Kelly Plantation Golf Club

About
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.
Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
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Couples | 72 | 7099 yards | 74.6 | 137 |
Plantation | 72 | 6453 yards | 71.6 | 128 |
Combination P/P | 72 | 6134 yards | 70.1 | 123 |
Palmetto | 72 | 5904 yards | 69.1 | 121 |
Combination P/S | 72 | 5664 yards | 68.0 | 119 |
Sterling | 72 | 5436 yards | 66.9 | 117 |
Sterling (W) | 72 | 5436 yards | 71.8 | 127 |
Magnolia (W) | 72 | 4989 yards | 69.3 | 119 |
Mangolia | 72 | 4989 yards | 65.0 | 112 |
Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Couples M: 74.6/137 | 373 | 560 | 165 | 401 | 443 | 548 | 410 | 194 | 439 | 3533 | 550 | 411 | 240 | 525 | 446 | 150 | 447 | 207 | 590 | 3566 | 7099 |
Plantation M: 71.6/128 W: 77.3/139 | 353 | 530 | 157 | 371 | 390 | 497 | 376 | 165 | 375 | 3214 | 520 | 387 | 181 | 479 | 421 | 138 | 423 | 183 | 507 | 3239 | 6453 |
Member 1 M: 70.1/123 W: 75.6/134 | 353 | 492 | 157 | 319 | 361 | 497 | 376 | 165 | 347 | 3067 | 455 | 356 | 181 | 479 | 386 | 138 | 382 | 183 | 507 | 3067 | 6134 |
Palmetto M: 69.1/121 W: 74.3/132 | 321 | 492 | 140 | 319 | 361 | 469 | 340 | 155 | 347 | 2944 | 455 | 356 | 155 | 445 | 386 | 132 | 382 | 173 | 476 | 2960 | 5904 |
Member 2 M: 68.0/119 W: 73.0/129 | 321 | 460 | 140 | 301 | 329 | 469 | 340 | 155 | 316 | 2831 | 425 | 356 | 155 | 445 | 347 | 132 | 330 | 173 | 470 | 2833 | 5664 |
Sterling M: 66.9/117 W: 71.8/127 | 290 | 460 | 132 | 301 | 329 | 416 | 312 | 126 | 316 | 2682 | 425 | 332 | 150 | 437 | 347 | 123 | 330 | 140 | 470 | 2754 | 5436 |
Magnolia M: 65.0/112 W: 69.3/119 | 254 | 428 | 104 | 280 | 322 | 372 | 291 | 120 | 298 | 2469 | 392 | 311 | 117 | 404 | 328 | 97 | 306 | 128 | 437 | 2520 | 4989 |
Member 3 W: 66.0/114 | 254 | 368 | 104 | 280 | 322 | 348 | 291 | 120 | 250 | 2337 | 343 | 230 | 117 | 307 | 218 | 97 | 306 | 128 | 335 | 2081 | 4418 |
Anderson M: 61.5/104 W: 64.2/110 | 201 | 368 | 104 | 237 | 221 | 348 | 228 | 120 | 250 | 2077 | 343 | 230 | 117 | 307 | 218 | 97 | 244 | 128 | 335 | 2019 | 4096 |
Handicap | 15 | 1 | 17 | 9 | 3 | 11 | 5 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 10 | 14 | 12 | 6 | 18 | 4 | 16 | 8 | |||
Par | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
Handicap (W) | 15 | 1 | 17 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 5 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 14 | 12 | 6 | 18 | 8 | 16 | 4 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
Snacks, RestaurantAvailable Facilities
Banquet FacilitiesAccolades
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Golf Advisor: Top 25 Courses for Pace of Play in the U.S. (2016 #24)
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by u000005073818 on 10/10/2025
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Photo submitted by edwardporter1 on 07/06/2025
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Photo submitted by Deadtrev on 05/24/2025
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Photo submitted by Drew8077621 on 04/17/2025
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Photo submitted by Keithglaze on 12/30/2024
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Photo submitted by James5737292 on 11/08/2023
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Photo submitted by u2186351 on 07/06/2023
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Photo submitted by u2186351 on 07/06/2023
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Photo submitted by u2186351 on 07/06/2023
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Photo submitted by jpkfishing on 06/21/2023
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Photo submitted by reecenewkirk on 06/10/2023
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Photo submitted by mdrangstveit on 05/20/2023
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Photo submitted by johntroy17 on 03/06/2023
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Photo submitted by Zachary6357140 on 10/26/2022
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Photo submitted by Zachary6357140 on 10/26/2022
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Photo submitted by Zachary6357140 on 10/26/2022
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Photo submitted by u314159805055 on 08/17/2022
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Photo submitted by u314159805055 on 08/17/2022
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Photo submitted by u314161231774 on 07/21/2022
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Photo submitted by u314161231774 on 07/21/2022
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Photo submitted by u314161231774 on 07/21/2022
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Photo submitted by iNGPuKLTkLX34Q13prSy on 06/11/2022
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Photo submitted by KarlaFlex on 02/25/2022
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Photo submitted by KarlaFlex on 02/25/2022
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Photo submitted by zPIftUkE11gSSB0S50Vi on 01/16/2022
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Photo submitted by u1740074849 on 01/08/2022
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Photo submitted by u000005601506 on 09/26/2021
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Photo submitted by u000005601506 on 09/26/2021
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Photo submitted by u253539596 on 08/15/2021
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Photo submitted by u314161863130 on 07/23/2021
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Photo submitted by John4319713 on 07/19/2021
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Photo submitted by u000001403876 on 07/19/2021
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Coming into 18 Photo submitted by u000001403876 on 07/19/2021
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A look at the gulf Photo submitted by u000001403876 on 07/19/2021
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Photo submitted by TMcCarty on 07/17/2021
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Photo submitted by TMcCarty on 07/17/2021
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Photo submitted by TMcCarty on 07/17/2021
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Photo submitted by BpVbeKGILErdYeinDIVK on 07/09/2021
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Photo submitted by mbculligan on 07/06/2021
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Photo submitted by gh65721 on 06/14/2021
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Photo submitted by u314161675897 on 06/08/2021
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Photo submitted by gmarra8950 on 05/30/2021
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Photo submitted by MilkQ8WSju0Y7L9rWBYC on 05/28/2021
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Photo submitted by MilkQ8WSju0Y7L9rWBYC on 05/28/2021
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TeamMagic celebrates victory! Photo submitted by u000004966311 on 05/17/2021
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Photo submitted by u000004966311 on 05/17/2021
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Photo submitted by u7560034 on 05/04/2021
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Photo submitted by FUs7AZHP3CR6nObvqbXJ on 04/16/2021
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Photo submitted by FUs7AZHP3CR6nObvqbXJ on 04/16/2021
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Photo submitted by FUs7AZHP3CR6nObvqbXJ on 04/16/2021
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Photo submitted by jimlingle on 04/06/2021
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Photo submitted by u000002984992 on 03/18/2021
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FRamily is the best! Photo submitted by TomAndJudy on 02/22/2021
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Photo submitted by Corey4775951 on 01/09/2021
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Photo submitted by Matt6029724 on 12/31/2020
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Photo submitted by nutria1007 on 12/28/2020
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Photo submitted by ejkoo on 12/15/2020
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Photo submitted by Luke1133987 on 11/05/2020
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Photo submitted by vvSv00lC2Qzl6bPdsDpl on 11/05/2020
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Photo submitted by rchelle3 on 10/19/2020
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Photo submitted by u087790554 on 09/20/2020
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Photo submitted by lbbgolfr on 07/09/2020
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Photo submitted by lbbgolfr on 07/09/2020
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Photo submitted by lbbgolfr on 07/09/2020
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Photo submitted by RELIEFPHARMACIST on 05/29/2020
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Hole 4 Photo submitted by TSmitty2 on 01/01/2020
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Hole 11 Photo submitted by TSmitty2 on 01/01/2020
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View of Clubhouse from Hole 18’s Fairway Photo submitted by TSmitty2 on 01/01/2020
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Bad break ! Photo submitted by biscuitsgrandpa on 11/15/2019
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Photo submitted by 9MzR24ZDZ764cco3T8ik on 09/29/2019
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Golf Channel Academy Photo submitted by Trey9570347 on 08/03/2018
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Hole 5 (maybe) Photo submitted by Trey9570347 on 08/03/2018
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Hole 6 (maybe) Photo submitted by Trey9570347 on 08/03/2018
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Kelly Plantation Photo submitted by JustHacking on 05/11/2017
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View from third tee Photo submitted by BrandonWebb on 01/05/2017
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Third green Photo submitted by BrandonWebb on 01/05/2017
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7th green Photo submitted by BrandonWebb on 01/05/2017
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Photo submitted by caj4au on 06/29/2016
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Photo submitted by caj4au on 06/29/2016
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Photo submitted by caj4au on 06/29/2016
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Photo submitted by caj4au on 06/29/2016
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Photo submitted by laekra on 12/22/2015
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Photo submitted by laekra on 12/22/2015
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A Bay View Photo submitted by Bob4AU on 09/29/2014
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Photo submitted by u000005879153 on 10/14/2013
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Hole 4 signature hole Photo submitted by Tiger2tee on 07/28/2013
Exceptional Condition
Course was everything I expected. I play this course at least per trip (twice a year), and it is always great. Tees and fairways have lots of grass (no bare spots) and greens rolls fantastic! Well done!
Very Beautiful Course
I really enjoyed the views and level of difficulty the course presented.
a gem
Missed playing Kelly last year due to the renovations. The course was in excellent condition, the new bunkers and tee boxes were great; weather perfect, great layout, big alligator between #3 green and #4 teeing area. Overall excellent!! In the Top 3 courses on the Emerald Coast.
Course was very dry. Greens were dry and hard. Need abundance of watering.
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
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.

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.
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!😳

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!
Always very friendly staff, great cart service
Really enjoying playing this course as it’s challenging but not overwhelming
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.
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!

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!
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.

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.

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!
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.

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.
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.