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4.5
2077 Reviews (2077)
5 Stars
1498
4 Stars
408
3 Stars
110
2 Stars
35
1 Stars
26
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.0
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.4
92.1%
Recommend this course
1939 out of 2077 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
62 Reviews (62)
5 Stars
37
4 Stars
16
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.0
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.7
88.7%
Recommend this course
55 out of 62 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
206 Reviews (206)
5 Stars
130
4 Stars
54
3 Stars
15
2 Stars
5
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.0
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.7
91.7%
Recommend this course
189 out of 206 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
2077 Reviews (2077)

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Used cart

Gorgeous course-MOST of the staff were super nice.

This course is GORGEOUS!! It's in great shape and the greens are amazing. Upon arrival, the gentleman at the bag drop was super kind, helpful and making sure I felt welcome. He set me up with a cart and then I needed to visit the ladies room. I had about 20 minutes before my tee time. When I stepped in the pro shop a man asked me, "What do you need? If you're looking to shop, we're busy checking in golfers." I know I'm a female, but I'm actually a golfer. I told him, "Yes sir, I'm just looking for the ladies room and then I have a 7:09 tee time." He then abruptly said, "Well- you've got to pay- you don't just jump on the course." I almost cried- yes, LIKE A GIRL! I was celebrating my 64th birthday and I've been playing golf for over 40 years and I've never felt so insulted. I made it to the ladies room. Checked in with this rude man and played one of the best games of my life. I didn't let him ruin my day. Every person I came in contact with besides him were super nice and fun. I'll play the course again, but I certainly hope the man in the pro shop gets some lessons in customer service and yes, women do play golf.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/24/2025

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience, and please accept our sincerest apologies for the way you were spoken to upon checking in. What you described is not reflective of the welcoming environment we strive to provide for every golfer, and I’m truly sorry that your special day began that way.

We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the course, found it in great condition, and that our team at the bag drop and throughout the day made you feel welcome. Still, the interaction you had in the golf shop should never have happened, and we will be addressing this directly with our staff to ensure it does not happen again.

We greatly value and respect all golfers, and we hope you’ll give us another opportunity to provide you with the level of service and hospitality you deserve from start to finish. Thank you again for your feedback, and happy belated birthday—we’re honored that you chose to spend it on our course.

Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
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
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful course

Excellent round at one of the best courses around. Cannot fault it. Scored it down a little on value for money just because it’s so expensive for a round. You do get what you pay for though.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
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

Great course

Course was in great condition. Club house is beautiful and has great scenery. Staff is helpful and friendly. The greens played moderate and were well kept.

The only down fall I would say is the grounds keepers were out on the majority of the holes. I played in the middle of the week so it’s to be expected. They would pull off to the side and let you play through which was very nice.

The carts are GPS which was not ideal when it locked us out in the middle of the cart party and we had to call the club house to change out. The staff was prompt and got us into a new cart immediately.

The course is a little pricey but definitely challenging and worth it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

August 2025 Golf review

First time playing this course. Learned pretty quick to check all the Destin courses in August. This is when they aerate their greens. This course punched greens around a month sooner and was at least 90% back. No complaints. Great greens. Nice fairways. Very clean. Nice pro shop and very helpful and attentive staff. I really like the chilled apples at the turn. I give the course a strong recommendation.

We played two times. The first time we got lucky and didn’t see a single person ahead of us or behind us. It was like we had our own private course. The second day we were stuck behind a foursome that didn’t let us play through. We only had a twosome. It stacked up behind us. To be fair the foursome finished in four hours and 15 minutes which isn’t bad but if they would’ve let us play through, we could’ve been done in a little over three hours. There wasn’t anybody ahead of them for five holes.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Kelly Plantation

Great open fairways, greens are consistent, and the course is very well taken care of.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Enjoyed the layout.

Played Kelly Plantation on 8/25/2025. Really enjoyed the layout and the variety of tee options. It was a Sunday morning and I expected a slower pace of play. I didn’t expect the club to allow a five-some to play on a weekend. But they did and we were stuck behind them. I also wish there was some notice about the punched greens. They were starting to grown in but still a few weeks away. I paid a premium to play the courses with no notice of the green situation. Not sure the value was there as it was 2-3 times the rate of neighboring courses.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 08/28/2025

Thank you for visiting Kelly Plantation Golf Club. We are glad that for the most part, you enjoyed your visit. When I pulled the round data from the GPS, it seems you were able to finish your round in 3 hours and 50 minutes, which is well within our pace of play requirements. Please call us at (850) 650-7600 to further discuss your experience.

Kind Regards,

Kelly Plantation Golf Club Professional Staff

Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Not worth the hype…

I play over 100 rounds per year all over, and I’ve played several courses in the Destin/coastal area. We payed $180 and the course was a total dis appointment. Greens had been punched 2 weeks earlier, but looked like they had recieved very little water. Putting was awful. Aeration is a normal part of golf, but when conditions are this poor there should be fair warning or a discount. Other parts of the course (tee boxes, fairways, bunkers, etc.) were good but not great. It felt like we were on a $50 course the whole round. Worst part is I set this up for my group, and now I look like a jerk for choosing this course. Sandestin courses are better and cheaper. We won’t be back.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fantastic

It poured rain at the beginning of our round but we waited it out and the course was perfect. Dried out completely. No one in front of us so we finished in about 3 hours. Greens are aerated but still rolled great. I will definitely be playing again next time I’m in the area

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 08/28/2025

Thank you so much for your visit and your kind feedback. Rain does not scare us as our course drains extemely quick, to the point that we are almost never Cart Path Only. We are so glad you enjoyed your experience with us and welcome you back anytime!

Kind Regards,

Kelly Plantation Golf Club Professional Staff

Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Used cart

Great course. We played after they airated the greens so ... Good rating for conditions.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 08/13/2025

Thank you so much for your visit and for your understanding regarding aeration. We truly appreciate your choosing us and look forward to having you out to play again.

Regards,

Kelly Plantation Golf Club Professional Staff

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

The Starter and Cashier wrecked my experience

I pulled up to Kelly Plantation while on vacation with my family. Was greeted by a very pleasant lady who insisted on placing my bags on the cart for me. It was a great way to start the day. While I was inside paying for my rounds the cashier was not very pleasant and didn't tell me the total, just asked for a credit card. He seemed to be lacking in personal skills. I'm not sure who would want this man greeting someone who is about to pay $500 for 2 rounds of golf and some golf balls. My horrible encounter with your staff continued when I walked outside to the range and was met by the starter who insisted I only had 4 minutes and had to get to the first tee box. At this point, I'm standing beside my cart while my son was warming up on the range. My son was already at the range while I was inside paying. I looked at my watch and politely told the starter that I had 5 minutes until my tee time and I would get my son and head that way. After I had placed my belongings in my bag and prepared myself and the cart for the round I started to walk onto the range to get my son. At this time the starter was very rude and told me to get my son and get to the number one tee box. I told the starter, it's only been 2 minutes and I still have 3 minutes to get to the tee box. I told him I had played the course before and since it's only 2 of us teeing off at our time there was no concern for me to get to the tee box early. I just wanted to give my son a couple extra minutes on the range. We loaded up for the 20 second ride to the first tee box, getting there with time to spare. We both tee'd off before our tee time. The pace was slow for a Wednesday morning. The ranger should have come around and spoke with the foursome that was two tee times ahead of us. They seemed to be holding up the pace of play. The threesome behind us were all members/residents and they were telling me of their frustration with the slow play. As we talked to them while we waited at every tee box on the back nine. The course was in pretty good condition. Overall, I do not plan on coming back.

Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Commented on 08/09/2025

Thank you for visiting Kelly Plantation Golf Club during your vacation and for taking the time to share your detailed feedback. We are pleased to hear that your day began with a warm welcome and that you found the course in good condition.

We are, however, concerned to learn that other aspects of your experience did not meet your expectations. Providing outstanding service and a welcoming atmosphere for every guest is a top priority for us, and your comments are being reviewed with our team so that we can address them appropriately.

We value the opportunity to improve and hope you will consider visiting us again in the future so we can provide the level of service and hospitality that we strive to deliver every day.

Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 44
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
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