Florida’s stunning Santa Rosa Sound on the Emerald Coast is a few golfing gems with its warm winters, picturesque beaches, and exceptional golfing opportunities. It boasts over 50 courses just a short drive from Destin, east or west, where you can soak up around 320 days of sunshine each year. Discover Santa Rosa County (Navaree and Gulf Breeze, Florida) Resorts, Dining, and Things to Do with our Golfer’s Paradise Guide.
This beautiful stretch of about 100 miles of coastline runs from Pensacola to Panama City Beach. It is a beautiful strip of National Seashore beaches along Santa Rosa Sound, which features inviting Navaree Beach and Gulf Breeze to the West, towards Pensacola golf courses and resorts. Just to the east are Fort Walton Beach, Destin, and Sandestin in Miramar Beach. You can’t go wrong.
Whether teeing off with scenic views or indulging in fresh seafood at beachfront restaurants, the Emerald Coast makes for a perfect getaway filled with Southern hospitality and unforgettable experiences. Browse Santa Rosa Counties and neighboring Pensacola and Destin’s best golf courses and the Emerald Coast’s top-rated golf courses just a short drive away—your ultimate guide to golfing in Navaree & Gulf Breeze, Florida.
Santa Rosa County’s Best Golf Courses in Navarre Beach and Gulf Breeze Florida
The Club at Hidden Creek Navarre Beach, FL
Consistently a local and tourist favorite, top-rated, and on our MUST-PLAY list, Hidden Creek is just 30 minutes from Pensacola east to Destin. It’s a hidden gem and a top-15 course on our list for all of the Emerald Coast! This challenging course plays at a Par 72 and has 6805 yards of challenging golf. It served as a host site for the US Open Qualifying Rounds.
Stonebrook Golf Club – Pace, FL
A local favorite that blends fun, challenge, and scenic views seamlessly with a generation of golfers and is called “Home” by PGA Tour greats and hopefuls alike. Stonebrook is a highly rated golf course and hidden gem with a Par 72, 6891 yards a gem of a layout.
Tanglewood Golf Club – Milton, FL
This public golf course’s character and charm make for memorable golf outings. It is a Par 72 course with a 6302-yard layout.
Tiger Point Golf Club – Gulf Breeze, FL
Designed in the tradition of classic Scottish links golf courses but with the added feature of water, which comes into play on 14 holes along Santa Rosa Sound layout, comes in with a Par 72 at 7054 yards.
Pensacola’s Top-Rated Golf Courses on the Emerald Coast
Lost Key Golf Club – Pensacola, FL
Where scenic routes and strategic play come together harmoniously on this Par 71, 18-hole at 6801 yards. A hidden gem of a golf course with some of the best food and beaches all within miles of this pristine golfing paradise.
Marcus Pointe Golf Club – Pensacola, FL
A must-play course with fantastic greens and friendly staff on this Par 72, 18 holes at 6650 yards. This is a fun course where the fairways start to roll on the back nine and will keep the golfer tested with tricky shots. This is a great course and an Emerald Coast favorite while in Pensacola.
Perdido Bay Golf Club – Pensacola, FL
Beautiful bay views and a satisfying round await you on this Par 72, 18-hole course at 7072 yards. Multiple cuts of rough flank Perdido Bay Golf Club’s fairways, and the greens are large and undulating and hosted the Pensacola Open for a decade.
Cypress Lakes Golf Club – Cantonment, FL
This Par 72, 18-hole course at 6396 yards is an underrated gem that will impress golfers and nature lovers. This highly rated course features pine, oak, and magnolia trees and, in season, blooming azaleas. It makes for a scenic treat, with tricky shots balanced with wide fairways. Enjoy!
Best Local Golf Courses Worth the Drive from Pensacola Beach
Indian Bayou Golf Club– Destin, FL
This is a hidden gem of a must-play golf course on the Emerald Coast Golf Trail. You’ll love this Par 72, which plays 7078 yards from the back tees. Not just a top golf course in Destin, but all of Florida, an Emerald Coast Golf Trail “Must Play”
Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club – Destin, FL
Robert C. Walker, Arnold Palmer’s former lead architect, designed the course. Water is present in sparkling blue lakes, marshes, and meandering streams. This is another must-play treat on the Emerald Coast at 6840 yards Par 72 beauty. Another ECGT must-play in Destin!
Kelly Plantation Golf Club – Destin, FL
Play in a stunning setting that will inspire golfers of every level along Choctawhatchee Bay, a highly rated championship course measuring 7099 yards on this Emearals Coast Golf Trail Par 72 beauty. It also features the Strano Golf Academy. Also making our Must-Play list for ECGT.
Emerald Bay Golf Club – Destin, FL
Tee off on a Bob Cupp-designed scenic gem along Choctawhatchee Bay Par 72, 18-hole at 7050 yards. It features 12 holes with water and shots of ponds and lakes, but Emerald Bay Golf Club’s sculpted fairways and tight greens are always in excellent condition.
Shalimar Pointe Golf Club – Shalimar, FL
Experience this often-overlooked golf course. It has been considered one of the Emerald Coast’s best-kept secrets, but word about this Par 72, 6,765–yard layout is beginning to emerge. Another gem along the shores!
Rocky Bayou Country Club – Niceville, FL
It is an enjoyable round, complete with beautiful views and serene surroundings. This is a great course and is highly rated throughout Florida! At 6901 yards, this Par 72 is an excellent choice and not too far up the road from the beaches.
