Florida Panhandle Golf Weekend

Golf Digest

Florida Panhandle
By Ron Kaskriske

The 103-mile stretch from Panama City west to Pensacola along U.S. Highway 98 in the Florida Panhandle might be the perfect stretch of pavement for a golf road trip.

There are no complicated turns or wacky directions. If you can hold the steering wheel steady for a couple of hours, you can tee off on nearly a dozen courses without having to stop and ask for directions.

If you're looking for hilly, parkland-style tracks, you're in the wrong place. The courses here are virtually flat and typically framed by tall, skinny pines, wispy coastal grass and sand scrub, and a seemingly endless supply of water hazards (so bring an extra dozen balls). 

1. 4 stars: Bay Point Resort (Nicklaus Cse.) / Panama City Beach
2. 3 ½ stars: The Hombre G.C. (27 holes) / Panama City Beach
3. 4 ½ stars: (Burnt Pine G.C.), 4 ½ stars: (Raven G.C.), Sandestin G. and Beach Resort / Destin
4. 4 ½ stars: Kelly Plantation G.C. / Destin
5. 4 ½ stars: The Club at Hidden Creek / Navarre
6. 4 ½ stars: The Moors / Milton

Where To Booze & Grub:  See Camp Creek GC