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4.5
2080 Reviews (2080)
5 Stars
1499
4 Stars
409
3 Stars
111
2 Stars
35
1 Stars
26
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.0
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.4
92.2%
Recommend this course
1942 out of 2080 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
65 Reviews (65)
5 Stars
38
4 Stars
17
3 Stars
7
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.0
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.7
89.2%
Recommend this course
58 out of 65 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
209 Reviews (209)
5 Stars
131
4 Stars
55
3 Stars
16
2 Stars
5
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.0
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.7
91.9%
Recommend this course
192 out of 209 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private
Par 72
Length 7099 yards
Slope 137
Rating 74.6

Formerly home to a turpentine plantation, the site now offers one of the most environmentally sensitive courses in northwest Florida, Kelly Plantation. The golf course sits along the shores of the Choctawhatchee Bay, sprawling across a waterfront landscape of towering trees and swampy bayous. The course features large, contoured greens and wide, manicured fairways that are in excellent condition but can also be tricky to navigate. The strategically placed hazards also require some careful maneuvering. In addition to being a challenging round, the golf course is also known for its stunning scenic appeal. Throughout the layout, golfers can enjoy panoramic views across the bay to the abundant magnolias and palmettos that are native to Florida's northwest region. For these reasons, Kelly Plantation has received high praise from publications such as Golf Digest and Golf Magazine.

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Course Details

Year Built 1998
Golf Season Year round
Architect Fred Couples (1998) Gene Bates (1998) Bob Cupp (1998) Michael Riley (1998)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
GPS Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes - "Strano Golf Academy"
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover
Metal Spikes Allowed No

Food & Beverage

Snacks, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Banquet Facilities

Accolades

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Reviews

4.5
2080 Reviews (2080)

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 37
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Previously Played

Not worth the crazy high price

Let’s start with the good.

Bag guys are awesome, the range grass is spectacular and the greens are much improved from last year.

Now for bad

The guys in the pro shop should not be customer facing. Most really belong in a nursing home and not working with public.

Ran into the cart girl on hole 3 and then nothing the rest of the day.

Now the ugly

This course is not a high end course. It should be 80-90 dollars but for some reason courses in Destin try and get resort prices.

The pace of play was terrible and like every other ranger in Florida he just drove around looking for golf balls.

Recap

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/24/2025

Thank you for taking the time to leave feedback. We appreciate the compliments regarding our bag staff, range conditions, and the improvement of our greens — those are areas we take great pride in.

Regarding your criticisms, I’d like to offer some clarity. Our golf shop staff consists of experienced individuals who provide consistent, friendly service and care deeply about the guest experience. Comments that suggest someone's age should determine their suitability for customer service are not only inappropriate but also unkind.

We respectfully ask that guests provide feedback constructively — and only once. Duplicate reviews diminish the credibility of the concerns and do not reflect a fair assessment.

We remain committed to providing a welcoming and enjoyable experience for all of our guests, and we hope future visits reflect that effort.

Played On
Reviews 37
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Not worth the high dollars

Course was in better conditions than I have seen in the last few years.

Greens were great.

Bag guys are awesome…

Well, then you walk inside and the staff inside should probably be in a nursing home and not dealing with public.

The range was in great shape and new t boxes need a few months and a lot of water.

This course should be 80-100 dollar and no more.

Pace of play was dismal and we waited every shot all day long. At 9 am in the morning I would expect a better pace of play and not 5 hours plus.

We saw the cart girl one time all 18 holes and the water is very lacking on the course.

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/21/2025

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the condition of the course, especially the greens, and that our outside service team made a positive impression.

That said, we take all concerns seriously—especially those regarding our team and the service experience. While we strongly stand behind the professionalism and dedication of every staff member, regardless of age, we do not tolerate ageist language or sentiments, and we kindly ask that all guests express their concerns in a respectful manner.

Regarding pace of play, we understand how frustrating delays can be and will continue evaluating ways to improve the flow of play, particularly during peak morning hours. We also appreciate the note about the water and beverage service—we're currently reviewing our on-course hydration and refreshment access to better serve guests.

Thank you again for visiting. We value your business and hope to welcome you back with an even better experience next time.

Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

We love this course!

We always love this course! Great conditions and the staff is really friendly.

The most recent day we played it was painfully slow!😳

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/21/2025

Thank you so much for the kind words and continued support! We're thrilled to hear you enjoy the course conditions and our team’s hospitality—it means a lot to us. We're sorry to hear about the slower pace of play during your recent visit and truly appreciate your patience. We'll continue working to improve the flow so your next round is even better. Looking forward to welcoming you back soon!

Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Always very friendly staff, great cart service

Really enjoying playing this course as it’s challenging but not overwhelming

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

It’s the best on the Emerald Coast

This is the second time I’ve played Kelly Plantation. The course was in GREAT shape. Greens were smooth and fast. Driving range was great. Staff was friendly. I got paired with a Couple they were very fun. I will always play at Kelly Plantation while I am in town. Currently have temporary tee boxes on some holes, however I didn’t mind that one bit. Just was happy to be playing there.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Awesome Course

This course was great. I read reviews about temporary tee boxes and was worried, but the regular tee boxes are back in commission on all holes. Everything from the tee boxes, fairways, bunkers, and greens (fast) were pristine. The range (complementary balls) is great, and the staff was very friendly and helpful. Hefty price tag, but we got an afternoon tee time for cheaper and was happy with everything! Challenging course off the tee, but if you keep the ball in play it is scoreable. The only downside was a $32 rider fee for my wife to ride along. Complimentary Apples on hole 10 were a plus!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/19/2025

Thank you for the 5-star rating! We're so glad you enjoyed your visit and appreciated the friendly service, course conditions, and value. We hope to see you back out here again soon for another great round!

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Course condition

While on this trip we also played Baytowne and Raven in Sandestin. Those courses were absolutely plush, in great shape. Tee boxes, fairways, greens. Because of the fee at Kelly Plantation we expected more in terms of fairways and greens conditions. Fun course, good time, but absolutely not worth what we paid. All four of us agreed.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/19/2025

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We're glad to hear you had a fun round and that our staff made a positive impression — we take pride in providing excellent service. We understand your expectations regarding course conditions and value, especially when compared to other courses in the area. Your feedback is appreciated, and we’re always working to enhance the overall experience for our guests. We hope you’ll visit us again to see how the course continues to improve.

Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/19/2025

Thank you for the great review! We’re glad you had a positive experience and appreciated our staff, course conditions, and value. We’re always aiming for that fifth star, so we hope to welcome you back soon for an even better round!

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course but overpriced

Staff good , course challenging and in good condition but I was going to play more times but due to holes 6-8 and 12-18 all on temp tees that were not even flat and cut , it offered poor value for money and I will not pay that price for temp tees.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/19/2025

Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the course overall and found our staff to be excellent — we’ll be sure to pass that along to the team. We completely understand your frustration regarding the temporary tees. At the time of your visit, we were in the middle of a renovation project aimed at significantly improving the course. We’re happy to share that those renovations are now complete, and the temporary tees are no longer in use. We’d love the chance to welcome you back and show you the final results — we think you’ll find it well worth the return.

Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/19/2025

Thank you for the review and for recognizing the excellent course conditions and value — we truly appreciate it! We’re always working to provide not only a great course but also a warm, welcoming experience from start to finish. Your feedback helps us continue to improve, and we hope to have the opportunity to exceed your expectations on your next visit!

Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Nice Enough course

Course had 5 or 6 temporary tee boxes, some placed in awkward locations. Lots of course work that will pay off later. Green very good, pace of play was typical for resort course.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/19/2025

Thank you for the review and for sharing your experience with us! We're glad you enjoyed the greens and appreciated our friendly staff — that means a lot. You were right about the course work paying off — we're happy to share that renovations are now complete, and the course is in great shape from tee to green. We’d love to have you back out soon to experience the improvements firsthand!

Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/19/2025

Thank you for the 5-star review! We're so glad to hear that everything was excellent during your visit. It means a lot to our team to know you had a great experience, and we hope to see you back on the course again soon!

Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

One of the Best Courses in Destin

One of the nicest courses in Destin. The practice areas, range, putting and chipping green were top notch. The fairway and greens were too. The greens rolled true and fast. Page of play was enjoyable. We also enjoyed the cool, crisp apples at the turn. The only negative was the temporary tees on the back nine. Talked with an attendant after the round and he said it was supposed to be until the first of April, so he really doesn’t know! Other than that, I would definitely play this again!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/08/2025

Thank you so much for the kind words and for calling us one of the nicest courses in Destin — that truly means a lot! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the course conditions, especially the greens and practice facilities, and we’re glad the apples at the turn were a hit too!

We appreciate your patience with the temporary tees on the back nine. As you mentioned, they're part of an improvement project, and we’re working hard to get everything back to full play as soon as possible. We’ll continue to keep guests updated on the timeline.

We look forward to welcoming you back soon for another great round!

Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

This course is great!

Greens are huge and receptive. Greens rolled true and green speed did not vary much even as they dried out.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/08/2025

Thank you for the great review! We’re glad you enjoyed the course and especially the greens — it’s great to hear they rolled true and consistently throughout your round. We take pride in maintaining top conditions, so your feedback means a lot. Hope to see you back out here again soon!

Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Disappointed

I played during spring break. I was alerted that there were alternate tee boxes. I called to confirm this for the following day and the clubhouse assured me that the tee boxes would be open the next day when I was playing. Unfortunately they were not. A little steep to pay 170 for alternate tee boxes. Otherwise course was in good condition

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/05/2025

Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and share your experience with us. We’re glad to hear that you found the course to be in good condition.

We understand your disappointment regarding the temporary tee boxes and truly apologize for any confusion surrounding their status. Our team always aims to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information, and while we were hopeful that the tees would be open by the time of your visit, the early-season temperatures simply didn’t allow for that to happen as quickly as we had planned.

We appreciate your understanding as we work to ensure the best possible playing conditions. Thank you again for visiting during your spring break, and we hope to welcome you back soon under more optimal conditions.

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