Lost Key at Lost Key Golf Club

Lost Key Golf Club occupies a narrow barrier island along the northern Gulf Coast near Pensacola, Florida. Designed by Arnold Palmer and opened in 2005, the course sits on a slender strip of land bordered by Perdido Bay to the north and the Intracoastal Waterway to the south. The routing takes advantage of this constrained geography, with holes threading through coastal wetlands, tidal marshes, and patches of native vegetation. The flat terrain and exposure to prevailing winds make club selection and ball flight management central to scoring, particularly on the long par fours that stretch along the water's edge.

The layout features several holes that play directly beside or over wetland areas, creating both visual drama and strategic challenge. Water comes into play on more than half the holes, often in the form of tidal creeks and marsh fingers that define landing areas and green complexes. The par threes vary in length and character, with some playing across open water to greens framed by sand and marsh grasses. The course's setting provides views across the bay and toward the mainland, though the primary focus remains on navigating the narrow corridors and managing the wind.

Lost Key operates as a private club and serves as the centerpiece of a residential community on the island. The facility includes practice areas and a clubhouse that overlooks the water, typical of Palmer's resort-influenced designs from this period in the Florida Panhandle.