Every golf course on the Emerald Coast
27 courses from Fort Walton Beach and Niceville to Destin, Sandestin and Scenic 30A, with tees, ratings, slope, green fees, guest access and booking windows. Sorted by slope, hardest first.
On the Emerald Coast map: Fort Walton Beach to Inlet Beach
DestinRegatta BayPar 72 · Slope 147 · From $90 · 13 minThe toughest test in Destin (slope 147 from the tips) and the best-rated on GolfPass at 4.6/5. Target golf over water and marsh, with a good practice set-up and a late-day 9-hole option. Most players should move up a tee.Miramar BeachBurnt PinePar 72 · Slope 147 · From $115 · 27 minThe best course at Sandestin and among the best on the Emerald Coast, but only for members and resort guests, after 1 PM, at $179 in season ($149 winter). Worth planning a Sandestin stay around if you want one top-tier round.FreeportWindswept DunesPar 72 · Slope 145 · From $105 · 59 minThe best public golf near 30A on value: a long dune-land course at Freeport for about $105-$130 with cart in fall. Choose forward tees; it is very long from the back.Panama City BeachCamp CreekPar 72 · Slope 144 · From $295 · 48 minFazio's dunes course is the best of the St. Joe trio for most visitors. You can only play it as a member's guest or by staying at Camp Creek Inn or Watersound Inn, at $295 a round. Check that it has reopened after Hurricane Isaias.DestinEmerald BayPar 72 · Slope 143 · From $77 · 14 minA Bob Cupp layout on Choctawhatchee Bay, open to the public at about $97-$140. October 2026 reviews are mixed on greens and upkeep, so it is the third pick in Destin behind Kelly Plantation and Regatta Bay. The Guesthouse suits big groups.DestinKelly PlantationPar 72 · Slope 141 · From $70 · 13 minThe most complete public course in Destin: a 2024 Bergin renovation, lots of water, a bay overlook and nine tee sets. Late-October 2026 GolfNow rates ran about $90-$119; early-autumn mornings were $160-$180. Book through GolfNow.NicevilleBluewater BayPar 72 · Slope 141 · From $36 · 23 minA Fazio-Pate layout on the bay, cheap and close to Destin over the Mid-Bay Bridge. Recent reviews describe poor conditions, so it is a budget round, not a showcase.Miramar BeachBaytownePar 71 · Slope 138 · From $45 · 21 minSandestin's cheapest round: $99 public or $75 for resort and Hilton guests most of the year. Fine for a warm-up or a mixed-ability group; conditions have been the weak point in 2026 reviews.Miramar BeachThe RavenPar 71 · Slope 137 · From $65 · 24 minThe best of Sandestin's three public courses: a Robert Trent Jones Jr. layout at $159 public or $130 for resort and Hilton guests in season, $109/$95 from November. Worth one round on a Sandestin trip; check recent reviews for green conditions.Miramar BeachThe LinksPar 72 · Slope 135 · From $45 · 21 minThe bay-side original at Sandestin: short, windy and the most scenic of the three public courses, at $119 public or $95 for resort and Hilton guests most of the year and $89/$69 in winter.ShalimarShalimar PointePar 72 · Slope 135 · From $33 · 29 minA solid 1960s layout with greens rebuilt in 2023. Prepaid times often run $35-$50, and the snowbird membership is one of the better winter deals around Fort Walton Beach.NicevilleRocky BayouPar 72 · Slope 133 · From $69 · 30 minThe best-kept course on the Niceville side and open to visitors at $109 with cart. Lots of tee choices make it easy for a mixed group.DestinIndian BayouPar 72 · Slope 132 · From $74 · 9 minThe value round in Destin: a mature, forgiving 18 (Seminole/Choctaw) five minutes from the harbor, fast pace, and afternoon rates near $75. The third nine (Creek) closed in 2018.Panama City BeachShark's ToothPar 72 · Slope 130 · From $295 · 64 minNorman's Lake Powell course is the easier of the two older St. Joe championship courses. You get on by staying at Camp Creek Inn or Watersound Inn ($295 a round). It is the scenic pick, though not the hardest.Mary EstherGator LakesPar 72 · Slope 129 · 28 minA cheap, well-equipped base course that civilians can play after a one-time gate background check. Worth it for snowbirds or anyone staying west of Fort Walton Beach.Fort Walton BeachFWB OaksPar 72 · Slope 116 · From $36 · 25 minThe shorter, tree-lined second course at the city club. Cheap and easygoing, more about hitting it straight than far.Fort Walton BeachFWB PinesPar 72 · Slope 114 · From $36 · 25 minThe city's longer course, with new TifEagle greens from the 2025 renovation and dynamic rates that often sit in the $40s-$60s. A sound value round for a group based on Okaloosa Island or in Fort Walton Beach.Miramar Beach · 9 holesSeascapePar 35 · From $21 · 16 minNow a 9-hole resort course with very cheap rates ($22-$35) and poor recent condition reviews. Good for kids or a quick nine, not for a golf trip.Destin · 9 holesSandpiper CovePar 27 · 4 minA free nine-hole par 3 for guests of the Sandpiper Cove condo resort. Not open to visitors.Santa Rosa Beach · privateSanta Rosa G&BCPar 72 · 30 minPrivate member club since 2022 with a full membership list. Visitors cannot book it; mark it on the map as not open to visitors.Panama City BeachThe ThirdPar 71 · From $295 · 80 minSt. Joe's newest course (2025, Davis Love III), sold to Camp Creek Inn and Watersound Inn guests at the same $295. No published ratings yet, so play it as the new one, not the proven one.Watersound · 10 holesOriginsFrom $61 · 52 minSt. Joe's only public course: a family short course with six or ten holes. Fine for a casual hour with kids, but not a substitute for a full round.
Worth the drive
Panama City BeachBay Point NicklausPar 72 · Slope 137 · From $76 · 85 minLynn Haven · privatePanama CCPar 72 · Slope 137 · 107 minCrestviewBlackwaterPar 72 · Slope 134 · 53 minPanama City BeachLegacyPar 72 · Slope 126 · From $75 · 70 minPanama City BeachSignal HillPar 71 · Slope 118 · From $52 · 75 min