
The Links and Sandestin Course
Sandestin Resort


About this course
The Links at Sandestin occupies the northern portion of the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort along Florida's Emerald Coast, situated between Choctawhatchee Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Designed by Tom Jackson and opened in 1977, the course was among the earliest layouts at this expansive resort property in the Destin area. The routing takes advantage of the coastal terrain, with several holes playing along or near the bay shoreline, offering views across the water and exposure to prevailing Gulf breezes that can significantly affect club selection and strategy. The design incorporates natural wetlands, native grasses, and stands of pine characteristic of the Florida Panhandle landscape. The course features relatively open fairways compared to more tree-lined inland Florida layouts, though water hazards and waste areas frame many holes. The closing stretch includes holes that run parallel to the bay, where wind direction becomes a primary consideration. The layout generally favors accuracy over distance, with strategic bunkering and forced carries that reward thoughtful course management. As part of the Sandestin resort complex, The Links serves both resort guests and members, functioning within a larger golf destination that includes multiple courses. The property caters to a mix of vacationing families, corporate groups, and seasonal residents drawn to the white-sand beaches and recreational amenities of the area. The course provides a more traditional links-inspired experience within a resort setting, contrasting with the other layouts on the property that offer different design philosophies and challenges.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in FL
Quick facts
- Location
- Sandestin, FL, USA
- Access
- Public
- Holes
- 18
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 6,700 yards
- Difficulty
- 140
- Course Vaults score
- 7.5
Getting there
Most arrivals to Sandestin Resort flow through Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport in Panama City, a straightforward forty-minute drive west along the Emerald Coast, though Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport offers an even closer alternative for select regional connections. Private aircraft favor Destin Executive Airport, positioned mere minutes from the resort gates. The final stretch traces the shimmering arc of Choctawhatchee Bay before turning south onto the resort peninsula itself, where sugar-white dunes and championship fairways unfold across two thousand manicured acres between bay and Gulf.

FAQ
Common questions about The Links and Sandestin at Sandestin Resort
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
The Links and Sandestin at Sandestin Resort has a Course Vaults score of 7.5 out of 10 based on 33 logged golfers.
Yes. The Links and Sandestin at Sandestin Resort is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at The Links and Sandestin is 72.
The Links and Sandestin plays 6,700 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at The Links and Sandestin is 140.
The Links and Sandestin is a 18-hole course.





