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4.4
2080 Reviews (2080)
5 Stars
1283
4 Stars
551
3 Stars
154
2 Stars
65
1 Stars
27
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.1
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.5
90.1%
Recommend this course
1880 out of 2080 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
220 Reviews (220)
5 Stars
135
4 Stars
68
3 Stars
10
2 Stars
6
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.1
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.8
91.4%
Recommend this course
201 out of 220 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
436 Reviews (436)
5 Stars
266
4 Stars
121
3 Stars
25
2 Stars
19
1 Stars
5
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.0
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.8
89.2%
Recommend this course
389 out of 436 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private
Par 72
Length 6798 yards
Slope 138
Rating 73.2

Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club sits amongst the nature preserves that reside along Choctawhatchee Bay, enjoying scenic views and a beautiful landscape. Robert C. Walker, Arnold Palmer's former lead architect, designed the course. Water comes into play throughout in the form of sparkling blue lakes and meandering streams. The most memorable use of water comes is on the challenging 16th hole. This tricky par 4 has water to the left as well as a marsh area crossing the fairway. Being so close to the water, the golf course is often subject to strong prevailing winds. Despite its many challenges, Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club is a fair challenge that players of all skill levels can enjoy, which is perhaps why it has been called one of North America's top courses by Golf Digest.

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Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club
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Course Details

Year Built 1996
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Tifdwarf Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Robert Walker (1996)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Clubs Yes
GPS 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

Food & Beverage

Snacks, Restaurant, Beverage Carts

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top Courses in Florida (2018 #22)

Reviews

4.4
2080 Reviews (2080)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 10
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 14
Water Hazards 14
Forced Carries 9
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 8
A Weekend Splurge 7
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 7
This Course's Location is:
Convenient to the City 9
Near Local Attractions 9

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Birmingham Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart

Good, not great

This is your typical Florida coastal layout. Many raised greens and a lot of sand. Fairways are very wide and there are some hazards to be found if really crooked off the tee. Fairways were in good shape. Some minor patches on a few greens, but never affected play. Another characteristic of Florida golf? Grainy Bermuda greens, and these are no exception. Course tip: play more club than you think on shots into the breeze. Coastal winds are stronger than they appear and will knock shots out of the sky. This is voted "Best Course in Destin." I think it would fall short of that title in my book because of a few weak holes. I liked the short par 4s that required you to think about what yardage you wanted for your approach. There's not enough of that in Florida golf design in my opinion. I also liked the par-4, 7th hole. It plays uphill and into the wind and requires a long iron for most players to reach the green. This is a stout par4 1/2. The finishing hole is a good risk/reward play. For better players it is a ~200-yard shot to get home in two. Plenty of water awaits, however, if you're not precise. Bottom line: I think the "Best in Destin" moniker probably is a result of votes by players that like extreme playability without many forced carries. There is still enough of a challenge for better players to hold their interest, but Burnt Pine, The Raven and Kelly Plantation would rank ahead of Regatta Bay in my opinion.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Response from on 07/26/2017:
Hello Timothy, thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. We appreciate your feedback.
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Poor weather diminished the experience.

Played the course while on a trip with family. Our experienced unfortunately could have been better if we wouldn’t have been racing against incoming storms. Very windy and wet conditions throughout the morning.

Course late out was good, staff was very polite, not sure the overall experience was worth the price.

Would I play it again?

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Good fun course

Course was still coming out of its dormant state it seemed (60% green spring grass) but conditions were good from tee to green. Greens were quick. Entire course is well maintained, carts are great, staff was great. Course design is good not great but fun to play

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/26/2024

Thanks for the great comments, they help us grow and get better every day. We value your business and glad you had an enjoyable experience. Come back again soon!

Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Winter Conditions?

First time playing the course but was disappointed with the conditions. Tee boxes were essentially dirt and greens were not great. Dont know if that is a function of the types of grass they use or something else. The bunkers are really good but rest left me wanting.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/28/2024

Hi, keithnielsen. We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us. Thank you for the 4 stars! We aim for a 5-star experience, so we always welcome feedback for improvement. Thank you for playing Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club.

Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played

Unfriendly staff and Bad Management

This was the second Day in a row I played this course. The staff were even more unfriendly, and the clubhouse charged me $100 to slide up 5 tee times. They then added a player who originally paid $100 for his round to our group after I paid $100 to move my father and my tee times up.
They don’t answer their phones, they don’t understand how to work with the guests. The members are rude and make you feel unwanted.
I would pay $50 to play here at most and don’t want expect amy sympathy from their staff.
0/5 pace of play and the Marshalls won’t help out.
2some after 2some
They also send foursomes off the back in front of you when making the turn!!

Look elsewhere. I am sad I waisted two beautiful days of golf with my father.

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/26/2024

Hello, u000004930386. Thank you for reviewing the course. We would like to apologize for your recent experience.

We're sorry to hear you were less than satisfied during your round. We pride ourselves on our providing great service and the high-quality standards we maintain.

We would like to make things right. Please reach out to our management team at the pro shop.

We hope to hear from you soon.

Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/26/2024

On behalf of the Regatta Bay team, we regret the experience you've described and would welcome the opportunity to discuss it with you personally in an effort to make things right. It's important to us. Please reach out to me at jzeidner@regattabay.com or 704 575 2060. Thank you!

Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 19
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Twice a year
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 6
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
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