military · Mary Esther, FL · 18 holes

Gator Lakes Golf Course

A 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.

Par72

Tips6,894 yd

Rating / slope72.2 / 129

Green fees seen–

See Gator Lakes on the 3D map, hole by hole Book a tee time

Tees, rating and slope

Tee	Yards	Men	Women
Back	6,894	72.2 / 129	–

Course rating / slope, USGA Course Rating database where available.

Green fees

Locals	Youth on Course juniors $3 for 9 or $5 for 18 walking. E1-E4 play free after 10 AM Saturdays (space available, $10 cart). 2026 tournament entries were $20 / $30 / $45 for Diamond AGF / Gold AGF / non-AGF players.

myhurlburt.com read 2026-10-26. The civilian daily green fee is not published online; 1golf.eu lists $36 for 18 (unverified, undated).

Before you book

Access	Air Force course on Hurlburt Field (Mary Esther), open to civilians since April 21, 2023. Civilians fill in the 'Open to the Public' affidavit on myhurlburt.com, take it to the Visitor Control Center at the main gate for a basic background check, and get an installation pass valid six months. Then enter by the East Gate. Allow time for the pass on your first visit.
Book ahead	10 days (Club Prophet). You need a login from the pro shop (visit or call 850-881-2251), and you pay at the pro shop before playing.
Style	Flat base course with lakes and views of the Hurlburt flight line.
Practice	Covered driving range with Toptracer.
Drive from Destin Harbor	28 min (13.7 mi)
Phone	850-881-2251
Address	Hurlburt Field, FL 32544 (enter via East Gate)

Local knowledge

Get the base pass on a non-golf day. The 6-month card makes repeat rounds easy for snowbirds staying in Fort Walton Beach or Navarre.
Expect aircraft noise. The course sits beside an active special-operations flight line.

Hole by hole

Hole	Par	Yards*	Elev*
1	4	388	0 ft
2	3	158	0 ft
3	5	503	0 ft
4	4	372	-1 ft
5	5	557	+4 ft
6	4	408	-2 ft
7	3	197	0 ft
8	4	348	0 ft
9	4	396	-2 ft
10	5	541	+2 ft
11	4	431	+1 ft
12	4	404	-1 ft
13	4	368	+2 ft
14	3	168	0 ft
15	4	393	-2 ft
16	5	534	+1 ft
17	3	182	+1 ft
18	4	393	+3 ft

*Yards measured along the mapped centre line (OpenStreetMap), close to the middle tees. Elevation = how far the green sits above (+) or below (−) the tee, from USGS terrain data.

Closest golf hotels

Holiday Inn Resort Fort Walton Beach — 19 min, 7.7 mi
Four Points by Sheraton Destin-Fort Walton Beach — 19 min, 7.7 mi
Destin West RV Resort — 19 min, 8.1 mi

Questions golfers ask

How hard is Gator Lakes Golf Course?

From the back tees it measures 6,894 yards with a course rating of 72.2 and a slope of 129. 3 - slope 129 from 6,894 yds (GolfNow card).

How far ahead can you book Gator Lakes Golf Course?

10 days (Club Prophet). You need a login from the pro shop (visit or call 850-881-2251), and you pay at the pro shop before playing.

How far is Gator Lakes Golf Course from Destin?

About 28 minutes (13.7 miles) by road from Destin Harbor in light traffic.