Beyond the beach, South Walton is home to a collection of 9 golf courses, offering a challenging mix of winding fairways, intimidating bunkers and manicured greens.
Camp Creek Golf Club:
Designed by Tom Fazio, the course at Camp Creek is located between U.S. Highway 98 and Scenic Highway 30A. Camp Creek offers golfers nearly 7,200 yards of rolling fairways, greens and driveable bunkers with a view of the green from each tee box. Golf Digest named Camp Creek No. 2 on its list of “Places You Can Play in Florida” list in 2013, though currently the course is open only to club members and guests staying with St. Joe Club & Resorts or 360 Blue vacation rentals.
The Origins Golf Course:
Designed by Love Golf Design, the Origins Course is a six-hole regulation course that can play as a 10-hole par three layout as well. The approximately 1,800-yard course was designed with the “short course” concept at heart. The regulation six-hole course plays as three par 3s, two par 4s, and one par 5, while the nine-hole executive course consists of three par 4s and six par 3s.
Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club:
Founded in 1969, the Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club’s first nine holes opened in 1971 and were designed with a “links style” feel by the club’s founding members. The back nine, which are more of a “parkland style,” were designed by architect Roy Albert Anderson. The course has been referred to as the “Purest Golf in the Florida Panhandle” by Golf Magazine.
The Raven Golf Club:
The Raven Golf Club, which opened in 2000, was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and the 6,900-yard par 71 meanders through the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Jones described the course’s design as “a true modern traditional.” Golfweek Magazine voted The Raven Golf Club one of the “Best Courses You Can Play” in 2014.
Baytowne Golf Club:
Designed by Tom Jackson, the course at the Baytowne Golf Club extends from the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico to the Choctawhatchee Bay, offering amazing views throughout your round. The Baytowne Golf Club has been honored by Golf Digest as “one of the “Best Places to Play” twice, awarding 4 ½ stars. Florida Golf News also named the club a Top 100 course.
Burnt Pine Golf Club:
Designed by architect Rees Jones, the course at Burnt Pine boasts a 7,000-yard layout, rolling fairways and strategically placed bunkers that invite golfers to outduel the course by using a different approach to each hole. Burnt Pine has been recognized twice as one of the “Top 30 Courses in Florida” by Golf Digest. *Burnt Pine is open to Sandestin guest play before 8 a.m. and after 1 p.m. each day.
The Links Course at Sandestin:
Designed by Tom Jackson, the Links Course opened for play in 1973. The course’s winding backdrop showcases the Baytowne Marina and Choctawhatchee Bay. Golf Digest awarded it four stars in its “Places to Play” in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008.
Seascape Golf, Beach & Tennis Resort:
Designed by Joe Lee, the course at Seascape is situated along a series of freshwater and coastal dune lakes and boasts incredible views of the Gulf of Mexico. Seascape offers golfers a par 70, 6,100-yard championship golf course that’s capable of challenging players of any skill level.
The Golf Garden:
The Golf Garden is a nine-hole executive course located in Miramar Beach and challenges golfers with seven par 3s and two par 4 holes. The lighted facility also boasts a 10-acre practice area with a 10-pin target greens.