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4.4
1679 Reviews (1679)
5 Stars
1242
4 Stars
303
3 Stars
87
2 Stars
26
1 Stars
21
Conditions
4.2
Value
3.9
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.5
88.2%
Recommend this course
1572 out of 1679 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.9
66 Reviews (66)
5 Stars
28
4 Stars
22
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
7
Conditions
3.4
Value
3.3
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.7
77.3%
Recommend this course
51 out of 66 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
152 Reviews (152)
5 Stars
93
4 Stars
36
3 Stars
10
2 Stars
5
1 Stars
8
Conditions
4.0
Value
3.8
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.8
87.5%
Recommend this course
133 out of 152 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private
Par 72
Length 7099 yards
Slope 137
Rating 74.6

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.

Book a Tee Time at
Kelly Plantation Golf Club
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Course Details

Year Built 1998
Golf Season Year round
Architect Fred Couples (1998) Gene Bates (1998) Bob Cupp (1998) Michael Riley (1998)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Clubs Yes
GPS Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Golf School Academy Yes - "Strano Golf Academy"
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover
Metal Spikes Allowed No

Food & Beverage

Snacks, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Banquet Facilities

Accolades

Reviews

4.4
1679 Reviews (1679)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 34
19th Hole Scenic Views 15
Brunch 15
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 75
Water Hazards 68
Undulating Greens 42
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 55
A Weekend Splurge 51
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 49
This Course's Location is:
Convenient to the City 67
Near Local Attractions 45
Worth the Drive 37

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Course in midst of repairs

Overall this course has a nice layout, however there is serious work being done all over and about half of the tee boxes are shut down. I’d it mind it being in transition to be a better course in the end . However charging why seems to be full rate is not fair either . The rates should be reduced another 25-30% until the work is completed.
Very nice stafff and friendly , I think this will be a nicer course to play in maybe a year …,

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 02/08/2024

Thank you for visiting Kelly Plantation! Currently we are not charging close to our full rate as we have discounted our rates 40% from where they normally are. We have also verified with GolfNow that you were informed of our course renovations as you were booking your time. We agree in terms of our staff and are very grateful for the experience they provide. Please consider revisiting in the near future.

Regards,
Kelly Plantation Professional Staff

Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

course under construction

Hole 11 closed, many tee boxes closed for new sodding, many sand traps also not playable. Still cost $100, advise waiting until done.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 02/17/2024

Thank you for visiting Kelly Plantation. You were made aware at several points that we are under a bunker and teebox renovation. You were also given a major discount off of our regular rates. We have reported this review to GolfNow and asked that it be removed.

Regards,
Kelly Plantation Professional Staff

Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course under construction

Many tee boxes are closed due to new sodding. Many sand traps covered, unplayable for same reason. Also hole #11 closed to construction. Total cost still $100 in spite of conditions Would recommend not playing until it is returned to normal.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 36
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course unplayable at this time

The course is excellent and highly rated most if the time. However, over 50% of tee boxes were closed due to construction, many sand bunkers closed and Hole #11 was closed to play. Had I known this prior I simply would have played elsewhere. Additionally the green fee were over $100 even with these conditions. I do not recommend 😐 it at this time.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 02/08/2024

Thank for visiting Kelly Plantation. We have worked hard to ensure that our current discounted rates are more than fair. Furthermore, we have verified with Golf Now that you were indeed informed of our course improvement project. Please consider revisiting in the future!

Regards,
Kelly Plantation Professional Staff

Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

STOP COMPLAINING

First let me say this for all the golfers complaining about renovations and price. It is very clearly stated on golf now that course is under renovation. From the time we pulled up to bag drop to the time we paid and went to play our round, we were informed about the renovations. We had the opportunity to not pay and go play elsewhere. The staff was very informative and clear about the renovations. Price to play, is what it is. Again, we had the option to either pay and play or leave, we chose to play and are glad we did. I have paid more to play on goat tracks, Kelly Plantation is a beautiful course even under the current conditions. If you’re informed and still choose to play, then you cannot complain on a review, it was your choice to pay the fee and play. Our group will definitely be back to play the course post renovation, it’s going to be beautiful when it’s done.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Renovations are fine, but….

This course is normally wonderful; it has a challenging and interesting layout and it’s fair to all. But this year, they were renovating most of the tee boxes so most of the holes on the front nine had temporary tee boxes that served the longest and the shortest of hitters.. Not good. Also, Hole 10 was closed entirely. We paid far too much money for what was offered. Charge less when less is provided!

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 01/31/2024

Thank for your feedback. Course renovations are often necessary to continue providing a great product and experience. Temporary tee boxes and hole closures are a part of this. While we are sad that this was a negative experience for you, we hoped the discounted rates that are in place and the opportunity you were provided to play an extra hole would have sufficed. Please come back and visit again in the Spring when this phase of our renovation is complete.

Regards,
Kelly Plantation Staff
(850)650-7600

Played On
Reviews 48
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 48
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Expensive

Course had6 temporary tee boxes. They have a lot of nerve charging $100+ dollars for those conditions.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 01/31/2024

Thank for your feedback. Course renovations are often necessary to continue providing a great product and experience. Temporary tee boxes and hole closures are a part of this. While we are sad that this was a negative experience for you, we hoped the discounted rates that are in place and the opportunity you were provided to play an extra hole would have sufficed. Please come back and visit again in the Spring when this phase of our renovation is complete.

Regards,
Kelly Plantation Staff
(850)650-7600

gvt
Played On
Reviews 51
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Short changed

The first five holes were under construction. Could not use any of the tee boxes. Temporary tease shorten the course considerably. There was no notification of this until we are ready to tee off and no adjustment to the fee for playing

Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 01/31/2024

Thank for your feedback. Course renovations are often necessary to continue providing a great product and experience. Temporary tee boxes and hole closures are a part of this. While we are sad that this was a negative experience for you, we hoped the discounted rates that are in place and the opportunity you were provided to play an extra hole would have sufficed. Please come back and visit again in the Spring when this phase of our renovation is complete.

Regards,
Kelly Plantation Staff
(850)650-7600

Played On
Reviews 159
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 100 Contributor
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Cold weather
Used cart

A must play golf course

This golf course is under renovations right now. The front 9, from tee box #1 to #5 is being renovated, so the tee boxes were move a lot closer than where golfers normally tee off. There's only one tee box for everybody till April according to the one staff that I talked to...

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 01/31/2024

Thank you for visiting us and your understanding regarding our renovations. We also feel that Kelly Plantation is a must play and will be even more so once renovations are complete. We look forward to seeing you again in the future.

Regards,
Kelly Plantation Staff
(850)650-7600

Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Staff in the Pro Shop were easy to deal with and friendly. Cart staff was very helpful and also very friendly.

The course is in very good shape and well marked. Although they were temporary tees, they were in good spots and it looks like the tee boxes are ready for play soon. Pro Shop folks were friendly and accommodating. The cart staff were very helpful and also very friendly.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Great layout but undergoing renovations

Had a great time even though about half the tee boxes were being rebuilt.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Nice layout, especially the holes near the toll bridge & whaling wall. Lots of fairway divots not filled in. No water in cart & no water coolers on course. Cart girl finally showed up after hole #8

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 25+
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Best of the Destin area

Course in great condition. Played with my 87 year old life long avid golfer FIL. He loved the course as well.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 01/31/2024

Thank you for your visit. We are thrilled to hear that you had a great time and that your Father in Law had fun and is still playing!

Regards,
Kelly Plantation Staff
(850)650-7600

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