Emerald Bay Golf Club in Destin, Florida, USA | GolfPass
Emerald Bay GC: #18
View of the 18th hole at Emerald Bay Golf Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.0
1981 Reviews 1981 Reviews
5 Stars
926
4 Stars
772
3 Stars
198
2 Stars
56
1 Stars
29
Conditions
3.8
Value
3.7
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.1
80.3%
Recommend this course
1775 out of 1981 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.5
115 Reviews 115 Reviews
5 Stars
17
4 Stars
47
3 Stars
29
2 Stars
15
1 Stars
7
Conditions
3.1
Value
3.2
Layout
4.2
Pace
4.0
Amenities
3.9
StaffFriendliness
4.5
64.3%
Recommend this course
74 out of 115 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.9
220 Reviews 220 Reviews
5 Stars
76
4 Stars
78
3 Stars
38
2 Stars
21
1 Stars
7
Conditions
3.7
Value
3.6
Layout
4.4
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.6
75.9%
Recommend this course
167 out of 220 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private/Resort
Par 72
Length 7050 yards
Slope 143
Rating 73.9

Located right along the water, Emerald Bay Golf Club was designed by Bob Cupp to be Destin's premier full-service, 18-hole championship course. Water is a prominent feature as the course overlooks the shores Choctawhatchee Bay and incorporates water features on 12 of the holes. Oftentimes golfers will face an intimidating shot across a lake or a pond. Emerald Bay Golf Club's sculpted fairways and tight greens are always in excellent condition. There are four sets of tees that make the golf course accessible to most players' abilities and no matter what skill level you are, the views are not to be missed. The views are especially breathtaking on the back nine, which borders the bay. There is also an expansive driving range at Emerald Bay that golfers can use before playing the golf course.

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Emerald Bay Golf Club
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Course Details

Year Built 1991
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens TifEagle Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Bob Cupp (1991) Bob Cupp (2014)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
GPS Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Dress code Appropriate golf attire. No denim, collared shirt required.

Food & Beverage

Bar, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities
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Reviews

4.0
1981 Reviews (1981)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 21
Watching the Game 11
19th Hole Scenic Views 10
Course Challenges Include:
Water Hazards 48
Bunkers 38
Forced Carries 28
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 29
A Weekend Splurge 22
Seniors 20
This Course's Location is:
Convenient to the City 34
Near Local Attractions 30
Worth the Drive 15

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 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
First Time Playing

Poor condition and slow play

The title says it all! Many tee decks were dust. Greens were ok. They let groups play in fives or possibly more so it was slow and no one seemed to care. There was not even water available on the course.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Response from on 04/29/2025:
Thank you for the feedback. We aim to offer a quality experience and regret falling short. Your input helps us identify specific areas that need attention, and we hope to welcome you back in the future.
Played On
Reviews 3
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Not Great & Not Terrible

The greens were slow and a few had some rough areas but very playable. This did not affect play at all. The course was very average but it was an enjoyable day. The tee boxes were light on grass but that is a non issue in my opinion.

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Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Emerald Bay

The staff was very friendly. The course was in poor condition. Greens in bad to poor condition. The overall lay out of the course was great and very challenging.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice course

Course was nice. Most of the greens were in good shape. The tee boxes needed some work. Overall, it's a fun course to play.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Disappointed!

Decided to try Emerald Bay after a few years hiatus. Almost sorry I did.

Tee boxes were all but bare and the greens that didn't have bare spots had enough Poa Anna stubs to make putting a bouncing adventure.

Disappointed!

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Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 16
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Bad value

Maybe 4 or 5 greens in okay shape… tee boxes we ridiculously bad… spotty fairways.. staff was great… I have played several muni courses that looked like country clubs compared this course… way overpriced !!!… spend your in $$$ Sandestin instead

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Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 32
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Greens were a little suspect.

Several greens had issues. Some poa made them bumpy.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Tired course

Did not finish the round due to the course allowing two consecutive fivesomes play in front of our group. Course needs some attention greens have bald spots in a number places and tee boxes are primarily sand. Had hoped for a better result but the course layout is good if they can fix grounds

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Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 22
Skill Intermediate
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Tee boxes need work. Fairway grass still a little thin. Greens were aerated and sanded, but rolled good.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Bad condition

About half the greens had hard pack sand in big spots,
had to take relief ON GREENS
Tee boxes were no better
Nice layout course. Fairways were in ok shape
Played a better maintained course in Panama City beach for $20 less

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Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Course

Greens and tee boxes were not in the best of shape for the price

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser

Pleasant day on the links

Greens are better than average, fairways good, but tee boxes in serious need of attention. Paid $90+ for the round on a deal which was fair and wouldn't pay more

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
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