Golf Guide: Destin - FL

Set on the Gulf Coast east of Pensacola between Miramar Beach and Fort Walton Beach, Destin is at the western tip of a narrow finger stretching out into the Choctawhatchee Bay. Miraculously enough land exists to support more than a dozen exceptional courses open to the public, many designed by heavy hitters like Rees Jones, RTJones Jr., Fred Couples, Gene Bates, Tom Fazio, Jerry Pate and others.

Courses typically flow over fairly flat sandy land with lots of water, marshes and bunkers. Some are accented by tall pines as well as palms; others like the Golf Club at Bluewater Bay's four nines by Tom Fazio and Jerry Pate require carries over wetlands. One of the bigger players here is Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort which sprawls over 2,400 acres and contains 30 village neighborhoods, seven miles of beaches, four golf courses, a 98-slip marina, water sports, spa, and restaurants. Courses include Baytowne renovated in 2005 by Tom Jackson; Burnt Pine, a Rees Jones layout; Raven, a RTJones Jr. design and once a stop on the Champions Tour (2006-2007) and The Links where five holes run along the bay.

The semi-private Kelly Plantation Golf Club designed by Fred Couples and Gene Bates plays more than 7,000 yards from the tips and is characterized by large bunkers, gently rolling terrain, fast-running greens and incredible views of the water. Other good bets include Regatta Bay Golf & Country Club, which runs along the nature preserves of Choctawhatchee Bay, Indian Bayou Golf Club, the Golf Course at SeaScape Resort designed by Joe Lee and others.

Destin is one of Florida's more laid back resort areas, but with enough panache to attract those willing to spend a little more for their sand, sun, fun and golf.