This is Golf the Emerald Coast of Florida, with its sugar-white sands and emerald-green waters, is not just a beach lover’s paradise—it’s a golfer’s dream come true. Stretching 100 miles along the Gulf of America, this stunning coastline offers world-class golf courses, Southern hospitality, and a laid-back vibe that’ll have you saying, “Y’all, this is the life.”
Whether you’re a scratch golfer or just here for the 19th hole, here are the top 10 reasons to tee it up on the Emerald Coast, along with a tour of the best golfing destinations and courses from East to West. This is
1. Panama City Beach: A Golfer’s Gateway
Kick off your golf journey in Panama City Beach, where courses like The Third Golf Course (A brand new Davis Love III opened in 2025) and Greg Norman’s Shark’s Tooth Golf Course at WaterSound Club’s Camp Creek Inn or WaterColor Inn offer challenging layouts with stunning Bay views. After your round, unwind at the Bay Point Resort Nicklaus Course, which boasts its championship course with some very challenging holes that will make sure you have enough balls in your bag.
Explore Panama City Beach Golf
2. Scenic 30A: A Slice of Golfing Heaven
Drive along the iconic Scenic Highway 30A, where the Camp Creek Golf Club and Origins Course await. These courses, designed by legends like Tom Fazio and Davis Love III, blend seamlessly with the area’s natural beauty. Stay at the luxurious WaterSound Club, where you’ll find a private beach and a pure perfection course. Windswept Dunes is a hidden gem and the longest yardage just up the road. It is a unique “must-play” in Walton County. A luxury experience along the Emerald Coast and an exceptional golf experience make our top 10.
Discover Walton County & Scenic 30A Golf.
3. Miramar Beach: From Gulf to Bay a Fore-Play at Sandestin Resort
Miramar Beach is home to The Raven Golf Club at Sandestin, a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design that hosted a PGA Tour Champions event, a semi-private course with water hazards and bunkers that’ll test your skills. Pair your round with a stay at the Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, Four Championship Golf Course with 73 holes (yeah, 73), where you’re just steps from the sugar-white sand. Now you can see how this resort makes our Top 10 reasons to Golf the Emerald Coast, but there’s more!
Baytowne Golf Club, The Links Golf Club, and Rees Jones masterpiece Brunt Pine can all be played with a Premium Golf Package! There are 25 courses within a 15-mile radius of Miramar Beach, and 22 public courses make this area a come-again-and-again pristine golfing destination.
Discover Miramar Beach Golf @Sandestin
4. Our Beaches: Coastal Charm Meets Championship Golf
Golf the Emerald Coast boasts about this stretch of coastline from Pensacola Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Miramar Beach, and Santa Rosa Beach to Panama City Beach, often referred to as one of the most beautiful in the United States. The Emerald Coast possesses stunning coastal scenery, sugar-white sands, emerald-green jeweled waters, and myriad water activities. Here’s a guide to some of the top-rated best beaches in this region, showcasing their unique features and rare coastal beauty. Featured in Visit Florida, TripAdvisor, and Dr.Beach best beaches for it’s natural environment and wildlife.
There are plenty of reasons to Stay and Play for an Emerald Coast Vacation. Award-winning beaches and championship golf courses dot the coast for about 100 miles of Panhandle Golfing Paradise. There are also hundreds of Things to Do outside here. Find your perfect beach and golf spot. From luxury to Laid-Back, we have it all.
The 10 Best Beaches on the Emerald Coast
5. Destin: Where Golf Meets the Gulf of America
Destin is known as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” and it boasts incredible golf courses like the Emerald Bay Golf Club, Regatta Bay & Yacht Club, Indian Bayou Golf Club, and Kelly Plantation Golf Club. These courses offer breathtaking views and an actual test of your game. Stay at the Henderson Beach Resort or The Emerald Grande for a beachfront retreat after your round.
There are 26 courses within a 15-mile radius of Destin and 23 public courses. Oh, but there’s a lot more Y’all here for a Perfect Stay and Play golfing destination. Destin is the center of Golf, the Emerald Coast, and a fantastic family-friendly location with non-stop events and things to do, like visiting HarborWalk Village. This is the center of our top 10 reasons to golf on the Emerald Coast.
Discover Destin Golfing Paradise
6. Pensacola Beach: A Gulf Coast Beauty
End your Emerald Coast golf tour in Pensacola Beach, where the Lost Key Golf Club and Marcus Pointe Golf Club provide a memorable finish. These courses are known for their pristine conditions and Southern charm. Stay at the Holiday Inn Resort Pensacola Beach or for a relaxing end to your trip.
There are 10 courses within a 15-mile radius of Pensacola: nine public courses and one private Country Club, Pensacola Country Club. AC Read has some of the best military courses in the country, and Osceola Golf Course has municipal courses, both of which are part of the Florida Historic Golf Trail.
7. Year-Round Golf Weather
The Emerald Coast offers ideal golfing conditions year-round, with mild winters and warm summers. You’ll never have to worry about frost delays here! Unlike very hot and humid summers, it gets hot during the summer, so those early tee times should be booked before arrival.
Fortunately, many of our courses are along the coast and have plentiful bays and lakes that often provide a nice breeze, with many courses offering drinks and beverages along the courses. Spring, Fall, and Winter make for excellent weather. See the local average temps chart.
8. Southern Hospitality on and Off the Course
From the friendly staff at the pro shops to the locals who’ll gladly share their favorite seafood spots, the Emerald Coast is brimming with Southern charm. Don’t be surprised if you’re invited to join a group for a round—or a cold sweet tea afterward.
You just read reviews on nearly any golf course, and you’ll see that the golf staff is friendly and the restaurants are filled with smiles; that makes this an easy top 10 reason for golfing on the Emerald Coast. Y’all going to love golfing on the Emerald Coast.
9. Beachfront Resorts for Golfers
Resorts like WaterSound Club on Scenic 30A offers Camp Creek Inn, WaterColor Inn, and Miramar Beach’s sprawling Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort cater to golfers with exclusive courses, spa services, and beachfront relaxation with 54 holes and 73 holes, respectively, at each resort. It’s the perfect blend of luxury and leisure.
See our list of Top Golf Resorts on the Emerald Coast! The best beaches and best golf courses beg; what are Y’all waiting for?
10. More Than Just Golf
When you’re not on the course, explore the Emerald Coast’s vibrant dining scene, fishing charters, and pristine beaches. It’s a destination that offers something for everyone. Be sure to check out one of my favorite things: to take in some great food, cold drinks, and a Florida sunset, which is celebrated here at restaurants all along the Emerald Coast.
- Panama City Beach Top Beachfront Restaurants
- Destin’s Top 10 Seafood Restaurants
- The 25 Best Restaurants on Scenic 30A -Southern Living
Final Thoughts on Golfing on the Emerald Coast
The Emerald Coast of Florida is a golfer’s paradise, offering championship courses, stunning scenery, and Southern hospitality at every turn. Whether traveling east to west or picking a favorite spot is hard, you’re in for an unforgettable experience. So grab your clubs, book your stay, and get ready to tee off in style. Y’all won’t regret it!
