Moving on to the east you’ll find the Club at Hidden Creek in Navarre. Known as a course that is always in great shape, Hidden Creek has been the site of U.S. Open Qualifying rounds (the USGA is always particular in picking these important sites).

A Par 72 and 6,862 from the back tees, Hidden Creek is sturdy. Awarded the coveted 4½ Star rating as well as having been picked as one of the “Top 201 Courses to Play in North America” - both by Golf Digest - this layout is a golfer’s delight. With a huge new clubhouse that recently opened in October 2007, be sure to check out this one.

 

The last leg of the Trail is Shalimar Pointe Country Club in Shalimar, FL (Fort Walton Beach). A collaborative effort by noted golf architects Pete Dye and Joe Finger, it has been awarded the 4 Star rating by Golf Digest and selected by Golfweek as “One of the Southeast’s Top 50 Development Courses”.

A little shorter than the other tracks on the Trail, it measures 6,765 from the tips, and from the white tees 6,137 with a rating/slope of 69.7/126. Shalimar Pointe CC is known as a shot maker’s course and real test of your iron and short game due to its smaller greens.

 

Well, there you have it. Four terrific tracks that allow you to go on your own golf tour of northwest Florida. You always wanted to play the tour, right? Make your plans to play the Emerald Coast Golf Trail soon by going to their web site for all the details. www.emeraldcoastgolftrail.com .