Golfing in Pensacola: Swing, Slice, Repeat, and Laugh

Golfing sure is a funny sport. Players whack a tiny dimpled ball with a metal stick, aiming to land it in a hole hundreds of yards away—all while trying to avoid water, sand, and the occasional duck invasion. It’s a mix of strategy, skill, and optimism, because you’re spending four hours trying to conquer a course designed to humiliate you.

So why do people play it? For the thrill of that one perfect shot that keeps you coming back, the camaraderie with friends, and, let’s be honest, the excuse to spend an afternoon outdoors with a cold drink in hand and a golf cart at your disposal. It's a game of patience, frustration, and moments of sheer joy—sometimes all on the same hole.

Whether you’re channeling your inner pro or your handicap is best described as “at least I’m outside,” Pensacola’s public golf courses will have you grinning between bogeys.

Let’s dive into the greens (or some water hazards) of Pensacola golf… FORE!!!

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Osceola Golf Course

Osceola is the hometown hero of Pensacola golf. Many locals learned the basics of the sport here. It’s a course that doesn’t judge—whether you’re striping drives down the fairway or treating the rough like an all-you-can-slice buffet. As the only municipal course in Pensacola, this par-72 layout welcomes everyone, from beginners to those who dream of putting like Tiger. With smooth Bermuda greens and forgiving fairways, it’s the perfect spot for a casual round.

Pro Tip: At $34 for 18 holes (cart included), you can still afford that post-round “victory” drink even if your scorecard tells a different story.

Once you're done playing, hit up the Fusion Grill, a full-service restaurant and bar on-site. Fusion Grill doesn’t just serve golfers—it’s the perfect spot to recharge with hearty fare and happy hour deals Monday through Thursday, 4-6 p.m.

Scenic Hills Country Club

Scenic Hills combines long, rolling fairways with tight greens that will test your patience—and possibly your vocabulary. This course boasts some challenging elevation changes, water hazards, and bunkers ready to trap even your best shots. It’s perfect for anyone who loves golf with a side of “why did I try that shot?”

When your scorecard tells you the golf gods were not in your favor, head to the Scenic Hills Country Club Restaurant. While you dine, enjoy a panoramic view of the stunning golf course. Whether you're craving casual sandwiches, prime steaks, or fresh Gulf seafood, their menu will satisfy any appetite. Take the experience outside to their patio to enjoy cigars, live music, and vibrant conversation—or just watch the game on one of their big screens. It’s the perfect way to toast your triumphs (or forget your scorecard).

Pro Tip: Their mid-week specials often include deals on green fees—so keep an eye out and save your cash for extra balls instead!

Marcus Pointe Golf Club

Marcus Pointe is a beauty, with fairways so lush they’ll make you forget about that duck hook on hole three. This Earl Stone-designed course isn’t just for the pros—it’s perfect for anyone who enjoys rolling landscapes and perfectly placed hazards (aka ball magnets).

It’s also got a casual dining spot for when you’re just ready to putt it behind you. Get it?

Pointe Grill offers a fantastic menu and Southern hospitality. Start your day with hearty biscuits or wind down with a juicy burger and iced tea.

Pro Tip: Play after lunch. Twilight rates start at $25, which means you can blow through a sleeve of balls and
still afford to replace them later.

A.C. Read Golf Course

Located on NAS Pensacola, A.C. Read isn’t just a golf course; it’s a golf empire. With 27 championship holes and an 18-hole executive course located along Bayou Grande, it’s the kind of place that gives you options: do you want to play all day or just until your driver betrays you? The bay views are gorgeous, and they just might distract you enough to improve your putting game.

The Oaks Restaurant and Lounge is a cozy spot offering a range of breakfast items and classic lunch dishes. Don't forget to try their specials or savor a drink while watching the game on one of their big screens.

Pro Tip: Green fees for civilians start at $27. If you’re in the military or a veteran, you’ll score even better discounts—because heroes deserve hero rates. Just don’t forget your ID to get on base.

Perdido Bay Golf Club

Playing at this former PGA Tour stop is like stepping into golf history—except you’re the star. (Or maybe the blooper reel.) This course combines classic design with modern challenges, and its water hazards are here to remind you why you keep extra balls in your bag. Perdido Bay will make you earn that post-round bragging session.

Pro Tip: Rates range from $49 to $79, but twilight specials let you challenge this iconic course without breaking the bank—or your confidence.

Don’t leave without dining at Legends Bar & Grille, the clubhouse restaurant serving American classics. The live music and scenic views make it the ideal spot to recount your “almost-a-birdie” moments.

Lost Key Golf Club

Nicknamed "Lost Ball" (for good reason), this Arnold Palmer designed course tests even the most seasoned golfers. Lost Key Golf Club is an eco-friendly, Audubon-certified course blends tight fairways with stunning scenery—perfect for those who like their golf with a side of nature. Just don’t blame the birds if your slice sends your ball into oblivion.

Pro Tip: At $89+ per round, the challenge is real, but so is the bragging rights you’ll earn for surviving Lost Key with your sanity intact.

Refuel at Grille 625, a full-service bar and restaurant located in the club’s state-of-the-art clubhouse with indoor and outdoor seating and panoramic views of the championship golf course. With fresh and locally inspired menu options, Grille 625 ensures your golf getaway has a delicious ending.

Cypress Lakes Golf Club

Cypress Lakes is a hidden gem just north of Pensacola. This 18-hole gem is surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and magnolias—along with sneaky water hazards that seem to say, “Nice try, buddy,” after every wayward shot. Bald cypress trees and vibrant azaleas add a touch of class, so even when you're double-bogeying your way through, at least the scenery is a winner.

After your round, hit up The Gallery Grille, a cozy restaurant serving breakfast and lunch with a side of Southern charm. Think hearty breakfasts, sandwiches, and plenty of coffee for early-morning tee times.

Pro Tip: Rates are as smooth as their greens—affordable and worth every penny.

Just remember, golf in Pensacola isn’t just about hitting the perfect shot—it’s about the stories, the camaraderie, and the occasional excuse (“It must’ve been the wind!”). Grab your clubs, prepare your best trash talk, and remember: every missed putt is just practice for the next hole.

Happy golfing! And FORE!!!

Author

Katie King

Katie King, a dedicated beach enthusiast, relocated from Atlanta to Pensacola in late 2002. Over the next 13 years, she served as a photojournalist and editor at the Pensacola News Journal, capturing the essence of Pensacola through her lens. Katie's photography has been featured in prestigious publications such as The New York Times, USA Today, The Los Angeles Times, and The Washington Post, earning her a place in the Newseum’s Top Ten Front Pages exhibit. For the past decade, Katie has thrived as an account manager and public relations specialist at EW Bullock Associates. Beyond her professional roles, Katie dedicates her time as the vice president of Northwest Florida Great Dane Rescue, where she can often be found chauffeuring these slobbery gentle giants around town. When not immersed in volunteer work, you'll likely spot Katie nurturing her garden in East Hill or soaking up the sun, sand and surf on the pristine shores of Pensacola Beach.

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