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Rating Index Rating
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4.5
2102 Reviews (2102)
5 Stars
1511
4 Stars
414
3 Stars
112
2 Stars
36
1 Stars
29
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.0
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.4
91.3%
Recommend this course
1959 out of 2102 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
77 Reviews (77)
5 Stars
42
4 Stars
20
3 Stars
8
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
4
Conditions
4.0
Value
3.9
Layout
4.5
Pace
3.9
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.6
84.4%
Recommend this course
65 out of 77 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
218 Reviews (218)
5 Stars
134
4 Stars
56
3 Stars
17
2 Stars
6
1 Stars
5
Conditions
4.3
Value
3.9
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.7
89.9%
Recommend this course
196 out of 218 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
2102 Reviews (2102)

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

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 44
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Best course in the area

This is the best layout in the area with very challenging but fair greens

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Course played unfair for the average golfer. If you get just outside the middle of the fairway the ball will roll into the water or hazard.and the fairway is narrow

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 33
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Best Course in Destin

First time playing this course and was very impressed from the time I checked in to the end of my round. The starter gave great advice on the speed of greens and also was courteous. The layout of the course was amazing with great views while being challenging for any level of player. I will definitely play here anytime I am in the area!!

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

Great Experience

Ashton and his team were very friendly and accommodating. One of my best golf experiences ever.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Challenging But Fair

Great practice area with the driving range, putting green and chipping green all in the same area. I like Fred Couples courses like this because he leaves plenty of room for the average golfer and you can bomb away for the most part. The greens were pro-fast and with the 23MPH+ winds made them scary; hammering a putt in the back of the back of the cup was rarely an option. The greens were the perfect balance of firm to receptive;. The greens were professional quality and speed! The wind was brutal on this day which made the greens more precarious than usual I would hope. The course Superintendent should be commended!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
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 192
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 100 Contributor
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart

PACE: Not a lot of golfers given a bit of rain in the forecast, so pace was not an issue.

CONDITIONS: Despite the rain, this course was in excellent condition. Greens, tees and bunkers were all playable. Some standing water... but there rules to help with that.

STAFF: Incredibly friendly and helpful. As a first-timer they seemed to anticipate my questions and always had answers/help. Thank you.

VALUE: It's a steep greens fee, but treat yourself.

LAYOUT: The course is mostly bordered by houses/condos. However, holes 3 and 4 have fantastic views and the course is well designed. Next time I play I might consider walking (if allowable).

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

A little rough around the edges but still a good course.

I was disappointed with the numerous bare spots around the edges of the Course. I know it’s still March but I expected better from this course at the price point they get. The greens and the fairways were good, though.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice track

Very nice track. Condition is the best in the area. Excellent range and practice area

Staff is very friendly - proshop to starter to cart girl.

Restaurant looked good. Pro shop has decent collection.

Greens are in fair shape. They were not rolled nor cut the day we played and still played fast. Same with fairways. Course is very fair. Five sets of tees. Lots of water. Sand is pure and fine.

Pace of play was 4:06 even though we never saw a ranger.

Course winds through a very nice neighborhood. Two holes are on the bay. Carts have full GPS.

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

Meticulous on customer flow, very apparent that time management was at the forefront of staff operation. Very enjoyable round. I’ll play it again

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Too slow over 5 hours & course was fair at best

Would not go back for the cost

high season I understand but the course is not worth

more than $100 PP

Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Tee boxes/Goat track

The course was over sold! The tee boxes were like Sea Scape. The greens were in rough shape too. I have played Kelly 100’s of times over the last 21 years and this was by far the worst shape the course has been in to my recollection. They finally brought the apples back at the turn but they were even subpar.too, Very disappointed. In our experience. The folks at the pro shop were still good and so were the cart ladies on the course. You used to be able to get a message over the GPS to order a sandwich at the turn and I guess they did away with that benefit too. I used to recommend this course to everyone especially the families staying at our beach houses. I usually don’t mind paying the higher rates for this what used to be a great Freddy Couples course. Still love the layout but the condition of the course is definitely slipping. Not worth the money at this juncture.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

It’s all about the greens

I’ve played here several times and i was disappointed in the fairways. Very thin to some bare spots. However the greens were in great shape. Receptive and fast.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 41
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 28
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Mediocre Conditions

The greens were very good. The fairways were tight to bare.

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

Amazing

35 mph winds. Beautiful course and great staff. Playing again this week. Expensive but worth it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
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