Black Diamond Ranch: Quarry
Lecanto, FL • Private
Evan Schiller
Overview
Black Diamond Ranch is located in out-of-the-way hill country of central Florida, some 30 miles southwest of Ocala. Part of a residential development, this Tom Fazio fantasy-come-alive features a front nine that runs up and down 60-foot-high sand hills and alongside natural sand dunes. But it’s the back-nine stretch through an old rock quarries, holes 13 through 17, that’s the real draw. You start with a par 3 over a pit, then skirt along the rim of a bigger quarry, then descend 85 feet of steep limestone cliffs to the 15th green, positioned astride a bottomless pit of lake, then emerge for more shots along the edge, then shoot down into the smaller pit to the 17th green before finishing on a conventional 18th. Black Diamond has as many twists and turns as a hard-boiled detective novel.
Traditionally a private club (there are a total of 45 holes on property), Black Diamond now offers on-site accommodations and stay and play packages.
About
Awards
100 Greatest: Ranked for 20 years from 1991-2010. Highest ranking: No. 24, 1991-'92.
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked since 2013. Highest ranking: No. 143, 2013-'14. 2021-'22 ranking: No. 185.
100 Greatest Public: Ranked 39th, 2021-'22.
Best in State: Ranked inside the top 5, 1991-2009. Ranked sixth, 2011-'12. Ranked eighth, 2013-'14. Ranked ninth, 2015-'16. Ranked ninth, 2015-'16. Ranked 12th, 2019-'22. Ranked 13th, 2017-'18.
Current ranking: 18th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
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Reviews
Review
“A beautiful Tom Fazio course located in central Florida. The course itself has 13 very good holes and 5 holes that are truly outstanding. Those holes wind around a quarry with elevation changes of 80 feet or more. The views are as spectacular as the golf shots are challenging. Always in good shape, this is a must-play course for any golfer who enjoys a beautiful course and risk-reward shot making."
Read More2021
Review
“The Quarry holes (13 through 17) are the most spectacular stretch of non-water five holes that I have ever played, starting with a shorter par 3 that was straight downwind and ending with a long par 3 that played crosswind. They offer risk reward in many forms—you can cut off as much as you want on a couple of drives over water, play it safe on a second shot on water in front of the green, etc."
Read More2018
Review
“Quarry holes may be the most unique stretch in golf and worth the visit alone at least once. Others have some good and ok holes. Wish the development wasn't quite as encroaching."
Read More2019
Review
“The 5 quarry holes make the course and are simply spectacular. Their "playability" might be a problem for some, but they are stunning to behold. Plenty of challenge across the entire course, and playable with minor exceptions. A unique experience."
Read More2022
Review
“There is a five-hole stretch along the quarry that is very unique and memorable, but the rest of the course leaves much to be desired. The conditions were below what I would consider good for a club of that caliber. If you took away the quarry it would just be an average course at best."
Read More2021
Review
“Quarry holes are fun, but the rest of the course is fairly pedestrian."
Read More2018
Review
“The holes next to the old quarry are dramatic, but the rest of the course is mainly flat and not especially interesting."
Read More2022
Review
“Black Diamond now has a stay and play option. This is good news for the public golfer. The Quarry course just might have the most exhilarating five holes of golf in Florida. As the name implies they are designed around a quarry. Make five pars and you have done well."
Read More2018
Review
“Absolutely a great overall experience."
Read More2018
Review
“Very nice golf course with some unique holes in an old quarry. It's also a good test of golf that requires some good shot making."
Read More2018
Review
“Quarry holes are magnificent."
Read More2018
Review
“The type of course that stays with you long after you've left the property. The first dozen (or so) holes are very good but the finish is off the charts in the "wow" category. Make every effort to play this course."
Read More2018
Review
“Non-Quarry holes are surprisingly good"
Read More2018
Review
“Wonderful course. Always in great shape and has six spectacular holes set in an old quarry. First class course and clubhouse."
Read More2018
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