FAQ
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There really aren’t all that many. Respect the golf course (repair ball marks, fix divots, keep the cart away from the green), respect your fellow players (let the faster groups through), and respect our staff and you’ll probably be just fine. No dress code, not restrictions on group size, no fixed tee times. If you have a question about anything, just ask.
A few common, related questions and answers:
Q: Can we play a fivesome/sixsome/etc.?
A: Yes, as long as you let faster groups through. A three on three scramble with all six players in the same group is an absolute blast and it won't take long to get around with that format.
Q: Hats in clubhouse, shoes in parking lot, jackets at dinner?
A: Sure! Sure! No need, because we don't have formal dinner! The point is that we're not that kind of place. You really don't have to ask, but if it makes you more comfortable to do so, go ahead. There are no "unwritten" rules at Old Charlie.
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We’ll begin construction sometime in late 2026 or 2027. Weather, scheduling, and the speed of local and regional governments for approvals will all play a role in how quickly we'll get it all done. Our engineering partners and design team are experienced and engaged, and we’ll be getting started on routing soon!
We'll keep members up to date at every stage of the process, and we have a ton of fun things planned before we officially open our doors, including construction tours and preview play at Old Charlie, plus golf outings, member meet & greets, and live and virtual hangouts elsewhere.
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We won't have cabins when we open, though it may be something we consider at another time. That said, we're less than an hour from some of the most beautiful beach towns in the country and there are hotels, condos, and home rentals galore in the area. There are also several hotel and home rental options that are a little closer, in towns like Defuniak Springs and Ponce de Leon, if that's something you prefer.
As we get closer to opening day, we'll work with local rental companies and resorts to make sure there are plenty of great options for our visitors.
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In a lot of ways, a play date at Old Charlie will be a lot like a trip to any other golf course. You'll get unloaded, check in, maybe warm up for a bit, and then get going. There are no strict tee times, so there's no huge rush getting here, and play is unlimited on your play date, so feel free to head back out for another loop if the mood strikes. You can walk if you want, but it's not a requirement. And there'll be enough to eat, drink, and do that you can stay all day if you want.
If you'll have less than a foursome, you'll have the chance to (virtually) meet and potentially pair up with fellow members ahead of your play date. If you're able to make something work, great! If not, that's okay too, there is plenty of room for everyone in any configuration.
Let faster groups through, behave like reasonable adults when it comes to cart tracks, divots, and ball marks, and be nice to staff and fellow members. Otherwise, have fun doing whatever makes you happy!
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Yes! We're close to Destin, Panama City, and the 30A corridor and there is a ton of good golf in the area. Watersound has three golf courses, including a recently opened Davis Love III design simply called The Third. Windswept Dunes is in nearby Freeport, there are several clubs at the Sandestin Resort, and there is even more golf further east near Panama City.
Finally, the newly announced Dream Golf development, Old Shores, will be approximately 45 minutes east. Their first announced course is being built by Tom Doak, and we expect they'll break ground around the same time we do at Old Charlie.
So yes, there is some great golf now, but there's even better golf coming!
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Too early to say. What we know is that our course designers are absolute masters who have both spent more than a decade apiece studying and shaping under the tutelage of Coore & Crenshaw. They've proven what they're capable of on their own as well, most notably at Winter Park 9. Like the Coore & Crenshaw duo, Rhebb and Johns like to take what the land gives them, and we're thrilled to give them this piece of land to work with.
We'll be getting started with routing soon, and will be giving our members inside glimpses into the entire process. We'll update this space as details start to materialize. We're excited to get started!
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Membership at Old Charlie does not convey nor does it imply an equity stake in Old Charlie or Goat Track Holdings LLC. Sorry!
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Play day selection will occur sometime before each season and will work the same way each year. When it's your turn to choose your play day(s), you'll select any of the available remaining dates within the day/season category that you purchased.
Goat Track Society members get first crack at dates, to be followed by other membership categories. Folks will choose play dates based on size of purchase first, then by the time the order was originally placed. So, if you bought reservations for a foursome, you'll get to choose before members who bought just a single reservation, but if you bought a single in March, and another person bought one in April, then you'll go first. It's beneficial to sign up earlier, and if you're part of a group it's certainly beneficial to sign up that way. We even allow split payments to make it easier.
All GTS members will choose play dates before anyone else. So even if you bought just a single reservation, you'll always get your pick before all other membership categories.
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Guests, in the traditional sense, aren't really a thing at Old Charlie. Every person on the course must have a reservation (you get one with every reservation fee you pay). That said, the individual who uses the reservation(s) can change from year to year. So, as an example, someone could buy four reservations and send four different people every year.
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These things happen. Your first and best option is to send a friend in your place. Your reservation is yours to do what you please, and that includes sending someone in your place for your play date(s) at Old Charlie. There are two additional options:
1. Reschedule - We schedule about 220 play dates every year. The other ~140 days are set aside for weather make up days and maintenance events. So, in most cases we'll be able to work with you to reschedule or add a day during the following season to make up for the miss.
2. Request a refund - For certain rare and unavoidable circumstances, you can request a refund of annual dues for the year you can't come. Since there is potential for abuse of this policy, refunds are allowed solely at management's discretion.
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Weather is an unfortunate reality in Florida, so we have planned ample weather make up days into the calendar. In fact only about 220 days a year will be available for reservations; we'll be closed for maintenance (and will never be open during aeration weeks) and for weather make up days the rest of the time. If you're not able to reschedule in the same season/year, we'll work with you to make alternative arrangements for your next visit.
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We have set aside ample time in the calendar for maintenance, and will never be open during aeration or major application weeks. Our aim is to present a consistently excellent (seasonally appropriate) experience from a maintenance perspective for each of the ~220 days we're operating throughout the year.