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Rating Index Rating
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4.5
2129 Reviews (2129)
5 Stars
1524
4 Stars
421
3 Stars
115
2 Stars
39
1 Stars
30
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.0
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.4
91.3%
Recommend this course
1982 out of 2129 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
100 Reviews (100)
5 Stars
51
4 Stars
27
3 Stars
11
2 Stars
6
1 Stars
5
Conditions
3.9
Value
3.7
Layout
4.5
Pace
3.9
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.6
84.0%
Recommend this course
84 out of 100 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
203 Reviews (203)
5 Stars
124
4 Stars
51
3 Stars
16
2 Stars
7
1 Stars
5
Conditions
4.3
Value
3.9
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.7
90.6%
Recommend this course
184 out of 203 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Kelly Plantation's zoysia fairways, well-maintained greens, and challenging layout consistently rank it among the top courses in the Destin area. Attentive staff, a well-stocked pro shop, and smooth pace of play make every visit a rewarding experience.

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
2129 Reviews (2129)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 34
19th Hole Scenic Views 15
Brunch 15
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 75
Water Hazards 68
Undulating Greens 42
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 55
A Weekend Splurge 51
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 49
This Course's Location is:
Convenient to the City 67
Near Local Attractions 45
Worth the Drive 37

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Used cart

Needs time to recover

Typically my favorite course in the area. However, recently re-habbed nine holes. Lots of ground-under-repair, limited tee boxes, etc. Think it needs a couple more months, Hope to play Kelly again in late May or so.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 11
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Under Construction

When we booked on line we had no idea there were six holes under construction. The tee blocks were 40-50 yards ahead of the front tee blocks. One hole totally closed.

We paid a high price for such conditions.

Apart from that the course is very nice and well designed.

Would return but only after the construction.

Don

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/18/2024

Thank you for your review. We have verified with Golfnow and our staff that you were in fact notified of our course renovations and the 40% discount we extended to you and everyone else during renovations. Thank you for being willing to return.

Regards, RW

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once 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
Played On
Reviews 44
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Rebuild underway

The rebuild was underway but we still enjoyed it. It is one of our favorite purses in this area. They did a good job on informing that it was not normal tee boxes.

Maybe more of a discount would be in order.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 21
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Good golf test

Pin placements were difficult when you consider 90% of golfers can’t break 100! A discount should have been factored in with all the construction improvements being done.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 22
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Great layout but undergoing renovations

Had a great time even though about half the tee boxes were being rebuilt.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Poor experience

Grade F, two groups of 5 players ahead of our foresome, pace of play horrible

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/18/2024

Thank you for your review. As a semi private facility, we do have members and one of the benefits to membership is the ability to play in fivesomes. Our pace of play is routinely under four hours and after reviewing the pace on that day, there was no one that played over pace. We'd like to ask you to please remove this review as it is inflammatory, misguided and insulting to our members and staff.

Regards

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course NOT worth the green fee

The majority of the course is under renovation with more than 75% of the tee boxes closed. Hole 11 is closed and not playable. The course is still charging full price. For the same green fees, go to Regatta Bay. Beautiful course and well worth the price.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 02/17/2024

Thank you for visiting Kelly Plantation. This review is completely false and has been reported to GolfNow for removal. We are only doing renovation on 8 of the 18 holes. Furthermore, we are currently $40 off of the already discounted winter rates. We encourage you to operate in good faith by giving honest reviews.

Regards,

Kelly Plantation Golf Staff

Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great Track with some work in progress

Expected some tees, holes and sand traps to be closed. Aside from that, it was the best course I've played in the area. Greens were in great shape, no dies applied. Fairways were in great shape.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

New renovation.

There are several closed holes and 5 holes with temporary tee boxes. They did not overseed this season. Most greens are in fair condition for February. There are lots of places on the course where new sod was placed and is rope off as ground under repair. Won't go back. I like the layout and the people. Just not worth the price.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Commented on 02/17/2024

Thank you for your visit. In addition to a major discount off of our regular rates, you were made aware at several points regarding our course renovation. To play anyway and then write an inflammatory review is not operating in good faith. We have reported this review to GolfNow and asked that it be removed.

Regards,

Kelly Plantation Professional Staff

Played On
Reviews 17
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

course under construction

Hole 11 closed, many tee boxes closed for new sodding, many sand traps also not playable. Still cost $100, advise waiting until done.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 02/17/2024

Thank you for visiting Kelly Plantation. You were made aware at several points that we are under a bunker and teebox renovation. You were also given a major discount off of our regular rates. We have reported this review to GolfNow and asked that it be removed.

Regards,

Kelly Plantation Professional Staff

Played On
Reviews 17
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course under construction

Many tee boxes are closed due to new sodding. Many sand traps covered, unplayable for same reason. Also hole #11 closed to construction. Total cost still $100 in spite of conditions Would recommend not playing until it is returned to normal.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Course under construction

I enjoyed playing the course, however I was not notified that halve of the holes had temporary tee boxes because they were sodding tees. There was also a hole that was closed. That being said, I still enjoyed the course because the greens were very good. They were firm and fast!

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 02/17/2024

Thank you for your honest review. We realize there are headaches involved with course renovation and are thankful for your patience that you have shown. Please visit us again in the future!

Regards,

Kelly Plantation Professional Staff

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Course in midst of repairs

Overall this course has a nice layout, however there is serious work being done all over and about half of the tee boxes are shut down. I’d it mind it being in transition to be a better course in the end . However charging why seems to be full rate is not fair either . The rates should be reduced another 25-30% until the work is completed.

Very nice stafff and friendly , I think this will be a nicer course to play in maybe a year …,

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 02/08/2024

Thank you for visiting Kelly Plantation! Currently we are not charging close to our full rate as we have discounted our rates 40% from where they normally are. We have also verified with GolfNow that you were informed of our course renovations as you were booking your time. We agree in terms of our staff and are very grateful for the experience they provide. Please consider revisiting in the near future.

Regards,

Kelly Plantation Professional Staff

Played On
Reviews 46
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 17
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course unplayable at this time

The course is excellent and highly rated most if the time. However, over 50% of tee boxes were closed due to construction, many sand bunkers closed and Hole #11 was closed to play. Had I known this prior I simply would have played elsewhere. Additionally the green fee were over $100 even with these conditions. I do not recommend 😐 it at this time.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 02/08/2024

Thank for visiting Kelly Plantation. We have worked hard to ensure that our current discounted rates are more than fair. Furthermore, we have verified with Golf Now that you were indeed informed of our course improvement project. Please consider revisiting in the future!

Regards,

Kelly Plantation Professional Staff

Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

STOP COMPLAINING

First let me say this for all the golfers complaining about renovations and price. It is very clearly stated on golf now that course is under renovation. From the time we pulled up to bag drop to the time we paid and went to play our round, we were informed about the renovations. We had the opportunity to not pay and go play elsewhere. The staff was very informative and clear about the renovations. Price to play, is what it is. Again, we had the option to either pay and play or leave, we chose to play and are glad we did. I have paid more to play on goat tracks, Kelly Plantation is a beautiful course even under the current conditions. If you’re informed and still choose to play, then you cannot complain on a review, it was your choice to pay the fee and play. Our group will definitely be back to play the course post renovation, it’s going to be beautiful when it’s done.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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