Golf Insider

The back nine has great views of Choctawatchee Bay. Credit: Tim McDonald

If you're a big fan of the Jones family of architects, you couldn't do much better than to head to Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, where courses designed by Rees and Robert Jr., sons of the renowned Robert Trent Jones, lay side-by-side.

There aren't many golf course architects who can keep up with these Joneses. I've never played a course by any of the Joneses that wasn't elegant, well conceived and a joy to play.

Rees Jones designed Burnt Pine, one of four courses at Sandestin. It has lush, rolling fairways, elevated tees and lovely water features, including some spectacular views of Choctawhatchee Bay on the back nine. Some of the greens are elevated as well, with good slope though not as much undulation as the Raven course, designed by brother Robert. Jr.

Befitting its name, the fairways at Burnt Pine are lined with native pine trees. Approach shots into the pristine greens must be accurate since the rough just beyond the fringes of the green is thick and unruly; you can actually lose your golf ball in this stuff.

Still, the main attraction here is the big bay, which waits until the back nine to assert itself. At No. 15, for example, the back tee box is so far out in the bay you could smack a mullet on your back swing.

The resort recently announced its annual spring and fall golf packages. Call 866-427-7590 for more information and mention promo code DM4GLF.