The Ultimate Sandestin Golf Guide
- Lori Mckenna
- March 09, 2026
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If you’re thinking about a golf trip to Northwest Florida, consider Sandestin. With four championship golf courses, elite instruction, and beautiful year-round weather, it’s the kind of place where buddy trips turn into annual retreats, and first-time visitors start planning their return before the 18th green. Throw in restaurants, nightlife, and the beach, all conveniently located at the resort, and you just may never want to leave!
To give you an insider's perspective, we sat down with Rick Hileman, Sandestin PGA Executive Director of Golf Operations and Maintenance, to talk appeal, strategy, seasonal conditions, and planning tips. Here’s his take on what makes Sandestin one of Florida’s premier golf destinations and how to make the most of every round while you’re here!
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Why Sandestin is a Premier Golf Destination
You’d be hard-pressed to find what Sandestin offers anywhere else on the Emerald Coast, or even in the state of Florida. Four championship courses, all within a single resort, give you options for every skill level and style of play. Stay and Play packages make planning effortless, and once you’re here, you quickly realize the resort is its own little community. People cruise around on golf carts, head to lessons with the pros, warm up on the range, then make their way to the course, all while the resort hums with activity in the background. “Once you’re here, you really don’t have to leave,” says Hileman.
The climate only adds to the appeal, with plenty of sunshine and mild seasonal changes making golf enjoyable year-round. You’ll also find premium instruction and world-class facilities, and the resort puts everything in easy reach. It’s this seamless combination of championship golf, perfect weather, and all-in-one resort convenience that keeps players coming back year after year.
Overview of the Four Sandestin Championship Golf Courses
Each of Sandestin’s golf courses offers a distinct player experience, and understanding the nuances of each will help you choose the right course for your game. Here’s a closer look at what sets them apart:
The Links
- Features five holes directly on the water
- Classic risk-reward layout favors thoughtful shot selection
- Consistent wind exposure even on seemingly calm days
- Strategic 18th hole that demands careful club choice off the tee
- Ideal for strategic players and repeat visitors who appreciate nuance
“The Links is all about the views and strategic golf. It’s challenging but rewarding, and because it’s so exposed along the Bay, you’ll encounter wind out there almost every day,” says Hileman.
Rick’s Insider Tip: Pack a few extra balls; the water and wind have been known to claim a sleeve or two.
Baytowne
- The most player-friendly and an excellent choice for first-timers
- Wide variety of tee selections to fit every skill level
- Long, challenging 13th hole affected by wind patterns
- Ideal for mid and high-handicap players
- Junior tees make it a strong option for families
“The 13th hole is a 460-yard par 4 that plays straight uphill into the wind, making it one of the most challenging holes on the course. The 14th tee and exposed green offer incredible views of the Gulf and surrounding water,” says Hileman.
Rick’s Insider Tip: Take advantage of Baytowne’s wide variety of tee selections to match your skill level. It’ll make your round more enjoyable and keep you out of trouble, especially on holes like the 13th.
Raven
- Championship caliber par 71 layout with strong tournament pedigree
- Host site of the PGA Champions Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, NCAA DIII National Championship, and U.S. Open Qualifiers
- Forgiving off the tee but punishing around the greens
- Memorable finishing stretch, with the 18th hole delivering a surprise factor
“Raven has a unique 19-hole routing feature, alternating between two par 3s, making the course fresh and unpredictable,” says Hilemn.
Rick’s Insider Tip: Raven demands precision on approach shots, with deceptive false fronts and strategically placed bunkers. The greens are straightforward but easy to miss; placement matters more than distance on nearly every hole.
Burnt Pine
- Private and prestigious course, often referred to as the ‘Crown Jewel of Florida Golf”
- Open exclusively to members daily and Sandestin guests during afternoons only
- 7,000-yard championship layout designed by renowned architect Rees Jones
“If you could only play one round, the most memorable finish is at Burnt Pine. It’s a tough call, though, Raven could easily compete,” says Rick.
Rick’s Insider Tip: Burnt Pine offers an elevated playing experience thanks to lower daily play volume and exceptional course conditioning.
Seasonal and Playing Conditions
Although you’ll find excellent conditions year-round, summer rounds are best played in the morning, when the heat is milder and the humidity is down. Winter and early spring offer cooler, pleasant days, making for enjoyable golf any time of day. Even during peak season, the pace of play is carefully monitored, with 4:15 and 4:20 considered the average.
“The best time to play golf at Sandestin is mid-September and October, when the weather cools, offering comfortable temperatures from morning through late afternoon. We have GPS on all the carts and utilize player assistance during the busier times of the year. This helps to improve the experience for each player and the others on the course,” adds Hileman.
Rick’s Insider Tip: Be sure to book your tee time early, up to 45 days in advance for public play. Courses fill up quickly, particularly during the shoulder seasons.
Practice Facilities, Instruction, and Golf Club Rentals
Sandestin’s practice facilities make it easy to warm up before your round. Baytowne and Raven practice areas feature the same TifDwarf and TifEagle grass you’ll find on the courses, while Links offers a shorter driving range focused on irons. Weekly clinics provide individual or group instruction, or schedule a private lesson tailored to your specific needs.
“Depending on the fix, one lesson could improve your round that day. The most important thing about golf instruction is taking the tips the instructor provides and working on them consistently,“ says Hileman.
As for equipment, ShipSticks can deliver your clubs directly to the resort, or you can take advantage of the top-notch onsite Callaway rentals.
Group Outings and Tournament Appeal
Sandestin hosts more than 300 golf events each year, ranging from single-day charity tournaments to multi-day outings with anywhere from 20 to 180 players. Highlights include the U.S. AM Tour in March, the Golfweek D3 Fall Invitational, and youth tournaments, including the two-day U.S. Kids Golf Tournament returning in 2027. Celebrity tournaments are also popular, and the resort draws additional groups for golf packages, buddies trips, and women’s getaways, all eager to sample the multiple challenging rounds across its courses.
Beyond the Golf Course: The Sandestin Lifestyle
Beyond the fairways, Sandestin offers a full resort lifestyle with a marina, tennis, pickleball, multiple pools, biking, beach access, dining, entertainment, and comfortable accommodations all in one place. The best place to grab dinner and a cocktail after a round? “You won’t go wrong with the Marina Bar & Grill or The Beach House,” says Hileman. And, after nearly two decades at Sandestin, he knows exactly where to unwind after a day on the course.
Plan Your Sandestin Golf Trip Today
Best of all, you have so many ways to stay at Sandestin! Relax in a beachfront condo with easy beach access, pick a Bayside villa with a private balcony, or enjoy the convenience of Hotel Effie, right in the Village of Baytowne Wharf. No matter which you choose, you’re guaranteed comfort, style, and easy access to everything the resort has to offer!