flow times.
Below is the day-by-day plan, then a Sandestin version built around Burnt Pine and a value version on the Fort Walton Beach side.
Quick facts
- Courses: Kelly Plantation, Regatta Bay, the Raven, Indian Bayou.
- Base: east Destin, near Destin Commons and the Mid-Bay Bridge road.
- Longest drive from base: 16 minutes (the Raven).
- Green fees seen October 2026: about $415 to $630 per golfer for all four; rates change.
- Best months: mid-April to mid-May, and October.
- Fly into: VPS, 33 minutes from Destin harbour.
The four-day Destin golf trip itinerary at a glance
Yardage, rating and slope are from the back tees. Drive times are routed from the Holiday Inn Express Destin East, a plain 74-room hotel with free breakfast and parking.
| Day | Course | Back tees | Rating / slope | Fee seen Oct 2026 | Drive from base |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kelly Plantation | 7,099 yds | 74.6 / 141 | $90-$119 (GolfNow, late Oct) | 7 min |
| 2 | Regatta Bay | 6,840 yds | 74.2 / 147 | $91-$190 (GolfNow, late Oct) | 5 min |
| 3 | The Raven | 6,931 yds | 73.8 / 137 | $159 public to Nov 1; $109 from Nov 2 | 16 min |
| 4 | Indian Bayou | 7,078 yds | 74.4 / 132 | $75-$161 (GolfNow, late Oct) | 8 min |
Day 1: arrive and play Kelly Plantation
Fly into VPS, about 33 minutes from Destin harbour, and take the Mid-Bay Bridge (toll) toward east Destin. Kelly Plantation is the most complete public course in Destin: a Fred Couples and Gene Bates design from 1998, fully renovated in 2024 by Bill Bergin, with 11 lakes, a bay overlook at the 4th and nine tee sets from 7,099 down to 4,096 yards.
It books through GolfNow. Late-October 2026 Hot Deals ran about $90 to $119, far below early-September mornings at $170 to $180. Cart is included. See the Kelly Plantation course guide.
Day 2: Regatta Bay, the hardest test
Regatta Bay is the toughest course in Destin, with a slope of 147 from the 6,840-yard Black tees and forced carries over water and marsh. Even the Blue tees (6,383) carry a 141 slope, so most mid-handicaps should play the White tees at 5,965 yards and 136.
It is a member club that sells public times through its own tee-time page and GolfNow. Late-October prices ran about $91 to $190, with cart. The practice set-up includes a range and a covered practice area with greenside bunkers and Trackman. Recent reviewers liked the late-afternoon 9-hole option if you want a second loop. See the Regatta Bay course guide.
Day 3: the Raven at Sandestin
Drive 16 minutes east to the Raven, a Robert Trent Jones Jr. course from 2000 through pines and wetlands, and the best of Sandestin's three public courses. Sandestin's 2026 table lists $159 public in fall (September 1 to November 1) and $109 public from November 2, with cart, green fee and practice balls included. Non-staying golfers book 14 days ahead.
Late-summer 2026 reviews complained about slow, bumpy greens; October reviews were better. After the round, Baytowne Wharf is minutes away for dinner. See the Raven course guide.
Day 4: Indian Bayou before you fly
Finish close to the harbour (9 minutes, 3.3 miles routed) at Indian Bayou, the best-reviewed value in Destin on GolfPass (4.5 out of 5 from 2,565 reviews) and known for a quick pace. It is a mature, forgiving 18 on the Seminole and Choctaw nines; the third nine, Creek, was taken out of service in 2018, so ignore Creek scorecards on third-party sites.
A morning time fits a late flight. Late-October Hot Deals ran from $74.99 on a weekday afternoon to $160.99 on a Sunday morning. See the Indian Bayou course guide.
A Sandestin version: four courses, one resort
If you want Burnt Pine, base inside Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Burnt Pine is only for members and registered resort guests, after 1 p.m., by phone on 850-267-6500. The Hilton Sandestin's golf page also lists its guests for Burnt Pine, but Sandestin's own wording does not name the Hilton, so confirm.
| Day | Course | Resort-guest rate, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baytowne | $75 fall and winter; $95 spring |
| 2 | The Links | $95 most of the year; $69 winter |
| 3 | The Raven | $130 spring to fall; $95 winter |
| 4 | Burnt Pine | $179 in season; $149 winter |
That is $479 per golfer in fall at resort-guest rates. Sandestin's Premium package (four or more nights) includes one round on each of the four courses, and resort guests can book tee times six months ahead. Sandestin rates seen October 2026; they change. Our Sandestin golf packages guide explains what the packages include.
A value version on the Fort Walton Beach side
For the lowest green fees, base on Okaloosa Island or in Fort Walton Beach:
- Day 1: Fort Walton Beach Golf Club Pines, the city's longer course with TifEagle greens from the 2025 renovation. Dynamic rates; August 2026 GolfNow deals ran $36.99 to $42.28 with cart.
- Day 2: Shalimar Pointe, a 1960s layout with greens rebuilt in 2023. Prepaid times in October 2026 ran $33.99 to $50.99 with cart.
- Day 3: Fort Walton Beach Golf Club Oaks, shorter and tree-lined, the easier of the two city courses.
- Day 4: Indian Bayou in the afternoon, when Hot Deals dropped to about $75.
For a Niceville day instead, Rocky Bayou is $109 with cart and the best-kept course on that side. Our cheap golf in Destin guide has more ways to save.
Where to base for four days
East Destin keeps the main itinerary tight: from the Holiday Inn Express, Emerald Bay is also 6 minutes if you swap a round. For a beach base, the Henderson Beach Resort is 6 minutes from Regatta Bay and 7 from Kelly Plantation, though it adds a $49 daily resort fee and parking. Our where to stay in Destin for golf guide compares every base.
When to go
Spring (March to May) and October are peak golf. Spring break fills beach condos in March and early April, so mid-April to mid-May is the better spring window. October is the driest month of the year, with normal highs near 81F. Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, and Hurricane Isaias hit near Destin on October 9, 2026. Watch for the early-November overseed closures at Baytowne (November 2-8, 2026) and the Links (November 3-9). See the best time to golf in Destin.
Booking tips for a four-day trip
- Book the Raven on day 14. Non-staying golfers get a 14-day window; resort guests get six months.
- Compare GolfNow times by hour. At Indian Bayou, afternoon times cost about half a prime morning, and Kelly Plantation's prices swung widely by date in 2026.
- Mind the prepay rules. GolfNow Hot Deals are prepaid, and many are refundable only with 24 hours' notice.
- Pick the right tee. At Regatta Bay, move up; the White tees are still a 136 slope.
Our Destin tee times guide covers booking windows course by course. Short on days? Try the Destin golf weekend guide, or for a group, the Destin buddies golf trip guide.
Plan it on the map
Open the Destin golf map to see these four courses, your base and the drive between them in 3D. The plan builds the trip day by day, with tee times matched to your arrival and departure.
Courses in this guide
Questions golfers ask
What are the best four courses for a Destin golf trip?
For visitors without a resort booking, a strong set is Kelly Plantation, Regatta Bay, the Raven at Sandestin and Indian Bayou. All four sold public tee times in October 2026 and all are within about 16 minutes of an east Destin base. Burnt Pine is the best course at Sandestin but needs a Sandestin stay.
How far apart are the courses in this Destin itinerary?
From the Holiday Inn Express in east Destin, Regatta Bay is 5 minutes, Kelly Plantation 7, Indian Bayou 8 and the Raven 16, on routed free-flow times. Add time on spring-break and summer Saturdays, when US 98 through Destin and Miramar Beach is badly congested.
What does a four-day Destin golf trip cost in green fees?
On late-October 2026 prices, roughly $415 to $630 per golfer for these four rounds, depending on tee time. Kelly Plantation ran about $90 to $119, Regatta Bay $91 to $190, Indian Bayou $75 to $161 and the Raven $159 public until November 1. Prices change by date and time.
When is the best time for a four-day Destin golf trip?
Mid-April to mid-May and October are the sweet spots: peak golf weather without the worst of spring break. October is the driest month, with about 2.8 inches of rain. From November 2, 2026 the Raven drops to $109 public, but avoid the early-November Sandestin overseed closures.
Is there a cheaper version of this itinerary?
Yes. Base in Fort Walton Beach or Okaloosa Island and play the city's Pines and Oaks courses, Shalimar Pointe and an afternoon round at Indian Bayou. Shalimar Pointe's prepaid times ran $34 to $51 with cart in October 2026, and the city courses' August deals were in the $36 to $43 range.
Can I play Burnt Pine on a four-day trip?
Only if you stay in Sandestin resort lodging, or at the Hilton Sandestin per the Hilton's own golf page. Resort guests play after 1 p.m. and book by phone on 850-267-6500. The Premium stay-and-play package, four or more nights, includes one round on each of Sandestin's four courses.
Do I need a car for this itinerary?
Yes. The courses sit along US 98 from the Destin harbour to Sandestin, and none is in walking distance of another. Sandestin's internal tram links its own four courses for resort guests, but you still need a car to reach Kelly Plantation, Regatta Bay or Indian Bayou.
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