Love golf? Here is a round-up of the best courses in South Walton.
Updated On May 16, 2021 at 1:12 AM
Some people love the beach. Some people love golf. Some people love both… and those are the people who come to 30A and South Walton, round after round, to indulge in the best of both worlds.
In fact, South Walton’s home to some of Florida’s top-rated golf courses.
Here is a round-up of golf courses you can choose from in the area:
Can you actually get a tee time? Course access at a glance
The single most useful thing to know before you pack your clubs: some of the best courses around 30A are members-only. Here’s who can play where.
Course
Access
Who can play
The Links Golf Club (Sandestin)
Public
Anyone — daily fee. Resort guests get a lower rate and can book further ahead.
Baytowne Golf Club (Sandestin)
Public
Anyone — daily fee, public and resort-guest rates.
Raven Golf Club (Sandestin)
Public
Anyone — daily fee, public and resort-guest rates.
Burnt Pine Golf Club (Sandestin)
Semi-private
Club members and registered Sandestin resort guests only. Guest tee times start after 1 p.m. in summer, noon in winter.
Origins Golf Club (Watersound)
Public
Anyone — daily fee on this 10-hole par-3 short course. Complimentary for Watersound Club members.
Windswept Dunes (Freeport)
Public
Anyone — daily fee, tee times bookable online.
Camp Creek Golf Course
Private
Watersound Club members and guests staying at Camp Creek Inn or Watersound Inn.
Shark’s Tooth Golf Course
Private
Watersound Club members and guests staying at Camp Creek Inn or Watersound Inn.
The Third (Watersound Club)
Private
Watersound Club members and Camp Creek Inn guests.
Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club
Private
Member-owned club; the club’s site bills it as a private golf and beach club and its old public tee-time page is no longer live. Call the pro shop at 850-267-2229 to confirm any guest play.
Blackstone Golf Course (DeFuniak Springs)
⚠ Closed
Closed for a major renovation. The club’s own notice says it will reopen in Fall 2026 — check before planning a round.
Source: Each course’s own website, checked August 2026 — sandestin.com golf rates & packages (public vs. resort-guest pricing; Burnt Pine guest times), watersoundinn.com/golf (Camp Creek, Shark’s Tooth and The Third are private; Origins is the one course open to the general public), santarosaclub.com, blackstonegolfcourse.com (renovation notice) and windsweptdunes.com. Access policies and seasonal tee-time windows change — call the pro shop before you drive over.
Originally designed by Tom Jackson, the Baytowne Golf Course was renovated in 2005 and has been the recipient of 4.5 star ranking by Golf Digest twice.
Access: Public — daily fee, open to everyone. Resort guests pay a lower rate and can book up to six months out; everyone else books up to 14 days out. Contact: 850-267-8155 Website: sandestin.com/golf/baytowne-golf-club Bookings: Click here to book tee times.
Designed by architect Rees Jones, this 7000-yard layout offers rolling fairways and strategically placed bunkers that invite golfers to out-duel the course by using a different approach to every hole. After the 2004 renovations completed by Southeastern Turf Grass from Augusta, Georgia, all 18 green complexes were lined with ultra-dwarf, TifEagle Bermuda grass. The project also included strategic tree removal and the enhancement of 18 bunkers spanning multiple holes. With the appointment of Brian Govi as head golf professional in 2015, the golf course has further cemented its position as one of the most sought-after golf destinations in the region. Learn more HERE.
Access: Semi-private — club members and registered Sandestin resort guests only. Guest tee times begin after 1 p.m. in summer and after noon in winter. No general public play. Contact:850-267-6500 Website: sandestin.com/burnt-pine-golf-country-club Bookings: Click here for more info or to book tee times.
Characterized by an intermix of color and textures, this award-winning golf course was conceived and designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. who carved through the marshes, wetlands and pine trees of Sandestin to create an undulating expanse that offers unexpected challenges in terrain as well as the beauty that abounds naturally in Sandestin.
Access: Public — daily fee, open to everyone, with public and resort-guest rates. Contact:850-267-8155 Website: sandestin.com/golf/raven-golf-club Bookings: Click here for more info or to book tee times.
Designed by Renowned Architect Tom Jackson, this property was named one of the “Top Five Golf Courses in Northwest Florida” by Florida Golf News. Set against the backdrop of the Baytowne Marina and the Choctawhatchee Bay, this golf course comes equipped with five bayside holes.
Access: Public — daily fee, open to everyone, with public and resort-guest rates. Contact: 850-267-8144 Website: sandestin.com/golf/the-links Bookings: Click here for more info or to book tee times
In Santa Rosa Beach, it’s hard to beat the convenience of this long-time local favorite. Referred to as the “Purest Golf in the Florida Panhandle,” by Golf Magazine, the course offers a fair challenge and unique character to golf lovers of all skill levels.
Access: Private — the club now describes itself as “The Emerald Coast’s Premier Private Golf & Beach Club,” and the public tee-time page it used to run is no longer live. Call to confirm whether any guest play is available. Contact:850-267-2229 Website: santarosaclub.com Bookings: Call the pro shop at 850-267-2229.
Designed by Tom Fazio, Camp Creek offers nearly 7,200 yards of undulated fairways and greens and driveable bunkers, with a view of the green from every tee box.
Access: Private — Watersound Club members and guests staying at Camp Creek Inn or Watersound Inn. No general public play. Contact:850-231-7600 Website: watersoundclub.com/golf/camp-creek-golf-course Bookings: Members and inn guests book through Watersound Club.
Located in the heart of Walton County and only minutes from Florida’s Emerald Coast and area attractions, Blackstone Golf Course offers 18 holes of magnificent golf, superb amenities and outstanding service.
Access: ⚠️ Currently closed. Blackstone is shut for a major renovation. The club’s own notice reads: “the club will be closed until its grand re-opening in the Fall of 2026.” It was a public, daily-fee course before the closure and is expected to reopen as one — call ahead before you plan a round. Contact:850-520-4670 Website: blackstonegolfcourse.com Bookings: Closed for renovation — check blackstonegolfcourse.com for reopening news.
Designed by Love Golf Design, founded by PGA Tour player and PGA Champion Davis Love III in the late 90s, the Origins Course – a six-hole regulation course that alternatively plays as a ten-hole par 3 layout through the use of alternate tee boxes and auxiliary greens – was designed and built with the “short course” concept at its core.
Access: Public — Origins is the one course in the Watersound family open to the general public on a daily-fee basis, and it plays complimentary for Watersound Club members. A friendly place to start if you’re new to the game or playing with kids. Website: watersoundorigins.com Bookings: Book tee times through GolfNow, or call 850-213-5090.
A great golf course for all skill levels, Shark’s Tooth Golf Club on the dune lakes near Panama City Beach is a true community treasure. This 18-hole course was designed by Greg Norman and offers panoramic views of Lake Powell. Take advantage of our fantastic memberships and enjoy this unique golf experience all year long!
Access: Private — Watersound Club members and guests staying at Camp Creek Inn or Watersound Inn. No general public play. Contact: 850-249-3015 Website: watersoundclub.com/golf/sharks-tooth-golf-course
Watersound Club Members now have another world-class golfing experience to enjoy. The Third Golf Course is a brand-new, 18-hole championship course designed by Davis Love III of Love Golf Design. Located just north of Shark’s Tooth Golf Course, The Third offers a unique playing experience with wide fairways, undulating greens, and natural landscapes that blend beautifully with the surrounding topography.
Built to meet the growing demand for additional golf access, this Par 72 course features six teeing areas ranging from just under 4,900 yards to more than 7,600 yards, making it both challenging for experienced players and enjoyable for recreational golfers. With no homes along the course and expansive sandy native areas, the layout feels immersed in nature. A newly constructed halfway house with dual access points adds to the upscale amenities.
Access to The Third is reserved for Watersound Club members and guests of Camp Creek Inn.
Access: Private — as the page above says, access to The Third is reserved for Watersound Club members and guests of Camp Creek Inn. Contact: 850-249-3015 Website: watersoundclub.com/golf/the-third-golf-course
Located in Freeport, just 30 minutes from 30A, Destin, and Panama City Beach, Windswept Dunes offers a golf experience that truly stands apart. Designed by Doug O’Rourke, this 18-hole championship course is set on a stunning 750-acre property featuring miles of natural white sand dunes — some reaching 20 feet high — along with rolling fairways, artful bunkers, and wide open spaces.
Stretching over 7,752 yards from the back tees, this expansive course offers six sets of tees to suit golfers of all skill levels. Fairways are generous, greens are smooth and fast, and water hazards are few, making it both scenic and serene. With no homes lining the course and a peaceful setting well off the beaten path, it’s an ideal spot for those looking to escape the bustle and soak in a pure, unspoiled round of golf.
Access: Public — daily fee, open to everyone, tee times bookable online. Collared shirts required, no denim. Contact: 850-835-1847 Website: windsweptdunes.com
Check out our extensive guide on Golf Carts on 30A here.
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Originally designed by Tom Jackson, the Baytowne Golf Course was renovated in 2005 and has been the recipient of 4.5 star ranking by Golf Digest twice.
Designed by architect Rees Jones, this 7000-yard layout offers rolling fairways and strategically placed bunkers that invite golfers to out-duel the course by using a different approach to every hole. After the 2004 renovations completed by Southeastern Turf Grass from Augusta, Georgia, all 18 green complexes were lined with ultra-dwarf, TifEagle Bermuda grass. The project also included strategic tree removal and the enhancement of 18 bunkers spanning multiple holes. With the appointment of Brian Govi as head golf professional in 2015, the golf course has further cemented its position as one of the most sought-after golf destinations in the region. Learn more HERE.
Characterized by an intermix of color and textures, this award-winning golf course was conceived and designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. who carved through the marshes, wetlands and pine trees of Sandestin to create an undulating expanse that offers unexpected challenges in terrain as well as the beauty that abounds naturally in Sandestin.
In Santa Rosa Beach, it’s hard to beat the convenience of this long-time local favorite. Referred to as the “Purest Golf in the Florida Panhandle,” by Golf Magazine, the course offers a fair challenge and unique character to golf lovers of all skill levels.
