Indian Bayou Golf Club: which nines are in play, who can book and what it costs
Indian Bayou Golf Club in Destin: the Seminole and Choctaw nines (Creek closed 2018), public tee times, 2026 rates seen, the tees and its fast pace.
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Indian Bayou Golf Club is a member club in Destin that sells public tee times every day. Built as 27 holes, it now plays one 18: the Seminole nine out and the Choctaw nine home, after the Creek nine closed in 2018. Late-October 2026 GolfNow deals ran $74.99 in the afternoon to $160.99 on a Sunday morning, about 9 minutes from Destin Harbor.
It is the best-reviewed value round in Destin and one of the quickest to play. Here are the nines, how to book, what it costs and who it suits. Prices were seen on October 26, 2026, and change.
Quick facts
- Access: semi-private; daily public tee sheet, advance tee time needed.
- Holes: 18 in play (Seminole and Choctaw); the Creek nine closed in 2018.
- Par: 72.
- Back tees: Gold, 7,078 yards, 74.4 rating, 132 slope.
- Designer: Earl Stone; opened 1978.
- Booking: TeeItUp, GolfNow, or 850-837-6191.
- Address: 1 Country Club Drive East, Destin.
- GolfPass: 4.5 out of 5 from 2,565 reviews.
- Drive: 9 minutes and 3.3 miles from Destin Harbor.
The Indian Bayou Golf Club nines
| Nine | Status | Gold tees |
|---|---|---|
| Seminole | In play, front nine | 3,614 yards |
| Choctaw | In play, back nine | 3,464 yards |
| Creek | Out of service since 2018 | n/a |
Indian Bayou was built with three nines that could be paired three ways. Where2Golf says the Creek nine was taken out of service in 2018, and a June 2022 forum post confirms the course is 18 holes. Chronogolf, 1Golf and Golfn still show Creek/Seminole and Choctaw/Creek scorecards, but they are no longer playable. Ignore them when you plan or book.
Who can play and how to book
Visitors can play every day with an advance tee time. Book on the club's TeeItUp page, through GolfNow or by phone. The booking window and cart policy are not published.
Two rules to know:
- Range access: the driving range and putting green are for members and booked players only. The club does not sell range time on its own, so warm up before your round, not on a day off.
- Walking: reportedly allowed after 1 PM (Where2Golf, undated). Confirm when you book.
Soft spikes are required. There is a pro shop, a restaurant and club rental.
Indian Bayou rates seen in 2026
| Time | Price (GolfNow, Oct 27-Nov 2, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Weekday, 1:45 PM | $74.99 |
| Sunday Nov 1, 7:18 AM | $160.99 |
| Afternoon Hot Deals | from $74.99 |
There is no published rate card, and prices vary widely by time of day. The pattern is the useful part: afternoon times run about half the price of a prime morning slot. If you want a cheap round in Destin, an afternoon at Indian Bayou is one of the best. See cheap golf in Destin for others.
The tees
| Tee | Yards | Men (rating / slope) | Women (rating / slope) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 7,078 | 74.4 / 132 | n/a |
| Blue | 6,429 | 70.9 / 127 | n/a |
| Blue/White | 6,201 | 69.7 / 125 | n/a |
| White | 5,956 | 68.4 / 124 | 73.9 / 131 |
| White/Red | 5,504 | 66.5 / 121 | 71.6 / 126 |
| Red | 5,226 | n/a | 69.9 / 122 |
Ratings come from the GolfPass card for the Seminole/Choctaw 18, not the USGA database.
How Indian Bayou plays
It is a mature, tree-lined parkland course in an older Destin neighborhood off US 98, with wide fairways and light rough. From the Blue tees the slope is 127, and the course rewards steady golf rather than heroics. That forgiving setup, plus the pace, is why it suits groups, higher handicaps and anyone on a second round of the day.
It is long from the Gold tees at 7,078 yards, but the 132 slope is modest next to Regatta Bay (147) or Kelly Plantation (141).
Pace and rankings
- GolfPass and Golf Advisor Top 25 US courses for pace of play: 14th in 2020.
- Golf Advisor top Florida courses: 15th in 2020, 23rd in 2019.
- GolfPass: 4.5 out of 5 from 2,565 reviews; recent pace scores 4 to 5.
Aeration
No overseed policy is published. A GolfPass reviewer on August 24, 2026 found the greens aerated and was sent round the back nine twice, so late-August aeration is likely, though the dates are not published. With only 18 holes now, any work on one nine affects the whole round. Ask before a late-summer booking, and see Destin golf winter conditions.
Indian Bayou against the other Destin courses
| Course | Back slope | Late-Oct 2026 deals | From Destin Harbor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Bayou | 132 | $74.99-$160.99 | 9 min |
| Kelly Plantation | 141 | $89.99-$118.99 | 13 min |
| Regatta Bay | 147 | $90.99-$189.99 | 13 min |
| Emerald Bay | 143 | $96.99-$101.99 (Nov 1-2) | 14 min |
Indian Bayou is the closest of the four to the harbor and the cheapest in the afternoon. Pair it with Kelly Plantation or Regatta Bay for a two-day Destin trip. See the Kelly Plantation course guide, the Regatta Bay course guide and our best golf courses in Destin.
Where to stay near Indian Bayou
| Stay | Drive | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Henderson Beach State Park Campground | 6 min | $30 a night plus fees; 14-night limit in high demand |
| The Henderson Beach Resort | 8 min | Luxury beach resort |
| Holiday Inn Express Destin E | 8 min | Free breakfast and parking |
| Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village | 11 min | Condo suites on the harbor |
| The state park campground had a construction closure from about September 2024; 2026 guest reviews indicate it is operating, but confirm. For more, read where to stay in Destin for golf and our Destin golf trip planner. |
Plan it on the map
Open the Destin golf map to see Indian Bayou Golf Club, the stays a few minutes away and the other Destin courses. The Indian Bayou course guide has the card, and the $30 plan can slot an afternoon Indian Bayou round into the cheapest window of your trip.
Courses in this guide
Questions golfers ask
Can visitors play Indian Bayou Golf Club?
Yes. Indian Bayou is a member club that runs a daily public tee sheet, and visitors are welcome every day with an advance tee time. Book on its TeeItUp page or call 850-837-6191.
How many holes does Indian Bayou have?
Eighteen in play. It was built as 27 holes in three nines, Seminole, Choctaw and Creek, but the Creek nine was taken out of service in 2018 per Where2Golf, and a June 2022 forum post confirms 18 holes. The course now sells one 18: Seminole on the front and Choctaw on the back.
How much does Indian Bayou cost?
There is no published rate card. GolfNow Hot Deals for October 27-November 2, 2026 ran from $74.99 for a weekday 1:45 PM time to $160.99 for a Sunday 7:18 AM time. Afternoon times are about half the price of a prime morning.
Can I use the range at Indian Bayou?
Only if you are a member or have a booked round. The driving range and putting green are for members and booked players, and the club does not sell range time on its own.
Can you walk Indian Bayou?
Walking is reportedly allowed after 1 PM, per an undated Where2Golf listing. The cart policy was not published, so confirm with the pro shop when you book.
Why is Indian Bayou known for pace of play?
GolfPass ranked it 14th in its Top 25 US courses for pace of play in 2020, and recent reviews rate pace 4 to 5. It also holds 4.5 out of 5 from 2,565 GolfPass reviews, the best-reviewed value in Destin on our research.
Who designed Indian Bayou?
Earl Stone, per GolfPass and Where2Golf; it opened in 1978. One listing credits Ed Ault with a 1967 date, which we could not confirm.
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