Courses, Travel & Tee Times

Emerald Coast of Florida draws the big names of golf course design

Known as the Emerald Coast, the Destin/Panama City area, might be one of the most underrated golf regions in the state of Florida. Anyone who visits knows, however, that the natural scenery, with its pure white-sandy beaches and emerald blue water, provides one of the most scenic vacation backdrops in the country. What follows is a sampling of the works from some of the biggest names in golf course design.

Five things you should know about golf in the Destin-Panama City area

If you're looking for a little different Florida golf experience, you might want to consider the Panama City/Destin area on the northwest coast. Known as the Emerald Coast, this region of Florida differs from the rest of the state in several important ways. The golf scene has come a long way in the last 30 years as well. Here are five things you should know about the golf in the Destin/Panama City area before you go.

Emerald trails: Navigating Tom Fazio's stellar Camp Creek Golf Club in Panama City Beach

Camp Creek Golf Club on the Emerald Coast of Florida is all golf, it doesn't cater to real estate, and it really doesn't cater to all types of golfers. To appreciate Tom Fazio's work -- which includes 86 bunkers, a number of waste areas, numerous water hazards and large, difficult greens -- you have to have a little skill and some experience. There's nothing ordinary about Camp Creek, especially the scenery, Mike Bailey writes from Panama City Beach.

If you love the water, you'll love the Links Course at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort

Just minutes from the Gulf of Mexico, the Links Course at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort features water on 14 holes, plenty of bunkers throughout, palm and pine trees and a few risk-reward holes that reward you if you have a little patience. Mike Bailey has more from, Destin, Fla.

Golf in the Florida Panhandle: Bubba and Boo love it, and so will you

Golf in the Florida Panhandle may not be as well-known as Orlando, Naples or Jacksonville, but areas like Destin, Panama City and Pensacola are chock full of great layouts from the best names in design.