Kelly Plantation

Kelly Plantation Golf Club is billed as “The Crown Jewel of the Emerald Coast” and for once the course matches the hype. Located in Destin on Florida’s “Redneck Riviera" along the Choctawhatchee Bay, Kelly Plantation is the course that Fred Couples designed with Gene Bates, who served with Jack Nicklaus design in the mid 1980s.

Kelly Plantation is laid out on the site of Mattie and Coleman Kelly’s former turpentine plantation and the 7099-yard course opened for play in 2003. With water everywhere, you’d imagine Kelly Plantation to be an exacting test but with generously wide fairways, the challenge centres on the contoured greens where plenty of strokes can quickly slip away, especially on the massive, double greened 7th/11th.

Avoid the “Couples” tees unless you are feeling on top of your game and choose the Plantation, Palmetto, Sterling or Magnolia tees, named after local flora. And keep an eye open for drilled holes at the base of some of the trees on the property, these are old turpentine drain holes.

Perhaps the par four 4th is the signature hole at Kelly Plantation where you’ll be greeted with the panoramic view of Choctawhatchee Bay where you may even spot the dolphins breaching.

Clearly happy with his creation, Fred Couples commented shortly after Kelly Planatation opened: “I think it's an unbelievable golf course… my best yet.” It may be one of Destin’s most expensive green fees but it’s also one of the best experiences in the area, where you receive first class service at a public facility.