You’re driving down Highway 30A, the salt air is hitting your face, and all you can think about is hitting a pure seven-iron onto a manicured green. But here is the thing about golf courses Santa Rosa Beach FL. If you just Google it and click the first link, you’re probably going to end up at a resort course that charges you $200 for a mediocre experience or, worse, you’ll realize the "public" course you booked is actually behind a gate you can’t get through.
Santa Rosa Beach isn't just one spot. It’s a vibe, a stretch of sand, and a collection of some very different turf conditions.
Most people think "30A golf" and "Santa Rosa Beach golf" are interchangeable. They aren't. Not really. If you want the true coastal dune experience, you have to know which courses actually touch the water and which ones are just inland pine forests with a fancy marketing budget. Honestly, some of the best golf in this area isn't even technically in Santa Rosa Beach, but it’s within a fifteen-minute drive, and if you miss them, you’re basically doing your vacation wrong.
The Big Three: Where You Actually Want to Play
If you’re looking for the heavy hitters, you’re looking at Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club, Raven Golf Club, and maybe Windswept Dunes if you don’t mind a bit of a trek.
Let's talk about Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club first. This is the local darling. They did a massive multi-million dollar renovation back in 2021, and it changed everything. Before that, it was a bit tired. Now? It’s crisp. The greens are Bermaudagrass and they are fast. Like, "scary fast" if the wind is coming off the Gulf. What’s cool here is that it’s one of the few places where you actually get those Gulf views. Holes 10 through 18 are particularly stellar. It’s a semi-private club, meaning members get the prime times, but if you book a few weeks out, you can usually snag a spot.
Then you have the Sandestin options. You've got The Raven. Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed this one, and you can tell. It’s dramatic. It’s got these big, sweeping bunkers that look beautiful but will absolutely ruin your scorecard if you’re having a bad day with your wedges. It hosted the Boeing Championship on the PGA Champions Tour back in the day, so it has that "pro" feel.
But here is a secret.
Windswept Dunes is about 20 minutes north of Santa Rosa Beach in Freeport. Why am I telling you to leave the beach? Because it’s 750 acres. Most courses are cramped. This one is massive. The fairways are wide—I’m talking "you can’t possibly miss this" wide—but the elevation changes are unlike anything else in Florida. It’s built on white sand dunes. It feels like you’re playing in a desert that somehow ended up in the Florida panhandle.
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The Private Club Dilemma
You might see photos of Camp Creek Golf Club or Shark’s Tooth.
They look incredible. They are. Tom Fazio designed Camp Creek, and Greg Norman did Shark’s Tooth. But unless you are staying at a St. Joe hospitality property (like The Pearl or WaterColor Inn) or you know a member, you aren't getting on. Don't waste your morning driving to the gate hoping to talk your way in. They are strict.
If you are staying at one of those resorts, Camp Creek is a must. It recently underwent a massive expansion with a new clubhouse and wellness center. It’s "core golf." No houses lining the fairways. Just you, the oaks, and the wetlands. It’s arguably the best pure golf experience in the state, but it carries a price tag that reflects that. If you aren't staying on-property, your best bet is to look at Baytowne Golf Club. It's more accessible, shorter, and honestly a bit more fun for a casual round with friends who might not be scratch golfers.
What Nobody Tells You About the Grass
Florida golf is different. If you’re coming from the Midwest or the Northeast, you’re used to bentgrass. Down here? It’s all about the grain.
In Santa Rosa Beach, the greens are usually TifEagle Bahiagrass or Celebration Bermudagrass. This matters because the grain grows toward the setting sun and toward the nearest body of water. On a course like Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club, your putt might look like it's going uphill, but if the Gulf is behind the hole, that ball is going to scream past the cup.
Also, the "rough" isn't just long grass. It's often sandy scrub or pine straw. If you hit it into the palmettos, don't go looking for it. There are snakes. There are spiders. There are things that bite. Just take the drop.
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Pricing Realities and Timing
Expect to pay.
During peak season—March through August—greens fees at the top-tier golf courses Santa Rosa Beach FL residents and tourists frequent will run you anywhere from $120 to $250.
- Morning Rates: Highest, but you beat the heat.
- Twilight: Usually starts after 2:00 PM. You can save $50 or more, but you risk getting stuck behind a slow group and finishing in the dark.
- Off-Season: November through January is actually great golf weather here. It’s 60 degrees, the humidity is gone, and rates drop significantly.
If you want a "cheap" round, you might look at The Links Golf Club at Sandestin. It’s the oldest course in that resort, it’s tight, and it’s right on the Choctawhatchee Bay. It isn't as flashy as the Raven, but it's a solid test and usually easier on the wallet.
The Environment Is the Hazard
One thing that surprises people about golfing in South Walton is the wind. It isn't just a breeze; it’s a factor on every single shot. On the coastal holes at the Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club, a two-club wind is standard. You might be hitting a 5-iron for a 150-yard shot.
And then there's the water. Most of these courses are built around "Luton" or coastal dune lakes—rare geological features that only exist in a few places in the world (like Australia and right here). These lakes are beautiful, but they are protected. If you hit your ball into a wetland buffer, you can’t go tramping in there to get it. Local ordinances are pretty strict about preserving the shoreline.
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Essential Tips for the Santa Rosa Beach Golfer
- Hydrate. This sounds obvious. It isn't. The humidity in July will sap your energy by hole 7. Most courses have water stations, but bring a Yeti.
- Book early. 30A is booming. If you wait until you arrive to book a tee time, you’ll be playing at 11:30 AM in 95-degree heat.
- Rentals. If you don't want to haul your clubs, Callaway and TaylorMade rental sets are standard at the Sandestin courses, but they'll run you $60-$80.
- Dress Code. Don't show up in gym shorts. Even the "relaxed" courses in Santa Rosa Beach expect a collared shirt and golf shorts/slacks.
Honestly, the best way to approach golf here is to realize you’re on vacation. Don't stress the score. The sand is whiter, the water is bluer, and the 19th hole usually involves a craft beer or a margarita overlooking the ocean.
Actionable Next Steps
To make the most of your trip, start by narrowing down your access. If you aren't staying in a resort with private course access, your first call should be to Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club to check their public availability. It’s the most "authentic" Santa Rosa Beach experience.
Next, download a GPS app like 18Birdies or GHIN. Because many of these courses have blind shots over wetlands or dunes, having a digital map of the hole will save you at least three or four lost balls.
Finally, if you’re traveling with a group, look into Emerald Coast Golf Trail passes. Sometimes you can find multi-round deals that include courses in Destin (like Regatta Bay or Kelly Plantation) which are just a short drive west and offer a similar high-end experience. Check their websites directly for "seasonal specials" which are often buried in the footer.