The best golf courses near Panama City Beach include Bay Point Golf Club's Nicklaus Course for championship play, Camp Creek Golf Club for stunning Tom Fazio design, Hombre Golf Club for variety with 27 holes, Signal Hill for budget-friendly beachside golf, and Legacy Golf Club for central convenience.
Each course offers something unique, from dramatic bay views and island fairways to affordable rates and lighted night golf.
Keep reading for detailed breakdowns of what makes each course special, including pricing, course conditions, signature holes, and which one matches your skill level and budget.
Bay Point Golf Club – Nicklaus Course
If you want to play the only Jack Nicklaus-designed course in Northwest Florida's Panhandle, Bay Point is your destination.
The course reopened in 2005 after the Nicklaus Design team completed a major overhaul, and it sits within a 1,100-acre nature preserve that overlooks St. Andrew's Bay.
This championship layout stretches 7,152 yards from the tips with a rating of 75.3 and a slope of 143, making it one of the more demanding tests in the area.
What you'll pay and play:
The course offers five sets of tees, so you can adjust the difficulty to match your game.
Green fees range from $70 to $130 depending on when you book and what season you're playing.
There's also a clever “Nick Six” special—after 3:30 PM, you can play just the opening six holes at a reduced rate, which gives you a taste of some of the course's most challenging terrain without committing to a full round.
Water dominates the experience here.
You'll face it on 17 of the 18 holes, so club selection becomes critical throughout your round.
The signature fifth hole plays to an island fairway with water guarding multiple approach angles, demanding both accuracy off the tee and precision with your irons.
The greens were converted to TifEagle Bermuda grass in 2018, providing a consistent putting surface when conditions allow.
The setting and atmosphere:
Panoramic views of St. Andrew's Bay stretch across multiple holes, and you'll spot plenty of wildlife in the marshland sanctuary that borders the course.
The natural surroundings add character to what's already a memorable layout.
Bay Point has won the Panama City News Herald's “Best of Bay” award every year since 2016, which speaks to its popularity among locals and visitors alike.
A word on conditions:
Reviews tell two different stories. Some golfers rave about the layout, the service, and the overall experience.
Others mention inconsistent green conditions and drainage problems that can affect playability, particularly after heavy rain.
Your experience may vary depending on when you visit and what recent weather the course has faced.
You can reach Bay Point at 4701 Bay Point Road, Panama City Beach, FL 32408, or call (850) 235-6950 for tee times.
One note: the property's Meadows Course sustained severe damage during Hurricane Michael in 2018 and remains closed, so the Nicklaus Course is currently the only option available at the facility.
Camp Creek Golf Club
Camp Creek ranks among Tom Fazio's most visually stunning designs and earned the title “Florida's No. 1 Course of the New Millennium” from Travel+Leisure Golf.
The challenge here is getting on it—this is a private or semi-private facility primarily open to guests staying at WaterColor and WaterSound Beach Resort properties.
Limited daily fee times occasionally become available, but access remains restricted compared to other courses in the area.
When you can secure a tee time, expect to pay between $95 and $175, depending on availability and season.
The elevated price reflects the quality you're getting.
This 7,159-yard layout plays to a par 72 with a rating of 76.0 and a slope of 152 from the championship tees, putting it among the tougher tests in Florida.
Five sets of tees let you dial back the difficulty if needed.
Course design and features:
Fazio designed the course to blend seamlessly with the natural wetland environment, and water comes into play on 11 holes through a mix of golden ponds and preserved marshes.
The elevated routing provides spectacular views across the property, creating a dramatic dune-scape appearance that sets it apart from flatter Florida courses.
The 14th hole stands out as particularly scenic, though the entire layout maintains visual interest from tee to green.
The green complexes demand your attention.
Fazio built significant slopes into these surfaces, so approach shots need to find the right quadrant or you'll face tricky two-putts.
TifEagle greens roll fast and true when you read them correctly, and the Tifway 419 Bermuda fairways provide clean lies.
The thick rough penalizes wayward shots, so accuracy matters more than distance on most holes.
What golfers say:
Reviews consistently praise the excellent conditioning and thoughtful design.
The layout challenges you without feeling unfair—each hole presents clear strategic options, and risk-reward decisions appear throughout your round.
Camp Creek has hosted US Open qualifiers, which tells you something about the course's pedigree and condition standards.
You can contact Camp Creek at 684 Fazio Dr, Panama City Beach, FL 32413, or call (850) 231-7600.
Given the limited access, it's worth calling ahead to confirm availability before planning your visit.
If you're staying at one of the partner resorts, book your tee time early since spots fill quickly during peak season.
Hombre Golf Club
Hombre offers something you won't find at other Panama City Beach courses—27 championship holes divided into three distinct nine-hole layouts.
Designer Wes Burnham named them “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly,” and you can mix and match them to create different 18-hole combinations.
The facility opened in 1989 with the Bad and Ugly nines, then added The Good in 2001 to complete the trio.
Most 18-hole pairings play to a par 72 around 6,800 yards, with a rating of 74.4 and a slope of 144. Four sets of tees let you adjust the challenge to your game.
Water appears on 21 of the 27 holes, threading through scenic wetlands, marshes, and lakes surrounded by palms, pines, and azaleas.
The routing keeps you thinking about club selection and shot shape throughout your round.
Pricing and value:
Here's where Hombre gets interesting for budget-conscious golfers.
Rates vary dramatically—from $21 to $95—depending on when you book and how you book.
Check discount sites like GolfNow for deals, especially during off-peak times.
This flexibility makes Hombre accessible whether you're looking for a cheap afternoon round or willing to pay more for prime tee times.
Tour-level facilities:
The practice areas meet PGA specifications, including a driving range, putting green, and chipping green.
The Academy at Hombre earned recognition among Golf Magazine's “Top 25 Golf Schools,” which tells you the instruction quality matches the facilities.
Hombre hosted a PGA Tour event back in 1990 and continues to host the PGA Tour Qualifying School each fall, so professional golfers regularly test themselves on these holes.
After your round, Siesta Bar & Grill provides on-site food and drinks, and the pro shop stocks what you need for equipment or apparel.
Current conditions—read this first:
Reviews paint an inconsistent picture.
Some recent visitors praise improved conditions and friendly staff, while others report maintenance issues, slow greens, and sluggish pace of play.
The facility is undergoing renovations on some of the nines, which might explain the mixed feedback.
Your experience could vary significantly depending on which nines are currently receiving attention and when you visit.
Contact Hombre at 120 Coyote Pass, Panama City Beach, FL 32407, or call (850) 234-3673.
Given the variable conditions, you might want to call ahead and ask about current course status before booking.
Signal Hill Golf Course
Signal Hill holds the distinction of being Panama City Beach's oldest golf course, opening in 1962.
This John Sherman design offers something the championship courses can't—affordable golf directly across the street from the beach.
At approximately $27 to $40 for 18 holes with a cart (after 2 PM), Signal Hill delivers the best value in the area without sacrificing an enjoyable experience.
The course plays 5,617 yards to a par 71 with a rating of 66.5 and slope of 118, making it significantly more approachable than the championship layouts.
These numbers translate to a forgiving, straightforward experience suitable for all skill levels.
You won't face the same punishing rough, forced carries, or dramatic elevation changes found at courses like Camp Creek or Bay Point.
What makes it work:
The Bermuda grass layout presents coastal vistas from multiple holes, reminding you throughout your round that the Gulf of Mexico sits just across the road.
The routing emphasizes enjoyment over intimidation—fairways offer room for error, and you can recover from wayward shots without racking up a big number.
Here's where Signal Hill surprises golfers: the greens.
Despite the shorter overall length, these surfaces present real challenges with subtle breaks and speeds that demand attention.
You might reach most greens in regulation, but two-putting isn't automatic.
Setting expectations:
Signal Hill maintains a relaxed, community course atmosphere.
The conditioning stays decent for the price point—well-maintained but not at championship level.
You won't find the pristine conditions of a Tom Fazio design here, but you also won't pay $150 for your round.
Reviews consistently describe Signal Hill as a pleasant, budget-friendly option where the pace stays comfortable and the vibe stays casual.
This course works perfectly for a quick afternoon round, warming up before tackling tougher layouts, or simply enjoying golf near the beach without breaking your vacation budget.
You can find Signal Hill at 9615 N Thomas Dr, Panama City Beach, FL 32408.
Legacy Golf Club
Legacy Golf Club sits just 2.5 miles east of Pier Park, making it the most centrally located option in Panama City Beach.
Originally established in 1965 as Holiday Golf Club, the facility underwent a million-dollar renovation completed in 2014 that modernized the entire property.
The upgrade included redesigned tee boxes and 19 greens constructed with TifEagle turf—yes, 19 greens for an 18-hole course, which we'll explain in a moment.
The championship course plays to a par 72 with three sets of tees, accommodating different skill levels.
Pricing falls in the mid-range at $50 to $90 depending on the season, positioning Legacy between budget options like Signal Hill and premium layouts like Camp Creek.
Fairways offer generous width, giving you room to miss and still find your ball in a playable position.
Lakes and white sand bunkers guard the elevated greens, adding visual appeal and strategic interest without creating overly penal conditions.
The unique lighted par-3 course:
Here's what sets Legacy apart—Bay County's only lighted par-3 course.
This 9-hole, par-27 layout stretches 1,003 yards and allows you to play after dark.
A full round takes about 60 minutes, making it perfect for squeezing in golf when your schedule doesn't allow for 18 holes.
Juniors and beginners particularly benefit from this format, which lets them build confidence on shorter holes before tackling the championship course.
Practice and amenities:
The facility includes extensive practice areas: a lighted driving range, chipping green, and putting green.
You can work on your game before or after your round, even once the sun goes down.
Mulligan's Bar & Grille provides on-site food and drinks, and the pro shop stocks equipment and apparel.
Legacy markets itself as having “the best greens on the beach,” a bold claim given the competition.
The TifEagle surfaces do provide excellent speed and consistency when properly maintained, which explains the emphasis on putting quality.
Condition considerations:
Reviews vary significantly based on when golfers visit.
Some report excellent conditions with fast, true greens that live up to the marketing.
Others note periods where maintenance cycles affect playability.
Seasonal timing and recent weather likely influence what you'll encounter, so conditions may differ from one month to the next.
Contact Legacy at 100 Fairway Blvd, Panama City Beach, FL 32407, or call (850) 234-1800 for current rates and tee times.
Planning Your Panama City Beach Golf Trip
Golf Digest has recognized Panama City Beach as one of America's top three golf towns, and the numbers back up that reputation.
You'll find approximately 162 holes spread across multiple championship courses in the area, each offering distinct challenges and experiences.
The region delivers 320 days of sunshine annually with an average temperature of 74 degrees, creating excellent year-round playing conditions that rarely force you to cancel tee times due to weather.
Additional courses worth noting:
Shark's Tooth Golf Club represents the area's most exclusive option—a Greg Norman design that stretches 7,246 yards and ranks among Florida's top 50 courses.
Access remains limited to Watersound Club members and their guests, with green fees ranging from $95 to $195 per round.
The course closes on Tuesdays, so plan accordingly if you're trying to secure guest access.
Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort offers an on-site 9-hole course available exclusively to resort guests on Gulf-front property.
If you're staying at Edgewater, this provides convenient golf without leaving the resort grounds.
Just outside Panama City Beach in Lynn Haven, Nature Walk Golf Course provides another option.
This 3,512-yard layout winds through Florida pines and oaks, offering a shorter, more traditional experience for golfers who prefer tree-lined fairways over water-dominated coastal designs.
Matching your priorities to the right course:
- Best Championship Experience: Bay Point's Nicklaus Course gives you the only Nicklaus design in Northwest Florida's Panhandle
- Best Design & Conditioning: Camp Creek ranks highest but requires resort guest status or limited public access
- Best Value: Signal Hill delivers affordable beachside golf at $27-$40 per round
- Best for Variety: Hombre's 27 holes let you play different combinations and never repeat the same 18
- Most Convenient: Legacy sits centrally located with the added bonus of a lighted par-3 course
- Most Exclusive: Shark's Tooth provides top-tier Norman design for those with member connections
Consider three factors when selecting courses: your skill level, your budget, and what access you can secure.
The area genuinely caters to everyone—affordable daily-fee courses work for casual golfers and tight budgets, while championship layouts challenge low-handicappers willing to pay premium rates.
Book tee times in advance during peak season to secure your preferred slots.
Many courses offer afternoon specials with reduced rates, and discount booking sites like GolfNow frequently feature deals that can cut costs significantly.
A little flexibility with timing can save you $20 to $50 per round without compromising the quality of your experience.
Conclusion
Panama City Beach delivers legitimate championship golf alongside budget-friendly options, all within a compact area that makes course-hopping easy.
You can play a Jack Nicklaus design one day and an affordable beachside layout the next without driving more than 20 minutes.
The combination of year-round sunshine, diverse course styles, and pricing that spans $27 to $175 makes this destination work for virtually any golfer's preferences and wallet.
