Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club
Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club features an 18-hole parkland course along Florida’s Emerald Coast, offering fast greens, varied holes, and a welcoming clubhouse. Its layout strikes a balance between challenge and accessibility for golfers of differing skill levels in a serene setting near Destin.
Course Overview
Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club offers an engaging 18-hole layout that balances scenic beauty with accessible challenge along Florida’s Emerald Coast. Located just off Highway 98 in Destin, the course stretches across gently rolling terrain characterized by mature pine and hardwood trees that frame many holes. This semi-private course enjoys a reputation for well-kept playing surfaces, with particular praise given to its fast, receptive greens that reward precision and strategic shot placement.
The design veers toward a parkland style, inviting golfers to navigate payoffs around tight fairways guarded by natural vegetation and occasional water hazards. Though some bunkers require thoughtful consideration, the overall routing emphasizes shot-making without overwhelming less experienced players. Regatta Bay’s layout supports a steady rhythm of play, making it suitable for both early-stage golfers and more seasoned competitors seeking to test their approach and short game skills.
Visitors will appreciate the balance of challenge and playability; holes vary enough to keep each round fresh without introducing excessive complexity. The course presents subtle elevation changes that add texture to fairways and greens, coupled with occasional glimpses of the adjacent bay that enhance the atmosphere without dominating the experience.
The clubhouse complements the outdoor appeal with a welcoming pro shop and a casual dining area where players can unwind post-round. Service from the staff often receives commendation for its friendly attentiveness, contributing to an inviting environment that encourages repeat visits.
Construction and upkeep have been ongoing, and while occasional maintenance work may intersect with play, the conditions generally remain commendable. Golfers planning to walk will find paths thoughtfully designed though a cart is often necessary due to some longer holes and the course’s spread out layout.
Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club provides a well-rounded golf outing near Destin’s popular beaches, blending Florida coastal charm with a course design that rewards thoughtful play. Whether arriving as a local or traveler, players can expect a solid golf experience with a relaxed yet professional ambiance.
Course Highlights
Regatta Bay’s parkland design features tree-lined fairways, water challenges on select holes, and consistently well-maintained fast greens. The course’s setting integrates natural Florida coastal flora with subtle elevation changes, offering a visually engaging yet approachable test. The clubhouse provides a relaxed atmosphere highlighting local hospitality, rounding out the golf experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
Austin Arnold
I was really surprised at how torn up the course was. Bare patches on most of the fairways and around the greens. There was maintenance on a lot of the holes and you had to hit into their workers constantly. Fun course layout and views would probably be better if it didn't feel like you were playing on a construction site. Greens were in good shape and hole layouts were fun but absolutely not worth $200.
Tommy Shell
We just play Regatta Bay and everything was great. The staff were very friendly and courteous. The course was very well kept and the greens were true. I would recommend it to anyone.
Daniel Wood
1st time playing the course and I really enjoyed it. All staff were friendly upon our visit. The starter gave incredible and accurate information on the course. Knowing where "wasteland" was when we were unable to see it from the teebox was very helpful. Staff on golfcarts were out on the course with mango scented ice soaked towels. This was a very nice perk. Course itself was in great shape and very scenic with the rolling fairways and water throughout.
Emily Corcoran
Shannon, the cart girl, was amazing!!! She is so sweet! We loved her! Everyone else was super nice. It was an amazing trip down from Pennsylvania. :)
Lucas Renfroe
Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club was such a fun golf experience! The course is well-maintained and offers a great challenge without being overwhelming. It’s conveniently located just a short drive from Panama City Beach, making it an easy and worthwhile getaway from the beach scene. The views were beautiful, and the staff was welcoming and helpful. Definitely a fantastic spot to enjoy a round of golf whether you’re a local or just visiting the area. Looking forward to coming back next time we’re in town!
Daniel Moore
Not usually one to leave reviews, but here we go… We booked a last-minute tee time at Renatta Bay while visiting Destin and unfortunately didn’t read any reviews beforehand. We didn’t plan on golfing during this trip, so none of us had our clubs with us — which meant relying on rentals from the course. For a group of three single-digit handicaps, the rental clubs were honestly unacceptable: extremely low-end with visible wear, including grips literally falling off the putters. For the $600 we spent on tee times and rentals, we expected a far better setup. The course itself was just average — nothing special, especially for the price. We tried to make the most of it, but the round was further soured by one of the course marshals who had one of the worst attitudes I’ve come across. Even though we were waiting on nearly every shot due to two slow groups ahead of us, the marshal came around and made a comment to my daughter’s boyfriend suggesting we needed to speed up. When I confronted him a few holes later, he couldn’t have cared less. The kicker? Our cart GPS showed we finished the round 48 minutes ahead of pace — so the criticism was completely unwarranted. That said, any day on the course with my daughter is time well spent, and I’m always grateful for that. But this experience made it hard to enjoy. Between the poor value, broken-down rental clubs, an average layout, and an unprofessional staff interaction, we won’t be returning — and I’d advise others to think twice before booking here.
paula kostick
We played here yesterday and it was absolutely lovely! We were hesitant because of the reviews about construction but it didn't bother us at all. It was only on two holes and didn't affect our experience. The greens at courses in this area were damaged by the snow in February (explains the reviews on a lot of the Destin area courses) BUT Regatta Bay greens were perfect! Fast and beautiful. Emerald Bay greens were not nearly as nice - we played there on Monday. Still a great course though. The service at Regatta was on point. We felt like royalty. Pace of play was great on a weekday - our round took 4 hours. Sidenote - they have an awesome selection of COSTA sunglasses in the pro shop and they weren't any more expensive than any other store. I found a gorgeous pair. And they have those wonderful ponytail hats that are hard to find!!!! Cobb salad was very very good for lunch after our round. We will definitely play here again. I am a newer golfer (two years in July) and shot a 115 and only lost two sleeves of balls which I was told was pretty good haha! And yes ... my man made it out of that bunker in the picture and putted a long ass putt for par!! We laughed and smiled for the next three holes!
Daniel Moore
Not usually one to leave reviews, but here we go… We booked a last-minute tee time at Renatta Bay while visiting Destin and unfortunately didn’t read any reviews beforehand. We didn’t plan on golfing during this trip, so none of us had our clubs with us — which meant relying on rentals from the course. For a group of three single-digit handicaps, the rental clubs were honestly unacceptable: extremely low-end with visible wear, including grips literally falling off the putters. For the $600 we spent on tee times and rentals, we expected a far better setup. The course itself was just average — nothing special, especially for the price. We tried to make the most of it, but the round was further soured by one of the course marshals who had one of the worst attitudes I’ve come across. Even though we were waiting on nearly every shot due to two slow groups ahead of us, the marshal came around and made a comment to my daughter’s boyfriend suggesting we needed to speed up. When I confronted him a few holes later, he couldn’t have cared less. The kicker? Our cart GPS showed we finished the round 48 minutes ahead of pace — so the criticism was completely unwarranted. That said, any day on the course with my daughter is time well spent, and I’m always grateful for that. But this experience made it hard to enjoy. Between the poor value, broken-down rental clubs, an average layout, and an unprofessional staff interaction, we won’t be returning — and I’d advise others to think twice before booking here.
Tommy Shell
We just play Regatta Bay and everything was great. The staff were very friendly and courteous. The course was very well kept and the greens were true. I would recommend it to anyone.
Lucas Renfroe
Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club was such a fun golf experience! The course is well-maintained and offers a great challenge without being overwhelming. It’s conveniently located just a short drive from Panama City Beach, making it an easy and worthwhile getaway from the beach scene. The views were beautiful, and the staff was welcoming and helpful. Definitely a fantastic spot to enjoy a round of golf whether you’re a local or just visiting the area. Looking forward to coming back next time we’re in town!
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Course Details
Access & Location
465 Regatta Bay Blvd, Destin, FL 32541, USA
Main clubhouse with pro shop and casual dining facilities
Walking allowed, though course length and layout make carts advisable; comfortable shoes recommended for undulating terrain
Reservations recommended; visitors welcome as guests of members or during public tee times
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