Black Diamond Ranch: Quarry
Lecanto, FL, United States • Private
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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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Challenge
Layout Variety
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Aesthetics
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Reviews
Review
“Solid earlier Fazio design. As everyone agrees, the highlight here are the quarry holes that loop around the former limestone quarry. These are exceptionally routed to capture the vistas and challenges of dramatic cliffs and changes in topography. The canvas offered to Fazio to design around this feature had to be a career high point as there is nothing like it in Florida. The course has great par 3s that are challenging but fair. Even the benign 4th hole has a great pop up feature that creates an illusion that the green is closer than it is. The quarry par 3s are exceptional but are very challenging due to 200 yd + shots. Generally a very playable course for most golfers but doesn't offer a dramatic challenge for scratch golfers outside of 2 or 3 holes around the quarry. The 16th hole is very difficult and depending on green speeds and pin position can push the line of unfair. Unfortunately the course has been neglected and they are letting the green sizes shrink and the bunkers are pushing back from the green edges. The course could use a heavy clean up and refreshing and would be ranked higher if they reclaimed some pin positions, bunkering and conditioning."
Read More2024
Review
“The five quarry holes are outstanding and definitely worth the trip. The rest of the course is also challenging and well laid out. Great experience!"
Read More2023
Review
“The back nine of Black Diamond has spectacular holes built around an abandoned quarry. They are as good a stretch of hole as anywhere. The rest of the course is also good, but suffers from poor conditioning and some ill-considered design changes."
Read More2023
Review
“14 ordinary holes and 5 quarry holes. The quarry holes are nice and fun to play."
Read More2023
Review
“Spectacular holes around the Quarry on the back nine make this a very fun and memorable course. Solid front nine as well. Lots of options and fun to play. Conditioning can be spotty depending on time of year."
Read More2022
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
“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
“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
“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
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