Regatta Bay golf: rates, public access and Destin's hardest course
Regatta Bay golf in Destin: public tee times at a member club, GolfNow rates seen in 2026, slope 147 tees, the practice academy and group bookings.
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Regatta Bay golf is the hardest test in Destin: a semi-private club that sells public tee times, with a 147 slope from the Black tees and forced carries over water and marsh. GolfNow deals ran $90.99 to $189.99 with cart in late October 2026. It is about 13 minutes from Destin Harbor.
GolfPass reviewers rate it 4.6 out of 5, the best score in Destin, and it has the best practice set-up in town. Here is how to get on, what it costs and which tees to pick. Prices were seen on October 26, 2026, and change.
Quick facts
- Access: semi-private; public tee times every day.
- Designer: Robert C. Walker (formerly lead architect for Arnold Palmer's firm).
- Holes: 18, par 72.
- Back tees: Black, 6,840 yards, 74.2 rating, 147 slope.
- Greens: TifDwarf bermuda.
- Booking: club tee-time page (GolfNow-powered) or GolfNow; groups of 9+ via 850-337-8080.
- Address: 465 Regatta Bay Blvd, Destin.
- Drive: 13 minutes and 5.9 miles from Destin Harbor.
Regatta Bay golf rates seen in 2026
| Date | Price (GolfNow) |
|---|---|
| Aug 15, 2026 | $130.99 |
| Sep 14, 2026 | $141.99 |
| Oct 27-Nov 2, 2026 | $90.99-$189.99 |
| Late-afternoon 9 holes | sold; price not published |
Cart is included. There is no published rate card, and GolfNow prices vary by date and time. The top of the late-October range is the highest public price we saw in Destin, so compare times before you book. The Destin golf rates guide shows the wider picture.
Who can play and how to book
Regatta Bay sits in an 800-acre gated community on Choctawhatchee Bay. Members have their own tee sheet; the public books on the club's tee-time page, which runs on GolfNow, or on GolfNow directly. The booking window is not published.
Groups of nine or more book packages through the sales office on 850-337-8080. That makes it one of the easier Destin courses to set up for a buddies trip with a meal at the clubhouse. The pro shop opens 6:30 AM to 6 PM.
The Regatta Bay tees
| Tee | Yards | Men (rating / slope) | Women (rating / slope) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 6,840 | 74.2 / 147 | n/a |
| Blue | 6,383 | 72.0 / 141 | n/a |
| White | 5,965 | 70.3 / 136 | n/a |
| Gold | 5,636 | 68.5 / 128 | 72.2 / 121 |
| Green | 4,817 | 64.2 / 118 | 69.4 / 121 |
| Orange | 4,138 | 61.9 / 112 | 64.7 / 114 |
Ratings come from GolfNow, not the USGA database.
How Regatta Bay plays
This is target golf. Water, wetlands and marsh frame most holes, with forced carries off the tee and into greens. A slope of 147 from the back is the steepest in Destin, matched on the Emerald Coast only by Burnt Pine at Sandestin.
The key number is the Blue tee: at 6,383 yards it still carries a 141 slope, which is more than most courses' back tees. The numbers say mid-handicaps should play White (5,965, 136). Higher handicaps will enjoy Gold (5,636, 128) much more. Bring extra balls whatever you play.
Practice and the academy
Regatta Bay has the best practice facilities in Destin on our research: a driving range, a putting green and a covered practice area of more than 1,200 square feet with greenside bunkers and Trackman. The club calls its academy Destin's only golf academy. For a trip with a lesson or a warm-up session, this is the place. Our driving range Destin guide covers the other ranges.
The lakefront clubhouse has a restaurant, and there is a pro shop and club rental. Soft spikes only.
The late-day nine
Regatta Bay sells a late-afternoon nine-hole round. Reviewers in October 2026 liked it. It is a good fit for an arrival day, or for a group that wants to see the course without committing to 18 holes of forced carries. Call for the price.
Overseed and aeration
No overseed policy or aerification dates are published. Ask the shop before a late-summer or early-November round. See Destin golf winter conditions for how Emerald Coast bermuda behaves.
Regatta Bay against nearby courses
| Course | Back slope | Late-Oct 2026 deals | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regatta Bay | 147 | $90.99-$189.99 | Hardest test, practice |
| Kelly Plantation | 141 | $89.99-$118.99 | Most complete public course |
| Emerald Bay | 143 | $96.99-$101.99 (Nov 1-2) | Bay holes; check conditions |
| Indian Bayou | 132 | $74.99-$160.99 | Value and pace |
Kelly Plantation is about 9 minutes away by road and is the natural pairing. Read the Kelly Plantation course guide and the Indian Bayou course guide. For the full ranking, see the best golf courses in Destin.
Where to stay near Regatta Bay
| Stay | Drive | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday Inn Express Destin E | 5 min | Free breakfast and parking |
| Newman-Dailey snowbird rentals | 5 min | Monthly winter condos, two-month minimum |
| The Henderson Beach Resort | 6 min | Luxury beach resort; concierge books nearby clubs |
| Embassy Suites Destin Miramar Beach | 11 min | All-suite; free parking per listings |
The Henderson lists Regatta Bay and Kelly Plantation as clubs its concierge can book, but there is no special rate. For bases, read where to stay in Destin for golf.
A Regatta Bay day
Book a mid-morning tee time, warm up properly in the covered practice area, and pick the tee one set shorter than usual. If you are on a buddies trip, Regatta Bay and Kelly Plantation on back-to-back days give you the two best public rounds in Destin. The Destin buddies golf trip guide has more on group bookings.
Plan it on the map
Open the Destin golf map to see Regatta Bay golf, the stays five minutes away and the Destin courses around it. The Regatta Bay course guide has the card, and the $30 plan can place your Regatta Bay round on the right day of the trip.
Courses in this guide
Questions golfers ask
Is Regatta Bay open to the public?
Yes. Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club is a member club in a gated community that sells public tee times; its site says Public Welcome. Members have a separate tee sheet. Book on the club's tee-time page or on GolfNow.
How much does Regatta Bay cost?
There is no published rate card. GolfNow Hot Deals ran $90.99 to $189.99 for October 27-November 2, 2026, with $130.99 for August 15 and $141.99 for September 14. Cart is included.
How hard is Regatta Bay?
It has the steepest slope in Destin: 147 from the 6,840-yard Black tees, with forced carries over water and marsh. The Blue tees (6,383 yards) still rate 141, so mid-handicaps should play White (5,965 yards, 136) or Gold (5,636, 128).
Can groups book Regatta Bay?
Yes. Groups of nine or more book packages through the sales office on 850-337-8080. Smaller groups book public tee times online.
Does Regatta Bay have good practice facilities?
The best in Destin on our research: a driving range, putting green and a covered practice area of more than 1,200 square feet with greenside bunkers and Trackman. The club calls its academy Destin's only golf academy.
Can I play nine holes at Regatta Bay?
Yes. A late-afternoon nine-hole option is sold, and GolfPass reviewers on October 22-23, 2026 liked it. The price was not published.
When did Regatta Bay open?
It is not confirmed. GolfNow says both that it was built in 1996 and that it debuted in 2003. The designer was Robert C. Walker, a former lead architect for Arnold Palmer's design firm.
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