Emerald Coast's Top 5 Golf Courses
 It's
called the Emerald Coast because at certain times of the day the
Gulf of Mexico waters just off the Panhandle shores shimmer a pure,
amazing green color. The contrast between the calm, jeweled Gulf
water and the pure white "sugar" sand beaches can be startling
and is the reason why this is one of the truly beautiful and appreciated
havens to those who know it. Thousands of families visit this corner
of Florida between Panama City Beach and Pensacola. Sandy soil and
gulf views are taylor made for golf. With all the coastal resorts
and revitalization efforts in Tallahassee, knowing where to put
your bag down is a tough task. To help you sort it out, the editors
and writers for TravelGolf.com rated the top five courses on the
Emerald Coast based on conditions, layout, service and scenery.
1. Camp Creek (Seacrest)
Quiet, serene and still, Camp Creek is fit for prayer for those
who pour their faith in golf. Natural vegetation lines the fairways
and serves as a backdrop to the elevated tees and greens. The sugar-white
sand in the bunkers contrast with the lush green turf. The fairways
are receptive to the long, daring drive. The greens are slippery
and easier to reach from the hazard side of the fairway. Few Florida
courses reflect the atmosphere of their setting like Camp Creek.
2. SouthWood (Tallahassee)
This Fred Couples-Gene Bates design meanders through high countries,
low countries, secluded woods and open fields. The course is not
revved up on gimmicks or architect steroids. SouthWood's routing
flows seamlessly with the existing elements. Its trademark is the
plethora of gigantic oak trees. Couples and Bates didn't stick with
one theme; each hole is a work of art onto its own. Five sets of
tees make the course playable for all skill levels.
3. Burnt Pine (Sandestin)
One of four 18-hole courses on the Sandestin resort property, Burnt
Pine stands out because of its mounding - a regular technique of
Rees Jones. Jones generously used artistic license to build hills,
and to shape fairways and greens on a parcel of flat land. The result
is a course that successfully meshed his creativity with the natural
setting of pines and native brush. His design calls for strategic,
heroic and conservative shot-making.
4. The Raven (Sandestin)
Robert Trent Jones, Jr., authored a more modern style of golf course
than his brother, Rees, on the Sandestin resort. He stuck to the
existing elements more and routed play along softer lines. The wide
fairways are lined with hazards; the greens are massive and undulating.
Jones, Jr., built a few all-or-nothing holes, including a 203-yard
par-3 that is all carry to an island green. The bunkers are a throwback
to Alister MacKenzie's days -- large and irregular shapes that form
capes and bays. Each bunker couldn't scream "stay away"
louder if it had a sign on it.
5. Lost Key (Perdido Key)
Dubbed "Lost Ball" by the locals, Lost Key is a cunning
Arnold Palmer design with tight fairways etched out of dense woodlands.
Golfers will have their restraint tested. Oftentimes, driver needs
to stay in the bag. The Flora Dwarf greens, which are appropriately
small, make for fast and true putting lines. The course is set in
a secluded corner of the Gulf Coast west of Pensacola. The environment
is hardly disturbed by Lost Key's presence - a reason why it has
received awards from Audubon International.
Up-and-coming
- Lagoon Legend at Bay Point (Panama City)
- Regatta Bay (Destin)
For golf packages and tee times, call 866-813-7494
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