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
2107 Reviews (2107)
5 Stars
985
4 Stars
817
3 Stars
210
2 Stars
57
1 Stars
38
Conditions
3.7
Value
3.7
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.1
79.5%
Recommend this course
1884 out of 2107 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
45 Reviews (45)
5 Stars
26
4 Stars
14
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.1
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.8
93.3%
Recommend this course
42 out of 45 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.9
163 Reviews (163)
5 Stars
63
4 Stars
53
3 Stars
27
2 Stars
9
1 Stars
11
Conditions
3.7
Value
3.6
Layout
4.3
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.6
77.3%
Recommend this course
126 out of 163 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.

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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
2107 Reviews (2107)

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 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Guys Trip

Was a little disappointed in the overall course conditions. Greens were average at best, with a mixture of poa annua. Tee boxes were pretty much void of grass. They were covered up as far as players, which made for a slow round.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Embarrassing

Took good friends to play Emerald and was terribly disappointed with the course conditions ie some greens were almost unplayable, others were mediocre at best. Tee boxes were mostly void of grass leaving only dirt to play from. Only good thing I can say positive was the fairways were better than mediocre. Felt like I should have paid to play the course not the other way around.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Response from on 05/02/2025:
Thank you for sharing feedback. We’re very sorry your experience fell below expectations and are addressing the concerns you mentioned. We appreciate the opportunity to improve and hope you’ll consider visiting again.
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

First Timer at Emerald Bay

Course was in good shape overall. It was obvious the tee boxes were getting overhauled so many of the tee boxes were condensed and not in great shape. But the maintenance must happen at some point for the course to be kept up.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Not Great & Not Terrible

The greens were slow and a few had some rough areas but very playable. This did not affect play at all. The course was very average but it was an enjoyable day. The tee boxes were light on grass but that is a non issue in my opinion.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
First Time Playing

Poor condition and slow play

The title says it all! Many tee decks were dust. Greens were ok. They let groups play in fives or possibly more so it was slow and no one seemed to care. There was not even water available on the course.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Response from on 04/29/2025:
Thank you for the feedback. We aim to offer a quality experience and regret falling short. Your input helps us identify specific areas that need attention, and we hope to welcome you back in the future.
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Emerald Bay

The staff was very friendly. The course was in poor condition. Greens in bad to poor condition. The overall lay out of the course was great and very challenging.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 7
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Tired course

Did not finish the round due to the course allowing two consecutive fivesomes play in front of our group. Course needs some attention greens have bald spots in a number places and tee boxes are primarily sand. Had hoped for a better result but the course layout is good if they can fix grounds

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice course

Course was nice. Most of the greens were in good shape. The tee boxes needed some work. Overall, it's a fun course to play.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Disappointed!

Decided to try Emerald Bay after a few years hiatus. Almost sorry I did.

Tee boxes were all but bare and the greens that didn't have bare spots had enough Poa Anna stubs to make putting a bouncing adventure.

Disappointed!

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 16
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Bad value

Maybe 4 or 5 greens in okay shape… tee boxes we ridiculously bad… spotty fairways.. staff was great… I have played several muni courses that looked like country clubs compared this course… way overpriced !!!… spend your in $$$ Sandestin instead

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Average
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