%20-%2015th%20hole%20_2%20-%20Evan%20Schiller.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.960.suffix/1588620738914.jpeg)
Evan Schiller
Black Diamond Ranch: Quarry
Black Diamond Ranch: Quarry
3125 W Black Diamond Cir
Lecanto, FL 34461-9639
United States
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 quarry, 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
ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked for 20 years from 1991-2010.
Highest ranking: 24th, 1991-'92.
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked from 2013-'22.
Highest ranking: 143rd, 2013-'14.
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. Ranked 18th, 2023-'24. Ranked 22nd, 2025-'26.
Previous ranking: 18th.
2025-'26 ranking: 22nd.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“If you get a chance to play here, do so, if for no other reason but to see and play holes 13-17, which are arguably among the best 5 hole stretch as you can find anywhere."
Read More2026
Review
“I find this a challenging course to rate. Obviously it is famous for 13-17, and the course deserves A LOT of credit for having such holes at a time that they were highly exceptional (they still are great, but one sees canyon/quarry holes more often now). However, the remaining 13 holes are solid, but certainly not exceptional. So I settled on higher marks for character due to exceptional nature of 13-17 during the era they were built, but not as high a score for aesthetics (although the aesthetics of the canyon holes are exceptional)."
Read More2026
Review
“For the first 12 holes, the layout is solid but not spectacular - lots of elevation changes and doglegs with wide playing corridors. However, the course dramatically changes on the 13th hole when you enter the quarry. There's a sign that lets the golfer know they're playing the best 5 consecutive holes of golf and, while a slight exaggeration, it's pretty apt. The holes in and around the quarry flow incredibly well and are aesthetically brilliant. The two par 3's - 13 and 17 - are particularly spectacular. The 18th hole is a bit of a let down, but well worth the visit"
Read More2026
Review
“Wonderfully designed golf course and so unique in the quarry holes."
Read More2026
Review
“Solid first 12 holes through rolling fairways. Holes 13-17 play in and around a stone quarry adding to aesthetics, character, layout variety, & the fun. Hole 18 a solid dogleg left par 5. Lots of fun to play."
Read More2026
Review
“Solid first 12 holes. Holes 13 through 17 in and around a stone quarry greatly add to challenge, aesthetics, character, & the fun. Finish with dogleg left par 5. Greens very fast and true. Lots of fun to play"
Read More2026
Review
“Black Diamond Quarry starts off very typical for a country club, not too hard and or difficult on the front nine, but the greens are small and club selection has too be accurate. Overall the conditioning of the course was very good and course was a not firm, but I don't know if it rained in this area recently. When you play the back nine, the course stands out beginning on the 13th hole, a par 3 the requires a solid shot over the quarry of about 165-180 yards and offers a picturesque view, similar to 8th hole at Pebble Beach. The 14th is a short par 5 around the rim of the larger quarry, and one doesn't need to challenge too much of the quarry, as it is not long, but the approach shot into the green needs to be more precise. The 15th is a short par 4 that descends into the quarry and the 16th goes back to the top. This 16th hole is very challenging, especially from the back tee, as the fairway is not too wide, curls left and any drive tugged to the left will probably end up in the quarry. The 17th hole is another picturesque par 3 downhill into the another quarry hole, and plays over 200 yards. It is downhill, but that doesn't mean it plays any easier, as the quarry wall is to the left and a marsh area is short and to the right. These five holes, 13-17, are a great finish to the round of golf. The 18th is a short par 5 up the hill back to the clubhouse and offers a sigh of relief after the quarry holes, but requires and accurate tee shot to remain between two groups of trees to have an easier approach to the green."
Read More2026
Review
“Spectacular setting with hole surrounding quarry on back 9"
Read More2026
Review
“Located in Lecanto, Florida, approximately 1 hour north of Tampa, this private course was designed by Tom Fazio (1987). The back nine is by far the most scenic, with the dramatic cliffs and elevation changes. The course has small greens, minimal undulations, some had 2 tiers. Front nine is relatively tame, back nine is more intense with spectacular scenery from the former quarry."
Read More2025
Review
“The Quarry course offers a nice balance of holes across a surprisingly variable property. Grasses plays fast and firm and playing surfaces are exceptionally consistent. The five-hole stretch between 13 and 17 is among the best anywhere and Fazio made expert use of the quarry without building repetitive-feeling holes. The seventeenth is an epic one-shotter that closes a stern, hour-long test. The Quarry has held up very well for a course of its vintage and offers a solid contrast to more recent Florida builds."
Read More2025
