May is Florida Golf Month
Posted on: May 14, 2009
Related News Items
Receive our Free Email Newsletter
Northwest Florida Links Offer Courses for Every Type of Player
THE Beach, Florida (May 14, 2009) – From the weekend bogey golfer who wants to enjoy a round or two with friends to the 2-handicapper looking for some serious competition, Northwest Florida offers great golf at great prices. With nearly 50 golf courses sprinkled from one end of THE Beach to the other, representing regulation, executive and par 3 links, golfers are sure to find a variety of courses for every level and style of play.
True to the Scottish traditions and definition of the term “links,” the sandy dunes of the Gulf coast have inspired such renowned golf course architects as Robert Trent Jones, Arnold Palmer, Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus and Pensacola’s own Jerry Pate. Their use of the natural scenery, inherent wetlands, creeks, bayous and beachfront, along with varied coastal elevations, has created courses with rolling dunescapes and spectacular scenery that are a great place to enjoy the old Scottish game.
Variety also comes in the style of course. Play a quick round on one of several executive courses in the region, designed for those who are short on time but long on desire. Par 3's will spruce up your short game so you can truly “putt for dough.” Long resort courses give you the wide open space you need for the Tiger in you, while short and tight is the word for several cozy country club courses. Many Northwest Florida courses have been described by Golf Digest and Golf magazine as some of the “best in the U.S.”
With the Florida Division of Tourism designating May as Florida Golf Month, now’s a great time to pull those golf clubs out of the garage and dust off your game. Course professionals as well as golf schools in the region can help you get back your swing and the close proximity of courses means you can play more than one a day for several days until golf overload sets in. Prices are great too with a round and cart starting at less than $50. Some courses allow walkers as well, but call ahead and ask to make sure.
For a complete list of golf courses at THE Beach on Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast as well as contact information visit www.thebeachfla.com. Below is a list to get you started.
Lost Key Golf Club (850) 549-2160, Perdido Key www.lostkey.com
This 18-hole, par 71 Arnold Palmer Design is an Audubon International Silver Signature Sanctuary that plays 6,800 yards from the back tees.
Marcus Pointe Golf Club (850) 484-9770, Pensacola www.golfmarcuspointe.com
Listed as one of Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play,” this 18-hole, par 72 layout plays 6,700 yards. Walking is permitted.
Tiger Point Golf and Country Club (850) 932-1330, Gulf Breeze www.tigerpointclub.com
Two courses totaling 27 holes dish up strategically placed water hazards, one island hole, and panoramic views of Santa Rosa Sound.
Kelly Plantation (850) 650-7600, Destin www.kellyplantation.com
This 18-hole, par 72 Fred Couples Signature Golf Course fronts the Choctawhatchee Bay and plays over 7,000 yards from the back tees. Couples says the 4th hole is one of the most dramatic he’s ever designed.
Regatta Bay Golf & Country Club (850) 337-8080, Destin www.regattabay.com
Named by Golf Digest as one of the “Top Places to Play in North America” and one of the “Top 15” courses in Florida, this 18-hole, par 72 Robert C. Walker-designed course plays over 6,800 yards through nearly 148 acres of protected woodlands and lakes.
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort (800) 622-0989, Miramar Beach www.golfsandestin2day.com
With four world-class, championship courses (Baytowne Golf Club, Raven Golf Club, Burnt Pine Golf Club and the Links Course) totaling 73 holes, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort features course designs by Rees Jones, Robert Trent Jones and Tom Jackson. From the 19-hole Raven Golf Course to the 7,000-yard layout of Burnt Pine Golf Club, each distinctive course offers unique challenges to players of all levels and makes dramatic use of the surrounding environment, from wetlands to marshes and beach to bay.
Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club (850) 267-2229, Santa Rosa Beach www.santarosaclub.com
Good things come in small packages and this 18-hole, par 72 Tom Jackson-design course proves it. The 6,500-yard layout deceptively plays like 6,800, so don’t get side tracked by views of the Gulf. You can also spruce up your game at the Hank Johnson School of Golf located here.
Camp Creek Golf Course (850) 231-7600, WaterSound www.campcreekgolfclub.com
This 18-hole, par 72 Tom Fazio course was designed to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings. The course measures 7,151 yards and features magnificent wetlands, woodlands, lakes, sand dunes and rolling contours.
Origins Golf Club (850) 641-0007, WaterSound www.originsgolfclub.com
Short on time but long on love of the game? Origins offers a whole new way to play the sport without taking up the entire day. This unique regulation 6-hole course designed by Davis Love III can also be played as a 9-hole executive course and a 10-hole par 3.
Holiday Golf Club (850) 234-1800, Panama City Beach www.holidaygolfclub.com
This 18-hole, par 72 championship course plays at 6,700 yards from the back tees and features smooth fast greens and broad lake-lined fairways. The club also features Bay County’s only "Lighted" 9-hole, par 3 course designed for both family play as well as the scratch golfer.
Hombre Golf Club (850) 234-3673, Panama City Beach www.hombregolfclub.com
“The Good,” “The Bad,” and “The Ugly” await golfers at Hombre Golf Club, as does the Academy at Hombre Golf Club offering two, three and five day golf schools under the direction of Adam Brack. With 27 holes meticulously manicured to PGA specifications, the club also hosts the second stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying School and has earned a reputation for intimidation. Bring your game.
Bay Point Marriott Resort (850) 235-6950, Panama City Beach www.marriottbaypoint.com
Two championship courses - the Nicklaus Course (the only Nicklaus-designed course in Northwest Florida) and Meadows Course - each 18 holes and par 72, await the discriminating golfer at Bay Point Marriott Resort. The Nicklaus Course plays 7,100 yards from the back tees and has a signature island lagoon hole (#5) and water features throughout the course. The Meadows layout plays 6,913 from the back tees and is designed for repeat play.
St. Joseph’s Bay Country Club (850) 227-1757, Port St. Joe www.stjoebaygolf.com
This 18-hole, par 72 championship course features mature trees, lush fairways, sloping greens, and strategically placed hazards on a traditional layout. It plays 6,655 yards from the back tees and water comes into play on fourteen holes.
Golf on the Gulf is more than a walk in the park. At THE Beach, a 227-mile stretch of Northwest Florida coastline, golf is serious business so bring your game, or even just a sense of adventure will do.
