Destin, Florida Golf Courses

Sun, sand, and golf.  My husband's idea of an ideal vacation.  Our family loves Destin.  Part of the reason is that while he is enjoying the golf courses the rest of us can enjoy the sun and sand.  Among his three favorite golf courses in Destin are the Regatta Bay Golf and Country Club, Indian Bayou Golf Club, and Emerald Bay Golf Club.

Regatta Bay Golf and Country Club
Lying along the Choctawhatchee Bay in Destin the Regatta Bay Golf and Country Club is an award-winning golf course. The Regatta Bay Golf Course was designed by legendary course designer Robert C. Walker, who was once the lead architect for Arnold Palmer. This par 72 course was named "the #1 Favorite Golf Course in North Florida" by Emerald Coast magazine readers, and has also been named as one of Golf Digests "Top Places to Play in North America" and as one of the top fifteen courses in Florida. If you tee-off before 11 AM it is $89 to play the course, and if you tee-off after 11 AM the cost to play the course is $69. Course fees include eighteen holes of golf, a cart, and practice balls. Tee-times at Regatta Bay Golf Course can be reserved up to three months in advance, and can be made by calling the Regatta Bay Golf Club at (850) 337-8080 or you can book online at their website.

Indian Bayou Golf Club
Indian Bayou Golf Club, located in the heart of Destin, offers visitors twenty-seven holes spread across three different courses. The Seminole Golf Course, Choctaw Golf Course, and Creek Golf Course are each nine holes. The Indian Bayou Golf Club offers visitors the practice facilities, golf lessons, and a club house featuring a full service Pro Shop, restaurant, and lounge. The cost for eighteen holes of golf at Indian Bayou Golf Club is $79, nine holes are $39, and you can play an extra eighteen holes for $35 or an extra nine holes for $25. You can contact the club at (850) 650-2284 or you can visit their website for more information.

Emerald Bay Golf Club
Bob Cupp designed the eighteen hole course at Emerald Bay Golf Club whose back nine holes the Choctawhatchee Bay in Destin. It is rumored to be among one of Northwest Florida's best courses, and is a par 72 course. To play the eighteen hole course golfers who tee off before 1 PM will pay $76 while golfers who tee off after 1 PM will pay only $57. For more information on what the Emerald Bay Golf Club has to offer you or to book a tee-time you can visit their website.

Gulf Shores, Alabama Golf Courses

Gulf Shores is one of our family's absolute favorite vacation destinations.  It offers something for our entire family, including a large selection of golf courses for my husband.  If you are heading to the Gulf Shores area of Alabama there are several golf courses to choose from.
Kiva Dunes
Kiva Dunes has been rated as Alabama's number one golf course and is definitely a must play when visiting Gulf Shores.

The resort golf course has received numerous awards from a wide variety of golf authorities. Golf Digest has bestowed numerous awards upon the course such as being voted number two in 1995 as Best New Public Courses in US, in 1995 they also named the course Alabama's BEST Place to Play, in 1996 they ranked the course as number twenty-four of America's Top 75 Upscale Courses, in March of 2002 they also named the course number sixty-eight of America's Top 75 Golf Resorts, and then in May of 2003 they ranked the course number fifty-eight of America's Top 100 Public Courses.

The rates at Kiva Dunes include includes all green fees, cart and tax. During the Summer and Fall the fees are $88 in the morning, and $74 after 1 PM. During the Spring the rate is $98 and in the winter the course rate is $75. If you own a resort property at Kiva Dunes the course rate is $50-55 year round.

Craft Farms
Craft Farms is home to two Arnold Palmer designed courses, Cotton Creek and Cypress Bend. Cotton Creek is a thirty-six hole Arnold Palmer Signature Course and was named the number one Most Playable New Course by Golf Digest Magazine. Cotton Creek is an eighteen hole course that was built in 1987, and has a system of lakes that are involved on almost every hole.

The rates at Cotton Creek and Cypress Bend are the same, and include golf cart rental. For 2008 the course rates are $82 in the morning, and $62 after 2 PM. If you want to play either course a second time in the same day the cost is $35 for an eighteen hole replay, and $20 for a nine hole replay. If you do not wish to play the full course on either course you can choose to play only nine holes at a cost of $45 before 2 PM each day, and $35 after 2 PM. There are also reduced course rates for younger golfers who are age fifteen or younger, and are being accompanied by a paying adult. For Junior golfers course rates are $30 before 3 PM, and $20 for a nine hole round.

Gulf State Park Golf Course
Many die hard golfers sometimes scoff when you mention playing on a state park golf course but Gulf State Golf Course offers an eighteen hole championship course that is open seven days a week.

Course rates at Gulf State Park Golf Course are $44 for eighteen holes and $34 for nine holes, which includes the price of both green fees and golf cart rental. Seniors pay only $39.35 for an eighteen hole game, and $30.25 for a nine hole game.