Golf Resort Overview: Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort

An Interview With Olivia Moore, Marketing Manager

By Brian Weis

The ultimate golf vacation is staying and playing at a golf resort. Below is an interview with Olivia Moore who shares some valuable information about staying and golfing at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.

Give our readers an overview of the golf resort.
At Sandestin, we're lucky to offer something truly special-a golf resort that stretches from beach to bay across 2,400 acres on Florida's Emerald Coast. Championship courses, manicured fairways, and coastal breezes set the tone, while everything else you'd want for a perfect getaway is right here too: incredible dining, a full-service marina, spa, tennis and pickleball, and the energy of Baytowne Wharf.

It's the kind of place where you can tee off in the morning, spend the afternoon by the water, and end the day with sunset cocktails-whether you're here for a serious golf trip, a tournament, a corporate outing, or just a laid-back coastal escape.

Share with us your room accommodations configurations. What group sizes can accommodate?
One of my favorite things about Sandestin is how flexible our accommodations are. We can host everything from a quick golf escape to a full-scale group trip.

We offer hotel rooms and suites, one- to three-bedroom condos for foursomes or families, and larger townhomes and vacation homes with four or more bedrooms-perfect for buddy trips, corporate outings, or multi-family stays.

That range allows us to comfortably accommodate couples, golf groups, parties of 8-20+, and even large tournaments or meetings using a mix of lodging styles across the resort. Whether you want everyone under one roof or clustered nearby, we can tailor the stay to fit your group.

What type of restaurants do you have on property and what type of dining experience can one expect?
One of the things I'm most proud of at Sandestin is how diverse our dining scene is, we truly have something for every appetite and every moment of the day.

Across the resort, guests can expect everything from casual, waterfront hangouts to elevated, chef-driven experiences. We're home to refined fine dining like Ovide, laid-back bayfront favorites such as Marina Bar & Grill, and comforting, coastal classics at spots like Beach House, plus rooftop cocktails, lively village restaurants, and poolside bites throughout the property.

Beyond golf what are the top three amenities golfers and non-golfers can enjoy on property?
At Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, I always like to point out that the experience extends well beyond the golf courses. Guests consistently gravitate to three standout amenities: our sugar-white beaches and resort-style pools for easy coastal downtime, our full-service marina with fishing charters, sunset cruises, and access to the lively atmosphere at The Village of Baytowne Wharf, and our wide range of dining and nightlife, from elevated, chef-driven restaurants to relaxed waterfront spots and rooftop cocktails. It creates a perfect rhythm to the day: golf in the morning, water time in the afternoon, and great food and drinks in the evening, without ever leaving the resort.

Please supply a sample itinerary for a long buddies weekend?
A great guys' weekend here balances championship golf with beach time, good food, and just enough nightlife. This is how I'd plan a long Thursday-Sunday escape.

Day 1 - Arrival + Sunset Drinks
Arrive in the afternoon, check into your condo or vacation home, and stock up for the weekend. Head to the range for a warm-up or a friendly putting contest, then make your way to The Village of Baytowne Wharf for a walk along the marina and live music. Dinner at Marina Bar & Grill sets the tone with seafood, cold drinks, and sunset views, followed by a low-key nightcap back at the house or in the village.

Day 2 - Championship Golf + Rooftop Night
Book an early tee time on one of our courses, then spend the afternoon unwinding at the beach, floating in a lagoon pool, or hopping on a sunset cruise from the marina. That evening, grab cocktails at Ara Rooftop Pool & Lounge for panoramic views, then sit down for a more elevated dinner at Ovide before strolling back through Baytowne Wharf.

Day 3 - Water Time + Casual Feast
Start with a relaxed breakfast and another round on a different course-mixing it up keeps things competitive. In the afternoon, head out for a fishing charter or bay cruise, then keep dinner easy with a grill-out at your rental or a return visit to Marina Bar & Grill for round two. This is usually when scorecards come out and the next trip starts getting planned.

Day 4 - Final Round + Roll Out
Sneak in one last sunrise tee time or beach walk, grab brunch in the village, then pack up, take a group photo on the sand, and head home.

It hits the sweet spot: multiple rounds of golf, plenty for non-golfers to enjoy, and a mix of casual waterfront meals with one or two standout nights-exactly how a Sandestin buddies weekend should feel.

Please supply a sample itinerary for a long couples weekend?
A couples' getaway here is all about balance-great golf, spa time, waterfront dining, and slow moments by the water. This is how I'd plan a relaxed Thursday-Sunday escape.

Day 1 - Arrival + Sunset Strolls
Arrive in the afternoon, settle into your room or condo, and head out for an easy walk around The Village of Baytowne Wharf. Grab a casual first-night dinner at Marina Bar & Grill-fresh seafood, bay views, and a front-row seat for sunset-then finish the evening with a cocktail along the marina or back on your balcony.

Day 2 - Morning Golf + Afternoon Spa + Rooftop Night
Start the day with an early tee time for the golfer in the pair (or a scenic cart ride and coffee for the non-golfer). Late morning is perfect for beach chairs and umbrella service or lounging by the pool. In the afternoon, book massages or a couples treatment at Spa Lilliana to fully unwind. That night, head to Ara Rooftop Pool & Lounge for sunset cocktails, then enjoy an elevated dinner at Ovide-perfect for a date-night vibe.

Day 3 - Water Time + Easygoing Evening
Sleep in, grab breakfast near the water, and spend the morning paddleboarding, booking a bay cruise, or stretching out on the sand. If you're feeling competitive, sneak in a second round of golf or a putting challenge together. The afternoon is ideal for pool hopping or shopping in the village. For dinner, keep things relaxed with another waterfront meal or a low-key grill-out at your rental, followed by live music in Baytowne Wharf.

Day 4 - Sunrise Walks + Brunch + Departure
Take a quiet morning beach walk or enjoy coffee on the balcony before heading to brunch in the village. Squeeze in one last swim, snap a few photos by the marina, and head home feeling refreshed.

It's the perfect mix: a little golf, a lot of quality time, great food, spa moments, and coastal scenery-exactly the rhythm I love recommending for couples at Sandestin.

What area tourist attractions might you recommend while in the area?
One of the things I always highlight about Sandestin is how much there is to do right here or just minutes away-no long drives required.

Within the resort, The Village of Baytowne Wharf is a must. It's our entertainment hub, with waterfront dining, live music, seasonal festivals, shopping, and sunset views along the marina-perfect for an easy afternoon or evening out.

Just outside the gates, Grand Boulevard at Sandestin is another favorite for guests. It offers upscale shopping, restaurants, a movie theater, and casual wine bars-great for a low-key night off property without straying far.

For nature lovers, I always suggest Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. With rare coastal dune lakes, quiet beaches, and scenic trails, it's ideal for hiking, biking, or a peaceful beach day.

And for shoppers in the group, Silver Sands Premium Outlets-located just down the road-is one of the largest designer outlet centers in the country, making it an easy stop between rounds of golf or beach time.

Altogether, these spots keep the experience very Sandestin-centric: vibrant village energy, great dining and shopping, outdoor beauty, and plenty to explore just beyond the resort gates-while still feeling completely connected to your stay.

Any recent or upcoming changes to the property/resort or golf course?
We've also made some fun recent additions on the golf side that I'm really excited about. Players now have access to a new fleet of golf cars for use around the course, which makes getting to your ball and moving between holes more comfortable and convenient. Plus, we've partnered with Callaway Golf for club rentals, so if you don't want to travel with your set, you can grab a quality Callaway rental right at the course instead of hauling clubs with you - available at each of our four premium courses for a flat rental fee when you book your tee time. It's another way we try to make golf here as easy and elevated as possible for our guests.

How can golfers inquire about golf packages for your resort?
Call one of our reservations specialists at (833) 946-3098 to reserve your Stay and Play package.

Courses at Resort
Number of Course: 4
Number of Holes: 72

More Information
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
9300 Emerald Coast Parkway
West Miramar Beach, FL32550
850-267-8269

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Revised: 02/09/2026 - Article Viewed 48 Times - View Course Profile

About: Brian Weis

Brian Weis is the mastermind behind GolfTrips.com, a vast network of golf travel and directory sites covering everything from the rolling fairways of Wisconsin to the sunbaked desert layouts of Arizona. If there’s a golf destination worth visiting, chances are, Brian has written about it, played it, or at the very least, found a way to justify a "business trip" there.

As a card-carrying member of the Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA), International Network of Golf (ING), Golf Travel Writers of America (GTWA), International Golf Travel Writers Association (IGTWA), and The Society of Hickory Golfers (SoHG), Brian has the credentials to prove that talking about golf is his full-time job. In 2016, his peers even handed him The Shaheen Cup, a prestigious award in golf travel writing—essentially the Masters green jacket for guys who don’t hit the range but still know where the best 19th holes are.

Brian’s love for golf goes way back. As a kid, he competed in junior and high school golf, only to realize that his dreams of a college golf scholarship had about the same odds as a 30-handicap making a hole-in-one. Instead, he took the more practical route—working on the West Bend Country Club grounds crew to fund his University of Wisconsin education. Little did he know that mowing greens and fixing divots would one day lead to a career writing about the best courses on the planet.

In 2004, Brian turned his golf passion into a business, launching GolfWisconsin.com. Three years later, he expanded his vision, and GolfTrips.com was born—a one-stop shop for golf travel junkies looking for their next tee time. Today, his empire spans all 50 states, and 20+ international destinations.

On the course, Brian is a weekend warrior who oscillates between a 5 and 9 handicap, depending on how much he's been traveling (or how generous he’s feeling with his scorecard). His signature move" A high, soft fade that his playing partners affectionately (or not-so-affectionately) call "The Weis Slice." But when he catches one clean, his 300+ yard drives remind everyone that while he may write about golf for a living, he can still send a ball into the next zip code with the best of them.

Whether he’s hunting down the best public courses, digging up hidden gems, or simply outdriving his buddies, Brian Weis is living proof that golf is more than a game—it’s a way of life.