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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4.1
2133 Reviews (2133)
5 Stars
998
4 Stars
828
3 Stars
212
2 Stars
57
1 Stars
38
Conditions
3.9
Value
3.9
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.2
84.7%
Recommend this course
1908 out of 2133 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
66 Reviews (66)
5 Stars
36
4 Stars
23
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.1
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.8
92.4%
Recommend this course
61 out of 66 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
126 Reviews (126)
5 Stars
71
4 Stars
45
3 Stars
8
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.2
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.7
94.4%
Recommend this course
119 out of 126 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

4.1
2133 Reviews (2133)

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 5
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice layout

Course was in good shape although a few tees had been reseeded and were covered in sand.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 05/07/2025:
Thanks for the five-star rating. We’re thrilled you enjoyed your visit and appreciate your support. Our team looks forward to delivering the same level of excellence next time.
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Good course

Don’t let the negative reviews keep you away. Couple t boxes were little thin and a few bare spots on a couple of greens but overall the course was great. I would play it again. Course was packed but the pace of play was still not bad.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Love the layout and challenging.

The course was a little rough, the greens were patchy, and the fairway Bermuda has not kicked in yet. Should be in pretty good shape by early June.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Dirt for tee box

All tee boxes were dirt no grass. To me not worth the $100 per player

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice Course

Staff was great, nice practice area. Fairways were in good condition, rough was very playable for us amateurs. Tee boxes and greens were rough with many of the tee boxes being mostly sand. Expected for the price that the course would be in a little better condition.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
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 5
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
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