Ranch at Black Diamond Ranch Golf & Country Club

I recently had the chance to play the newly renovated Ranch Course at Black Diamond Ranch, and I can honestly say it’s one of the most unique and enjoyable private courses I’ve played in Florida. Let’s be clear: this is not your typical flat Florida layout. Instead, you’re greeted with dramatic elevation changes, strategic shot-making opportunities, and incredible conditions.

The course just went through a complete renovation by Tripp Davis & Associates, and the improvements are noticeable from the very first tee. They re-grassed the entire course with TifTuf Bermuda in the fairways and rough, and TifEagle Bermuda on the greens. The greens are absolutely massive and with new grass the greens are firm, fast and roll true as could be. The size of the greens allow for some creative pin locations and makes the golfer use every shot in their bag to access some of the tucked pins.

The bunker work might be my favorite change. They took out a lot of the old bunkers that really only hurt the average golfer, and kept the ones that matter for better player. The new zoysia edges and improved drainage mean the bunkers stay in great shape and add a lot visually.

Another big plus is the new teeing options. With five sets of tees plus the ability to mix and match, this course has it all. Whether you want to play a friendly round or a championship-level test, the Ranch can be set up exactly how you want it.

Hole 16, a 600-yard par 5, really stuck with me. The split fairway in the layup zone forces you to pick your line carefully, and the view looking back from the green, framed by a giant oak tree, was one of those “stop and admire” moments. Followed up with a massive 255-yard par 3 playing severely downhill that uses the natural landscape perfectly, its a great finishing stretch.

The course was in elite shape, especially considering the severe drought Central Florida has been facing. Many local courses have been struggling without rainfall, but the Ranch was one of the better courses I’ve seen in months. Hats off to the superintendent and the maintenance crew.

Lastly, I have to mention the hospitality. From the second I stepped out of my car, I was greeted with a smile and a “Welcome to your new favorite golf course in Florida.” The head pro personally welcomed us, gave us a tour of the practice facilities, and made sure we felt at home. It’s rare to see that level of personal attention these days, and it really capped off an already incredible day.

If you ever get the chance to play the Ranch Course at Black Diamond Ranch, don’t pass it up. Between the top-tier design work, great conditions, and world-class service, it’s a golf experience you won’t forget.

I have played Black Diamond as a guest several times in the past 6 years. The course design in wonderful. The course conditions have become incredibily poor. Several Tee Boxes have no grass, none, just dead weeds and dirt. There are huge sections of fairways with no grass, just dirt. The greens are beat up and have many dead areas "cavities". The rough is weed heaven. The Ranch is so bad the Head-pro and tournament committee will not let the member/guest tournament use it this April. A few years ago it was very nice. My wife and I looked at buying a house there in 2019, thank good we decided to wait. I feel bad for my friend who is a resident member. I told him he can visit my Country Club if wants to experience a well maintained golf course. It is shocking that ownership would let such a great Fazio design become a goat pasture, what a waste. Why would a golf ownership company purchase a great golf course layout and let it deteriorate into a dog track. I overheard a member claim 60 members quit at the end of last year due to poor conditions, I do not know if that is a fact, but based on course conditions it's very believable.

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Black Diamond Quarry course in Florida is like nothing I've ever seen in Florida! Elevation changes didn't confound me, but some of the thrilling views nearly did. It's in great, but Florida dry winter, condition. Quarry greens were fast.

Overall, I'd rate this course a 5/10. Greens were solid and I will admit, the 5 Quarry holes were cool. Considering all the hype on Florida golf rankings websites and reviews, it was a big disappointment. The shaggy tee boxes looked like a below-average muni course, the fairways needed seeding, and the rough was...in rough shape. I read it was THE place to play, but I've play much better Florida golf. I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to play here or doing the stay n' play package if you're looking for top golf.

Tom Fazio and his team did a wonderful job utilizing the non Florida type landscape to create a really cool golf experience. Course was in wonderful condition and the greens ran very true. You will not be disappointed.

I don’t know where to start except to say that if you are a golfer, the Black Diamond Stay and Play is a MUST DO! Firstly, Cherri, is the Director was an amazing organizer and host. She communicated greatly and crossed all the T’s and dotted all the I’s…every little detail was taken care of. Even upon arrival, although I’m sure this wasn’t part of the services included in our golf package, Cherri even offered to make our group reservations at the nicest restaurant in town. She was amazing! Now on to the golf courses…if you haven’t played either of the Black Diamond courses (they have two 18 hole and a 9 hole layouts), you are depriving yourself of two spectacular tracks. The Quarry Course is the most often talked about of the two layouts due to the 6 holes carved out of an old limestone quarry…truly spectacular! I’ve played this course at least a half a dozen times previously and still am amazed every time I play it. This was the first time I played the Ranch Course and it was amazing as well. To warp this up, thank you Cherri for being a fantastic host and thanks to the staff of Black Diamond who were awesome as well. YOU MUST PLAY HERE!

Great course. Love the speed and variation of slope on the greens. Rough is very penalizing so stay in the fairway. Hard but fair.

This course was everything and more of what i heard.

Holes 13 to 17 (the famous quarry holes were spectacular). This course is in florida,when we got to the course it was like where are we, It looked like a course you might see northern california.The ellavation change was

amazing.If you ever have a chance to play this course I would not hesitate.

We went on a golf trip and stayed on the property with 8 guys.

This course was fantastic. Period! It was in great shape, fantastic holes and a great mix of challenging but accommodating for 15+ handicappers in our group. Amazing green complexes.

Service and facilities are pretty no frills

The entire facility is top notch. Worked with a Mike Mathews, at Black Diamond, to arrange the Stay & Play.

Four guys and we had a 4 bedroom, 3 bath house that was perfect. The fourth bedroom was a small office, with a twin in it, but it worked very well. Mike was great to work with and very responsive.

The Quarry course was fun and very nice to play and then you reach holes 13-17 that essentially rim the quarry. That's when it becomes jaw dropping and extremely cool. The course was in tip top condition and the greens were fast and undulating.

I would HIGHLY recommend this facility.

From lush playing surfaces, and breathtaking quarry views, to Spanish moss clad trees and quick challenging greens; Black Diamond Ranch will not leave you wanting for atmosphere or golf. You don’t need the quarry holes for this track to be special, but they certainly don’t hurt.

From a golf perspective (playing from the tips) I was a little worried that the 7000+ yards and 73+ rating would be a bit much; however, other than being a little narrower than some of my drives in places, I only really found one hole should have been a serious challenge. Hitting into a 25+ mph wind, the par three 17th was positively menacing. Ironically, it was not my worst hole… that distinction goes to number 16, where a drive that was too good (penalty) and an approach that was way too bad (penalty #2) led to a triple. However with the wind, the 200+ yard tee shot on 17 was absolutely the most difficult shot to try to pull off on the course (especially for a guy with a natural baby fade on his longer irons).

All of the quarry holes are unique and challenging in their own way. With the afore mentioned wind, I was forced to hit a knockdown 2 iron off the elevated 15th tee box (fortunately this shot was just about perfect and left me with a wedge into the green and an easy par). Number 14 is an all-you-can-eat horseshoe of a par five in which I bit off about 10 yards more than I could chew… leaving me with a rather awkward second shot.

It’s easy to forget the country club feel of the first several holes once you play through the quarry; however, they are well laid out and fantastically maintained. Several of the holes have rather narrow landing areas and the thick vegetation around the fairways can lead to some interesting shots if you are a little off target. The good news is that most of these spots are still recoverable and likely won’t cost you more than a single stroke.

The Quarry course is another that I played on this trip that isn’t inundated with bunkers, but the traps that are present are placed very well and certainly in play. There is also very little water in play; however, the large pond on number 9 does offer a tempting risk/reward drive decision. It’s a par five that is reachable (albeit into a smallish protected green) if you clear the water… obvious problems exist if you come up short (I didn’t try).

I’ve read about some issues with staff and members; I did not experience any of these problems. I was welcomed and have a delightful conversation with the starter and the head pro after my round. There was a little confusion at the beginning of my round about who I was and why I was there, but it was straightened out in relatively short order (and could have been helped by my introducing myself better).

Overall my experience at Black Diamond Ranch was great and I’d certainly give it another whirl if I were back in the area again.

We had the opportunity to play Black Diamond Ranch without having to stay there, so we chose to make the 1.5hr drive from Orlando to play. Of course, we chose to play Quarry course for the famous 5 holes. A bit pricey, especially with the USD/CAD exchange rate right now.

It was a bit breezy, so it made a challenging course a little more difficult, especially the long par 3s. The left waste bunker on the 2nd hole had a pool of water, so some grading required to get rid of that water. The other bunkers we experienced had a thin layer of fluffy sand and then dense sand only about an inch below. We don't know when it rained last.

The rest of the course was in amazing conditions. Fast greens, rolled true, great!

Wife booked us a stay and play package here. I was a bit worried due to previous reviews regarding members being rude to guests, but this was not my experience at all. We were required to play with a forecaddie, which I was also worried about. However, he (Jeff Fox) was awesome and I actually preferred playing with him. Was very friendly and helpful, even helped improve my game while I was there. Course is difficult but a ton of fun. Course conditions were absolutely immaculate. Greens were super tough, but enjoyable. I will definitely be back.

What a golf course!!! Had a stay and play over the weekend and couldn't have asked for a better time. This course is truly special.

One of the most difficult courses I've ever played due to the greens running 13.5! What a tremendous test.

Bill Hardin the membership director was there to greet us when we arrived at Course. Staff in the pro shop was top notch.

You must get a forecaddie when doing a stay and play and we got paired with guy named Peter. Great caddy and even better dude. Wouldsay to anybody....if you get a chance to play this golf club, you must take it!

I've read prior reviews and not sure why people say the members aren't nice. Everybody says hi and waves to you on the course.

Food is outstanding. House was amazing with your own little pool.

I will definately be back just because of the speed of the greens. What a fun day!

Played the Quarry and Ranch Courses. Quarry is what they say - Beautiful and challenging. No other views like it in Florida. Ranch Course was a bit more challenging than the Quarry

Black Diamond is a private course and we were there on as a guests. Between the rude and unhelpful Head Golf Pro and his staff and the disrespect and nasty comments we got from the members while on "THEIR" courses, my friends and I will not be back.

The club staff needs some hospitality training too. They were not very knowledgeable. Food was just okay, nothing to brag about. Seemed to be short staffed.

Courses were great, but the overall experience was terrible. They don't want outside play, but they will take your money.

Had a guy's trip here this year. The quarry course is unlike others. A really nice experience.

Unfortunately the club seems to be in quite a conflict. It is exclusive, and the members and staff do not like the stay-and-play function allowed.

It was clear that we were not one of them, and not welcome.

I have been going on a golf trip many years now and can say that my group had never been treated worse.

If it's one round, it's worst it.

If you are planning on a golf trip - don't bother.

You have to stay there to play there (or know a member), but it's well worth the effort. Terrific conditioning combined with a great Tom Fazio layout make this one of the best courses in Florida. The quarry holes -- 13-through-17 are nothing less than stunning, and the Tif-Eagle greens are among the best you'll play anywhere. Some members and even the pros say they prefer the other courses at Black Diamond, but I think it's hard to beat the Quarry Course.

If it weren't for the course and the practice facilities being totally top-notch I wouldn't consider going back. A group of members attempted to kick us off the course incorrectly thinking we jumped in front of them without even talking to us first. The ranger, who sent us off by the way, assumed the members were right and wasn't courteous enough to ask weather we had or hadn't.. Once that debacle was diffused, I was allowed to purchase food and drinks with a non-member surcharge around 12% higher than the menu price. Never once in my years of golfing at some of the nicest courses in the country have I been asked to pay more for F and B than the menu price. Food was mediocre, too. But the golf course was superb and the views are wonderful. I'll go back.

The 18-hole layout is in excellent condition and would be a treat to play even without the 3 or 4 holes that were carved out of a quarry. Add those holes and you have a truly unique golfing experience in Florida. . Expensive .

The 5 quarry holes are the best consecutives holes in golf visually and challenging