Kelly Plantation Golf Club
Rating Snapshot
About
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.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Couples | 72 | 7099 yards | 74.6 | 137 |
| Plantation | 72 | 6453 yards | 71.6 | 128 |
| Combination P/P | 72 | 6134 yards | 70.1 | 123 |
| Palmetto | 72 | 5904 yards | 69.1 | 121 |
| Combination P/S | 72 | 5664 yards | 68.0 | 119 |
| Sterling | 72 | 5436 yards | 66.9 | 117 |
| Sterling (W) | 72 | 5436 yards | 71.8 | 127 |
| Magnolia (W) | 72 | 4989 yards | 69.3 | 119 |
| Mangolia | 72 | 4989 yards | 65.0 | 112 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Couples M: 74.6/137 | 373 | 560 | 165 | 401 | 443 | 548 | 410 | 194 | 439 | 3533 | 550 | 411 | 240 | 525 | 446 | 150 | 447 | 207 | 590 | 3566 | 7099 |
| Plantation M: 71.6/128 | 353 | 530 | 157 | 371 | 390 | 497 | 376 | 165 | 375 | 3214 | 520 | 387 | 181 | 479 | 421 | 138 | 423 | 183 | 507 | 3239 | 6453 |
| Combo II/III M: 70.1/123 | 353 | 492 | 157 | 319 | 361 | 497 | 376 | 165 | 347 | 3067 | 455 | 387 | 181 | 479 | 386 | 138 | 382 | 183 | 476 | 3067 | 6134 |
| Palmetto M: 69.1/121 | 321 | 492 | 140 | 319 | 361 | 469 | 340 | 155 | 347 | 2944 | 455 | 356 | 155 | 445 | 386 | 132 | 382 | 173 | 476 | 2960 | 5904 |
| Combo III/IV M: 68.0/119 | 321 | 460 | 140 | 301 | 329 | 469 | 340 | 155 | 316 | 2831 | 425 | 356 | 155 | 445 | 347 | 132 | 330 | 173 | 470 | 2833 | 5664 |
| Sterling M: 66.9/117 W: 71.8/127 | 290 | 460 | 132 | 301 | 329 | 416 | 312 | 126 | 316 | 2682 | 425 | 332 | 150 | 437 | 347 | 123 | 330 | 140 | 470 | 2754 | 5436 |
| Magnolia M: 65.0/112 W: 69.3/119 | 254 | 428 | 104 | 280 | 322 | 372 | 291 | 120 | 298 | 2469 | 392 | 311 | 117 | 404 | 328 | 97 | 306 | 128 | 437 | 2520 | 4989 |
| Handicap | 15 | 1 | 17 | 9 | 3 | 11 | 5 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 10 | 14 | 12 | 6 | 18 | 4 | 16 | 8 | |||
| Par | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
Snacks, RestaurantAvailable Facilities
Banquet FacilitiesAccolades
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Golf Advisor: Top 25 Courses for Pace of Play in the U.S. (2016 #24)
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by James5737292 on 11/08/2023
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Photo submitted by u2186351 on 07/06/2023
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Photo submitted by u2186351 on 07/06/2023
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Photo submitted by u2186351 on 07/06/2023
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Photo submitted by jpkfishing on 06/21/2023
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Photo submitted by reecenewkirk on 06/10/2023
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Photo submitted by mdrangstveit on 05/20/2023
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Photo submitted by johntroy17 on 03/06/2023
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Photo submitted by Zachary6357140 on 10/26/2022
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Photo submitted by Zachary6357140 on 10/26/2022
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Photo submitted by Zachary6357140 on 10/26/2022
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Photo submitted by u314159805055 on 08/17/2022
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Photo submitted by u314159805055 on 08/17/2022
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Photo submitted by u314161231774 on 07/21/2022
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Photo submitted by u314161231774 on 07/21/2022
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Photo submitted by u314161231774 on 07/21/2022
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Photo submitted by iNGPuKLTkLX34Q13prSy on 06/11/2022
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Photo submitted by KarlaFlex on 02/25/2022
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Photo submitted by KarlaFlex on 02/25/2022
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Photo submitted by zPIftUkE11gSSB0S50Vi on 01/16/2022
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Photo submitted by u1740074849 on 01/08/2022
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Photo submitted by u000005601506 on 09/26/2021
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Photo submitted by u000005601506 on 09/26/2021
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Photo submitted by u253539596 on 08/15/2021
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Photo submitted by u314161863130 on 07/23/2021
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Photo submitted by John4319713 on 07/19/2021
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Photo submitted by u000001403876 on 07/19/2021
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Coming into 18 Photo submitted by u000001403876 on 07/19/2021
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A look at the gulf Photo submitted by u000001403876 on 07/19/2021
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Photo submitted by TMcCarty on 07/17/2021
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Photo submitted by TMcCarty on 07/17/2021
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Photo submitted by TMcCarty on 07/17/2021
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Photo submitted by BpVbeKGILErdYeinDIVK on 07/09/2021
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Photo submitted by mbculligan on 07/06/2021
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Photo submitted by gh65721 on 06/14/2021
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Photo submitted by u314161675897 on 06/08/2021
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Photo submitted by gmarra8950 on 05/30/2021
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Photo submitted by MilkQ8WSju0Y7L9rWBYC on 05/28/2021
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Photo submitted by MilkQ8WSju0Y7L9rWBYC on 05/28/2021
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TeamMagic celebrates victory! Photo submitted by u000004966311 on 05/17/2021
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Photo submitted by u000004966311 on 05/17/2021
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Photo submitted by u7560034 on 05/04/2021
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Photo submitted by FUs7AZHP3CR6nObvqbXJ on 04/16/2021
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Photo submitted by FUs7AZHP3CR6nObvqbXJ on 04/16/2021
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Photo submitted by FUs7AZHP3CR6nObvqbXJ on 04/16/2021
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Photo submitted by jimlingle on 04/06/2021
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Photo submitted by u000002984992 on 03/18/2021
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FRamily is the best! Photo submitted by TomAndJudy on 02/22/2021
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Photo submitted by Corey4775951 on 01/09/2021
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Photo submitted by Matt6029724 on 12/31/2020
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Photo submitted by nutria1007 on 12/28/2020
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Photo submitted by ejkoo on 12/15/2020
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Photo submitted by Luke1133987 on 11/05/2020
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Photo submitted by vvSv00lC2Qzl6bPdsDpl on 11/05/2020
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Photo submitted by rchelle3 on 10/19/2020
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Photo submitted by u087790554 on 09/20/2020
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Photo submitted by lbbgolfr on 07/09/2020
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Photo submitted by lbbgolfr on 07/09/2020
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Photo submitted by lbbgolfr on 07/09/2020
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Photo submitted by RELIEFPHARMACIST on 05/29/2020
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Hole 4 Photo submitted by TSmitty2 on 01/01/2020
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Hole 11 Photo submitted by TSmitty2 on 01/01/2020
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View of Clubhouse from Hole 18’s Fairway Photo submitted by TSmitty2 on 01/01/2020
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Bad break ! Photo submitted by biscuitsgrandpa on 11/15/2019
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Photo submitted by 9MzR24ZDZ764cco3T8ik on 09/29/2019
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Golf Channel Academy Photo submitted by Trey9570347 on 08/03/2018
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Hole 5 (maybe) Photo submitted by Trey9570347 on 08/03/2018
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Hole 6 (maybe) Photo submitted by Trey9570347 on 08/03/2018
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Kelly Plantation Photo submitted by JustHacking on 05/11/2017
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View from third tee Photo submitted by BrandonWebb on 01/05/2017
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Third green Photo submitted by BrandonWebb on 01/05/2017
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7th green Photo submitted by BrandonWebb on 01/05/2017
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Photo submitted by caj4au on 06/29/2016
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Photo submitted by caj4au on 06/29/2016
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Photo submitted by caj4au on 06/29/2016
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Photo submitted by caj4au on 06/29/2016
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Photo submitted by laekra on 12/22/2015
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Photo submitted by laekra on 12/22/2015
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A Bay View Photo submitted by Bob4AU on 09/29/2014
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Photo submitted by u000005879153 on 10/14/2013
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Hole 4 signature hole Photo submitted by Tiger2tee on 07/28/2013
Such a Fun Course
My father in law and niece played Kelly Plantation again for the second time during our vacation from Louisville, and it once again exceeded expectations. The course itself was in fantastic condition, and has a genuinely FUN layout presenting many options and shots for both strong and casual golfers. We are the latter! ;). The greens roll true, and are so spongelike the ball hardly leaves a divot. The sand is soft, the fairways and rough are filled in and present fair lies.
The friendly and welcoming staff, proshop, and restaurant areas are also top notch. You’ll also enjoy the cold, juicy apples on the tee at number 10… a nice “southern charm” touch.
If you are able to get on at Kelly, I would highly recommend you give it a run. We would like to return again by the end of the trip.
Thank you for visiting Kelly Plantation and we look forward to your next visit!
Robert Whitt, PGA
Head Golf Professional
Kelly Plantation Golf Club
Great course
Right in the heart of Destin challenging but great designed course!
Thank you for visiting Kelly Plantation! We are glad you enjoyed the design and hope to see you again in the near future!
Robert Whitt, PGA
Head Golf Professional
Kelly Plantation Golf Club
Thank you for visiting Kelly Plantation and we look forward to your next visit!
Robert Whitt, PGA
Head Golf Professional
Kelly Plantation Golf Club
Great Course
Great layout, facilities are nice and the staff are super friendly and professional. Really enjoyed our day!
We are so glad you enjoyed the facilities and the layout. Our staff is committed to delivering a 5-star experience and we are honored by your thoughtful review. We look forward to seeing you in the future!
Robert Whitt, PGA
Head Golf Professional
Kelly Plantation Golf Club
Beautiful layout bumpy greens
Overall we really enjoyed our round. They had punched the greens a few weeks prior to our round and they were still a bit bumpy. Beautiful layout, friendly staff course conditions were pretty good.
Thank you for your visit. We apologize for the after effects of greens aeration. This year the greens from a few courses in our area took a little longer to heal than we hoped for. We are glad you enjoyed the layout, staff and course conditions and would be honored it you give us another shot in the near future!
Robert Whitt, PGA
Head Golf Professional
Kelly Plantation Golf Club
Thank you for your visiting Kelly Plantation and giving us a 5-star review! We look forward to seeing you in the future!
Robert Whitt, PGA
Head Golf Professional
Kelly Plantation Golf Club
Thank you for your visiting Kelly Plantation and giving us a 5-star review! We look forward to seeing you in the future!
Robert Whitt, PGA
Head Golf Professional
Kelly Plantation Golf Club
Thank you for your visiting Kelly Plantation and giving us a 5-star review! We look forward to seeing you in the future!
Robert Whitt, PGA
Head Golf Professional
Kelly Plantation Golf Club
Thank you for your visiting Kelly Plantation and giving us a 5-star review! We look forward to seeing you in the future!
Robert Whitt, PGA
Head Golf Professional
Kelly Plantation Golf Club
Terrible Customer Service
Ok. First off I hate to write a bad review on any course but I have never experienced anything like our group did today. Our group has been coming to Destin over 40 years and we play golf everyday. I book the tee times well in advance of our arrival each year. When I called the pro shop to book tee times for our group I was informed that the greens would be punched but the rate would be $99 both days. I called the day before our first day to confirm our tee times and again I was told it would be $99 both days. When we arrived to play our first rounds on Monday we payed $99 and was again told Thursday would be $99. When we arrived today Jim, the guy working the pro shop charged us $145. I then told him I was told three different times that it would be $99. He told us it was out of his hands, and if we didn’t like it would could go play somewhere else. I am sorry but that is when I got really upset. But being we had a three groups it would have been impossible to get three tee times at another course. The bad service continued with one of the cart guys outside. He had some rude comments as we were loading our carts. The starter was a lot friendlier than the other staff members. I wish I could say that was end of our bad experience but about hole 8 the grounds crew started sanding the greens. I am sorry but $150 for sanded greens is unacceptable. We also never seen a cart girl the entire round. We were told she would start at 8:00. Again I hate to leave a bad review because we have never had a bad experience here. But with the way we were lied to and treated today, I doubt our group will ever be back. We will gladly take our money to the club a few miles up the road every year.
I have called the phone number we have on file to discuss this review. We take pride in delivering outstanding customer service and I apologize that we missed the mark. Please call me at the Golf Shop (850-650-7600) at your convenience.
Thank you,
John Townsend
General Manager
Fantastic setup
I played this course for the first time while on vacation. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The greens were tuff for being treated 8 days before my round. I would absolutely recommend to my friends and will be back in the future.
We are glad we had a part in your vacation. Thank you for your 5-star review of our facility and we are so glad the staff was friendly and helpful. We look forward to seeing you again in the future!
Robert Whitt, PGA
Head Golf Professional
Kelly Plantation Golf Club
Lush
Great layout forcing you to hit golf shots. Aerated greens but that’s just course maintenance. Wish I had played prior to aeration.
Thank you for playing and enduring the aerated greens with such a positive perspective. We look forward to seeing you again for a future visit.
Robert Whitt, PGA
Head Golf Professional
Kelly Plantation Golf Club
Thank you for your 5-star review! We look forward to seeing you again in the future!
Robert Whitt, PGA
Head Golf Professional
Kelly Plantation Golf Club
First Class
Feels like a private course! Such a great experience!
Thank you for visiting us! We are committed to providing high levels of service and want all of our guests to feel like one of our members. We hope to see you again in the future!
Robert Whitt, PGA
Head Golf Professional
Kelly Plantation Golf Club
Great course
Course was in excellent shape. We did know that the greens had been aerated which was not an issue for us. Will golf there again this summer.
Thank you for visiting us and enduring the aerated greens. We look forward to seeing you again this summer!
Robert Whitt, PGA
Head Golf Professional
Kelly Plantation Golf Club
Thank you for visiting us! We wish we could have given you a 5-star experience and would like another chance to do so. If you would like to discuss how we could have provided a better golf experience, please reach out to me at (850) 650-7600.
Thanks much,
Robert Whitt, PGA
Head Golf Professional
Kelly Plantation Golf Club
Even with Aerated Greens, Best in Destin
Great course. Yes greens were aerated but anyone who played this week should of been aware of that. It says it on Golf Now and the guys at bag drop even let us roll the practice green before we went in to pay, just to make sure we were ok with it. Course layout although not considered hard, is definitely challenging. We played other courses this week as well and Kelly Plantation in my opinion is the best semi private course in the area.
We are so grateful that you consider us the best in Destin despite having aerated greens at the time of your visit. We are committed to providing the greatest golf experience in the area and are grateful for your visit and your thoughtful review! We hope to see you again soon!
Robert Whitt, PGA
Head Golf Professional
Kelly Plantation Golf Club
Good experience
7/10 upset about the greens and being aerated. If I would have known this I would not of played. Should have called first and asked. Worth the money if not.
Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort Package
Best of Gulf Shores Golf Package
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Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail – Best of Mobile Package
We are so glad that you had a great trip. Delivering a great golf experience is very important to us and we are grateful for your thoughtful review regarding the course conditions, the staff and even the apples! We look forward to your next visit to Kelly Plantation!
Robert Whitt, PGA
Head Golf Professional
Kelly Plantation Golf Club