Indian Bayou Golf Club

Indian Bayou Golf Club: Located in close proximity to several other excellent golf courses in Destin, Indian Bayou is one of the best value on the Emerald Coast. The original Earl Stone layout comprised 27 holes (Seminole, Choctaw and Creek nines), which was subsequently reduced to 18 with the Creek-nine being put out to grass, so to speak.

This excellently maintained layout, comprising the original Seminole and Choctaw nines, provides a challenging and enjoyable golfing test in a predominantly natural setting. Although the terrain is essentially flat, you'll be confronted by plenty of excellent mounding and bunkering around the greens, as well as small lakes and ponds flanking several fairways. Wetland carries also play their part, although less so nowadays with the closure of the Creek-nine.

There's a pleasant mix of tree-lined holes with others of a more open disposition. It was usually said that the most scenic combination of the original 27-layout comprised the relatively open Seminole-nine and the tree-lined Choctaw-nine.

Unobtrusive housing (plus an equally unintrusive aerodrome) skirt a few stretches of the course perimeter, leaving you to relax and enjoy the undoubted parkland pleasures of Indian Bayou, not the least of which is applying your putting skills on some of the best greens on the Emerald Coast.

Pick of the holes: the long par-3 6th (Seminole-nine), with water guarding the front right of the green, is a but of a toughie, especially from the tips.