Emerald Bay GC: #18
View of the 18th hole at Emerald Bay Golf Club.
GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
3.9
2062 Reviews (2062)
5 Stars
959
4 Stars
803
3 Stars
206
2 Stars
57
1 Stars
37
Conditions
3.7
Value
3.7
Layout
4.3
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.1
79.5%
Recommend this course
1842 out of 2062 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.7
118 Reviews (118)
5 Stars
37
4 Stars
39
3 Stars
23
2 Stars
9
1 Stars
10
Conditions
3.5
Value
3.5
Layout
4.2
Pace
4.0
Amenities
3.9
StaffFriendliness
4.5
71.2%
Recommend this course
84 out of 118 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.7
207 Reviews (207)
5 Stars
56
4 Stars
82
3 Stars
38
2 Stars
16
1 Stars
15
Conditions
3.5
Value
3.5
Layout
4.3
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.5
72.9%
Recommend this course
151 out of 207 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private/Resort
Par 72
Length 7050 yards
Slope 143
Rating 73.9

Located right along the water, Emerald Bay Golf Club was designed by Bob Cupp to be Destin's premier full-service, 18-hole championship course. Water is a prominent feature as the course overlooks the shores Choctawhatchee Bay and incorporates water features on 12 of the holes. Oftentimes golfers will face an intimidating shot across a lake or a pond. Emerald Bay Golf Club's sculpted fairways and tight greens are always in excellent condition. There are four sets of tees that make the golf course accessible to most players' abilities and no matter what skill level you are, the views are not to be missed. The views are especially breathtaking on the back nine, which borders the bay. There is also an expansive driving range at Emerald Bay that golfers can use before playing the golf course.

Book a Tee Time at
Emerald Bay Golf Club
Powered by GolfNow.com

Course Details

Year Built 1991
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens TifEagle Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Bob Cupp (1991) Bob Cupp (2014)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
GPS Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Dress code Appropriate golf attire. No denim, collared shirt required.

Food & Beverage

Bar, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities
The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+
waivedfees
10 rounds of waived fees
golf ball.svg
$120 in tee time credits
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection
redeemtrophy
Redeem GolfPass points

Reviews

3.9
2062 Reviews (2062)

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 25
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fantastic

Loved the course and layout. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Great location, well maintained.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Always a fun round at Emerald Bay

Okay this course once a month and it’s always in great shape and a fun time. Love playing here. A lot of fun holes you can score on.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 09/15/2025:
We really appreciate the five-star rating! It’s great to know you enjoyed your visit — we’ll keep working to make every experience just as good.
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great day of golf

Everyone we encountered was very friendly and helpful. The course was a great layout with challenging holes. We had a great day.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 09/15/2025:
We’re thrilled you had such a great experience! Thanks for the support — we’ll be here ready to welcome you back for another great round.
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Beautiful Course, but for the Staff

This was a really scenic course with several holes overlooking the bay. The course was well maintained and pace and play was perfectly timed. The staff, on the other hand, were less than friendly and had an attitude of “take it or leave it.” I would certainly recommend this course for a round in Destin as long as you’re willing to tolerate the clubhouse for a few minutes.

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

Recently Aerated - Cheaper on their website than GolfNow ‘hot deal’

It was $20 less per person on their own website, course had been aerated, nowhere did it mention this! Definitely NOT a deal at $100 per person, extremely disappointed!!!

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Destin Golf

Fairly easy course layout, water on a lot of holes. Minimal sand but bunkers in good shape. Bit higher price but your paying destin price. If you haven't played you should atleast once

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great track

Course was in great shape! Staff was awesome! They made my 7 year old son feel so special while at the course. They had rangers on the course keeping pace of play at a good pace. Great course! We will play again when we come back

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 08/07/2025:
Thank you for the awesome review! We're so glad to hear you had a great experience and look forward to having you back again.
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great Challenge

I played while on vacation here in Florida and it was a great time. This course is one of the more difficult ones I have played in the 5 years I have played. A little pricey but it was expected when playing in Destin. Greens were pure and the fairways were nice. Worth the price in my opinion.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Response from on 08/06/2025:
We’re thrilled you had such a great experience! Thanks for the support — we’ll be here ready to welcome you back for another great round.
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Vacation Round

This was my first time playing this course. I like to play all the courses in Destin so this trip it was this particular club. Everything about the club was nice including check in and the staff that actually loaded up the cart. It was extremely hot but the refreshment cart was frequently circling to keep us hydrated. The fairways were nice along with the greens. Nice scenery as well. I do recommend this course if in the area. I look forward to playing it again when in Destin again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 08/05/2025:
Thank you for the awesome review! We're so glad to hear you had a great experience and look forward to having you back again.
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

It did pour on us while playing, but it was a great time

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

Had a great time

My son is the golfer. I just came along so he would have someone to play with while on our 30A vacation, so this review is from a guy who plays golf twice a year.

This place was nice! The Pro Shop was like a mini Golf Galaxy. The course was in pristine condition. Greens were amazing, not too fast, not too slow. The staff were really friendly. From the cart attendant, to the pro shop attendant, to the cart girls, everyone made us feel really comfortable. Cause when we got there, I was like, “The dude loads our clubs on the cart? Free range balls? Range finder and digital score card built into the cart?” I immediately was ashamed of my Golden Bear irons I bought for 40 bucks at a yard sale and the free Taylor Made driver in my used RAM bag. 🤣

Had a blast. They didn’t pair us up with another couple which I was happy about. The pace was fine for me. We had a foursome in front and in back of us, so we didn’t ever feel rushed. We loved it and will definitely come back.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Nearby Courses
Destin, Florida
Public
3.8426
108
Destin, Florida
Semi-Private
4.596486839
2554
Miramar Beach, Florida
Resort
2.5381595561
1600
Destin, Florida
Semi-Private
4.4643486258
2018
Destin, Florida
Semi-Private
4.5823738869
2447
Miramar Beach, Florida
Resort
4.2266618733
2169
Miramar Beach, Florida
Resort
3.6812019105
2052
Destin, Florida
Public
0.0
0
Miramar Beach, Florida
Semi-Private/Resort
4.9231
26
Miramar Beach, Florida
Resort
4.2863729953
1617
Niceville, Florida
Resort
2.7894065694
1344
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
Private
0.0
0
Golf Packages

Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort Package

FROM $217 (USD)
MIRAMAR BEACH, FL | Enjoy 4 nights' accommodations at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and 4 rounds of golf at The Links Golf Club, Baytowne Golf Club, Raven Golf Club, and Burnt Pine Golf Club.

Best of Gulf Shores Golf Package

FROM $367 (USD)
GULF SHORES, AL | Enjoy 4 nights' accommodations at The Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection and 3 rounds of golf at Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club and Craft Farms Golf Resort (Cypress Bend & Cotton Creek Courses).

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail – The Grand Stay & Play Package

FROM $337 (USD)
POINT CLEAR, AL | Enjoy 3 nights' accommodations at The Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection and 2 rounds of golf at Lakewood Golf Club - Azalea & Dogwood Courses.

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail – Best of Mobile Package

FROM $237 (USD)
MOBILE, AL | Enjoy 4 nights' accommodations at the Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa and 3 rounds of golf at Magnolia Grove Golf Club (Crossings & Falls Courses) and Lakewood Golf Club (Azalea or Dogwood Course).

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail – Greenville Golf Around Package

FROM $197 (USD)
GREENVILLE, AL | Enjoy 3 nights' accommodations at the Holiday Inn Express - Greenville and 2 rounds of golf at Cambrian Ridge Golf Club.
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account