A Golfer’s Shangri-La: Discovering Golf Paradise at Sandestin

Shangri-la, the utopian paradise of Tibetan lore doesn’t exist but in the minds of readers and dreamers.  Or does it?  And perhaps not just in the far east but in little lost corners of the world, waiting to be discovered.  I believe such a place exists along the Emerald Shores of Northwest Florida and calls itself Sandestin!  Fully titled as Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, the first word says it all for those who have flocked to its sandy white beaches and Championship Golf Courses.  Stretching from the beach to the bay, the Resort’s 2400 acres offer a destination within itself unlike any other. 

Home to four challenging and rewarding Golf Courses, Sandestin offers golfers everything they can ask for, all in one location.  Awarding winning accommodations, renowned culinary experiences, an abundance of golf and local nightlife to boot.  Each Golf Course presents a unique offering, starting with the original layout, The Links Golf Course.  Nowhere in all of NW FL will you find the fantastic views offered up with 6 holes along Choctawhatchee Bay.  A par 71, Tom Jackson Design, with plenty of water demanding accurate tee shots, I would save this course for your second round.  Instead, I would start with Jackson’s second design on property, Par 72 Baytowne Golf Course.  Here you will be greeted with spacious fairways and a varying set of tee options suitable for golfers of any skill level.  You will even catch a glimpse of the Gulf of America from the 14th tee on the south side of the Resort.  The perfect way to kick off your week of Golf. 

On day three you will be pampered with an amazing round on Rees Jones’ Burnt Pine Golf Course.  Open only to Members and Resort guests, Burnt Pine will challenge and delight all who put a peg in the ground.  And regardless of what tees you choose to play, I highly recommend you challenge yourself on the Par 3 14th hole by taking on the back tees.  With the tips measuring at 214 yards, this hole is all carry over the wispy marsh that boarders the Choctawhatchee Bay.  Don’t worry, there is a drop area over the marsh if you come up short.  😊  After your round be sure to relax on the Clubhouse patio and taste one of Sandestin’s Private label Ales while telling lies and settling your bets. 

On your last day of golf, you are ready to tee it up where the Champions play.  Raven Golf Course has hosted National Championships, Premiere Collegiate and Junior Invitationals and PGA Tour events ranging from the Champions Tour to the Korn Ferry Tour.  This Robert Trent Jones Jr. par 71 design winds through tall pines and bass filled lakes to challenge the seasoned of golfers.  A fair challenge, Raven will test all your shot making abilities with an emphasis on accurate approach shots.  You may be lured into a false sense of confidence before arriving at the 6th tee for the final four front nine holes.  At this point, your skill will be tested with an island green 209-yard par 3, a 631-yard par five and finally a 460-yard par four 9th hole indexed as the hardest hole on the course.  The Raven’s Nest halfway house on the 10th tee will feel like a sanctuary you don’t want to leave in fear of what lies ahead on the back nine.  But fear not, the back nine offers some great scoring opportunities and a par 3 unlike any other you have played before.

I have mentioned that Sandestin is home to 4 Golf Courses, what I didn’t mention is that there are 73 holes, not the expected 72.  That’s because Raven is home to a 16a and 16b.  Faced with redesigning a previous golf hole when building Raven, RTJ Jr. had a dogleg right par 4 he considered too narrow once homes were developed along each side.  So, he came up with the idea to make back-to-back par 3’s that would be alternated daily.  16a measures 228 yards from the tips and offers a large green surface protected by bunkers to the left and behind the green.  Meanwhile, 16b offers almost the opposite with the tips at 172 yards and a small green that measures just 12 feet wide for a front pin location.  Regardless of which one you play, you will be telling your friends about 16a and 16b at the Raven Course!

Alas, it is Sandestin GOLF and Beach Resort but there is so much more than just great golf.  How about some tennis or pickle ball?  A bike ride on Jolie Island?  Or a day at the beach soaking up the sun or floating in the emerald green waters sipping on a Sandestin Specialty cocktail?  Then there is the Village of Baytowne Wharf with a zip line and ropes course … dinning and shopping … music and games for all ages.  And no trip to Sandestin would be complete without a visit to Hotel Effie’s Ara Rooftop Bar with the most amazing and beautiful views you can find anywhere along the coast.  It will be selfie time as you post to your favorite social media, sparking jealousy from friends who didn’t make the trip. 

I promise you, Shangri-la is real!!  It is alive and well at Sandestin.  Easy to find but hard to forget, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort truly has it all, right here in Northwest Florida.  Grab a foursome or two and book your next Golf Trip today.  You won’t be disappointed and will have created memories for a lifetime.  Til’ then, play well and have fun!