Emerald Bay GC: #18
View of the 18th hole at Emerald Bay Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.0
2112 Reviews (2112)
5 Stars
988
4 Stars
818
3 Stars
211
2 Stars
57
1 Stars
38
Conditions
3.8
Value
3.7
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.2
80.4%
Recommend this course
1888 out of 2112 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
49 Reviews (49)
5 Stars
28
4 Stars
15
3 Stars
5
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.0
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.8
91.8%
Recommend this course
45 out of 49 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
146 Reviews (146)
5 Stars
64
4 Stars
51
3 Stars
20
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
9
Conditions
3.8
Value
3.8
Layout
4.4
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.6
82.9%
Recommend this course
121 out of 146 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Exceptionally friendly staff and a challenging, well-designed layout consistently earn high marks from golfers visiting the Destin area. Fast greens, well-kept fairways, and attentive rangers contribute to a smooth and enjoyable round.

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.

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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
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Reviews

4.0
2112 Reviews (2112)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 21
Watching the Game 11
19th Hole Scenic Views 10
Course Challenges Include:
Water Hazards 49
Bunkers 38
Forced Carries 29
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 29
A Weekend Splurge 22
Seniors 21
This Course's Location is:
Convenient to the City 34
Near Local Attractions 30
Worth the Drive 15

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 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great Value

The course was in pretty decent shape. Great Value course. Not quite up to the level of Regatta Bay or Kelly Plantation but overall a nice course. Good layout, fair, a few risk/ reward holes. A few reachable par 4s. The only negative feedback I can really come up with is there are no water stations on the course, which if you’re playing in the middle of Summer, is something you should expect. There is a station situated between the number one tee and nine fair way so you can get it up when you begin your round and while making the turn, but it was empty by the time I made the turn. So for me, zero water other than the water from the beer cart. Not a deal breaker but just usefull information.

I’d go back but probably only if it was the decent tee time I could get as I think any one of the Sandestin courses offer a better value.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 173
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 100 Contributor
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Beautiful Golf Course

I always enjoyed playing here...the staff were always friendly and courteous. The greens has been aerated, but still playable. Highly recommended!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Nice Course

Prices were reduced because greens had just aerated. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Pace of play was on point. Cart lady made several rounds accommodating needs. Carts have gps and can order food/drinks from clubhouse. Overall very nice experience.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 8
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Great Course… but the knats

We played at Emerald Bay recently and the course was in pretty good shape overall. We were told that the range may or may not be open when we got there early for our tee time. It was a little challenging because we were coming from a little farther away and being told before hand the range might be open or might not be open was a little weird. They were mowing.

We ended up getting to hit balls on the range and it was mats only. The mats were hard as a rock and were in rough shape.

Once we started the starter was super great and we ended up teeing off a little earlier than the tee time. Once we were on the course I would say the course overall was in really good shape. Tee boxes, fairways, and greens were great and the greens rolled true. There was lots of water and the bunkers were also in great shape. Didn’t really feel like the course had many “signature” holes besides the one on the back with the ocean as the back drop. Overall I really enjoyed the course and felt the conditions and pace of play were really great!

One more good thing is they had basically a 1/2 off Junior rate. Other courses in the area that I called didn’t have any Junior rate and that was one of the reasons I ended up coming here.

The biggest negative about the course and the reason I gave it 4 stars was the knats. I think this would likely prevent me from coming back. Probably one of the worst experiences I have ever had with knats. They were all over us the whole entire day besides the few holes by the bay. There wasn’t any breeze and maybe that was the culprit. But it was almost unplayable at multiple times for my son and I because we were getting swarmed by knats all day long.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice golf course

We enjoyed our round here. We liked the layout and the tree lined fairways. Greens were fast but a little bumpy (punched a few weeks ago). Conditions were really good except for the tees which were beaten up a bit.

Played in under 3.5 hours even teeing off at 2pm.

Best course we’ve played so far this week.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 44
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Emerald Bay was amazing. Staff was incredible and very helpful. The price included range balls which we don’t get back home. Course was impeccable and made for an outstanding experience for my son and I. I will be back for sure and would recommend it to anyone that is staying in the area.

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

Memorial Day

The staff is great as you arrive and enjoy this destin course. Will always get here to play when in the area.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

First time to play Emerald Bay in over 15 years.

Practice/warm-up area was well-maintained, but driving range was fairly crowded. All tee boxes and fairways were in excellent condition. Several greens had bare spots, but pin placements helped in avoiding most

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
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 Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice course

We enjoyed playing golf on this course. It was in good condition.The staff was very helpful and friendly.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 44
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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