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Rating Index Rating
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4.5
2165 Reviews (2165)
5 Stars
1554
4 Stars
426
3 Stars
115
2 Stars
40
1 Stars
30
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.0
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.4
91.4%
Recommend this course
2017 out of 2165 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
134 Reviews (134)
5 Stars
79
4 Stars
32
3 Stars
11
2 Stars
7
1 Stars
5
Conditions
4.1
Value
3.8
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.6
87.3%
Recommend this course
117 out of 134 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
174 Reviews (174)
5 Stars
109
4 Stars
39
3 Stars
14
2 Stars
7
1 Stars
5
Conditions
4.3
Value
3.9
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.6
88.5%
Recommend this course
154 out of 174 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
2165 Reviews (2165)

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 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful

Terrific course conditions and lay out, hot all clubs, nice variety of holes, played in 3 3/4 hours, nice range, putting green and short game area including bunkers. Great round!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Definitely worth playing

Excellent fairways and greens, greens were quick and rolled smooth, wide fairways but plenty of hazards to think your way around, not really worth the money but no course around Destin really is but it’s a nice course to play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Best public golf Destin or 30A area

Definitely worth the price if you like private country club golf. That's what this public course feels like. Very friendly, service oriented, organized, efficient and course itself is beautiful and in great condition.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Gorgeous

Beautiful course. Very difficult but quite playable. I will definitely be back. Played in well under four hours. The staff could not be nicer

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
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 Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great Course. Wow.

Best fairways. Best greens. Best bunkers in the area. A little on the spendy side but it’s a very nice course. Loved it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played

In Rough Shape

I usually don’t leave reviews, I just would be pretty disappointed if I showed up and the course was in the shape it was today. This is my 3rd time playing this course, first time in 2 years. I came with the expectation that it would live up to those experiences and sadly it didn’t. I played windswept dunes and by far, that is the best course for your money and it isn’t close.

The greens are dealing with a little disease, the fairways have some spot up crab grass and dead spots on almost every hole. It’s too far to say it was “bad” but unless you can get this course under $100, you are overpaying by a good bit. The experience was good, the staff was incredibly friendly, but if you’re looking for resort golf, this course isn’t the same as it used to be. Especially considering it’s late May and there’s been good rain.

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 40
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

First time

Course was in good shape . Everyone we dealt w had a great attitude.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Excellent Course

Greens rolled perfect. Fairways left excellent lies. Layout was great. Staff prompt and friendly. Will Play Again

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Overall great experience. There were a couple of greens that need work

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Good Overall

Greens are fast and perfect. Layout is stong but not spectacular. Tee boxes need some tlc but does not impact playability. Intimidating tee shots but wide fairways. Definily worth playing if you get a deal.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Not Bad, I didn't understand all the hype though.

Clubhouse is very nice. Course and clubhouse tucked away in a very nice neighborhood in a very cool wooded area. Staff was awesome and even know who I was when I was walking up (I have no idea how). Range was okay; by 1pm the ropes should have been moved to provide some much needed grass to the hitting area. Putting area was okay; very fast greens and didn't have the little flags in them to pull the ball out. Chipping area was okay; LOTS of weeds (had to move the ball around to get a clean lie). Starter was awesome; nice guy and gave us a heads up to the incoming (very) slow play at nearly 5 hours. Course layout was pretty fun, but not not the most unique. Some very cool views though. Tree lined fairways always win me over. Bunkers had very light weight sand in them, pretty easy to hit out of. It's Florida, so the sand was stunning. Greens were very fun and very fast, but quite a few high and low spots from relocating the cup, and some areas with disease or cut too low causing bald spots (maybe 3 holes). Second cut around the green was in rough shape and unpredictable lie. Lots of weeds in the fairways and rough, a bit surprising. Fairways seemed pretty hard, perhaps they're in a drought, I don't know. I played the 6550 tees, but never felt that long. Fairly wide off of the tee and generous around the green except a couple holes with water. The cart girl came around about every 6 holes, so pretty good. We did see one 6-some and a remarkably slow 4 some in front of us, making it a 5 hour round.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
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