Kelly Plantation Golf Club in Destin, Florida, USA | GolfPass
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Rating Index Rating
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4.5
1880 Reviews 1880 Reviews
5 Stars
1374
4 Stars
357
3 Stars
95
2 Stars
30
1 Stars
24
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.0
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.5
91.3%
Recommend this course
1759 out of 1880 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
94 Reviews 94 Reviews
5 Stars
58
4 Stars
28
3 Stars
5
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.0
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.7
93.6%
Recommend this course
88 out of 94 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
212 Reviews 212 Reviews
5 Stars
140
4 Stars
56
3 Stars
8
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
4
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.0
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.7
92.9%
Recommend this course
197 out of 212 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private
Par 72
Length 7099 yards
Slope 137
Rating 74.6

Formerly home to a turpentine plantation, the site now offers one of the most environmentally sensitive courses in northwest Florida, Kelly Plantation. The golf course sits along the shores of the Choctawhatchee Bay, sprawling across a waterfront landscape of towering trees and swampy bayous. The course features large, contoured greens and wide, manicured fairways that are in excellent condition but can also be tricky to navigate. The strategically placed hazards also require some careful maneuvering. In addition to being a challenging round, the golf course is also known for its stunning scenic appeal. Throughout the layout, golfers can enjoy panoramic views across the bay to the abundant magnolias and palmettos that are native to Florida's northwest region. For these reasons, Kelly Plantation has received high praise from publications such as Golf Digest and Golf Magazine.

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Kelly Plantation Golf Club
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Course Details

Year Built 1998
Golf Season Year round
Architect Fred Couples (1998) Gene Bates (1998) Bob Cupp (1998) Michael Riley (1998)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
GPS Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes - "Strano Golf Academy"
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover
Metal Spikes Allowed No

Food & Beverage

Snacks, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Banquet Facilities
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Reviews

4.5
1880 Reviews (1880)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 34
19th Hole Scenic Views 15
Brunch 15
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 75
Water Hazards 68
Undulating Greens 42
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 55
A Weekend Splurge 51
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 49
This Course's Location is:
Convenient to the City 67
Near Local Attractions 45
Worth the Drive 37

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 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Awesome experience

Great place to golf while in Florida. Will golf again

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great time!

We came down from Tennessee on a golf trip and played 4 different courses. Kelly was the best one! The course was in amazing condition and the staff was top notch. We can't wait to play again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course condition

I know they have undergone a remodel. The greens were excellent even though they are hard due to being new. We tried to play earlier this winter but delayed due to work on course. We had to play at least 12 temp tees yesterday even though we were told only a couple of holes were temporary. Would not have minded the tees if we had known. They were adequate and course will be better once they grow in. Wish we had been told the actual condition

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Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Destin's Best

Staff incredibly nice, the course had some temporary tee boxes but other than that it was a great and beautiful course.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

What an AMAZING round!

This is the round of golf you will want to play!
Right out of your vehicle, you are greeted by an amazing staff member.
We got paired with great gentlemen and that was a Plus!.
The course is very-very well maintained. The views are great and the course is the perfect combination of fun and challenging. All was on point; even the food was great.
Definitely a course I will play every time I'm around.

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Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

great time. quick pace

holes 17 and 18 closed, but starting at 730. no hold up. Just played two holes with two balls.
great resort value with a under construction cost. weather was cold but oh well.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
First Time Playing

Not as advertised

When I paid, there was a note that there were two closed holes and 3 temp tees. There were actually 6 temp tees. I did get a discounted rate but still. It wasn’t an honest representation of course conditions. The course is fantastic. I really enjoyed the layout. And all of the staff were so cool. But I would have appreciated an honest pre-round description of conditions.

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Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 44
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Member privilege

I could handle the two holes that were closed and the other three that were under renovation but playable. What bothered me were the two member fivesomes and three foursomes in front of me. Their pace of play was very slow. It would have been nice to have been informed of the groups on the course.

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Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 49
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Course but Too Pricey

I love this course but with the construction going on and the time of the year, too much is being charged. 4 temporary tee boxes and two holes not being able to play due to construction, rates are too high. It's no wonder very few players were on the course.

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Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great Course

First, let me start by saying we were very aware of the course having three holes closed. We were made aware of it at bag drop. We were made aware of it at check-in and we were made aware of it from the starter. So all these jack wagons that are leaving reviews saying they didn’t know about the course having maintenance being done are all not being truthful. There are signs on every door as well explaining the course conditions. None of those people paid full price either, this is not my first time playing Kelly Plantation golf course their normal rates are 189+ tax. Right now they are charging $90 and $79 to play this course while it’s under construction. So if you’re looking to play a great course, even though it is under construction, you can’t beat this course for $90.

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Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 17
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Once a year

We only come here once a year to play, had no idea 4 holes were closed and 3 holes moved much closer than usual distance due to ground problem. If we knew we wouldn't booked this course. No prior notice or told us at check in time. Anyway, love playing here, unfortunately came in at wrong time!

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Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 02/03/2025

Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad to hear you enjoy playing here and appreciate your continued visits. We make every effort to communicate course conditions in advance, including a required acknowledgment on GolfNow, verbal confirmation at check-in, and signage posted at the clubhouse entrance and the register where golfers check in. Our staff and hosts ensure every golfer is aware of the temporary adjustments before they tee off.

To clarify, only two holes were temporarily closed, and three were played from adjusted tee locations due to ongoing improvements. We understand that timing can sometimes be unfortunate, but these enhancements will lead to an even better experience in the future. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you back!

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