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Destin Course Recommendation

Posted on 5/20/24 at 9:15 am
Posted by Doug_H
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Sep 2013
2291 posts
Posted on 5/20/24 at 9:15 am
Going in two weeks and will be able to play 1 afternoon. These are the 4 I'm looking at, in order of preference strictly from the pictures on the website.
Which of these would y'all recommend?

Regatta Bay
Kelly Plantation
Emerald Bay
Indian Bayou
Posted by Stuttgart Tiger
Branson, MO
Member since Jan 2006
14613 posts
Posted on 5/20/24 at 9:34 am to
From my experience, I'd rank these:

1. Kelly Plantation
2. Regatta Bay
Posted by Doug_H
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Sep 2013
2291 posts
Posted on 5/20/24 at 9:37 am to
What makes the ranking for you? Better course conditions? Better views? Tougher/easier course?
Posted by JGTiger
Member since Aug 2007
2941 posts
Posted on 5/20/24 at 9:41 am to
Indian Bayou was in excellent condition 2 weeks ago. Kelly too but IB's greens were better.

Didn't play the other 2 on that trip but typically good. I would call to see if anyone has punched greens, avoid if they did.
Posted by Stuttgart Tiger
Branson, MO
Member since Jan 2006
14613 posts
Posted on 5/20/24 at 9:44 am to
In years past, I've always found Kelly Plantation to be in better condition. Most of my golf down there has been played at the courses in Baytowne and near the Sandestin Hilton.

Both Kelly and Regetta were in nicer condition than The Ravin or Links. Burnt Pine is nice, but I've heard it went 100% private last year or year before. If I'm not mistaken, I think Kelly offers the nicer views of the Bay. Those chilled apples and towels that Kelly provides are nice on hot, humid days!
This post was edited on 5/21/24 at 9:33 am
Posted by CoachChappy
Member since May 2013
32614 posts
Posted on 5/20/24 at 10:19 am to
Ill be there on Saturday! Cant wait
Posted by Doug_H
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Sep 2013
2291 posts
Posted on 5/20/24 at 11:03 am to
quote:

Both Kelly and Regetta we in nicer condition than The Ravin or Links

I played the Links last summer and it was in good shape, so if those are better then that would be perfect
Posted by ahunt1905
Lake Charles, LA
Member since Apr 2009
870 posts
Posted on 5/20/24 at 5:50 pm to
Kelly is probably the better choice. It’s usually one of the ones we play when we go. I’ll be there next week playing Windswept Dunes and the Raven though. Haven’t played raven in forever.
Posted by Paul Allen
Montauk, NY
Member since Nov 2007
75292 posts
Posted on 5/20/24 at 7:23 pm to
Raven is arguably the most underrated course on the gulf coast.
Posted by MWP
Kingwood, TX via Monroe, LA
Member since Jul 2013
10489 posts
Posted on 5/20/24 at 7:48 pm to
Agree, Kelly is my personal favorite followed by Regatta. I typically play both and that is the extent of my golfing hall passes since I typically also go offshore one day as well on our Destin vacations. One year I played just the courses at SanDestin and concur the Raven is legit.

I honestly think a guys trip to Destin would be awesome just because I would love to just play golf and do dumb shite without a bride to keep me in check.
Posted by AZTiger7072
Tucson
Member since Oct 2011
2477 posts
Posted on 5/20/24 at 8:40 pm to
Burnt Pine is the only course I play down there so I cannot speak to it. But I have heard both Kelly and regatta are good public options. Having said that, if you can find a way to play Burnt Pine it is the jewel of the area
Posted by Doug_H
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Sep 2013
2291 posts
Posted on 5/21/24 at 5:48 am to
Kelly Plantation sounds like the winner here, so I'm going to book that one! If we can squeeze a second round in we'll try Regatta or Raven.

I appreciate the input folks!
Posted by DivotBreath
On the course
Member since Oct 2007
3518 posts
Posted on 5/21/24 at 10:06 am to
I have played the following courses and rank them:

1. Windswept Dunes - most challenging and best design; basic pro shop/grill, not a resort course; best price; 25 minute drive from Destin.

2. Kelly Plantation - resort course and price

3. Indian Bayou - older style club but kept in good shape

4. Regatta Bay - resort course and over priced

5. The Raven - resort course and over priced
Posted by EyeOfTheTiger311
Lafayette, LA
Member since Aug 2005
4356 posts
Posted on 5/21/24 at 1:19 pm to
quote:

if you can find a way to play Burnt Pine it is the jewel of the area


100%. Played Burnt Pine last summer as we were staying at a Sandestin Resort. It's a private course but you can play if you are staying on property. It was one of my favorite courses I've ever played. It doesn't get a lot of traffic so everything is in pristine condition. The fairways were some of the nicest I've ever played on. If you can find a way to get on, don't miss out. Resort guests can bring non-resort guests as well, if you know someone staying at a Sandestin property.

ETA: some pics I took when we played. It rained a lot that week so it was a little wet but not too bad.






This post was edited on 5/21/24 at 1:32 pm
Posted by 3TimeAllParish
DaParishBaby
Member since Aug 2008
190 posts
Posted on 5/22/24 at 8:09 am to
Heading to Kelly Friday mid morning. Can give you report afterwards, but know if a group that played it yesterday and said greens were perfect. Go Tigers.
Posted by CoachChappy
Member since May 2013
32614 posts
Posted on 5/23/24 at 9:24 am to
I just called Regatta, they punched a week or 2 ago. He said they’re a little slow but fine. They’re not punching again until late August.

Im going to play there Sunday or Monday. I’ll report back
Posted by lsuchamps23
Baton Rouge
Member since Feb 2008
9496 posts
Posted on 5/23/24 at 9:41 am to
We play Indian Bayou every year. IMO, for the price, it’s the best value.
I’ll be there first week of June.
Posted by ahunt1905
Lake Charles, LA
Member since Apr 2009
870 posts
Posted on 5/28/24 at 7:54 pm to
Just played Windswept Dunes today. Fairways were great. Green seem to be battling something because there were plugs everywhere. Mostly around the edges but a few greens had em in the middle of the greens.
Posted by Hmanhunt
Member since Sep 2015
644 posts
Posted on 5/29/24 at 8:27 am to
I’ve played 3/4, not having played Emerald. Kelly is clear 1 but Indian Bayou is a actually great course and think it’s typically a little cheaper than regatta. Love the layout and greens at IB
Posted by CoachChappy
Member since May 2013
32614 posts
Posted on 5/29/24 at 8:37 am to
Regatta is in good shape.

The tee boxes were torn up. One of them was almost unplayable. I mentioned it to the guys in the pro shop.

I would play it again at $100 but wouldn’t pay more than that.
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