Destin Golf Vacations

By Blair Howard, About.com Guide

Planning a Destin Golf Vacation? Get the info you need about the golf courses, golf resorts, hotels, and more with my comprehensive Destin golf vacation planner. Destin, as far as golf is concerned, is still a well-kept secret, but the sleepy little village I first visited more than 30 years ago is no more; Destin has grown beyond all bounds and golf has come to Destin in a big way. Today, Destin offers more than 1,100 holes of golf and has become a major family and Golf destination. I have played and stayed here for almost three decades and I highly recommend it.

Climate - Average Monthly Temperatures:

Jan - 52 Feb - 55; Mar – 61; Apr - 67; May - 73; Jun - 79; Jul – 81; Aug – 81; Sep – 78; Oct – 69; Nov – 62; Dec – 55; Average Mean Temp – 68

Where to Play Golf in Destin:

• Regatta Bay Golf Club
• Kelly Plantation Golf Club
• Indian Bayou Golf Club
• Emerald Bay Golf Club
• Seapines Golf, Beach and Tennis Resort

All five of these semi-public courses are in Destin and within a mile of each other.

In Sandestin, just a few short hops southward down Highway 98, there are four more championship golf courses at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort:

• The Raven Golf Club
• The Baytowne Golf Club
• Burnt Pine Golf Club
• The Links Golf Course

Where to Stay In Destin:

Destin is no longer the little fishing village it once was with only a single hotel. Today, there are more than a dozen terrific hotels and resorts; some on the beach and some close to the action. Here are the ones I have personal knowledge of and can recommend:

• Destin/Sandestin Hotel Guide

Condos are the Ideal Choice for Group Golf Vacations:

The Emerald Coast is the land of the rental condo, and there are thousands to choose from. To me, it’s the ideal option. Most condominiums on the Emerald Coast are large and luxurious: one, two or three bedroom units complete with lounge, full kitchen, a balcony overlooking the ocean. Some will sleep as many as 16 people. True, you have to cater for yourself, but so what?

You can rent a condo for just a few days or for as long as several months; the longer you stay, the better the price. Rates are about the same as for a hotel room, maybe a little less, but what you get for your dollars beats the hotel room hands down. Here are a few options to tempt you:

• Silver Beach Towers
• Southern Resorts
• Emerald Grande Resort

Golf Resorts in Destin:

• Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
• Seascape Golf Resort

• And Don't Forget Fort Walton Beach

How to get There:

The closest regional airport is Fort Walton Beach Airport served by Delta, Continental, US Air, AirTran, American, Northwest, and several others.

Look for the best airline and car rental deals with these two aggregators, which provide travelers with an up-to-date search tool to compare prices on airfares and car rentals of all ratings:

• Airlines - Compare Prices
• Rental Cars - Compare Prices

More of Florida's Golf Courses:

Some courses you should not miss:

• The TPC Sawgrass PLAYERS STADIUM Course
• Dye's Valley Course at Sawgrass
• The Omni Orlando at ChampionsGate
• The Blue Monster at Doral
• Regatta Bay in Destin
• Indian Bayou in Destin
• The Rookery on Marco Island

More information about Florida Golf Courses.