There are golf courses, and then there are golf experiences. Bay Point Golf Club in Panama City Beach falls squarely into the second category — a championship layout with a storied history, a world-class pedigree, and the kind of natural scenery that makes even a bogey feel like a small price to pay for the privilege of being out there. 

Bay Point Golf Club holds a distinction that no other course in Northwest Florida can claim: it is the only Nicklaus Design golf course in the region. For golfers who understand what that name means, no further explanation is needed. For those who are newer to the game, Jack Nicklaus is widely considered the greatest golfer who ever lived, and Nicklaus Design courses are built to the exacting standards of a man who spent his career playing and studying the finest golf in the world. Having one in our backyard is something worth celebrating. 

A Course With History 

The course was originally designed by Bruce Devlin in 1986 under the name Lagoon Legends, and it quickly established itself as one of the premier layouts on the Gulf Coast. In 2005, Nicklaus Design took over and renovated the course, elevating it to championship caliber and cementing its reputation as one of the top resort golf destinations along the Emerald Coast. 

The numbers back that reputation up. The par 72 layout stretches just over 7,000 yards from the back tees, carries a course rating of 74.5, and a slope rating of 137 — numbers that place it firmly in the category of serious championship golf. The course has hosted numerous regional and local events over the years, including the prestigious USGA U.S. Open Local Qualifier in both 2016 and 2021. When the USGA trusts a course to host a qualifier for the most important golf tournament in the country, that is about as strong an endorsement as the game can offer. 

Built for Every Golfer 

What makes Bay Point truly special is that its challenge and beauty are not reserved for scratch golfers and touring professionals. The course features five sets of tees stretching from 4,100 yards all the way to nearly 7,100, meaning that whether you are a seasoned low-handicapper looking for a stern test or a weekend player who just wants to enjoy a gorgeous round in a stunning setting, Bay Point has a tee box with your name on it. 

The course is carved from Northwest Florida’s natural terrain — scrub oaks, towering pines, and saltwater marshes that frame virtually every hole. Panoramic vistas of St. Andrews Bay, the marsh, and the surrounding wetlands create a backdrop that feels less like a golf course and more like a nature sanctuary that happens to have eighteen holes running through it. Wildlife is a constant companion here, and the scenery between shots is as memorable as the shots themselves. 

The Greens Renovation 

In the summer of 2018, Bay Point made a significant investment in the long-term quality of the playing experience with a comprehensive greens renovation. The project involved a full-till process using the original specs of the greens, reseeded with Tif-Eagle Bermuda grass — a major upgrade to ultra-dwarf grass that is widely regarded as among the finest putting surfaces available. The renovation also included all new greenside bunkers on every hole. The course reopened for public play on October 8th, 2018, and the results have been immediately and consistently evident. Green speeds, year-round playability, and the receptiveness of approach shots have all improved dramatically, giving golfers the kind of consistent, premium putting surfaces typically found only at the most elite private clubs. 

The Signature Fifth Hole 

No conversation about Bay Point is complete without mentioning the fifth hole, which stands as one of the most visually dramatic holes anywhere on the Gulf Coast. The tee shot plays to an island fairway sitting in the middle of the Grand Lagoon, demanding both nerve and precision off the tee. The second shot then plays to a peninsula green overlooking St. Andrews Bay — a jaw-dropping backdrop that rewards the brave and punishes the careless. It is the kind of hole you photograph, talk about at dinner, and think about on the drive home. 

Bay Point Golf Club is located minutes from the white sandy beaches of Panama City Beach, near Rosemary Beach and 30A, and is conveniently accessible for visitors and residents from Destin to Panama City. If golf is part of your Gulf Coast plans this season, this is the course that belongs at the top of your list. 

For tee times and more information, visit baypointgolf.com.