Kelly Plantation Golf Club

About Kelly Plantation Golf Club

Kelly Plantation sits on Choctawhatchee Bay, on land that was once a turpentine plantation owned by Mattie and Coleman Kelly. Look near the bottom of the old pines and you'll still see the holes where the sap was drained. Fred Couples and Gene Bates designed the course, and Bill Bergin Golf Design has since redone all the bunkers and tees. The tees other than the Couples set are named for plants that grew on the plantation: Plantation, Palmetto and Magnolia.

How it plays depends on where you tee it up. From the forward tees there are hardly any forced carries, and the course says it's friendly to newer players. From the Couples tees it's a par 72 of 7,099 yards (74.6 rating, 137 slope), which is a real driving test. In between are sets at 6,453, 6,134, 5,904, 5,664, 5,436 and 4,989. There are 11 lakes, and the biggest wraps around both the 9th and the 18th. The map survey counts water near 14 of the 18 holes and trees along 16, with barely 13 feet of elevation change. Course character from OpenStreetMap contributors' survey data.

The 4th is the hole with the view, a wide look out over the bay, and the course says you might see dolphins. At the 10th tee there are chilled apples waiting. The practice area has a range with target greens, a chipping area with bunkers and a 10,000-square-foot putting green, and the clubhouse veranda looks over the lake toward the 9th and 18th greens.

It's one of 28 courses Yoink watches in the Destin & the Panhandle area, and the closest alternative is Indian Bayou Golf Club, about 1 mile away — handy when your first choice is booked solid.

What it's like to play Kelly Plantation Golf Club

Water is in play on 14 of the 18 holes, and you carry it on 8 of them, so bring a few extra balls. 12 of the 18 holes bend, so position off the tee matters more than length. A creek or river runs through the property and comes into play on 12 holes.

Course character from OpenStreetMap contributors' survey data (ODbL).

Booking a tee time at Kelly Plantation Golf Club

Kelly Plantation is semi-private but open to public play. Book online or call the pro shop at (850) 650-7600, and call the same number for group rates. If you're flying in, rental sets are $85 for Callaway and $100 for Titleist. Range balls are included.

How to get a tee time at Kelly Plantation Golf Club