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5 Golf Courses in Florida, US

Explore and find out more about Florida's beautiful golf courses and see why it's a gem in the US.
William Brown

Prelude

One of my favorite things to do besides traveling is golfing. It has been a passion of mine since a young age when my father first took me to our local driving range. It was a bonding time between father and son and safe to say - I was hooked! All throughout high school, I spent my weekends at the driving range, trying to perfect my swing.
Whenever we went on vacation, I would scope out whether the destination has a golf course or not and I decided just then and there that I am going on a mission to find the best golf courses in each state of the US. Starting with Florida. Now let's begin!

1) Kelly Plantation Golf Course

I am probably a bit biased choosing Kelly Plantation first because I've played this course multiple times before! I got my golf kit and bought nice rangefinder binoculars for me and my colleague and I then set off to explore the beautiful but rather challenging course. The thing I love about Kelly Plantation is not only great views but its a fun course too.
I try and be open-minded whenever I go to other golf courses but this one is definitely my favorite! After spending a good few hours of the day playing some of the 18 beautiful holes of the course, I decided its time to carry on. My mission was clear - try and play as many golf courses I can in one week!

2) Indian Bayou Golf and Country Club

Next up, I went to Indian Bayou Golf and Country Club - it is only a mere 10-minute drive from Kelly Plantation and I can't believe I've never been there! It is truly a hidden gem in Destin. It is a very different vibe from Kelly Plantation, I feel it is an easier course - especially for novices.
I have to say it was a nice, easy course and I would do it again if I need my fix and Kelly Plantation is a bit too hectic for me. Day 3 had me feeling all energized and ready for a challenging course. I needed one after spending the previous day at Indian Bayou, I was ready for a new course!

3) Emerald Bay Golf Club

My dad mentioned to me that I have to check out Emerald Bay Golf Club as it is one of his favorites. I was a bit skeptical because my Dad's judgment can be clouded but I have to say the course didn't disappoint! I booked my tee time early in the morning. The cost was about $119 which I felt was a bit steep but after 12 pm it is significantly cheaper.
I have to say I really enjoyed that course. It is a sophisticated and classy club and the course has multiple water features too! I spent the better part of the morning on the course and I developed rather a ferocious appetite. The country club has a great grill and I settled for some surf and turf and a nice cold beer. The perfect ending to a great day!

4) Regatta Bay Golf and Yacht Club

I decided to venture on to Regatta Bay Golf and Yacht Club and I immediately fell in love with the place. The scenery is beautiful and what I love about the club is that even though it is a public course, it is also semi-private which gives it a bit more exclusivity. It has lovely touches like mango scented towels.

5) Burnt Pine Golf Club

The last golf course on my list was Burnt Pine Golf Club. The thing I really love about Burnt Pine is that the scenery is quite different, for me, from the other courses. The pine trees and forests alongside the Choctawhatchee Bay are a spectacle.

Finally

I'm glad I decided on a general area like Destin to take on this journey. Of course, there are a lot more courses in Florida to explore but trying to do that in 1 week would be impossible! The 5 days on a different course each day really help me develop my skills even more. I am excited to try it again! Happy golfing!