Among the countless positives, Walton County is well known for its beautiful scenery and myriad offerings to please all visitors. So it should come as no surprise that these characteristics also apply to the local golf scene. From the 16 beach neighborhoods to north of the Choctawhatchee Bay, there is a wide variety of courses that welcome all levels of experience. And speaking of, a complete experience is what you can expect. Combining unique challenges with stunning natural backdrops, here are some of the courses to start your exploration.
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort gives you access to four championship courses from iconic designers Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Rees Jones and Tom Jackson – including Links Golf Club, Baytowne Golf Club, Raven Golf Club and Burnt Pine Golf Club. In all, you can explore 73 holes (you’ll have to play The Raven to discover the 73rd). These courses offer spectacular views of the Choctawhatchee Bay, marshes, wetlands and pine forests.
Among its many accolades, Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club has been named “Best Golf Course” by Destin Magazine and boasts eighteen holes of “The Purest Golf in the Florida Panhandle,” according to Golf Magazine. Established in 1969, the course is designed perfectly for walking, as it meanders through beautiful natural wildlife habitats and native areas. It boasts some of the only elevation changes in the area and takes golfers within a few hundred yards of the Gulf of Mexico. The course and club recently completed a multi-million-dollar renovation that was unveiled in 2021.
Located within Seascape Resort, the par-70, 6,100-yard championship Seascape Golf Course was designed by famed course architect Joe Lee. It showcases 18 immaculate greens and contoured fairways that wind through lush tall-pine forests. It’s also situated among a series of freshwater and coastal dune lakes, with breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico from many holes. The course also offers the Purestrike Golf Academy to help refine your swing.
Curious about finding an exclusive membership? Watersound Club offers access to three incredible golf courses, each of which has won prestigious awards and been named to top lists. Enjoy the quiet solitude of the challenging Camp Creek Golf Course, where the well-manicured turf of the undulated fairways blends perfectly with the surrounding native plants. With an undeniable balance of nature and design, the Greg Norman-designed Shark’s Tooth Golf Course is one of 40 golf clubs worldwide that has been recognized as an Audubon International “Silver Signature Sanctuary” member. And the Origins Course is a par-3 Scottish-style course ideal for new golfers and family play.
Formally known as DeFuniak Springs Country Club, Eagle Springs Golf Course has been a mainstay in Walton County for the past 94 years and is on Florida’s Historic Golf Trail. Despite a name change in 2019, it still retains the same charm as when it was founded in 1924. Golf teams from all the local schools use it for their practices and tournaments. In addition to the 18-hole golf course, the 194 acres of surrounding land feature five beautiful spring-fed lakes.
Windswept Dunes Golf Club is home to a dramatic landscape with rolling fairways and white sand dunes on each hole. Player-friendly features include fairways that are often wide and generous off the tee. However, that’s not to say the course lacks a sporting obstacle. Occasional water hazards lurk along the way, and approach shots must contend with the numerous bunkers guarding the large, smooth greens.
Blackstone Golf Course combines a peaceful backdrop with a challenging design. Carved through the beautiful, rolling terrain, the course includes unique elevation changes and slanted fairways. The staff here places a strong emphasis on service, and they are steadily working to improve the course.
So grab your clubs and start strolling these Walton County courses. It’s a great way to spend some time with family and close friends or to simply get out and clear your head. When you step back to size up your approach, you’ll appreciate the fresh perspective and the sense of challenge.
